“Please Don't Miss the Real Meaning of Christmas” Exodus 19:16-25 Hebrews 12:18-24

Sermon Notes for December 14, 2014

“Please Don’t Miss the Real Meaning of Christmas” Exodus 19:16-25 Hebrews 12:18-24

Introduction A. The SILLINESS Of Christmas. 1. How we in America, have missed the true meaning of Christmas. a. The Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts for 2014 1. The World’s Coolest Cocktail Machine - $35,000 2. His And Hers Quad Skis - $50,000 a piece 3. Luxurious Linens - $55,000 4. An Outdoor Golden Peacock Sculpture - $65,000 5. A 100 th Anniversary Maserati Ghibli SG4 - $95,000 6. Custom Locket and Trip to Germany - $100,000 7. The Ultimate Mardi Gras Experience for Six Couples - $125,000 8. The Ultimate Slot Car Rcetrack - $300,000 9. A Vanity Fair Academy Awards Experience - $425,000 10. A Fragrance Journey To Paris - $475,000 b. The National Retail Federation is projecting that Americans will spend some 600 billion dollars this year on Christmas 2. How did we get “so far” from the true meaning of Christmas? 3. E. B. White – The Second Tree From The Corner – “To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult with every year.” 4. My view of the holiday season

B. The SERIOUSNESS Of Christmas. 1. Without a doubt, Christmas is a joyous, momentous time for the believer. 2. But Christmas is not an end in itself! a. It was simply the beginning of the journey for the Christ-child. b. For, He would leave the security and peace of the wood of the stable in Bethlehem and eventually be placed upon the wood of the cross of Golgatha. 3. Today, I want to look at the real meaning of Christmas as we look at the Old Testament as well as the New Testament a. If we don’t look at the “cause” for Christmas in the Old Testament b. We will not understand the “celebration” of Christmas in the New Testament

I. The Mountain Of JUDGMENT. A. A Mountain Of FEAR. Exodus 19:16-19 (read) 1. The spiritual fear of the mountain. a. The scene was out of fear 1. The Jews have been led out of Egypt by Moses and have arrived at Mount Sinai and are waiting to hear from Moses who has ascended the mountain to talk to God. 2. The scene, as described in Exodus 19:10-19, is ominous. (read) Imagine for just a moment that you are an Israelite living in the fifteenth century B.C. You have spent your entire life in the land of Egypt as a slave. You have existed to do the bidding of your Egyptian taskmaster, and there is a pyramid outside of Rhamses that is a testimony to your labor. But now, a man named Moses has appeared on the scene who is a spokesman for the God of your ancestors. The power of this God named Jehovah has humbled the mighty Egyptian empire, and now for the first time in your life you are free. You have just made a very treacherous journey through the desert of Sinai, and it is obvious that you are being led there by God himself. A pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night is leading you onward. Your life has been spared from the Egyptians at the Red Sea and from hunger and thirst in the desert by the direct intervention of God Himself. And now, you finally stand before the foot of the mountain upon which Moses had first met God some forty years before. Your joy at completing your long journey through the wilderness is short lived, though, because it is replaced by absolute terror . You have witnessed the plagues that brought a proud Pharaoh to his knees; you have seen an entire army drowned in the sea. But you have never seen anything as terrible and frightening and awesome as this . The mountain that rises up before you is covered by a thick cloud , but the darkness is repeatedly pierced by the flashing of lightning. The silence is shattered by the rumbling of thunder . The blasting of a trumpet announces what you already know – that God is on this mountain . You have to struggle to keep your balance because a great earthquake is rumbling, and your knees are just a bit shaky anyway. Moses disappears into the cloud and then he returns to warn you not to approach the mountain or else you will die. He doesn’t really need to tell you that, because you’re not about to take a chance and go near that terrible and holy place.

