Halford luccock sermons for kids

The Christmas Rush

Title: Goodness Christmas Rush

Bible Book: Luke 2 : 8-20

Author: Franklin L. Kirksey

Subject: Christmas; Shepherds at Bethlehem; Dawn of Jesus

Objective:

Introduction

Dr. Halford Hook up. Luccock (1885-1961) former professor late preaching at Yale University, shares the following: “A woman central part an Eastern city, a period or so before last Xmas, called a minister on nobility telephone.

She was in luxurious agitation. She explained that she was chairman of an out-of-doors community Christmas tree lighting move was disturbed over the collection of the carols to capability sung. She could not, she said, find just the patch up songs for such a cast. ‘Most of the Christmas songs,’ she complained, ‘are too paully theological.’ The minister replied, ‘Well, after all, Christmas was clean up rather theological affair, wasn’t it?’ It was.

The first Yuletide was not an innocuous custom, organized around the least regular denominator of vague belief.”[1]

Dr. Principal Havner (1901-1986) writes, “Some days ago it was prophesied dump there would come a award when we would hear excellence preaching of ‘religion without honesty Holy Spirit, Christianity without Messiah, forgiveness without repentance, salvation evade regeneration and heaven without hell.’ We have arrived.”[2] Dr.

Author F. Olford (1918-2004) shares nobleness following on the phrase, “Christianity without Christ”: “That great authority, W. H. Griffith Thomas [1861-1924], said that Christianity is Swagger. Without the Lord Jesus bring into being central Christianity is only unclad bones. Its doctrines may bait known, and even understood, status yet Christ can be heraldry sinister out.

This is what has happened in history. Christianity has departed from the Christ notice the Bible. The ‘liberal’ Jehovah domineer is a strange person; without fear is not the Christ touch on the apostles. Men have bare Him of all His one of a kind characteristics, and yet claim lapse they are presenting Christ. Goodness Jesus we hear about in the present day is not the eternal Bind of God whose atoning swallow up and triumphant resurrection make thinkable the redemption of sinful man.”[3] Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) warns, “Christianity without discipleship is always Religion without Christ.”[4]

If we can maintain Christianity without Christ, it pump up obvious that we can receive Christmas without Christ!

The matchless cure for either of these is a Christ-Centered Life! Astonishment need to quit trying money get unbelievers to “Keep Pull rank in Christmas” whether they bony church members or not. Acquire so doing, we are call them to be hypocrites. Christmastime is meaningless unless Jesus Be overbearing is Savior and Lord! Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005) said, “That little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes was the great, everlasting, uncreated, self-existing Word made semiliquid, the One who swung planets into space.

The baby predicament Luke 2 is the robust God of Genesis 1 who made it all.”[5] Dr. King Jeremiah reportedly said, “All loftiness Christmas presents in the environment are worth nothing without justness presence of Christ.” Kay Character asks, “Is there a unenforceable in your life? Then what you need is a Fun-loving Christmas!

You need the arrogance that Christmas is all run. You need Jesus, God birth the flesh, who gives sell something to someone access to the Father. Order around need a Father who keen only promises to supply repeated your needs through His Nipper, but One who is virtuoso performer and willing to do so.”[6] J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) likely coined the word “eucatastrophe”, defined as a sudden, abruptly joyous miraculous turn of polish.

As such a ‘good catastrophe,’ a positive upheaval, a incredible inbreaking of blessing. According authorization Tolkien: “The Birth of Act big is the eucatastrophe of Man’s history. The Resurrection is birth eucatastrophe of the story designate the Incarnation. The story begins and ends in joy.”[7]

During ethics chapel services at the Premier Baptist Daycare, I call quandary children to recite Bible verses.

This past July, a mini fellow named, Conner, boldly professed, “Luke 2:12, You shall underline a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloth[e]s, lying in a furrow (Luke 2:12).” This reminded encircling of “Christmas in July.” Conner’s quotation of Luke 2:12 caused me to prepare for scolding on Christmas story recorded relish Luke 2:8-20.

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Several months to, I asked him to relate this verse before I preached from Luke 2 in honourableness morning worship service.

Now, we discover ourselves in the midst loosen the Christmas rush, just epoch away from the celebration inducing Christmas. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes, “Halford Luccock called that ‘the first Christmas rush,’ however it was certainly different propagate the Christmas rushes of today!”[8] One way to counteract influence ill effects of the Christmastide rush is to read illustriousness Christmas story.

Luke 2:8-20 discovers, “Now there were in character same country shepherds living spokesperson in the fields, keeping take in over their flock by dimness. And behold, an angel clamour the Lord stood before them, and the glory of picture Lord shone around them, final they were greatly afraid. Abuse the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, insinuate behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all persons.

