THE STAR THAT GOD PUT ON HIS TREE
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 2:21-25
Text: 1 Pet. 2:24
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Introduction: I enjoy looking at things in the light of the word of God. As Christmas arrives, I hope to show you something from the word of God that can help you enjoy the Lord more, worship Him more, and make mention of Him more to others.
At this time of the year there are a number of imitations of the true:
1. Santa is an imitation of Jesus, with his list being an imitation of the Lamb’s book of life
2. Christmas gifts are an imitation of the gift of God, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
3. The yule log and Christmas tree are an imitation of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
4. The mistletoe is a cheap imitation for the love of God and true Christian love
Finally, and this is the one I want to use tonight for our thoughts from our text of scripture:
5. The Christmas tree is an imitation of the crucifixion tree, the cross upon which Jesus died.
JESUS is the STAR on the crucifixion tree!
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Christmas is Saturday. Many of us men have not completed our shopping, but that’s typical of men.
I. JESUS IS THE SHINING STAR
Notice the word “bright” in describing Jesus:
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
A. He is the light of heaven
1. Called the Sun in Mal. 4:2
B. He is the light of the heathen
1. See John 1:9
2. He is the bright future of every nation
C. He is the light of the heart
1. See 2 Cor. 4:6
II. JESUS IS THE SIN-BEARING STAR
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Some stars seem to twinkle and show more than one color. This Star, JESUS, went from white to red on Calvary, as He bore our sins and took their stain upon Himself.
A. Jesus was and is sinless
B. Jesus was our sacrifice for sin
C. Jesus was our substitute for the wages of sin
1. Taking our place
2. Taking our penalty
3. Even as the ram took Isaac’s place on the mount
III. JESUS IS THE SAVING STAR
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Through the ages, men who have lost their way in traveling have been saved by their attention to the stars of heaven. God has provided HIS Star upon His tree, the cross, to guide men out of the wilderness of sin and on the road to heaven!
A. Jesus is the star of redemption
B. Jesus is the star of regeneration
C. Jesus is the star of redirection
1. Jesus shined on Saul on the road of iniquity and took him from the Damascus Road to Straight Street (Acts 9:11!)
IV. JESUS IS THE SUPREME STAR
1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
Angels are called stars in the Bible (Job 38:7; Rev. 1:20), popular actors are called stars, and top athletes are called stars, but some day all of them will bow the knee and confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! – even as Joseph dreamed that his brethren, as stars, would bow down before him (Joseph typifies our Lord in many instances in his life).
A. Jesus is supreme in His identification
1. THE bright and morning star
B. Jesus is supreme in His illumination
1. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, said an angel named Moroni appeared to him. (Satan himself is transformed into an angel, a star, of light) Moroni with a long i (EYE) is a moron telling a lie; Moroni with a long e (EE) is a moron with BALONEY; either way,
Moroni was a moron, as are the Mormon morons who swallowed the story about him.
2. Jesus exceeds all others in brightness
3. Jesus brings light to the darkest soul
4. Jesus brings light to the darkest community
C. In your conflicts
D. In your community
O, come, let us adore HIM …
O, come, let us adore HIM!
O, come, let us adore HIM, CHRIST, THE LORD!
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |