Posts Tagged ‘bethlehem’

The Incarnation Message

Sunday, December 25th, 2005

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change

Read at beginning of service:

John 1:1-14 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I want to begin this morning with a short Christmas quiz.

Q: On December 24^th, what was Adam?s wife known as?

A: Christmas Eve

Q: What do you call an opinion survey in Alaska?

A: North Poll

Q: When the salt and pepper say, “Hi” to each other, what are they passing on?

A: Season?s Greetings

Q: What do you call a holy man with no change in his pockets?

A: St. Nickleless

Q: What do Spanish sheep say when they wish each other a Merry Christmas?

A: Fleece Navidad

(taken from the message, “A Savior is Born: God?s Christmas Message by Brian Bill”)

One reason things are funny, or punny, is because words are powerful. I want to suggest this morning that the message of the incarnation (what we are to remember in celebrating Christmas), is often misunderstood because we don?t pay enough attention to the words. Many of us get a bit sentimental during this season as we skim right by on a superficial level, missing the magnitude of what happened on that holy night.

I want to begin by asking some questions: “Who was this Jesus? What did He come to do? Why did He come to earth? What child was this?” If we can figure out the answer to these questions, we will come to the conclusion that this message does in fact change everything.

Congregational Singing? “What Child Is This?”

In order to understand more about who this child was, and who Christ is, we?re going to look at Luke 2:10-11:

Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

One of the best ways to fully understand the identity of Jesus and the impact of His message is to focus on the What, When, Where, Who, Why and the How of Christmas

The “What” of Christmas

As the angel appears to the shepherds who are just out doing their jobs, his first concern is to calm them down because they are terrified. As we learned in my previous message in this series, God wants us to move from fear to faith. The reason the shepherds did not have to tremble was because the angel was about to announce the “what” of Christmas: “I bring you good news?” This phrase means to “announce, declare, or show” the evangel (good news), which is where we get the word “gospel” from.

In the midst of that dark night, and into a world filled with bad news, God is ready to reveal some good news. Notice that this news is “of great joy.” The word “great” here is the word megas in the Greek. It has the idea of “mega joy” or super-sized “cheerfulness.” This good news is exceedingly exciting because God is bringing about the solution to the sin problem. And this good news is “for all the people.” God?s mega message was never intended to just be for one group of people in one part of the world. The “what” of Christmas is God?s good news, which is “joy to the world.”

The “When” of Christmas

Verse 11 begins with the word “Today.” The birth of the baby had taken place that day and now they were given the announcement of His arrival. The timing of the Incarnation was impeccable. Galatians 4:4:

Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

Everything came together at last for God to make a visit by sending His Son to redeem us from our sins. The world system was ready, people were searching for meaning, prophecies were fulfilled and the Christmas characters were prepared. God was in no hurry, but when the time was right, He moved into action! The incarnation (the birth/death/resurrection of Jesus) is the hinge on which the door of history swings. We live on a visited planet and that visit happened at a precise point in history. Friend, you can count on Christmas being true because of this fact. We don?t celebrate a fable; we commemorate the birth in the stable.

The “Where” of Christmas

The “what” is the mega message of amazing news. The “when” was a specific time in history. The “where” of Christmas is in the “town of David.” This is a reference to Bethlehem. This little village was called David?s town because it was where his grandpa Boaz and his father Jesse were from, and where David grew up. In fact, David used to take care of sheep just like the shepherds were doing the night the angel showed up.

It was no accident that the baby was born in Bethlehem. This fulfilled a 700-year old prophecy found in Micah 5:2. After Jesus was born, Matthew 2 tells us that a group of astrologers from the east came to Jerusalem because they wanted to find the one who was born king of the Jews. They had followed a star but now they needed more specific directions. They knew when he was born but they didn?t know exactly where.

Herod, who was the king in Judea, was very disturbed and threatened by the news that a king had been born so he called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He had one very specific question for these experts: “Where is the Christ supposed to be born?”

I want you to notice how quickly they answered his question in Matthew 2:5. They didn?t have to talk about it, or even consult their official documents. No one even needed to open the Old Testament:

Matthew 2:5-6 (NIV)

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”

These religious guys knew it in their heads but they didn?t know Him in their hearts. It?s quite possible to be so close to Jesus and still be far away from His impact. They held the truth but they didn?t allow the truth to hold them! It?s not what you know, but what you do with what you know that makes the difference.

The “Who” of Christmas

The next phrase in Luke 2:11 actually reads, “Has been born to you Savior, Christ, Lord.” When Luke penned these words, he didn?t use any articles in front of these three titles. Each of these words is extremely important.

Savior.

This word means, “deliverer.” Jesus came to set us free from sin, and to deliver us from the dominion of the devil. His role as Savior was spelled out to Joseph in Matthew 1:21:

Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Someone has said:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Because we?re sinners, we need a Savior. This title would have caused the people of that day to be startled because they knew that God alone was their Deliverer. Isaiah 43:3:

Isaiah 43:3 (NIV)

3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior?

To call Jesus “Savior” is to acknowledge Him as God and to admit guilt before Him, and thus the need for forgiveness.

Christ.

