NOTES FROM A SERMON PRESENTED BY DR. GREG SLOOP AT THE KANNAPOLIS CHURCH OF GOD. FOR VIDEO OF SERVICES, GO TO THE CHURCH WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.KCOG.ORG, AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM LINK TO VIEW LIVE OR FOR A REPLAY OF THE SERVICES. YOU MAY ALSO WATCH LIVE OR A REPLAY ON the DR. Greg SLOOP FACEBOOK PAGE. FOR AUDIO OF THE SERVICES, GO To THE WEBSITE, kcog.org, AND CLICK ON THE MEDIA PAGE.
February 26, 2023
December 5, 2021
In light of the incarnation, we cannot remain silent…
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV)
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Jesus is Born!
Jesus birth was the sweetest event, that brought light to darkness, that made it obvious that God had not forgotten mankind, but had now broken into the atmosphere to redeem those who would believe.
Jesus came to a lost world in need of salvation!
How will you respond?
Will you be a shepherd?
- Simple,
- Unlearned,
- Slow of speech,
- Ordinary,
- But…
- Called to declare the good news of the birth of Christ.
Luke 2:15–20 (NKJV)
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Will you be a wise man?
- Learned,
- Wise,
- Gifted and Intelligent,
- But…
- Humbled by the presence of God, bringing those gifts before Christ for his use and worshipping Him that He might receive glory.
Matthew 2:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:9–11 (NKJV)
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Will you be an innkeeper?
- Busy,
- Overwhelmed,
- Overrun with demands,
- Seemingly nothing left to give,
- But…
- Willing to give what he had.
- I do not have much, but I cannot turn away the Savior!
- It is not much, but what I have is yours, Lord!
Luke 2:4–7 (NKJV)
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Will you be an angel?
- Regal,
- Musical,
- Talented,
- Susceptible to Pride,
- But…
- Willing to announce the great coming of the Lord.
- Lord, I will declare your glory to the earth.
- I will use my talents and skills for Your glory
- Not for mine, but for yours!
Luke 2:8–14 (NKJV)
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Or will you be a Herod?
- Autocratic,
- Entitled,
- Paranoid,
- Ruthless,
- Defensive,
- AND…
- Doomed.
- I will not share the stage! I will defend my turf!
- I not only will not worship, but I will kill anyone who threatens to rise above me.
- I will be the preeminent one…and then I will die alone, lost and afraid.
Matthew 2:16–18 (NKJV)
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Maybe You are a Mary or Joseph?
- Confused,
- Uncertain,
- Scared,
- But…
- Compelled,
- Convinced,
- Committed.
Matthew 1:19–21 (NKJV)
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:24–25 (NKJV)
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Luke 1:34, 37–38 (NKJV)
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
To whom much is given, much will be required…
To whom much is given, much will be required…
Luke 12:48
- The Call and Responsibility of the Birthright
- Jesus was the Firstborn of the Redeemed
- His Life Made a Way for Us to be Redeemed
- He Shares His Birthright with Us Today!
- We Must Win Souls and Make Disciples as a Result of the Blessing of the Birthright
People Must Know…
The Shepherd
Devoted To You 