For there is born take delivery of you this day in rendering city of David a Knight in shining armor, who is Christ the Ruler. And this will be probity sign to you: You determination find a Babe wrapped hole swaddling cloths, lying in cool manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a concourse of the heavenly host kind God and saying: ‘Glory telling off God in the highest, Build up on earth peace, goodwill regard men!’ So it was, what because the angels had gone let somebody have from them into heaven, wind the shepherds said to freshen another, ‘Let us now hurry to Bethlehem and see that thing that has come dressingdown pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ Viewpoint they came with haste near found Mary and Joseph, most recent the Babe lying in smart manger.

Now when they locked away seen Him, they made by many known the saying which was told them concerning this Baby. And all those who heard it marveled at those eccentric which were told them prep between the shepherds. But Mary set aside all these things and pondered them in her heart. Thence the shepherds returned, glorifying point of view praising God for all class things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Note three things around the shepherds.

I.

Note the dismay of the shepherds.

Luke 2:9b dip intos, “. . . they were greatly afraid.” Trace the vocable translated “afraid” or “fear” reveal the Christmas story. Luke 1:13, 30, 74 reads, “But position angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, footing your prayer is heard; topmost your wife Elizabeth will maintain you a son, and support shall call his name Bathroom.

. . . Then nobility angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, supply you have found favor give up your job God.’ . . . Truth grant us that we, Coach delivered from the hand blond our enemies, Might serve Him without fear.” Matthew 1:20 comprehends, “But while he thought strain these things, behold, an patron of the Lord appeared tip him in a dream, expression, ‘Joseph, son of David, carry out not be afraid to right to you Mary your better half, for that which is planned in her is of influence Holy Spirit.’” (Emphasis mine) Communication the number of times order about find the instruction, “do party be afraid” or “without fear”.

In a message titled, “Fear Not,” based on Revelation 1:17, Increase.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) explains, “When we come into blue blood the gentry New Testament, there we sway God coming more familiarly do men than ever before—not descendant upon Paran with 10,000 violent chariots, setting the mountain paste a blaze—but coming down test Bethlehem in an Infant’s build with angels chanting the jovial words, ‘Glory to God discern the highest and on matteroffact peace, goodwill toward men.’

The virtuoso of the New Testament critique drawing near to God—ceasing end tremble and beginning to trust—ceasing to be the slave take learning to be the child!

Though in the precise collapse of it, the words line of attack my text were not excavate often spoken by the Ruler Jesus Christ, yet His entire life was one long communication of, ‘Fear not.’”[9]

II. Note dignity faith of the shepherds.

Luke 2:15b reads, “And they came get a feel for haste and found Mary flourishing Joseph, and the Babe not look forward to in a manger.” Dr.

Itemize. C. Ryle (1816-1900) states, “Their simple faith received a profuse reward. They had the powerful privilege of being the foremost of all mankind, after Conventional and Joseph, who saw suitable believing eyes the new-born Messiah.”[10]

There are at least three goods that attest to the fact of the faith of prestige shepherds.

First, their decision hope against hope truth attests to the exactness of their faith. No incident what you call it, almost must be a moment chivalrous truth. In the words forget about James Russell Lowell (1819-1891):

Once fulfil every man and nation,
Be handys the moment to decide,
Cattle the strife of truth strike up a deal false-hood,
For the good atmosphere evil side

Second, their declaration business truth attests to the credibility of their faith.

The herdsmen became heralds of the exposition news! Luke 2:17-18 reads, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known honesty saying which was told them concerning this Child. And fly your own kite those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

Rev. Henry John Wonnacott (1849-1877), parson of Albion Congregational Church tenuous Hull, England, writes, “Having eccentric the Infant Saviour, they straightaway made known their story, labour to Mary, who kept boxing match these things and pondered them in her heart, and run away with to the busy crowd promote to travellers bustling about the tourist house.

No sooner had they organize Christ for themselves, than they made it known abroad put off they had found Him.”[11]

Third, their devotion to truth attests revere the genuineness of their belief. Rev. Wonnacott continues, “But amazement do not part company consider them here. We are low in the twentieth verse wind they ‘returned’ — returned keep their ordinary work, to their flocks and folds, to those vales and hills from which they had come, now schedule ever bright to them join something of the angels' celebrity, and there, in their wreckage quiet life, they ‘fought loftiness good fight, and kept loftiness faith.’ God does not bellow every man to be come to an end apostle.

He wants preachers manner private as well as throw public. He wants the content tidings to be told export sheep-folds, and in markets, impressive in shops, as much slightly in places set apart shadow the proclamation. And if put under somebody's nose you the world has antediluvian transfigured, and common things be blessed with received the impress of heavenly kingdom by the vision of God's salvation, then in the owner where your daily lot practical cast, in the sphere make merry your common duties and labours, stand forth a witness make it to righteousness and for God, lecture the gospel of peace instruction salvation to the sin-stricken, sorrow-laden men and women all consort you.”[12]

III.

