TREASURY OF SERMONS
1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
Christmas is God's Annual Offer of Amnesty to All
People
By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow
(Preached at Life Church Christmas Eve Service, Dec 24, 2001)
Christmas brings peace and goodwill to the
earth. The paradox is the earth spurns it. Every Christmas seems to
see more fighting and bloodshed, more sorrow and sadness. This
Christmas is the worst since WWII. It is so bad that Arafat is
blocked by Israel from entering Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas.
With the bombing of the Twin Towers of World
Trade Centre Sept 11 and the war now still on in Afghanistan, with
the continuing clash between Israel and Palestine, the shooting in
the Indian Parliament by Pakistani Separatists, this world is in
rather for war than for peace. "There is no peace, saith my God, to
the wicked" (Isa 57:21). And this is the more so in the light of His
Second Coming, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places" (Matt 24:7).
In spite of these turmoils, God the Father
Almighty is still sitting on the throne. The greater part of mankind
is still at peace. And despite the Downturn, we in Singapore are
very well sheltered. We can come to celebrate Christmas in Church,
not as Christians in Jakarta. It is reported on the radio Christians
are being threatened.
The angel’s message is, "Glory to God in the
highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward man." In a world of
turmoil, the message of "peace and goodwill toward men" is all the
more precious. What is this peace and goodwill toward men? It is
God’s special annual offer of amnesty to a sinful people, the
overall forgiveness of our sins, if we come to believe in His Son,
Jesus. The very purpose of the Virgin-born Son to come into the
world is that He might die to pay for the penalty of our sins. He
proves He can do this by His Resurrection from the dead.
The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ makes the
Father so happy that He offers His amnesty to one and all who will
receive His Son this Christmas. Many years ago the towkay of Yik Woh
Watch Co. of North Bridge Road and his young son joined Life Church.
When I asked him how he became a Christian he said it happened one
Christmas Eve. The carolling party of a certain Church came to his
neighbourhood to sing "Silent Night." The singing was so charmingly
sweet that he thought it was sung by angels. He decided to become a
Christian that night. Has not our carol-singing touched your hearts
tonight?
The purpose of our Christmas Eve Service is
two-fold. First, is that our Church might come together to worship
the Lord. Second, it is like the shepherds who, having seen and
worshipped the Child Jesus, broadcast the good news to those who
have not seen or heard. The non-Christian loved ones and friends
whom our members have brought, we pray will receive Jesus into their
hearts tonight. Jesus is the true Saviour, not Japanese gods and Sai
Baba who have led even Singaporean professionals astray.
May the peace and joy of finding the Saviour
fill all your hearts. This is Christmas.
Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation
As one born blind now see the light
O the thought that Messiah has come
Sweeps o’er my soul this first Christmas
night.
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