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Thursday, December 31, 2020

Whispering Hope

 Hebrews 6:18-19 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

[19] Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;


As Christians, we possess a hope, not merely some fond wish or desire, but a deep settled confidence based squarely upon the promises and the power of God. 

Whispering Hope

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Soft as the voice of an angel, — Breathing a lesson unheard, — Hope with a gentle persuasion    —    Whispers her comforting word:    —    Wait till the darkness is over,    —    Wait till the tempest is done,  —  Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,  —  After the shower is gone.


CHORUS:

Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice,    —    Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.


If, in the dusk of the twilight, — Dim be the region afar, — Will not the deepening darkness — Brighten the glimmering star? — Then when the night is upon us, — Why should the heart sink away?   —    When the dark midnight is over,    —    Watch for the breaking of day.


Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,    —    Rends the dark veil for the soul,    —    Whither the Master has entered,    —    Robbing the grave of its goal;    —    Come then, oh, come, glad fruition,    —    Come to my sad, weary heart;    —    Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,    —    Never, oh, never depart.


Septimus  Winner 1868


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. 


Tuesday, December 29, 2020

I’ll Have A New Life

 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 53  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 


[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 


When the born again bodies of the saints are resurrected from the grave, they will be changed into the image of Jesus.  We cannot go like we are!


I’ll Have A New Life

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On the resurrection morning    —   When all the dead in Christ shall rise,    —   I'll have a new body    —   Praise the Lord, I'll have a new life.    —   Sewed in weakness, raised in power    —   Ready to live in Paradise    —   I'll have a new body,    —   Praise the Lord, I'll have a new life.


CHORUS:

I'll have a new home eternal    —   Where the redeemed of God shall stand.  — There'll be no more sorrows,  — No more pain, there'll be no more strife.    —   Raised in the likeness of my Savior    —   Ready to live in Glory Land.    —   I'll have a new body,    —   Praise the Lord, I'll have a new life.


What a hallelujah morning when the    —   Last trump of God shall sound.    —   I'll have a new body,    —   Praise the Lord, I'll have a new life (eternal)    —   Graves all bursting saints all shouting    —   Heavenly beauty all around.    —   I'll have a new body    —   Praise the Lord, I'll have a new life.


Luther G. Presley


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. 


Monday, December 28, 2020

No Not One

 Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Regardless of where the path of life leads, the saint of God will never walk alone.


There’s not a friend like Jesus.


No Not One

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There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,    —    No, not one! No, not one! — None else could heal all our soul’s diseases, — No, not one! No, not one!


CHORUS:

Jesus knows all about our struggles,    —   He will guide till the day is done;  — There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, — No, not one! No, not one!


No friend like Him is so high and holy,    —    No, not one! No, not one!    —    And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,    —    No, not one! No, not one!


There’s not an hour that He is not near us,    —    No, not one! No, not one! — No night so dark but His love can cheer us, — No, not one! No, not one!


Did ev-er saint find this Friend forsake him? — No, not one! No, not one! — Or sinner find that He would not take him? — No, not one! No, not one!


Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?    —    No, not one! No, not one!    —    Will He refuse us a home in heaven?    —    No, not one! No, not one!


Johnson Oatman, Jr.   1895


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. 


Sunday, December 27, 2020

It is Well With My Soul

 Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

According to the Apostle Paul, salvation brings with it peace with God. 


You see, every lost person is the enemy of God, Rom. 8:7,8`


But, when that lost person turns to Jesus Christ by faith, God declares an end to the hostilities and declares peace to his or her soul. 


I’m ever so happy I can sing:


It is Well With My Soul

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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,   —    When sorrows like sea billows roll;   —    Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,   —    It is well, it is well with my soul.


CHORUS:

It is well (It is well)  —  with my soul (with my soul), —  It is well, it is well with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, — Let this blest assurance control,   —    That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,   —  And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— —  My sin, not in part but the whole,   —    Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,   —    Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, — The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; —  The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, —  Even so, it is well with my soul.


Horatio G. Spafford  1873


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. 


Saturday, December 26, 2020

Go Tell it on The Mountain

 Luke 2:15-17 . . . .  the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

[16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 


[17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.


The shepherds met Jesus, were saved, and were changed forever. 


They went back to their sheep, but as they went, they told everyone they met what they had heard and seen and what the Lord had done for them. 


Jesus changes every life He saves, 2 Cor. 5:17. He gives us a new song, Psa. 40:1-3. He makes us witnesses of His saving grace, Acts 1:8.