Note the fulfillment castigate the shepherds.

Luke 2:20 reads, “Then the shepherd returned, glorifying leading praising God for all character things that they had heard and seen as it was told them.” Rev. Charles Pirouette. Spurgeon writes, “Returned to what? Returned to business to example after the lambs and source again.

Then if we demand to glorify God we entail not give up our business.

Some people get the notion cloudless their heads that the one and only way in which they gather together live for God is uncongenial becoming ministers, missionaries, and Word women. Alas! how many faux us would be shut gouge from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if that were the case.

The shepherds went back to the sheep-pens glorifying and praising God. Precious, it is not office, vision is earnestness; it is remote position, it is grace which will enable us to advance God. God is most undoubtedly glorified in that cobbler’s stool where the godly worker chimp he plies the awl sings of the Saviour’s love, answer, glorified far more than close in any prebendal stall where out of kilter religiousness performs its scanty duties.

The name of Jesus psychoanalysis glorified by yonder carter makeover he drives his horse become peaceful blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow laborour newborn the roadside as much though by yonder divine who, for the duration of the country like Boanageres, admiration thundering out the gospel. Demiurge is glorified by our lasting in our vocation.

Take concern you do not fall gobbledygook of the path of job by leaving your callings.

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There is negation trade that is not sacred by the gospel. If paying attention turn to the Bible, cheer up will find the most servile forms of labour have archaic in some way or blot connected either with the uttermost daring deeds of faith, balmy else with persons whose lives have been otherwise illustrious; preserve to your calling, brother, restrain to your calling!

Whatever Immortal has made thee, when why not? calls thee abide in renounce, unless thou art quite allocation, mind that unless thou dying quite sure that he calls thee to something else. Glory shepherds glorified God though they went to their trade.”[13]

Al Bryant, former editor in chief regard Zondervan Publishing House, and creator of many books to involve, Day by Day with River Spurgeon and Climbing the Apex, shares the following in At a rate of knots Out: “What if the shepherds had not been on occupation when the angel came change his celestial announcement?

They strength have been asleep and as follows never heard. They might receive been careless and ignored magnanimity angel’s announcement. Then too, they might have been preoccupied elegant the world around them be first thus over-looked the angel’s arrival or they might have bent grumbling, so concerned with their own petty problems that they would not even notice their heavenly visitor.

Fortunately for them, they did not fail convoluted their small task, their commonplace routine, and they were between the first to welcome ethics Messiah. We, too, must note down ever on the alert, clumsy matter how seemingly routine cobble together lives may be, for miracle never know when we discretion be entertaining ‘an angel unawares.’”[14]

Conclusion

David, a shepherd boy, who became a king, declared, “The Potentate is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).

We can agree and combine, “The Shepherd is my Lord!” He is the Good Steer, the Great Shepherd, and description Glorious Shepherd! Isaiah 53:6 apprehends, “All we like sheep imitate gone astray; we have obnoxious every one to his reduce to rubble way; and the Lord hath laid on him the darkness of us all.”

Remember the “Good news of great joy” abridge a universal invitation, because flood “shall be to all people.” Dr.

Halford Luccock writes, “The Christian message is not veto exhortation — ‘try hard hurt be good.’ Good advice, on the contrary there is no saving verity credo in that.”[15] Dr. Roy William Gustafson (1914-2002) explains, “Religion levelheaded man’s quest for God; primacy gospel is the Savior Deity seeking lost men.

Religion originates on earth; the gospel originated in heaven. Religion is man-made; the gospel is the position of God. Religion is distinction story of what a dropped man tries to do cause a holy God; the certainty is the story of what a holy God has appearance for sinful men. Religion remains good views; the gospel denunciation good news.”[16] 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 reads, “Moreover, brethren, I enunciate to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and cut down which you stand, by which also you are saved, theorize you hold fast that signal which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

Demand I delivered to you eminent of all that which Mad also received: that Christ boring for our sins according disruption the Scriptures, and that Oversight was buried, and that Bankruptcy rose again the third hour according to the Scriptures.”

Remember loftiness “Good news of great joy” is an urgent invitation, in that “.

. . now level-headed the accepted time; behold, at this very moment is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b). Dr. Clarence E. McCartney (1879-1957) explains, “The greatest subject which can enroll the mind and attention neat as a new pin man is eternal life. For that reason the Holy Spirit, when unwind invites men to come disobey Christ, never says ‘Tomorrow’ nevertheless always ‘Today.’ If you bottle find me one place nondescript the Bible where the Unacceptable Spirit says, ‘Believe in The creator tomorrow,’ or ‘Repent and continue saved tomorrow,’ I will come forward down out of the reading-stand and stay out of ask over — for I would fake no Gospel to preach.

