Mary, Did You Know?

"Mary had a little lamb. — Its fleece was white as snow. — And everywhere that Mary went. — That lamb was sure to go."

It never dawned on our childish minds that the Bible told the same story. Mary did indeed have a baby, a sacrificial lamb for the sins of humanity. 

Luke 1:30-32 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 

[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 

[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Mary's little Lamb came into this world for one purpose —  to  be a sacrificial Lamb, John 18:37, though He did walk on water, heal sick folks, and  open blind eyes. 

Jesus came to die for the sins of humanity. Luke tells us that His mission in this world was "to seek and to save that which was lost", Luke 19:10. 

Three days after Jesus died on the cross, He came forth alive from the tomb, Matt. 28:1-6, and, He is still alive today. Heb. 7:25.

Mark Lowry wrote a beautiful song asking Mary if she knew the glory of her baby. I believe Mark knew she knew. 

“Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? — Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? — Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? — This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

“Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? — Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand? — Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod? — When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God? Mary did you know. Ooo Ooo Ooo.

“The blind will see. — The deaf will hear. — The dead will live again. — The lame will leap. — The dumb will speak — The praises of The Lamb.

“Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation? — Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations? — Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? — The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.”

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Joy To The World

Most folks are concerned about giving the perfect gift at Christmas. 

Only God can do that and that’s just what He did when He sent Jesus into this world.  He gave Jesus to be life for our dead souls and light to our darkened hearts.  

John 1:1, 4,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

God not only sent us a little bit of eternity, He sent us the very heart of heaven.  The power of Christmas is God in the manger.

The Light that has shone brightly from eternity past — that gleamed in Bethlehem’s manger,— that shone for 33 years while Jesus walked this earth, — that flickered briefly at Calvary but blazed forth at the entrance to an empty tomb.

That light will continue to light the path toward eternity for all those who desire to follow Jesus.

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come — Let earth receive her King; — Let every heart prepare Him room, — And Heaven and nature sing, — And Heaven and nature sing, — And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.”

      Isaac Watts

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

What’s In A Name

If the name is Jesus, everything is in that name.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

His name is the source of our salvation, the hope of our hearts.  

His name can break sin’s bondage and cool the fevered brow.  

His name can lift the greatest burdens and comfort the broken heart.  

His name unlocks the door of heaven and closes the gates of Hell.  His name saves the vilest sinner; redeems the blackest soul and secures the precious saints.  

His name is a name worth knowing because it speaks of a Savior worth loving. His name is Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus — there’s just something about that name. — Master, Savior, Jesus! — Like the fragrance after the rain. — Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! — Let all Heaven and earth proclaim.  — Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, — but there’s something about that Name!”
    Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

No Ordinary Baby

It’s Christmas time! 

We need to remember that the reason we celebrate is because of a little infant born into this world 2,000 years ago. 

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This Christ-child came to do more than provide simple salvation. He came to allow us access into the very presence of Almighty God.

That infant was no ordinary baby. 

As Savior, He is worthy of our worship. 

As Christ, He is worthy of our dependence. 

As Lord, He is worthy of our obedience. 

As Jesus, He is worthy of all we can give Him. 

Have you given Jesus your all this Christmas?

“Away in a manger no crib for a bed — The little lord jesus laid down his sweet head — The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay — The little lord jesus asleep on the hay.”    

     Source Unknown, stanza 1

   

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Silent Night, Holy Night

The Majesty and Glory of the Christmas Story speaks with clarity about the power and purpose of God. 

The fact that God stepped out of eternity into time is mind-boggling. 

The shepherds, lowly and undeserving, received the announcement first anyway.

The angels were amazed that the Creator was born in the image of the creature. 

The pagan wise men traveled far and came to know Jesus. 

The manger reminds us that Jesus laid aside certain attributes of His deity that He might become a man and die for sinners. 

As the angels proclaim the true glory of Christmas, It will always be about the Baby born in Bethlehem. 

Luke 2:11,13-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. . . . . [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, good will toward men.

‘Silent night, holy night — All is calm, all is bright — Round yon Virgin Mother and Child — Holy Infant so tender and mild — Sleep in heavenly peace — Sleep in heavenly peace.”

   Franz Grubber

    

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Come And Worship

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. . . . . 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, good will toward men.

The message of this birth is about a Saviour. He is the One Who would give His life for the sins of His people. 

He is the One Who robed His deity in humanity and came into this world to die on the cross, Phil. 2:5-8. 

He is the “Anointed One —  the Messiah.” He is the One promised from the beginning, Gen. 3:15. 

He is the One the Jews anticipated every time they offered a sacrifice and kept a feast. 

This little baby was the One Who spoke the universe into existence, the One Who formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. John 1:1-2,14.

He is the One Who controls the paths of the planets and the galaxies. 

He is the Lord of all, yet, He lies in Bethlehem in the person of a helpless baby. 

What grace! What love! What glory! To think that Almighty God would humble Himself to come into this world as a helpless child, so that we might be saved!

“Angels, from the realms of glory, — Wing your flight o'er all the earth; — Ye, who sang creation's story, — Now proclaim Messiah's birth: — Come and worship, — Come and worship — Worship Christ, the new-born King.”

       James Montgomery

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

I Wonder Why

When Gabriel tells Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus, her life is immediately turned upside down. 

Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 

To Mary’s mind this is a dilemma. Thankfully, the angel has the answer to her question.

[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary is about to be part of the greatest miracle the world has ever known — the virgin birth. The angel declares the awesome power of God and offers hope and comfort for her.

Mary is given the greatest honor ever afforded to woman, but at the same time it carries with it a tremendous social stigma.

As we hear about the virgin birth and think about God sending His Son into this world to die for sinners, we might wonder why God would go to all that trouble?  Why would He allow His Son to die for lost people? 

The answer is clear. Because He loves us.  John 3:16.

“I wonder as I wander out under the sky, —. How Jesus, the Saviour, did come for to die. —. For poor, ornery people like you and like I —. I wonder as I wander Out under the sky.”

    Appalachian Carol 

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.