PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Sermon Outline for December 15, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 29, 2019)

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The Presents - Matthew 2:11-23 - December 29, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

“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. 

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:11-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  THE GIFTS

Jokes - There was a 4th wiseman but he was sent away because he brought  fruitcake.

Theologians have come to the conclusion that Jesus rejected the gifts and  just played with the boxes.

A.  Gold

B.  Frankincense

C.  Myrrh

II.  THE ESCAPE

A.  Part of the plan

B.  Providence of God

C.  Pain of human decision

III.  THE RETURN

A.  Home

B.  Ministry home

CHALLENGE

God's hand is on you.  You cannot see it.  You may not know it is there.  But God is with you.  Emmanuel - "God is with us."

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The Presents - Matthew 2:11-23 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 29, 2019)

“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.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
‭.           ‭Matthew‬ ‭2:11-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The Shining Star - Sermon Outline for December 22, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 22, 2019)

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The Shining Star - Matthew 2:1-10 - December 22, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

Did the star misdirect the wise men?

Did they take a wrong turn at Jericho?

Did the star go out?  (Why would they need to ask for directions if the guiding star was there?)

Did they go to Bethlehem without their Godly GPS?

Matthew 2:1-10 New International Version (NIV)

The Magi Visit the Messiah

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] 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.’[b]”

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.

Footnotes:

• Matthew 2:1 Traditionally wise men
• Matthew 2:6 Micah 5:2,4

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I.  A STAR, A STAR

A.  Magi from the East

B.  Came to worship the new born King

C.  Stopped in the most likely place to find a new king

II.  A STAR IS BORN

A.  A king and his city are "disturbed"

1.  3 occurrences

a.  Matthew 2:3 - Herod and all Jerusalem (

b.  Luke 1:12 - Zacharias and the Angel ("gripped with fear")

c.  John 13:21 - Jesus and his betrayer ("troubled in his spirit")

2.  Expectation and Reality

B.  A king's fear

1.  Not an ordinary child

2.  The Messiah

3.  The Place

a.  Bethlehem in Judea

4.  The real issue - "a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel"

III.  SEARCHING FOR THE CHILD THEY FOUND A STAR

A.  Herod's plot - "Herod called the magi secretly"

1.  "Secretly" - used 4 times in NT, twice in this story (Joseph and Mary, here)

2.  His request - “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.”  Mt 2:8

B.  The Magi's Journey

1.  "On their way" to Bethlehem

2.  The star showed the way to the place where the child was.

3.  "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

CHALLENGE

There have always been people searching for the King.  Many know approximately where to find him.  Most need help finding Him.  

Who do you need to point toward Bethlehem?  What Wise Person do you need to point down the road?  

Herod by way of his chief priests and teachers of the law pointed them toward Bethlehem, but God showed them the star.

If we just point people to Jesus, God will do His part to get them there.  Point!

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Sermon Outline for December 15, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 15, 2019)

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: A Shepherd's Staff - December 15, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 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.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:8-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS

A.  Shepherds doing shepherd things
B.  A terrifying angel
1.  Don't be afraid
2.  Good news
a.  Savior
b.  Messiah
c.  Lord
3.  A sign
a.  Baby wrapped in cloths
b.  Baby lying in a manger
C.  An army of angels
1.  Praising God
2.  Saying
a.  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
b.  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
D.  The angels
1.  Leave
2.  Go into heaven

II.  SHEPHERDS AS EVANGELISTS

A.  The council of shepherds
1.  Let's go to Bethlehem
2.  Let's see this thing that has happened
3.  Let's see this string that the Lord has told us about
B.  They hurried off
1.  What about the sheep?
2.  How do you hurry when you have a flock of sheep?
C.  They found
1.  Mary and Joseph
2.  The baby who was lying in the manger
D.  They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child
1.  When they had seen him
2.  All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them
E.  "But" Mary
1.  Treasured these things
2.  And pondered them in her heart

III.  SHEPHERDS WENT BACK TO WORK

A.  Returned to their flocks
B.  Returned to their flocks changed
1.  Glorifying God
2.  Praising God for all the things
a.  They had heard
b.  They had seen
C.  Returned to their flocks with eye witness knowledge
1.  Things were just as they had been told

CHALLENGE

Willingness is again at the heart of this story.  Just as Mary and Joesoph.  Just like Christ, Himself.  The shepherds are willing to take on their role in this, the greatest story ever told.

Are you willing to take on your role?  We are observers like the shepherds.  When you are told something by God, and you find that to be true, how can you not go and tell everyone about what you have discovered?

The shepherds were never told to go tell others "that Jesus Christ was born."  They naturally just did it.  We have been told so we have even more reason to go and tell them "that Jesus Christ is born."

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The Shepherds (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 15, 2019)

The most unlikely people to give witness to the birth of a king might have been shepherds.

Shepherds were not well thought of in ancient Israel.  Meandering sheep herders were not the cream of the crop, top of society, apex of education, or anything really.  They just took care of sheep.  There job was important, but it was just watching sheep after all.

This story sounds so unusual for many reasons - a virgin birth, angels, visitors from far away nations.  To me the entire idea of God sending His son into the world and using angels as messengers makes sense.  The work of the shepherds in this narrative seems completely unnecessary.  Utilize the angel army and communicate in a powerful way with a world in which "seeing is believing."  Angels or shepherds?  Doesn't seem like much of a choice to me.

Why did God employ lowly shepherds to announce the birth of His son?  Perhaps because I have more in common with a shepherd than an angel. 

Just a thought.