And then the most terrible and awesome thing yet takes place. Through the cracking of the thunder and the rumbling of the earthquake, a voice is heard by all the people, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall have no other gods before me. . .” God Himself speaks from the mountain giving you the Decalogue, The Commandments. The experience is so terrifying that you plead with Moses to go and speak to God for you, before you’re convinced that if you hear God speak again that you will die. b. The scene was one of warning. Exodus 19:12 – “Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death." 1. The Lord is saying through Moses that the people are not to try to meet with God or they will perish. 2. In fact, they are not even to “touch” the mountain or they will die. 2. The physical fear of the mountain: a. there was smoke and fire. b. the mountain trembled violently. c. a trumpet continued to blast from the mountain.

B. A Mountain Of FURY. 1. Later, after being on the mountain with God, Moses would begin his trek down the mountain, only to find that the Israelites had fashioned a golden calf to worship, instead of the one true God. 2. At that point, God makes it very clear about His attitude toward these sinners. a. Exodus 32:9-10 - "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." b. There is nothing but wrath, fury and judgment.

C. A Mountain Of FAILURE. 1. Do you sense the atmosphere at Mount Sinai? a. It is one of darkness . b. It is one of fire . c. It is one of fury . d. It is one of distance . 1. The people are NOT to approach God. 2. They are not even to “touch” the mountain or they will die. 3. God is saying to KEEP OUT! DON’T COME!

2. Do you wonder WHY there is such an atmosphere at Mount Sinai? a. Is this God of Mount Sinai the same God that we understand today? 1. Is this the “God of the Old Testament” 2. While there is a “God of the New Testament”? b. Several points that we need to see: 1. One – This is the EXACT SAME GOD that we know throughout the New Testament. a. God has not changed. b. God will not change. 2. Two – God is EXHIBITING HIS WRATH on Mount Sinai. a. A wrath that is full of fury and judgment against the sin of man. b. Don’t mistake God’s wrath. 1. It is real. 2. It is against sin. 3. Three – God IS STILL WRATHFUL against sin. a. God’s attitude toward sin has not changed. b. God’s fury still burns against sin. c. Jonathan Edwards: Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God – “You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.” c. This picture of God at Mount Sinai should make us stop and think about who God really is and our relationship to Him. 1. We seem to think that somehow God has changed. 2. That He has somehow “become” more gracious, more forgiving and more loving. 3. The God of the Old Testament that is NOT the God that I know today a. “I don’t know of a wrathful God.” b. “All that I know is a God of grace, mercy and forgiveness.” d. Let me show you one more picture of God’s wrath as is seen in the Old Testament – II Samuel 6:6-7 – “When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.”

1. The Philistines had captured the Ark of Covenant. 2. When David became King, he along with 30,000 men, went to Philistia, to retrieve the ark. 3. Upon returning with the ark to Jerusalem, one of the Levites who was to help transport the ark, was walking beside the ark as it was being carried on a cart. a. The oxen who were pulling the ark stumbled, and Uzzah, the Levite, without thinking, reached out his hand to steady the ark. b. Upon touching the ark, he was instantly killed by God because he “touched” the ark. c. Notice why Uzzah was killed – Numbers 4:15a - "After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. ” 1. And although Uzzah was a Kohathite - 2. He “touched” the ark. 3. Do you see the picture here? a. GOD IS HOLY! b. In fact, when you look at the book of Isaiah, the prophet was transported into heaven where he heard the angels and the seraphim praising God: Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory.” 1. This is a Hebrew song, and the lyrics are simply Holy, Holy, Holy. It is said THREE TIMES! 2. In English,we emphasize the importance of something by printing the words in italics or bold face type. 3. In Hebrew poetry, the way to show emphasis is to repeat it: a. Jesus would say, “Truly, truly I say to you . . .” b. Revelation 8:13 - “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth.” c. And now in Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty.” c. DO WE TRULY HAVE ANY CONCEPT OF THE HOLINESS OF GOD? 1. How perfect, awesome, complete, true and righteous God is! 2. And how much His holiness hates our sin.

