Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 13, 2020

Urgent Worship

Luke 2:15-20

1. Introduction

• one of the Lord’s chief aims:
• four expressions of urgent worship

2. The Conversation of Shepherds (15)

• after an announcement and authentication
• repeated and reciprocal
• exhortation based on the information

3. The Determination of Shepherds (16)

• from word to action
• hunger to see and know

4. The Proclamation of Shepherds (17-18, 20)

• message received and relayed
• response to revelation: wonder
• glory and praise based on what is heard and seen
• just as He said

5. The Meditation of Mary (19)

• She kept on “keeping together…”
• preservation and evaluation
• true nourishment through quiet reflection

6. So What?

• Because of the Lord’s revelation of Himself in Christ, respond in urgent worship.
• “One of God’s chief aims in saving sinners is to make them true worshipers.” (MacArthur)
• “Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand. Ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords in human vesture, in the body and the blood. He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food.” (Moultrie, adaptation of 5th century Liturgy of St. James)