Praise for the Incarnation
The sermon emphasizes the significance of the Incarnation and calls the listener to praise and worship God for this miracle of love.
John Newton preaches about the overwhelming love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the gratitude and praise that should flow from believers for His birth, death on the cross, and the shame He endured. Newton reflects on the angelic proclamation of glory to God at Christ's birth, urging his listeners to find their voices to sing louder praises to the Lord. He marvels at the incarnation of the Lord to fulfill the law, taking our place in suffering, and challenges his audience to not stay silent but to offer praise, even if it feels inadequate. Newton concludes by expressing his deep affection for Jesus, using various endearing titles to convey the intimate relationship believers have with their Savior.
Text
Sweeter sounds than music knows
Charm me in Immanuel's name;
All her hopes my spirit owes
To his birth, and cross, and shame.
When he came, the angels sung,
"Glory be to God on high;"
Lord, unloose my stamm'ring tongue,
Who should louder sing than I?
Did the Lord a man become,
That he might the law fulfil,
Bleed and suffer in my room,
And canst thou, my tongue, be still?
No, I must my praises bring,
Though they worthless are and weak;
For should I refuse to sing,
Sure the very stones would speak.
O my Saviour, Shield, and Sun,
Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend,
Ev'ry precious name in one,
I will love thee without end.
Sermon Outline
- The Incarnation of Christ
- The Response to the Incarnation
- The Call to Praise
- A command to sing
- A call to express our gratitude
Key Quotes
“Did the Lord a man become, That he might the law fulfil, Bleed and suffer in my room, And canst thou, my tongue, be still?” — John Newton
“O my Saviour, Shield, and Sun, Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend, Ev'ry precious name in one, I will love thee without end.” — John Newton
Application Points
- We should praise and worship God for the Incarnation, a demonstration of His power and love.
- We should express our gratitude for what God has done for us through the Incarnation.
- We should respond to the Incarnation by singing and expressing our thanks to God.