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O Come: Christ is Born

Summary of my sermon, based on Matthew 1:18-25. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 24, 2023.

In the hustle and bustle of life, there’s something uniquely satisfying about receiving those small brown boxes on our porches. Those little Amazon deliveries bring excitement, especially during the holidays. Have you ever paused to ponder where these parcels originate?

Near my place, there’s a colossal Amazon warehouse, spanning over a million square feet and built with a budget exceeding $100 million. They call these hubs “Fulfillment Centers.” These are the nerve centers ensuring Amazon’s swift delivery of our impulse purchases from halfway across the world.

Recently, as I prepared for a family gathering, I found myself relying on Amazon for White Elephant gifts. Ordering on Monday, the packages arrived promptly on Tuesday. Amazon once again fulfilled their promise, as they so often do. But as impressive as this fulfillment process is, it pales in comparison to the fulfillment observed at Christmas.

The Birth of Jesus was the culmination of a promise, an assurance generations in the making. Old Testament scriptures foretold specific events that Jesus, the Messiah, would fulfill. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Micah predicted the birthplace, saying, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2, ESV) And indeed, in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary registered for the census, paving the way for the birth of Jesus.

The birth of Jesus wasn’t in opulence but in humble surroundings. Born in a manger because “there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, ESV), this marked the beginning of a life defined by humility.

This humble birth echoed the greater purpose of Jesus’ life. As stated in Philippians, Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7, ESV) This humility foreshadowed his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Christmas isn’t merely about past fulfillment. It’s a precursor to more than 300 Old Testament prophecies that Jesus would ultimately fulfill. The birth of Jesus signaled the commencement of a journey that would fulfill God’s promises in profound ways.

Jesus’ life was a testament to humility, signifying his willingness to embrace a human experience, ultimately leading to his sacrificial death. As we celebrate Christmas, it’s crucial to reflect on the humility of Jesus’ birth amidst the clamor of festivities. It’s a reminder that the essence of this celebration lies not in material grandeur but in the fulfillment of a promise and the embodiment of humility.

This is especially important because we know that Christmas can also be a difficult time for many of us. There are some of us who are hurting during despite the joy all around. Some of us may have lost loved ones recently, or spending Christmas away from home for the first time, or maybe we’re just burnt out by the busyness of the season.

To tie this back in to our theme song, O Come All You Unfaithful, I want to quickly share the story of Lisa Crow, who wrote it. She tells us how the song came to be:

I was struggling. It had been a long year and a half. Finances were stressful, I miscarried twins, and on top of it I was battling a deep relational bitterness…That Sunday morning, I stood at my seat as they began to sing “O Come All Ye Faithful” and the first line of the song just clobbered me. It hit me like a giant wave of guilt. 

O come all you faithful, joyful and triumphant!

I remember hearing those words and thinking, “I have been so unfaithful. My joy has dwindled, and I am a triumphant…failure.” And I didn’t sing the rest of the service. I drove home, my mind still churning, “Is that really who is invited to come to Jesus? The faithful? The joyful? The triumphant? If so, then I am hopeless.”

The Story Behind O Come, All You Unfaithful

Lisa found solace in the final verse I want to share. It is an incredible verse of how the humility of Christ is an invitation to those who are struggling. He invites us:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

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O Come: Taste of His Perfect Love

Summary of my sermon, based on Psalm 34:8. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 17, 2023.

In reflecting on the essence of the sermon series, “O Come: All You Unfaithful,” each installment draws from a poignant song by Sovereign Grace Music. The initial sermons are rooted in pivotal lines from this song, each revealing profound truths about God’s nature and our relationship with Him.

The first sermon delved into the profound need that God fulfilled by sending Jesus—addressing the sinful nature inherent in humanity. The subsequent sermon, “His Promise is Peace,” unpacked the anticipation of the Messiah as detailed in Isaiah, notably emphasizing Isaiah 9.

However, a notable issue emerged in the interpretation of these verses about Jesus. Many misunderstood them, anticipating a militaristic conqueror as the Messiah. This misconception stemmed from a limited reading of Isaiah 7-12, with verses like Isaiah 7:14 (the famous Immanuel verse) and Isaiah 9:6-7 (“For to us a child is born”) seemingly aligning with the restoration of Israel as a nation.

Consequently, the prevailing expectation was for the Jewish Messiah to be a political or military leader. Even the disciples initially harbored such notions, hinted at in their actions and inquiries, like James and John’s request in Mark 10 and their disbelief regarding Jesus’ resurrection despite His teachings.

However, these anticipations were shattered by later revelations in Isaiah, particularly in chapter 53—the “Suffering Servant” prophecies. Isaiah 53:5 foretold Jesus’ sacrificial act for humanity’s redemption, disrupting the prevailing understanding of the Messiah’s purpose.