Go Tell it on The Mountain

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CHORUS:

Go tell it on the mountain, — over the hills and everywhere; — go tell it on the mountain    —    that Jesus Christ is born!


While shepherds kept their watching     —    o’er silent flocks by night,     —    behold throughout the heavens    —    there shone a holy light.


The shepherds feared and trembled    —    when lo! above the earth    —    rang out the angel chorus    —    that hailed our Savior’s birth. 


Down in a lowly manger    —    the humble Christ was born,    —    

and God sent us salvation    —    that blessed Christmas morn.


Anonymous/Unknown  1907


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. 


Friday, December 25, 2020

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

 Leaving home and family, three wise men spent two years following a star, searching for a young King. 

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 


[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.


These wise men received back far more than they gave away. 


That is always the way with God. Nobody can ever out give Him. 


Many try, but those who do find Him to be over abundant in His supply.


Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

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Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, —  Shining afar through shadows dim, —  Giving the light to those who long have gone. — Guiding the Wise Men on their way   —    Unto the place where Jesus lay.   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.


CHORUS:

Oh Beautiful Star (Beautiful, Beautiful Star)   —    Of Bethlehem (Star of Bethlehem), — Shine upon us until the glory dawns. —  Give us the light to light the way   —    Unto the land of perfect day,   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.


Beautiful Star the hope of light,   —    Guiding the pilgrims through the night — Over the mountains 'til the break of dawn. —  Into the light of perfect day, —  It will give out a lovely ray.   —    Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.



Beautiful Star the hope of rest — For the redeemed, the good and the blessed — Yonder in glory when the crown is won. — Jesus is now that star divine; — Brighter and brighter He will shine. — Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, shine on.


R. Fisher Boyce  1938


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. 


Thursday, December 24, 2020

Away in a Manger

 Luke 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The King of Kings was born in a feeding trough because there was no room in the inn!


Baby Jesus was born to die for the salvation of the soul of man.


Every lamb, ram, goat, bird, etc., that had been sacrificed down through the ages pointed to this special birth.


Away in a Manger

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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.


The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,  —   But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.  —   I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,  —   And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.


Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay  —   Close by me forever, and love me I pray.  —   Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,  —   And take us to heaven to live with thee there.


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. 


Wednesday, December 23, 2020

The First Noel

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

I love the Nativity Scenes displayed in the Christmas plays over the years. The problem is who is missing from it.


Think about it. The angels, shepherds, and wise men are portrayed as worshippers of the Lord Jesus and that’s about as far as our minds go. 


We come away with the impression that Jesus died for people who love Him. But there’s more.


John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


The ignorant of God who live for themselves, the dead, the deceived, the depraved, and the doomed (Eph. 2:1-4) are the “whosoevers” Jesus came to earth to save (Rom. 10:13).


“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending us the best gift, your only Son to die for our sins.”


The First Noel

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The first Noel the angels did say    —   Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay:    —   In fields where they lay keeping their sheep    —   On a cold winter's night that was so deep.


CHORUS:

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel    —   Born is the King of Israel.


They looked up and saw a star    —   Shining in the east beyond them far    —   And to the earth it gave great light    —   And so it continued both day and night.


And by the light of that same star    —   Three Wise men came from country far  — To seek for a King was their intent  — And to follow the star wherever it went.


This star drew nigh to the northwest    —   O'er Bethlehem it took its rest    —   And there it did both stop and stay    —   Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.


Then entered in those Wise men three,    —   Fell rev-‘ren-tly upon their knee, — And offered there in His presence —  Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.


Then let us all with one accord    —   Sing praises to our heavenly Lord  — That hath made heaven and earth of nought — And with his blood mankind has bought.


Traditional English 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. 


Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Angels We Have Heard on High

Luke 2:9,11,13-14  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

[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.


Rome had given the world peace from war. 


Jesus came to give man peace with God and peace within; John 14:27, Phil. 4:6.


That's enough to praise Him forever!


Angels We Have Heard On High

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Angels we have heard on high,    —   sweetly singing o'er the plains,    —   And the mountains in reply    —   Echo back their joyous strains:


CHORUS:

Glo — — — — ri-a, in excelsis Deo!

Glo — — — — ri-a, in excelsis Deo!

(“Excelsis Deo is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest".)


Shepherds, why this jubilee?    —   Why your joyous strains prolong?    —  Say, what say the tidings be    —  which inspire your heav'nly song?


Come to Bethlehem and see    —   Him whose birth the angels sing;  — Come, adore on bended knee  — Christ the Lord, the new-born King.