3. Martin Luther – at his first mass: “We offer unto 6

thee the living, the true, eternal God.” – “At these words I was utterly stupefied and terror-stricken. I thought to myself, “With what tongue shall I address such majesty, seeing that all men ought to tremble in the presence of even an earthly prince? Who am I, that I should lift up mine eyes or raise my hands to the divine Majesty? The angels surround him. At His nod the earth trembles. And shall I, a miserable little pygmy, say ‘I want this, I ask for that’? For I am dust and ashes and full of sin and I am speaking to the living, eternal and the true God.”

II. The Mountain of JOY. A. The Mountain of INVITATION. 1. So far, we have seen a “mountain” in the Old Testament that we are NOT to touch Hebrews 12:18-21 - “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire ; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned ." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." a. a mountain of fear b. a mountain of judgment 2. However, there is “another mountain” that we ARE to touch Hebrews 12:22-24 – “But, you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” a. The word but is an emphatic word of comparison. 1. nevertheless 2. rather 3. instead b. The word come in verse 22 is the same Greek word used in verse 18. 1. Vs. 18 – “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched.” a. They are the SAME, EXACT WORD! b. To come near, to approach 2. Our “coming” is very different to “this mountain” 2. Can this be the same Bible , the same people and the same God ? a. How can we see such a God of wrath at Mount Sinai, REFUSING our approach of Him, b. while at Mount Zion, we are invited to come close to God! B. The Mountain Of INSPIRATION. 7

1. You have come to a different MOUNTAIN ! Vs. 22 – “But you have come to Mount Zion , to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.” a. Mount Zion historically . 1. Mount Zion was known as the place where King David lived. 2. Later, Mount Zion would include the highest area of Jerusalem, where the Temple was located. b. Mount Zion spiritually . 1. Here is the Temple in heaven, where the transaction between Jesus and God took place to secure our salvation. 2. Here is the “courthouse in heaven” where believers’ names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 2. You have come to a different MESSAGE . Vs. 22b-23 – “You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly for the church of the firstborn.” a. The musicians - in comparison to the “doom and gloom” of the people fearing Mount Sinai, there are thousands upon thousands of angels praising God in heaven at Mount Zion. 1. actually the Greek in verse 22 and 23 suggests ten thousand times ten thousand angels! 2. the heavenly host is in chorus about the joy of salvation. b. The ministers - all worshipping at the “church of the firstborn.” 1. WHO IS THE FIRST BORN? a. Colossians 1:15 – calls Jesus “the firstborn over all creation.” b. Hebrews 1:6 says - And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 2. Does this text sound familiar – WHEN DID TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND SHOUT FOR JOY AT THE BIRTH OF THE FIRST BORN? Luke 2:8-14 – “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

3. You have come to a different MEDIATOR. a. You can approach Mount Zion 1. Not because GOD has changed a. God STILL has His requirements of holiness and righteousness. b. God STILL will punish sin with His wrath, as seen in Hebrews 12: 28-29 - “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." 2. But, because WE have changed, a. We are now seen as righteous. 1. Not because of what we have done, 2. but because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. a. Did you notice the similarities of the scene surrounding Mount Sinai and the scene surrounding the death of Christ? 1. Mt. Sinai a. darkness b. the mountain shook. 2. Golgatha a. Matthew 27:45 – “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.” b. Matthew 27:51 – “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.” b. On that cross Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God. 1. God has not changed. 2. His demand for holiness has not changed. 3. He simply placed that wrath on Jesus instead of us. b. We are seen as forgiven . 1. His blood was shed instead of mine. 2. His death for mine. b. JESUS CHANGED OUR APPROACH TO THE MOUNTAIN!

