GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN (2 OF 4)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6
This content is part of a series.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (2 of 4)
Series: Do You See What I See?
Jeff Strite
Jeremiah 23:1-6
OPEN: http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/light-of-christmas-worship-intro-5079-detail.asp
What was the name of that song in the video?
''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen''.
Did you notice the power the video gave to that song? That wasn't done by chance. The carol ''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'' was meant to be a bold declaration of the strength we have in Christ.
When I hear the title of the song ''God rest ye merry gentlemen'' it almost sounds to me like it was saying we can go home after church to take a nap. In fact, some people (I'm told) don't even wait that long - they just nod off right in church.
But that's not what the song title originally meant.
''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'' is actually an ''old English'' phrase which means something entirely different. The title of the song isn't about ''resting.
In the language of that day ''REST'' meant ''to make'' and MERRY meant ''mighty'' or ''powerful''. Thus, the title of this song actually meant ''God MAKE You MIGHTY, Gentlemen.''
(www.acecollins.com/books/storiesbehindchr.html)
And you know, once you know that, the song makes a whole lot more sense:
''God make ye mighty, Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay''
Why? How is God going to make us MIGHTY?
And how is He going to make it so we don't DISMAY???
(Sing)
''For Jesus Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.
To Save us all from Satan's power ere we were gone astray
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.''
The Song is loudly and proudly declaring - Jesus is our strength.
Because of Him we have no need to dismay or fear.
Because of Him we're saved from Satan's power.
And Because of Him we have comfort... and joy.
Essentially, that's what Jeremiah was prophesying in our text from this morning.
Our sermon series for this month is: Do you SEE what ...
Series: Do You See What I See?
Jeff Strite
Jeremiah 23:1-6
OPEN: http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/light-of-christmas-worship-intro-5079-detail.asp
What was the name of that song in the video?
''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen''.
Did you notice the power the video gave to that song? That wasn't done by chance. The carol ''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'' was meant to be a bold declaration of the strength we have in Christ.
When I hear the title of the song ''God rest ye merry gentlemen'' it almost sounds to me like it was saying we can go home after church to take a nap. In fact, some people (I'm told) don't even wait that long - they just nod off right in church.
But that's not what the song title originally meant.
''God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'' is actually an ''old English'' phrase which means something entirely different. The title of the song isn't about ''resting.
In the language of that day ''REST'' meant ''to make'' and MERRY meant ''mighty'' or ''powerful''. Thus, the title of this song actually meant ''God MAKE You MIGHTY, Gentlemen.''
(www.acecollins.com/books/storiesbehindchr.html)
And you know, once you know that, the song makes a whole lot more sense:
''God make ye mighty, Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay''
Why? How is God going to make us MIGHTY?
And how is He going to make it so we don't DISMAY???
(Sing)
''For Jesus Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.
To Save us all from Satan's power ere we were gone astray
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.''
The Song is loudly and proudly declaring - Jesus is our strength.
Because of Him we have no need to dismay or fear.
Because of Him we're saved from Satan's power.
And Because of Him we have comfort... and joy.
Essentially, that's what Jeremiah was prophesying in our text from this morning.
Our sermon series for this month is: Do you SEE what ...
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