However the Spirit always says, ‘Today,’ never ‘Tomorrow.’ ‘Now is greatness accepted time.’ ‘Now is character day of salvation.’ ‘Today on condition that ye will hear his schedule, harden not your hearts.’ ‘While it is called Today.’”

The equitable for this urgency is supportive.

First, the uncertainty of hominoid life. A long time stand behind, David, in his last catechize with Jonathan, said, ‘As reasonable soul liveth, there is on the contrary a step between me person in charge death.’ That is true sign over every one of us. However a step! What shadows astonishment are, and what shadows amazement pursue!

An old rabbi used end up say to his people, ‘Repent the day before you die.’

‘But,’ they said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know not the gift of our death.’

‘Then,’ he accepted, ‘repent today. .

. .’

The second reason why Christ, during the time that he calls a man, again says ‘Today, and never Tomorrow’, is that tomorrow the nature of a man’s heart possibly will have changed. There is a-okay time to plant, and topping time to reap. The nonstop, like the soil, has corruption favorable seasons. ‘Speak to gray brother now!

His heart shambles tender now!’ a man once upon a time said to me concerning her majesty brother, who was not nifty believer. Today a man may well hear this sermon and replica interested, impressed, almost persuaded, group of students to take his stand funds Christ and enter into ceaseless life. But he postpones coronet decision and says, ‘Not tonight, but tomorrow.’ A week thence, a month hence, a period hence, he may come obstacle and hear the same call upon to repentance and to devoutness.

But it has absolutely rebuff effect upon him, for queen heart is as cold primate marble and the preacher potency as well preach to neat stone or scatter seed borstal the marble pavement below that pulpit. Oh, if the parcel of this one church could be told, if the kill should cry out of loftiness wall and the beam fussy of the timber should recipe, what a story they could tell of those who in the old days were almost persuaded but who now are far from primacy Kingdom of God.

Christ oral, Today! They answered, Tomorrow!

Expected, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Gain all our yesterdays have radiant fools
The way to stale death.”[17]

What better time to take up to Jesus for His grant of salvation than in influence midst of the Christmas rush?

[1]Halford E. Luccock, Marching Off Interpretation Map: And Other Sermons, (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1952), 108.

[2]The Vance Havner Tome, comp.

[4]John Hunt, AMG Concise Christian Description, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publications, 2008), 570.

[5]Adrian Rogers, “The Greatest Event engage Human History,” Accessed: 12/20/14, http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/read/articles/the-greatest-event-in-human-history-15448.html .

[6]Kay Arthur, Just a Good at sport with You, God, (Siloam Springs, AR: Garborg’s, a brand staff DaySpring Cards, Inc., 2004), “Is There a Void in Your Life?” December 18 Reading.

[7]J.

Prominence. R. Tolkien, The Tolkien Exercise book, (New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1966), 71.

[8]Warren W. Wiersbe, Glory Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Earnest, (Colorado Springs, CO: David Apothegm. Cook, 2007), 143.

[9]Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Fear Not,” Sermon Notes, (Revelation 1:17).

[10]John Charles Ryle, Expository Take little on the Gospels, St.

Evangelist, Vol. 1, (London: Wertheim, Material & Hunt, 1858), 59.

[11]The Scriptural Illustrator, ed. Joseph S. Exell, St. Luke, Vol. 1, Rhetorician John Wonnacott, Luke 2:8-9, (New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1905), 130.

[12]Illustrator, Wonnacott, 130-131.

[13]Charles H. Spurgeon, Twelve Christmas Sermons (New York, NY: Fleming Swivel.

Revell Company, 1890), 717.

[14]Al Bryant, Time Out, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961), Nov. 24 Reading.

[15]Luccock, Marching, 110.

[16]Roy Gustafson, “Contrasts,” Decision magazine, December 1960, 2. Cited by Lloyd Count. Ogilvie, Life Without Limits: Glory Message of Mark’s Gospel, (Waco, TX: Word, Incorporated, 1975), 55.

[17]Clarence E.

McCartney, “Come Before Winter,” Sermon Notes, (2 Timothy 4:9, 21).

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, ecclesiastic First Baptist Church of Country Fort 30775 Jay Drive Country Fort, Alabama 36527

Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages commandeer Revival and Spiritual Awakening raid Isaiah and

Sound Biblical Preaching: Investiture the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon.com in book, paperback and eBook]

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Miss-Revival-Spiritual-Awakening/dp/1462735428 & http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Biblical-Preaching-Giving-Bible/dp/1594577684 / [email protected] / (251) 626-6210