Sunday December 20th 2020

Speaker: Pastor Eudine Medford Theme: The hope of glory Text: Luke 2:8-20

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The shepherds were the first witness of the birth of Jesus. In that time the shepherds were the lowest class of people they could not even be witnesses in a court of law. But God chose the lowest to worship the king of kings

The shepherds first encounter with Jesus . The angels brought them good news. They told them don’t fear some good news is coming, because the Hope of Glory is here. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. “ He is the final sacrificial Lamb. The eternal God stepped out of eternity and became man the hope of glory.
A multitude of Angels jointed then. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” We need some suddenly in our life.

Revelation 5:11-14
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Verse 15
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

They were the first missionaries, they could not wait to get to see Jesus and then they went out and witnessed

Verse 17-18
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Speaker: Apostle Chris Baird Theme: The gift of hope Text:Matthew 2:1-12

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Jesus Christ is still the Lord and He is alive. The King of Kings and Lord of Lord.

Christ came for all mankind and wise men still seek Jesus, only He became the perfect sacrifice. The gift of hope.

The wise men were from the same place that Abraham came from, Daniel lived in the same area. They saw a star, an unusual event. It lasted for 2 years to find Jesus. They made a mistake and went to Jerusalem thinking a king must be in the palace. That is why they met with Herod and enquired about Jesus’ where about.

Jesus came to the Jews but he did not come only for the Jews. You are not forgotten by Him. He came for all but you need to be wise and seek the Saviour.

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Herod behaved like all Herods - power before people.

The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: Gold as a symbol of kingship on earth.
Frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity
Myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.

Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.