Praising Jesus

The angels. What a gig they had! In advance of the birth of Jesus, Gabriel and an unnamed “angel of the Lord” (who might also have been Gabriel) got to meet with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph (three times), and the shepherds to encourage, lead, announce, proclaim, and worship. Gabriel (if it was him) was joined at one point by a multitude of his angelic colleagues to worship God in the presence of a group of shepherds. What a sight that must have been! 

As we conclude our series, With Joy and With Song, this Sunday, we’ll look at the angels’ role in the nativity account to see how we need to be “Praising Jesus” just as they did. We’ll look at the Christmas carol, Angels We Have Heard on High, along the way and hear it sung by our worship team in response to the message.  

Complete Service

Sermon Notes

With Joy and With Songs
Praising Jesus
Luke 1:26-38; 2:9-15a
Todd Dugard

December 20, 2020

When I praise Jesus as I should…

—

…I’ll worship him with everything I say
(and not just what I sing) (Luke 1:28-35; Luke 2:10-14)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

—

…I’ll serve him in whatever way he asks
(and not just how I think I should) (Luke 1:26-27; Luke 2:9a, 13a)

Hebrews 1:14

—

…I’ll put all the attention on him
(and not at all on me) (Luke 1:37; Luke 2:13-14)

Matthew 6:2

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

In their world, all the buzz centers around what Jesus is doing for you. That is what they long to look into. That is what keeps them riveted. Your salvation is like a book they can’t put down, because they can’t wait to see what happens next... As a Christian, you may think your life is provincial and dull. But you’re wrong. There’s an epic drama unfolding that keeps even the angels riveted, and you’re at the center of it... As the angels watch what God is doing through you, they learn more and more how wise he is, and they stand up and cheer, and fall down and worship.

Justin Dillehay
Full article

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King