This Is the Christmas Story

Good evening. Welcome to our Christmas concert and merry Christmas as well. We're glad to see several faces back again from the banquet last night. So, we're glad that you came back to join us for some more music this evening. It's good to see couple visitors back as well and we're so glad to have everybody that's here tonight.

We're going to begin entitled the program, Joy to the World and so we're going to start with Joy to the World. So, if you'd like, you can turn in the hymn book to hymn number 87 but I am going to put the words up here on the screen. Standing please if you can to sing with us. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Amen.

Amen. Brother Jerry Kessie, would you open our service with the word of prayer? Amen. You may be seated. Again, thank you for coming to join us this evening.

I think this is one of the bigger crowds we've had for a Sunday evening concert. So, I'm excited. Do have a couple things I want to mention in the way of announcements. We do not have Joy Club the next two Wednesdays because of the Christmas holidays. So, keep that in mind.

Also, Thursday Bible study we are having at 11:00 and anybody and everybody's welcome to come. If you're not working to our 11AM Bible study on Thursday, we are in the book of Matthew this coming week. Just in case you missed this morning, just wanted to say thank you. Thank you all of you for that came to the banquet last night and all of you that pitched in to help in one way or another. I think we had a wonderful time.

We had the largest group for the banquet, about 75 people that we've had in a good while and I just want to say thank you for that and thank you for coming again tonight. Also, I want to thank everyone for the generous gift that I received. I and my family from the church. Is greatly appreciated and will be used. So, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness.

We, my family has been extremely blessed. We've been here for as Al pointed out, sixteen years. I don't know why he had remind me that I'm getting older. But I haven't caught him yet. So, anyway, but he still has all that hair.

I don't understand how he keeps all that hair on top of his head but it's just not fair. Anyway, but but anyway, it has been it has been a blessing to be here these sixteen years. Joshua was less than one when we came and now he's back here playing his trumpet and he's turned 16 just a couple weeks ago. So, 17. Sorry.

Yeah, I forget. 17. Yes. I've been here sixteen. Yeah, he's 17.

Alright. So, anyway, thank you very much. It's a blessing to be here tonight. We are going to enjoy a night of music if I ever quit talking. So, we're going to start with brass instrument special, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.

Amen. Amen. And before we get into the rest of it, I would like for us sing another congregational song, Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel. It's 83 in the hymn book if you like or you can follow along up here. We're going to sing the first verse, the third verse, and the fourth verse.

Will come, will come, Emmanuel. You may remain seated. Hope. Both of these songs, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, are songs of hope. Written from the vantage point of the Old Testament saints who were waiting for the coming of their Messiah.

Their long who was long prophesied to come by Isaiah, Daniel, and other prophets. A messiah who would do away with sin and suffering and bring victory to God's people in the kingdom over which David's seed would reign forever. The seed of the woman, the seed of Abraham, the son of the virgin, the bringer of hope and salvation to his people, and all the people of the world. Isaiah nine six and seven, 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, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. Isaiah seven fourteen, therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, shall call his name Emmanuel. Galatians four four and five.

But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Thank you. No. I'm not gonna sing. I'm gonna read some scripture here.

Luke chapter two beginning in verse one. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, And all went to be taxed everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. If the man will come on up at this time Behold the babe of Bethlehem Now you get to sing with us again, O Little Town of Bethlehem. This time, brother Ian is going to sing for us. There's a song in the air.

There's a song in the air there's a star in the sky there's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry and the star reigns its fire while the beautiful sing for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a king there's a tumult of joy in the light of that star by the ages imperiled and that song from afar has left over the world every heart is a flame and a beautiful sing in the homes of the nations that Jesus is king. We rejoice in the light and we echo the song that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng hey we shout to the evangel they bring and we greet in his cradle savior and king and we read from God's holy word, Luke chapter Watch over their flock by night and low, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown round about them and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, 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, goodwill toward men. Brother Dan Barlow is going to come at this time and sing Oh Holy Night. Oh, oh, in night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear savior's bird lay the world in sin and ever till he appeared and the soul felt his word a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious mourn when Christ was born when Christ was born divine. O night Amen.

Thank you, dear. Amen. Amen. Now, it's our turn to sing again and we are going to sing Angels We Have Heard on High. It's 89 in your hymn book.

If you want to follow along there, you can look up here on the screen. We've been sitting for a while. So, if you can, please stand with me. Sing angels we have heard on high. First, third, and the last.

