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A Worthy Name

Sunday, December 25, 2022
Pastor Jojo Ma

 

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

I.          A Great Multitude [v13]
II.        A Glorious God [v14]
III.       A Worshipful Response [vv15-20]
IV.       A Worthy Name [v21]

I.         A Great Multitude [v13]
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying…

II.        A Glorious God [v14]
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

John Piper: “The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy Himself forever. Or to put it another way: the chief end of God is to enjoy glorifying Himself.”

1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Church, do you believe, from the depths of your soul, this Christmas morning, that God has a passion for His glory above all else? Gloria in excelsis Deo, glory to God in the highest? It’s not only the song of the angels, it’s the song of every true believer.

Is 48:9-11 For My name’s sake I defer My anger, for the sake of My praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off…For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

Is 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.

Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Pet 4:11 Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Within the American evangelical church, we have raised a generation of church-goers who picture themselves at the center of God’s universe.

John Piper: “[Scripture teaches] the centrality of God in His own affections. The most passionate heart for the glorification of God is God’s heart. God’s ultimate goal is to uphold and display the glory of His name.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

Why is the glory of God important for your life?

Is 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.

III.      A Worshipful Response [vv15-20]
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

What can we learn from these lowly shepherds? The first thing is quick obedience. They heard good news and they obeyed right away.

We also learn this from the shepherds: that it isn’t enough to simply hear about Jesus --- we must respond in faith.

IV.       A Worthy Name [v21]
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Num 13:16 And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

The text says “he was called Jesus”. His is the name above all names. His is a worthy name.