Sermon: "Afraid When Heaven Comes Down" by Randy Roberts
Part 3 – Christmas ... F.E.A.R.*
(*For Every Anxious Reason)

Prayer: Jacqueline Lynch

Pastoral Welcome: Bernard Taylor

Baptism: Nicole Ellen Handysides - Rob Mohr

Children’s Feature: Jackie Bishop

Meditation:

The gospel is so simple that small children can understand it, and it is so profound that studies by the wisest theologians will never exhaust its riches. – Charles Hodge

The gospel, like its blessed Master, is always crucified between two thieves – legalists of all sorts on the one hand and libertarians on the other; the former robbing the Savior of the glory of his work for us, and the other robbing him of the glory of his work within us. – James Henley Thornwell

Scripture Reading Luke 2:8–12, TNIV Teia Campbell - 1st service
(Pew Bible, page 1525) Braydon Mohr - 2nd service

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON

Christmas is God’s proclamation to human beings that he has acted in the world for their salvation.  That’s not the first thought that leaps to mind when most of us think of Christmas.  We think of gifts, of shopping, of crowds, of carols, of snow, of candlelight, and of a thousand other things.  What we don’t think of often enough is the simple fact that Christmas is a time when we choose to remember that God announced salvation to humanity and that he then backed up that announcement with his action in Christ.

Remember, after all, what the angel announced to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11, TNIV).

You may recognize the above passage as the third time in the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel where an angel tells a human being, “Do not be afraid.”  Those three passages have been the focus of this three-part Christmas sermon series, “Christmas … F.E.A.R.* (*For Every Anxious Reason).” And, indeed, the Christmas message is for every anxious reason of our hearts and lives.

This week, the angel’s assurance is that God has acted for our salvation.  The angel’s assurance is the essence of the gospel.  So revel in his love for you!  Celebrate the fact that God is on your side!  And don’t forget the central message of the season!

Finally: remember that next Sabbath is December 25, Christmas Day!  And remember!  There will be no Sabbath School that day!  So enjoy a more leisurely Christmas Sabbath morning with your family and then join us either for first service at 10 a.m. or for second service at 11:45.  Music from Handel’s Messiah will be featured.

God’s Christmas best to you.

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor

Note: Baptisms and child dedications are listed in the extras section of the DVD

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