Amen. You may be seated. At this time, David and Joshua are going to play the first Noel. Amen. We conclude the narrative of the night of Jesus was born written even though we do not know for sure when that night was.

We know that it was. Written by Luke with a lot of input, I believe, by Mary because no woman doesn't remember exactly the day their child was born. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven. The shepherd said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the same which was told them concerning this child. And all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.

If the choir could come on up at this time and I hope you've enjoyed the music. I know I have. I wish I've tried playing these instruments they play and the two boys are my sons and the the girl is going to be my daughter-in-law come June. So, we're all excited about that but I appreciate everybody that's played and they have played beautifully. Right now, the choir is going to sing a couple specials and then a ladies group.

So, Christmas is not just about the decorations though. We enjoy them. The beautiful music which I hope you've enjoyed this evening. I'm glad you came to be a part of it. This last song, the ladies just sang was written by Sharon Rose Innerline.

That's Becky's daughter who was up here singing with them this evening. And a beautiful song that reminds us that Jesus came to change our lives. He came to change our eternal destiny. He came to suffer in our place. He lived a difficult life on this Earth.

But it ended with the purpose the grand purpose for which he came and that was to die on the cross for our sins, for yours and mine. And three days later, he rose again from the grave and a few weeks later, he went back to heaven. The Bible says, he ever lives to make intercession for us who come to him by faith. Jesus is very much alive today. Just as much as he was in that manger over two thousand years ago and he has the power to change your life.

He can give you joy. He can give you peace that passes all understanding. He can fill that void in your heart. He will be there for you always. He said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

The Christmas story is more than just sadly what the world knows which is decorations and maybe a manger scene. It's a story that can, should, and will affect your life and mine today. If we will choose to put our faith and trust in that baby who indeed was and is the son of God. This is the Christmas story and I'd like to sing a song at this time and it's entitled This Is Christmas. Like to read just two verses to you and then we're going to sing a song together and wish everybody a merry Christmas.

The second verse on this song says, he left his father's throne. He descended from above. He came unto his own but they refused his love. Jesus came unto his people, the people of Israel. He was born of Mary, a descendant of David, his legal adopted father, Joseph, a descendant of David, the right, the heir to the throne of David, the king of Earth to be, the king of heaven already.

And he came unto his own to be received of them as their Messiah, their Lord, but the Bible says here in John one eleven, he came into his own and his own received him not. Instead, they cried, crucify him and they as they asked the Romans to nail him to a cross. But the Bible goes on in verse 12 of John one to say this, but as many as received him. To them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name. We are not here today, tonight to exalt ourselves, our our talents, or our abilities to draw attention to us.

I hope that's not what you've seen tonight. I hope your attention has been drawn. Not just to a baby in a manger but the Lord of heaven and the savior of all mankind. And he wants to be your savior today. He came to Earth for you.

His name shall be called Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. We all need a savior. We're all sinners. We fail though hard we try. There's only one who can save us from our sins.

There's only one who offers forgiveness and eternal life and that was the one, the God of heaven who came in human form and took our place. The one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. For God sent his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That verse, this verse, they're meant for you this evening. If you will receive him, he will be your savior too.

He will change your life and he will change your eternity. He will give you everlasting life. And if you have received him already, then what for you this evening? Well, this verse right here. Mark sixteen fifteen, it says, and he said unto them, go you into all the world and what?

Preach the gospel to every creature, every person. As you leave this place this evening, we've been reminded of all the Lord Jesus has done for us. Let's go tell somebody that didn't come in these doors this evening. For they need him just as much as we do. If they will receive him, he will receive them.

And he will make them also to be the children of God. But they need to hear. They need to hear. And so we're going to end this evening with a song entitled Go Tell It on the Mountain. As I hope as you leave here filled with joy in your heart, the beautiful music, and the message, I hope you'll take it outside these walls and tell somebody else this week.

And if you're here tonight and you've never trusted Christ as savior, I would love to share with you how you can be saved and know it. So, when we're dismissed this evening, please come see me. I would love to talk with you more if you have any questions, pray with you, anything I might do. This is what not just what I'm here for but it's what we're here for this evening. So, if you would, please stand with me and let's sing.

Finish out and go. Tell it on the mountain. Amen. Amen. I'm going to ask at this time brother Al if he close our service in a word of prayer.

Brother Al. Father, again, we're grateful for the savior that we serve, the one