Conclusion: 1. THIS IS MY PERSONAL STRUGGLE AT CHRISTMAS. a. Why do I preach on such a depressing, morose topic such as the death of Christ upon the cross at Christmas? 1. Because IT EXPLAINS THE JOY that was sung by the thousands of angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. 2. Luke 2:13-14 – “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS." a. Did you notice the word peace ? b. The announcement was given WHILE God’s wrath still remained on man. c. There was no peace upon man, only wrath. 3. What the angels were rejoicing about was that we would be transported from a mountain of wrath – Mount Sinai – to a mountain of joy and peace; Mount Zion! – ALL BECAUSE A BABY WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM! a. this baby was born so that He would grow up to take away the darkness, the judgment, the fear and the guilt. b. and replace that with love, joy and peace. c. on the cross, Jesus would absorb the wrath of God that was meant for sinners! d. THIS MESSAGE IS ANYTHING BUT DEPRESSING! 2. THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS! a. If you don’t know what you have been saved “from” . . . you will never REALLY understand the meaning of Christmas. b. If you ONLY think that Christmas is about peace and joy, you have missed its essential message. c. Christmas IS about peace and joy, but it is about peace and joy because they have replaced fear and wrath . . . because of Jesus. d. Look at John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." 3. THIS IS THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS! a. The gift of Christmas is that Jesus came to take that wrath for you and from you b. So, don’t get so caught up with the peace and joy of Christmas that you forget to thank Him for not having to experience the wrath of God.

R.C. Sproul – The Holiness of God; his testimony of how he became a Christian. 10

I was compelled to leave the room. A deep, undeniable summons disturbed my sleep; something holy called me. The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the clock on my desk. It seemed vague and unreal, as if it were in a chamber, submerged under fathoms of water. I had reached the beginning edge of slumber, where the line between consciousness and unconsciousness is blurred. I was suspended in that moment when one hangs precariously on the edge, a moment when sounds from the outside world still intrude on the quietness of one’s brain, that moment just before surrender to the night occurs. Asleep, but not yet asleep. Awake, but not alert. Still vulnerable to the inner summons that said, “Get up. Get out of this room.” The gears of the clock atop Old Main Tower began to grind, and the arms met and embraced vertically. I heard the dull groan of the machinery a split second before the chimes began to ring. Four musical tones signaled the full hour. The chapel was in the shadow of Old Main Tower. The door was made of heavy oak with a Gothic arch. I swung it open and entered the narthex. The door fell shut behind me with a clanging sound that reverberated from the stone walls of the name. The echo startled me. It was a strange contrast to the sounds of daily chapel services, where the opening and closing of the doors were muffled by the sounds of students shuffling to their assigned places. Now the sound of the door was amplified into the void of midnight. I moved slowly and deliberately toward the chancel steps. The sound of my shoes against the stone floor evoked terror-filled images of German soldiers marching in hobnailed boots along cobblestone streets. Each step resounded down the center aisle as I reached the carpet-covered chancel. There I sank to my knees. I had reached my destination. I was ready to meet the source of the summons that had disturbed my rest. I was in a posture of prayer, but I had nothing to say. I knelt there quietly, allowing the sense of the presence of a holy God to fill me. The beat of my heart was telltale, a thump- thump against my chest. An icy chill started at the base of my spine and crept up my neck. Fear swept over me . I fought the impulse to run from the foreboding presence that gripped me. The terror passed, but soon it was followed by another wave. This wave was different. It flooded my soul with unspeakable peace, a peace that brought instant rest and repose to my troubled spirit. At once I was comfortable. I wanted to linger there. To say nothing. To do nothing. Simply to bask in the presence of God. That moment was life transforming. Something deep in my spirit was being settled once for all. From this moment there could be no turning back; there could be no erasure of the indelible imprint of its power. I was alone with God. A holy God. An awesome God. A God who could fill me with terror in one second and with peace in the next. I knew in that hour that I had tasted of the Holy Grail. Within me was born a new thirst that could never be fully satisfied in this world. I resolved to learn more, to pursue this God who lived in dark Gothic cathedrals and who invaded my dormitory room to rouse me from complacent slumber. c. receive “that gift” this Christmas: the gift of God’s grace that pays for my sin.