THE KING’S BUSINESS
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2. T o whom the announcement was made. (a ) T o the shepherds. To the lowly and humble (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:16-21). (b ) To the wise men. Christianity is adapted to scholarship, and thé wise men o f the East have been followed by the wise men o f the West. The men of brains have come to. the manger. The sciences bow before Christ.' II. The Nature of the Birth of the Saviour. 1. It was mysterious, miraculous, and quiet. Christianity began with a miracle. The words “on this wise” (Mat thew 1 :18) indicate the super natural. If ever anything o f a miraculous nature should be released from the rigid hand of law, now is the time, when the King o f all laws is born. 2. It was God coming to and in man. God had come to man before, but not to dwell in and with him as in the incarnation. III. What the Birth o f the Saviour Brings to Us. 1. Good tidings o f great joy. Christianity was born in a song. Music is the handmaid o f Chris tianity. 2. It shows God’s attitude towards man. God has good will towards the sons o f men. 3. It brings to us a Saviour. (a ) Jesus Christ was . born with reference to sin. His name was Jesus, for He should save His people from their sins. (b ) Jesus Christ is a personal Saviour. Unto you is born a Saviour.
(c ) Jesus Christ is a mighty •Saviour. All the power o f heaven resides in Him. (d ) Jesus Christ is Master: “ Christ the Lord.”
Conclusion. What does the birth o f Christ mean to you personally?
Theme: The Holy Spirit and Missions. T e xt : Acts 15:13-18. I ntroduction . This is the age o f the Holy Spirit, and consequently the age o f missions, for mis sionary activity is the Spirit’s plan for this dispensation. I. The Holy Spirit is the Incentive to, and the Instigator o f All True Mis sionary A ctivity. 1. This is evident from a study o f the book o f Acts itself, in which mis sionary activity is never separated from the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2 :3 ; 13:2; 16:7). 2. It is also manifest in the history o f missions. Christian Frederick Schwartz and Zinzendorf surrendered them selves to the interests o f foreign missions as the result o f an out pouring o f the Holy Spirit in a prayer meeting conducted by Spener and Francke. II. The Holy Spirit is the Superintend ent o f All Missionary Activity (Acts 13 : 2 ; 16 : 7 ). 1. _ It is thé Spirit who calls men and sends them forth. 2. The Church also has her part to play in sending out missionaries (Matthew 9:36-38; cf. Acts 13:2). 3. The true motive for all missionary activity is : (a ) %Not philanthropic. ( b ) . Not the condition o f the people.
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