12-6-98 The Coming of the King Psalms 72

by Ronald E. George Jr. at the Sand Fork Baptist Church

Key Question: Is the King the focus of the King’s Birthday Celebration? So what’s the point?

Some years ago a Christmas card pictured a world into which Christ had not come. A clergyman fell asleep in his study on Christmas morn. In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but no little stocking hung by the chimney. No Christmas wreaths nor holly decorated the house. He walked out on the street, but nowhere could he see a church with its spire pointing to heaven. Returning to his library, he wanted to read a book on the Christian faith, but every book about the Savior had disappeared. His doorbell rang. A messenger asked him to visit a dying woman. He hurried to her home. Sitting down beside the lady, he said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar New Testament verse, but the Bible ended at Malachi. He could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days later he stood beside this women's coffin to conduct the funeral service. But there was no message of consolation. As the service concluded by the grave, there was no word of a glorious resurrection, no open heaven, but only "ashes to ashes, dust to dust," and one long farewell. Realizing that Christ had not come, the clergyman in his dreams burst into sobbing. Suddenly he woke with a start. He heard the choir rehearsing in his church next door. A shout of praise poured from his lips as he listened to the message of the carol "O come, all ye faithful, come let us adore him."

Scripture Text: Psal 72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 18 Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.

Is Christ the point of our Celebration, Worship, Church, and Life?

There is only one point to the Christmas tree and only one point to our church, our Christmas celebration, and our lives. He is the king, He is the Judge, He is our righteousness, He is the Prince of Peace, He is the Savior of the people, He is our avenger and defender, He is our refreshing rain, and He is our God. We are here to celebrate our Lord and our God through worshiping him. There are three aspects of Christmas to consider today:

1. Nativity: God is with us. He is born as one of us. God is with us. He is the King.

2. Passion: God died for us. Will you give yourself to Him, and will you give yourself to one of his?

3. Victory: God rose from the dead. He conquered death and hell for us so that we may live with him forever. Receive his victory today and celebrate with him.

The following item appeared in a church newsletter and contains some good advice that will help us keep selfishness in check this Christmas:

I. Thou shalt not leave "Christ" out of Christmas, making

it "Xmas." To some, "X" is unknown.

II. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so

much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

III. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus

robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

IV. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and

the merchant with complaints and demands.

V. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will

increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth

it shall treasure it forever.

VI. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even

the least expensive may signify love, and that is more

priceless than silver and gold.

VII. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings

with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are

generous.

VIII. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services

highlight the true meaning of the season.

IX. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has

become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter

into the kingdom of Heaven.

X. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the

top of thy Christmas list.

Anyone keeping these commandments is sure to have a blessed Christmas.

A family in Philadelphia found out that a temporary guest was to have a birthday during his stay. Delighted, they planned for over a week to celebrate it. They cooked large quantities of goodies. They arranged lovely decorations. They bought little gifts for him and each other. The entire hous e was in confusion for days before the birthday. Finally the day came. Guests arrived. Gifts were exchanged.

A little child asked, "Mother, where is the man whose

birthday it is?" They found him in an upstairs bedroom.

They had forgotten to invite him.

Will We Invite the Lord to His Birthday Celebration this year?