Jesus didn’t come to rescue Israel from earthly oppressors; He aimed for a far grander victory. This sets the stage for the theme “Taste of His Perfect Love” from the song—a natural extension of God’s promise of peace and a concept echoed in 1 John 4:18.

The invitation is extended to both the ancient Israelites and us today—to experience God’s goodness and perfect love. The invitation to “Taste” the Lord’s goodness may seem peculiar; however, it’s a metaphor for experiencing and embracing His love and salvation.

This tasting of God’s goodness parallels the assurance that His perfect love removes the fear of punishment, illustrated in Hebrews 2:9. Jesus tasted death, enabling us to savor His perfect love and escape the death penalty our sins incurred.

This tasting isn’t limited to Psalm 34:8 alone but intertwines with the broader concept of salvation, seen in Titus 3:4–6. The goodness of God leads to salvation—an experience that fills us with joy and a deep sense of God’s pursuit, as echoed in Psalm 23:6.

The goodness of God, though profoundly comforting, finds its application in taking refuge in Him, a concept reiterated in Nahum 1:7 and Psalm 36:7–8. Practically, this refuge is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God, as evidenced in 2 Samuel 22:31 and Colossians 3:16.

The call to immerse in scripture isn’t just an individual pursuit but a communal one. The encouragement to engage in reading the Bible together, as a church, becomes a spiritual goal for the year—a simple act of seeking refuge in God collectively.

So, in the pursuit of God’s goodness and love, let’s engage deeply with His Word, for it holds the pathway to understanding, joy, and the fullness of His promises.

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O Come: His Promise is Peace

Summary of my sermon, based on Isaiah 9:1-7. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 3, 2023.

A little over a decade ago, Coca-Cola brought us the “Where will Happiness Strike Next” campaign. You might remember those videos—the “Happiness Machines” in North America and Europe dispensing joy in the form of Coke bottles and even surprising students with pizza and flowers. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a different tale unfolded, more heartwarming and story-like—a Christmas-themed video.

This narrative followed three Overseas Filipino Workers yearning to return home after years away. Lonie and Joey, caregivers in distant lands, watched their own children grow while they cared for others. Jo Mari, a medical technologist, sent money home instead of visiting as his father fell ill. The video culminated in their reunion with family for Christmas, a powerful portrayal of anticipation and homecoming.

If you’ve seen the video, you know its emotional impact, stirring sentiments of family, joy, and, of course, the festive lechon. Yet, amidst these touching themes, one often overlooked element stands out to me—the theme of “Anticipation.”

Imagine the emotions surging within Jo Mari, Lonie, and Joey as they readied to reunite with their families after years apart. Consider the tension building in their hearts during the long journey home. This anticipation mirrors the first part of the Christmas season, the part we’re in right now—Advent.

Advent, often overshadowed by the exuberance of Christmas, embodies the anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. While comprehending this might challenge us, living in the aftermath of the Messiah’s coming, pondering the anticipation preceding his birth remains crucial. For we, too, await a second Advent—the return of Jesus.

Reflecting on the initial sermon in this series, we explored the circumstances necessitating the Messiah’s arrival—a response to rebellion, a world operating as if devoid of God. Today, we delve into God’s promises to Israel that cultivated anticipation for a Savior.

One such powerful prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given….” This promise of a child bearing significant names—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—foretells his reign, establishing justice and righteousness forever.

Another verse, Isaiah 7:14, prophesies the virgin birth, announcing the coming of Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” This divine intention of God dwelling among his people contrasts starkly with prevalent beliefs. Society often portrays God atop a mountain, and religions as paths leading to him. But Christianity disrupts this notion, asserting that God descends to us.

Jesus embodies this descent—the divine humbling himself to human form, as Philippians 2:6–7 illustrates. He didn’t cling to his divine privilege but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, born among us.

Immanuel—God with us—shouldn’t strike ancient Israelites as peculiar, considering God’s previous dwelling among them through the Tabernacle and the Temple. However, this commonplace idea may have hindered some from recognizing Jesus as the awaited Messiah.

The objections to applying Isaiah 9:6-7 to Jesus stem from claims that the prophecy was fulfilled in historical events involving King Hezekiah. Yet, scrutinizing the prophecy’s description of the child’s attributes points to a divine being.

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—these names evoke a deity’s characteristics, reflecting Jesus’ divine nature. Each name holds significance—Wonderful Counselor, not just an advisor but a miracle-working God; Mighty God, self-explanatory in its divinity; Everlasting Father, mirroring God’s care and reflecting the Father; and Prince of Peace, promising the perfect peace Jesus brings with God.

This everlasting kingdom, as Isaiah 9:7 elaborates, emphasizes the unending reign of justice and righteousness brought forth by the zeal of the Lord. It’s not our doing but the triumph of God’s grace that guarantees our salvation.

Philippians 2:8–9 beautifully summarizes this, acknowledging Jesus’ humble obedience, leading to exaltation.