This is the Greek word for “Messiah,” which means, “the anointed one” and is used over 500 times in the Bible. The nation of Israel always lived in the future as they waited eagerly for the anointed One, who would bring salvation to them. We hear this expectation from the mouth of John the Baptist when he wondered if Jesus was in fact, the Messiah in Matthew 11:3:

Matthew 11:3 (NIV)

3 to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Later, when Jesus was wanting to find out what his followers thought of Him, Peter spoke up in Matthew 16:16:

Matthew 16:16 (NIV)

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Ultimately, Jesus was anointed to suffer and then die as substitute for the sins of the world.

Lord.

This amazing title is reserved in the Old Testament for God alone. The angel here is declaring that Jesus is Yahweh. Jesus is not just from God; He is God Himself. Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 8:6:

1 Corinthians 8:6 (NIV)

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

God had become man! The infinite had become an infant. As Lord, Jesus is Master. He?s in charge. He?s supreme. And as such, I must bow before His supremacy. Philippians 2:9-11:

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In the third verse of “Silent Night” we sing of his Lordship as a baby. This baby was a normal baby in terms of his humanity yet truly was Lord in his divinity.

The “Why” of Christmas

The Christian church has adopted Christmas as calendar event for one reason. To celebrate the incarnation ? the coming to earth of God as man, the birth of Immanuel ? God with us. He was holy and human, right from the start. The baby in Bethlehem was born to die on the cross. As important as everything is I?ve said so far, Christmas must become a personal confession in order for it to make a difference in your life. Notice the two words tucked in the middle of verse 11: “to you.” The shepherds did nothing to deserve the privilege of hearing the good news of great joy. They were just out doing their jobs. It was by grace that God announced the news that would change their life: “A Savior has been born to you.” And when they heard this, verse 16 says that they “hurried off?and found the baby.” The proclamation from the angels went into their ears, down into their heart where they personalized it, and then out to their feet as they responded in faith.

Friends, the Savior can never save you until you cry out, “Christ came for me and then died as my sin substitute. I accept the anointed one into my life and I surrender to His Lordship.” Martin Luther once said,

“Of what benefit would it be to me if Christ had been born a thousand times, and it would be daily sung in my ears in a most lovely manner, if I were never to hear that he was born for me and was to be my very own.”

The “How of Christmas”

Let?s look now at the “how” of Christmas. After the one angel appeared to the shepherds, suddenly an entire army of angelic messengers filled the sky with an outpouring of adoration in verse 14: “Glory to God in the highest?” They couldn?t help but break into praise because Savior-Christ-Lord had been born. Their praise then led them to declare a message of peace: “?and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” It all starts in heaven with God?s perfect plan and it arrives on earth where peace comes to those who personalize the message.

In the Old Testament, “peace” is the word shalom, and is a state of wholeness and harmony that is intended to resonate in all relationships. When used as a greeting, shalom was a wish for outward freedom from disturbance as well as an inward sense of well-being. To a people constantly harassed by enemies, peace was the premiere blessing. In Numbers 6:24-26, God gave Moses these words to use when blessing His people:

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

24 “‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”‘

The New Testament describes at least three spheres, or planes, of peace:

Peace with God ? that?s the vertical dimension

Peace of God ? this takes place internally

Peace with others ? when we have peace with God and we experience the peace of God, we can then extend peace horizontally

Peace with God.

Before we can understand this first dimension of peace we must come to grips with the state of our relationship with God apart from Christ. While God loves us and cherishes us, He is also repulsed and filled with indignation because of our sinfulness. Romans 1:18:

Romans 1:18 (NIV)

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 5:1 gives the good news:

Romans 5:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross, you and I can now be at peace with God. This word can also mean, “to set at one again.” God the Father poured out His wrath, fury, and indignation on His Son, who died in our place, as our sin-substitute. Colossians 1:20 says that Jesus reconciled Himself to all things “making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”

Listen carefully. We don?t deserve this peace to men on whom His favor rests. In fact, what we deserve is death and eternal punishment. But, because of God?s great love, He provided a way for us to be set at one again with the God of the universe. God?s joy and His justice converge on the cross of Calvary. His love and His law find full satisfaction through the sacrificial death of His Son. God is both just and the justifier. His anger is fully absorbed in the sacrifice of His Son.

Peace of God.

In order to have the peace of God internally, we must first experience peace with God vertically. The upward dimension must be taken care of before inward peace can permeate our lives. Those at peace with God can experience the peace of God.

Shortly before Jesus died, He declared in John 14:27:

John 14:27 (NIV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

This inner peace is a gift from Jesus and comes to us as a key element of the fruit of the Spirit. We will experience this peace in proportion to the room we give the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Peace with others.

Peace with God enables us to have the peace of God. Christ as Savior brings peace with God; Christ as Lord brings the peace of God. Another way to say it is that we can?t have the peace of God until we know the God of peace. When we?re at peace with God, and we have internal peace, we can then be at peace with others.