See within a manger laid    —   Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!    —   Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,    —   With us sing our Savior's birth.


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. 


Monday, December 21, 2020

Silent Night

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Imagine the same God who made the universe and all the treasures found within that universe came into this world as a little Baby.  


His humble birth signified the kind of life Jesus would live here.  


At one point He had no place to call home, Matt. 8:20.  When He died, others provided the place and the things necessary for His burial, John 19:38-42.


It’s hard for me to comprehend. 


Silent Night! Holy Night!

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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.


Silent night, holy night!   —    Shepherds quake at the sight!   —    Glories stream from heaven afar;   —    Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!   —    Christ the Savior is born!   —    Christ the Savior is born!


Silent night, holy night   —    Son of God, love's pure light,   —    Radiant beams from Thy holy face — With the dawn of redeeming grace. — Jesus, Lord at Thy birth   —    Jesus, Lord at Thy birth


Joseph Mohr  1818


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. 


Sunday, December 20, 2020

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

 Luke 2:13-14 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.


Though this song was written shortly after the Civil War, it brought to mind the chaos of year 2020.  


Seems the only peace on earth is the peace in the hearts of believers. 


There will be peace on all the earth when Jesus forever reigns. 


I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

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I heard the bells on Christmas Day    —    Their old familiar carols play,    —    And wild and sweet the words repeat    —    Of peace of earth, good will to men.


I thought how, as the day had come,    —    The belfries of all Christendom    —    Had rolled along th'unbroken song    —    Of peace on earth, good will to men.


And in despair I bowed my head:    —    "There is no peace on earth," I said, — "For hate is strong, and mocks the song — Of peace on earth, good will to men."


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:    —    "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;    —    The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,    —    With peace on earth, good will to men."


Then ringing, singing on its way,    —    The world revolved from night to day,    —    A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,    —    Of peace on earth, good will to men.


Henry W. Longfellow. 1865


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. 


Saturday, December 19, 2020

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

 Luke 2:13-14 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 power of God’s glory was the introduction the multitude of angels gave the shepherds before making known the birth of the Christ Child. 


Watching their sheep in a usual silent night, it is no wonder they were afraid.  


It still amazes me that such an awesome message was given to these unknown guys out in the middle of nowhere.. 


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

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 Hark! The herald angels sing,   —  “Glory to the newborn King;   —  Peace on earth, and mercy mild,   —  God and sinners reconciled!”   —  Joyful, all ye nations rise,   —  Join the triumph of the skies;   —  With th’angelic host proclaim,   —  “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”


CHORUS:

Hark! the herald angels sing,   —  

“Glory to the newborn King!”


Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;   —  Christ the everlasting Lord;   —  Late in time, behold Him come,   —  Offspring of a virgin’s womb.   —  Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;   —  Hail th’incarnate Deity,   —  Pleased as man with men He dwell,   —  Jesus our Emmanuel.


Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!   —  Hail the Sun of Righteousness!   —  Light and life to all He brings,   —  Ris’n with healing in His wings.   —  Mild He lays His glory by,   —  Born that man no more may die; —Born to raise the sons of earth, — Born to give them second birth.


Charles Wesley 1739


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. 


Friday, December 18, 2020

More Than Wonderful

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.

Mary nursed her Maker!  The Creator became dependent upon the creature.


A "Son is given" speaks of His deity and His death. Jesus, was the son of man and also the Son of God.


“Government" reminds us that He rose from the dead, ascended back to Heaven and is coming again for His people and then in glory to reign upon the earth.


As “Counselor”, Jesus is a leader and guiding force in the lives of men. 


As “Mighty God” He is our strong, invincible Hero; conquering all our enemies —  Death. [1 Cor. 15:55], Sin [Rom. 6:14], and the Grave [Matt. 28:1-6].


As “Everlasting Father”, He is forever loving, supporting, sustaining, and comforting us. 


As our “Prince of Piece” He gives peace with God, self, and others, Ultimately, He will bring peace to the world for eternity!


More Than Wonderful

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He promised us that He would be a counselor,    —    A Mighty God and the Prince of Peace.    —    He promised us that He would be a Father,    —    And that He would love us with a love that would not cease.


Well, I tried Him, and I found His promises are true.    —    He's everything He said that He would be.    —    The finest words I know could not begin to tell    —    Just what Jesus really means to me.


Chorus:

For He's more wonderful than my mind can conceive,    —    He's more wonderful than my heart can believe.    —    He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.    —    He's everything that my soul ever longed for,    —    Everything He's promised and so much more.    —    More than amazing, more than marvelous, — More than miraculous could ever be. — He's more than wonderful, that's what Jesus is to me.