So, as we navigate this Advent season, let’s not merely revel in the joy of Jesus’ birth during Christmas. Let’s embrace the anticipation, remembering not just his first coming but also anticipating his glorious return—a second Advent. In this anticipation, we find hope, knowing that God’s zeal ensures the triumph of His grace.

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O Come: All You Unfaithful

Summary of my sermon, based on Psalm 14. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 12, 2023.

Last week, our series on the Old Testament, He is Greater, concluded on a somber note. Despite the Israelites’ return from 70 years of Babylonian exile, marked by the rebuilding of Jerusalem and their Temple, Malachi highlighted the Lord’s disputes with them. Their halfhearted worship in the rebuilt temple mirrored the absence of God’s Glory within it.

Haggai 2:3 questions the temple’s diminished glory, setting the stage for a sober end to the Old Testament, transitioning into the 400-year “Intertestamental Period,” marked by God’s silence in biblical revelations. In this period, often bridged by the Apocrypha in some religious texts, there’s a theological gap preceding the Gospels’ narrative.

However, the silence doesn’t imply a void in the historical timeline. Empires, from Assyrians to Seleucids, successively held sway over Israel, shaping the spiritual and political landscape. Amidst this silence, Psalm 14 vividly describes a worldview resonating through the ages.

Psalm 14:1–2 portrays the concept of a ‘fool,’ not as an individual denying God’s existence—a concept almost foreign in biblical times—but as someone acting as if God doesn’t matter. This resonates even today, debunking the assumption that atheism existed in ancient times. There weren’t atheists but many gods and various beliefs.

The fool’s context isn’t intellectual stupidity; rather, it’s about rejecting God’s role in life. This distinction aligns with biblical wisdom—where true knowledge stems from the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Richard Dawkins and his New Atheist contemporaries, while perceived as intelligent, miss out on true knowledge by denying God.

Psalm 14:3–4, reiterated by Paul in Romans 3:9–11, declares the universality of human shortcomings. The psalm encapsulates Paul’s early chapters in Romans, outlining humanity’s inclination to act as if God doesn’t exist. However, even in their denial, people intrinsically recognize God’s presence (Romans 1:20).

The rejection of acknowledging God leads to darkened hearts and a pursuit of counterfeit gods—anything taking the central place in life, steering emotions, finances, and actions. This counterfeit pursuit is not confined to the primitive but extends to modern times, where individuals turn to idols that promise fulfillment but fall short.

In a world surrounded by counterfeit gods, Jesus stands as the true beacon. His words in John 12:32–33 and Matthew 11:28–30 extend an invitation—to find rest and fulfillment in Him. Despite humanity’s attempts to deny God or replace Him with idols, Jesus draws us back to Himself, offering genuine fulfillment and rest.

The ancient silence may have echoed for 400 years, but it wasn’t devoid of God’s presence or implications for human behavior. Today, amidst a cacophony of beliefs and pursuits, the call to find genuine solace and meaning remains—within Jesus, the only true source of fulfillment.

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He is Greater: The Refiner’s Fire

Summary of my sermon, based on Malachi 3:1-5. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 5, 2023.

The book of Malachi offers a poignant reflection on Israel’s tumultuous history, their struggles, and their relationship with God. It unveils the challenges, discontent, and disputes the Israelites grappled with following the Babylonian Exile, encapsulating a narrative of trials and God’s enduring faithfulness.

Israel’s history, marked by triumphs and failures, began with the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah after the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Despite periods of revival and commendable leadership, the Israelites veered from wholehearted worship and obedience to God’s commandments, falling into complacency and half-hearted devotion.

Malachi’s time echoed the discontentment of the people. They questioned God’s love, offered subpar sacrifices, engaged in unfaithful marriages, and doubted the fairness of His justice. Their disillusionment stemmed from the belief that the wicked prospered while they struggled, leading to doubts about the righteousness of God’s judgments.

In response, God promised the advent of a messenger to prepare the way and a messenger of the covenant, referencing John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, respectively. This promise underscored God’s commitment to righteousness and foretold a future of purification for His people.

The analogy of the Refiner’s Fire, as mentioned in Malachi, symbolizes this purification process. Just as impurities are purged from gold through intense heat, God’s refining process purifies the hearts of His people. This purification, though challenging, embodies God’s grace and the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel’s words echo the divine role in transforming humanity, promising a new heart and spirit from God. Titus highlights God’s grace, guiding us toward godliness, while 2 Corinthians reassures us of Jesus becoming sin to grant us God’s righteousness.

Malachi’s message encapsulates the tension between human fallibility and God’s promise of redemption. It reminds us that our salvation does not hinge on our efforts but on God’s transformative promise through Jesus Christ.

The narrative calls us to wholehearted faithfulness to God, devoid of complacency or half-heartedness. It invites us to embrace God’s promise of transformation and redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

In the midst of life’s uncertainties, Malachi offers a powerful reminder: God’s refining fire draws us closer, transforms our lives, and grants us the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.