Sundays at Home
This page has the notes for the sermon and links for songs used during children’s music time each week. Scroll down to the bottom for the children’s info.
The Angels’ Song of Glory
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Pastor Jojo Ma
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The lyrics for today’s worship can be downloaded here.
Pages for children can be downloaded through this link.
Luke 2:13-14
“1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ 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.”
Lk 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
“On that hard, pagan world, disgust and secret loathing fell. Deep weariness and sated lust made human life a hell.”
Bridging 2,000 years, isn’t fear by far the dominant mood of our own day? Think of your own life: How much does fear rule your heart?
What are some of the ways that fear, or your fears, enslave you and grab the neck of your life, choking out faith?
“Fear not. Do not be afraid. There’s good news. The Rescuer is here.”
Lk 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
In our world of worry, or in your heart of fear, in that moment of desperation, God still says, “Rejoice. Jesus is here. Don’t be afraid.”
Lk 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “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.
The Bible tells us, without stuttering and without apology, that God pursues the fame of His great name above everything, and I mean everything. The chief end of God is to enjoy glorifying Himself, forever and ever.
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.
The good news is to look at Christ’s worth, at Christ’s beauty, at Christ’s mercy and plead for him to save even someone you like and me.
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.”
Lk 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “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.
On that first Christmas morning, this was the angelic song, the song of the angels, praising God for sending a Savior, for the glory of God alone.