2024 Advent Series / Sermon 5: GOD WITH US
Luke 2 / Isaiah 9:6 - Victory Fellowship
December 24, 2024 – Rev. Roderick Grabski
Christmas Eve - 5:30pm
Meditation
This evening we’ve paused for a moment to remember the Christmas story and to celebrate the glory of heaven ringing out loudly, proclaiming the wonder of God in the world; Christ Jesus who came into the world to offer redemption and lasting hope; the King of Kings.
In Christ we hear the bells of Heaven ringing loudly. In Christ we see God playing a sweet melody of hope, eternal life; redemption.
We have been invited by God to attend this wonderful symphony of life.
We have been ushered into our seats by the Holy Spirit, and here we are being overwhelmed by the majesty and beauty of the song being played; Emmanuel – God with us!
This evening we celebrate not the birth of merely a wise man, not only a great teacher, and certainly not simply a prophet of God; we celebrate God in the flesh, the promised Messiah; the Christ Child who came into the world to save the world.
The God Man who came into the world to set the captives free; to offer the hope of eternal salvation to you and to me.
Of all of the sounds of the unwrapping of paper from the gifts that we will exchange this season - as you listen to them, hear a greater sound; the sound of the unwrapping, the unveiling of Christ to the world.
Take a moment to stop this season, even as you have done this evening, to listen for the sound of salvation, the ringing of the bells of grace, resounding in the wonder, the beauty, the majesty of Christ Jesus given.
Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Tonight the candlelight represents the Light of Christ breaking into a dark world. On a more personal level, the light represents Christ breaking into our hearts, producing repentance for sins and offering forgiveness and new – eternal life – if we can only slow down enough to hear God’s Voice.
I want to encourage two prayers as I close:
1) If you are born again, pray silently that those within the sound of my voice -who are not -will yield to the light of Christ and let Him in.
2) If you are not a Christian - in your heart and mind- earnestly repeat the words I say and receive the Savior.
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Your Name, Amen.
(tell someone you prayed that prayer tonight)
Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
THE SHARING OF THE LIGHT:
Please hold your candle steady while the person next to you lights their candle from yours. Be careful of dripping hot wax. Don’t extinguish your candle until after the Pastor gives the Benediction. Place your extinguished candles in the container at the back as you exit the service. Merry Christmas! Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!
SONG: Emmanuel God with Us
HYMN #138: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