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Luke 2:18-20 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 15, 2019)

Luke 2:8-20 New International Version (NIV)

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.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Sermon Outline for December 8, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 8, 2019)

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Away in a Manger - December 8, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

A strange way for a King to enter the world

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.   GOING FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM

A.  Nazareth
1.  About 400 people
2.  1 public bath
3.  Not mentioned in the Old Testament or ancient rabbinic writings
4.  Contextual contempt

“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote— Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.”
‭‭ John‬ ‭1:43-46‬ ‭NIV‬‬
B.  Bethlehem
1.  City of David, home of Jesse (his father)
2.  A hill that protects the fertile valleys around it
3.  Resting place of Rachel, David, Ezekiel, Asaph, Job, Jesse, and Solomon
4.  Place of David's anointing by Samuel
5.  The valley east of Bethlehem is where Ruth gleaned in the field and returned home with Naomi

II.  GIVING BIRTH IN A STRANGE PLACE

A.  The Romans
B.  The Journey
1.  Home
2.  100 mile trip (8-10 days)
3.  Day 9 or 10 they would have seen Jerusalem
a.  City on a hill
b.  Mount Moriah (the Temple)
4.  A few more hours to Bethlehem

III.  A MANGER FOR A CRIB

A.  No room for them in the Inn
B.  Wrapped him in cloths
C.  Placed him in a manger
D.  No place for a new born, the perfect place for the King

CHALLENGE

“ . . . have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

SERVE!!!!!!  Demonstrate the Christ at Christmas by serving your neighbor.

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Away in a Manger - Luke 2:1-7 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 8, 2019)

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Angel's Wings (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 1, 2019)

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Angel's Wings - December 1, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

Christmas pageants
The lamb
The shepherd
Caleb's first Christmas pageant
Our living nativity

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
‭‭ Luke‬ ‭1:26-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭1:18-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  THE ANGEL AND THE VIRGIN

A.  Fear
1.  "The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:28
2.  "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."
Luke 1:29
B.  Confusion
1.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-33
2.  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1: 34
C.  Acceptance
1.  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:35-37
2.  “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled."
Luke 1: 38a

II.  THE ANGEL AND THE FIANCÉ

A.  Love and grace
1.  "His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."
Matthew 1:18, 19
B.  Action
1.  "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)."
Matthew 1:20-23
2.  "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24, 25

III.  THE RESPONSE TO THE ANGELS

Mary and Joseph demonstrated acceptance and action when faced with Angels

A.  Willingness - Are you willing?
B.  Faithfulness - Will you do it?

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.””
‭‭ Luke‬ ‭1:46-55‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24, 25

CHALLENGE

How can you demonstrate willingness and faithfulness today?  You don't have to hear the words of an angel to be faithful.  The Word of God tells us many things.  If we would just do what we know, that would keep us plenty busy.  Love, tell everyone, share, give, comfort, forgive, demonstrate, disciple, serve, etc.

PROPS FROM A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Angel's Wings - Luke 1:26-38 & Matthew 1:18-25 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on December 1, 2019)

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:26-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

THANKSGIVING: An Attitude of Gratitude - Sermon Outline for November 24, 2019 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on November 24, 2019)

THANKSGIVING: An Attitude of Gratitude - Thanksgiving as Expression - November 24, 2019

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

Saying "thank you" - Jim Pittman,

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.

The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.

The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I.  I WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU, LORD, WITH ALL MY HEART

A.  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
B.  I will be glad and rejoice in you.
C.  I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

II.  GOD HAS VANQUISHED OUR ENEMIES

A.  God is on our side
1.  You have upheld my right and my cause
B.  God has punished the wicked
1.  Rebuke and destruction
2.  Blotted out their name
3.  Endless ruin

III.  GOD REIGNS FOREVER

A.  He is the judge
B.  He rules
1.  In righteousness
2.  In equity
C.  He protects the vulnerable
D.  He is trustworthy

IV.  SING THE PRAISES OF THE LORD

A.  Proclaim what He has done.
B.  He remembers our pain.
C.  He hears the cries of the afflicted.

V.  NOTICE MY SITUATION

A.  My persecution
B.  My near death experience
C.  That I may declare your praises
D.  That I may rejoice in your salvation

VI.  GOD'S JUDGMENT

A.  The nations demise
1.  Fallen into pit they dug
2.  Ensnared by the net they have hidden
B.  God's justice and wicked's ruin
1.  His acts of justice
2.  The wicked have forgotten God
3.  He will never forget the needy
4.  The hope of the afflicted will never perish

VII.  ARISE, LORD

A.  Don't let mortals triumph
B.  Let the nations be judged in your presence
C.  Strike them with terror
D.  Let them know they are only mortal


CHALLENGE

Tell of His wonderful deeds!  Blog, FB, email, text, shout, letters, telegram, Instagram,

THANKSGIVING: An Attitude of Gratitude - Psalm 9 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on Nov. 17, 2019)

Psalm 9[a][b]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.

1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;
    they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,
    sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
    you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,
    you have uprooted their cities;
    even the memory of them has perished.

7 The Lord reigns forever;
    he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He rules the world in righteousness
    and judges the peoples with equity.
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion;
    proclaim among the nations what he has done.
12 For he who avenges blood remembers;
    he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

13 Lord, see how my enemies persecute me!
    Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may declare your praises
    in the gates of Daughter Zion,
    and there rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
    their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
    the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[c]
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
    all the nations that forget God.
18 But God will never forget the needy;
    the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

19 Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph;
    let the nations be judged in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror, Lord;
    let the nations know they are only mortal.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 9:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.
2. Psalm 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1-20 is numbered 9:2-21.
3. Psalm 9:16 The Hebrew has Higgaion and Selah (words of uncertain meaning) here; Selah occurs also at the end of verse 20.

New International Version (NIV)

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