I stand amazed when I think that the King of glory    —    Should come to dwell within the heart of man.    —    I marvel just to know He really loves me,  —  When I think of who He is, and who I am.

Lanny Wolfe


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. 


Thursday, December 17, 2020

What Child Is This?

 Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The King of Kings was born in a manger for two reasons: 


1.)  That some old shepherds might find Him. 


2.) That some old sinners might be able to identify with Him and approach Him for salvation. 


No room in the Inn relates to the rest of His life – John 1:11. 


Many still have no room for Him in their lives today, John 1:12.


What Child Is This?

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What Child is this who, laid to rest,   —   On Mary’s lap is sleeping? — Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, — While shepherds watch are keeping?


CHORUS:

This, this is Christ the King,   —   Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;   —   Haste, haste to bring Him laud,   —   The Babe, the Son of Mary.


Why lies He in such mean estate,   —   Where ox and ass are feeding?   —   Good Christians, fear, for sinners here   —   The silent Word is pleading.


So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,   —   Come peasant, king to own Him; — The King of kings salvation brings, — Let loving hearts enthrone Him.


William C. Dix 1865


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. 


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Angels, From The Realms of Glory

 Luke 2:13-14 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 night God became flesh and walked among men ranks as one of the greatest moments in human history. 


It was a night of tremendous miracles and great blessings. 


It was the night when God moved into the world to live and eventually to die. 


Though this story is over 2,000 years old, it’s still fresh enough to inspire worship for the Glory of Jesus in the manger or on the cross or risen indeed. 


Angels, From The Realms of Glory

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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.


CHORUS::

Come and worship, come and worship,    —   Worship Christ, the newborn King.


Shepherds, in the field abiding,    —   Watching o’er your flocks by night,    —   God with us is now residing;    —   Yonder shines the infant light:


Saints, before the altar bending,    —   Watching long in hope and fear;    —   Suddenly the Lord, descending,    —   In His temple shall appear.


Though an Infant now we view Him,    —   He shall fill His Father’s throne,    —   Gather all the nations to Him;    —   Every knee shall then bow down:


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. 


Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Joy to The World

 Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

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


When the angels brought the good news of great joy to the shepherds; first, Jesus removed their fear. 


He also removes our fears. We don’t have to be afraid of Death, Hell, Satan, Life, etc., because the new-born babe is the Savior who will die on a cruel cross, a sacrifice for our sin.


Pictures Him as Christ - the Anointed One - the Son of God - the the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies beginning at Eden, Gen. 3:15.


Joy to The World

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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.


Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns; — Let men their songs employ; — While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains — Repeat the sounding joy, — Repeat the sounding joy, — Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.



He rules the world with truth and grace,    —    And makes the nations prove    —    The glories of His righteousness,    —    And wonders of His love,    —    And wonders of His love,    —    And wonders, wonders, of His love.


Isaac Watts  1719


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. 


Monday, December 14, 2020

O Little Town of Bethlehem

 Micah 5:2  But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Bethlehem was small, but the One to be born there wouldn’t have His beginning there because He is eternal. 


The story of Bethlehem is that God became human, yet He didn’t stop being God.


The Holy Spirit placed Jesus within Mary’s womb. He was born some nine months later. John 1:1, 14; Phil 2:5-8. 


He was born to die for our sins. I’m glad.


O Little Town of Bethlehem

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O little town of Bethlehem, — How still we see thee lie! — Above thy deep and dreamless sleep  — The silent stars go by;  —  Yet in thy dark streets shineth  —  The everlasting Light. — The hopes and fears of all the years    —    Are met in thee tonight.


For Christ is born of Mary  —  And, gathered all above  —  While mortals sleep, the angels keep    —    Their watch of wond'ring love.    —    O morning stars, together    —    Proclaim the holy birth,    —    And praises sing to God the King,    —    And peace to all on earth!


How silently, how silently —The wondrous gift is giv'n! —  So God imparts to human hearts — The blessings of his heav'n. — No ear may hear his coming,— But in this world of sin, — Where meek souls will receive him, still — The dear Christ enters in.


O holy Child of Bethlehem, — Descend to us, we pray; — Cast out our sin and enter in, —  Be born in us today. —  We hear the Christmas angels  —  The great glad tidings tell;  —  O come to us, abide with us,   —    Our Lord Immanuel!


Phillips Brooks  1868


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.