Most Famous Star - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy on Dec. 15, 2013

Most Famous Star

Matthew 2:9-10

I)                   The Christmas Star shines of God’s Glory.

A)    God’s Glory is reflected in History. His Story

B)    God’s Glory is reflected in Harmony. Psalms 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

C)    God’s Glory is reflected in Hearts. Exodus 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

D)    God’s Glory is reflected in Heaven. Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

II)                The Christmas Star shines as God’s Guidance.

A)    God’s Guidance gives Light. Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

B)    God’s Guidance gives Liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

C)    God’s Guidance gives Loyalty. Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

D)    God’s Guidance gives Love. Ps 23

III)             The Christmas Star shines as God’s Gift.

A)    God’s Gift is Unmerited. Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. God's love came to us when we did not deserve it, before we could ever possibly hope to earn it, and it opens up to us the possibility of new life. You don't have to bring flowers to God to win his love. God loved us before we deserved it. God's gift of love in Christ is Unmerited.

B)    God’s Gift is Unparalleled. The gift of salvation in Jesus Christ has no counterpart or equal in history. It is unparalleled.

1.       No other religion has a risen Saviour.

2.       No other religion has a perfect Lord.

3.      No other religion has a loving God who seeks man. In other religions the direction is always from man to God. The God of Christianity, on the other hand, is a God who seeks man.

C)    God’s Gift is Uncontainable.  2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. When a person is right with God and in touch with this unspeakable gift, he will not be able to be quiet about it.