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 5:9:

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

I find it interesting that Jesus didn?t tell us to be “peacekeepers,” but instead “peacemakers.” This could be translated as “peace workers.” It takes effort to bring conflict to an end. When we work at preventing contention and strife we are doing what God does. We?re called to make peace when we?re involved in conflict. Romans 14:19 lays out our responsibility:

Romans 14:19 (NIV)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

The only way to have peace with God, to have peace inside, and to be at peace with others, is to personalize the message of the Incarnation. Peter summarizes the essence of the Incarnation when he declares in Acts 10:36:

Acts 10:36 (NIV)

36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

CONCLUSION

Let me summarize.

The what of Christmas is “the good news of great joy for all the people.”

The when of Christmas is “today.”

The where of Christmas is in the “town of Bethlehem.”

The who of Christmas is “Savior, Christ, Lord.”

The why of Christmas is “to you.”

The how of Christmas is “Glory to God?and peace to men?”

Is Jesus your Savior? Is He your Christ? Is He your Lord? This baby was God?s own Son and He came to change the world. Has He changed your world? Instead of trying to figure out a pun, put your faith in the Son. Some day God will give each of us an exam. It will have one question on it: “What have you done with Jesus?”

Possibly play or sing the song “The Final Word”

Tags: bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change, freedom, grace, incarnation
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Supernatural Happenings with Angels

Sunday, December 11th, 2005

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change

Read at beginning of service:

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

INTRODUCTION

How many of you have ever heard a sermon on angels before? In my recollection I don?t think I?ve ever preached a message regarding the ministry of angels before.

In recent years, Angels have become quite popular. The Wall Street Journal carried an article in 2003 that stated, “After a hiatus of almost 300 years and much skepticism, angels are making a comeback.” From lapel pins to Angel Cards, people can?t seem to get enough of the celestial world. Just this week I typed in the word “angel” on Google, and came up with 73.9 million hits! According to the Angel Collectors Club of America, the hands-down champion of angel collectors is a woman from Beloit, Wisconsin. Her home is stuffed with 10,455 different angelic artifacts!

Even TV talk shows devote hours to people with “angel stories.” Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey chided a guest for being “in denial” about an angel experience. Major bookstore chains sometimes have whole sections devoted to books involving angels ? of course a small percentage of those books present angels in a biblical light.

While the Christmas story is saturated with the supernatural, some of us miss the meaning because we just skim by this season on a superficial level. I want to suggest this morning that we must see the mysterious and miraculous elements surrounding the birth of Jesus.

In his book called, “Rumors of Another World,” Philip Yancey writes, “The Bible presents a?view of reality that encompasses both the familiar visible world and an invisible world that coexists as a kind of parallel universe” (Page 165). The supernatural star that led the wise men to Jesus gave way to a divine dream that warned them to go home by another route. In addition, angelic pronouncements permeate the landscape, appearing first to Zechariah, then to Mary, Joseph and finally to the shepherds.

2 Corinthians 4:18 challenges us to move our minds from this transitory world to the real world that we have a difficult time seeing: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” We live in one place but we believe in another dimension. I?m reminded of the story in 2 Kings 6 when an angry army surrounds Elisha and his servant. The servant starts to flip out so Elisha says in verse 16: “Don?t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I picture the servant looking around and not seeing anyone but innumerable enemies. Then Elisha prays in verse 17: “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see. Then the LORD opened the servant?s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” Friend, I believe that if we could pull back the curtain on the spirit world, we would see that this room is filled with intelligent, powerful beings.

My prayer is that the Lord will open our eyes so that we will see what is ultimately important this morning. Angels appear in more than half of the books of the Bible, with over 300 total references. They have three primary responsibilities.

They magnify God. The number one job of angels is to adore God. Nehemiah 9:6: “You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” One of the most vivid pictures of praise is found in Revelation 5:11-12: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand?In a loud voice they sang: ?Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!?”

They are messengers of God. The word “angel,” as used in the Bible, literally means messenger. Their job is to do what God wants them to do. Angel messengers basically convey two types of messages. Sometimes it?s good news like announcing the birth of Christ. But, other times they bring bad news. When they serve in this capacity, they are not cute little cherub dolls that look like ornaments we hang on our Christmas trees. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” The Book of Revelation is full of prophecies regarding the role of avenging angels and it is anything but pretty.

They minister to people. Hebrews 1:14 puts it best: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Most of the time angels are not seen; they minister invisibly behind the scenes. And yet, on occasion, they break into our world, appearing for a short time to accomplish a specific purpose. The Bible mentions that when they do appear, they often look just like humans. Listen to Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” It?s quite possible to be face-to-face with an angel and not even know it

Phillip Yancey refers to a concept called, “thin places,” where the natural and supernatural worlds come together at their narrowest, with only a thin veil between them (“Rumors of Another World,” Page 45). As we read the Christmas story, there are many of these thin places, particularly when messengers from the angelic world make an appearance into our world.

Not surprisingly, every time an angel shows up in the Advent Adventure, human beings become very afraid. They?re terrified by the messenger and are left tottering by the message. When an angel appears in Scripture, a sense of fear and wonder blasts through the blas? and predictable. Actually, that?s one of the functions of angels. This awe-inspiring element was built into the very worship fabric of ancient Israel. The Ark of the Covenant had two cherubim carved into it. The idea is that God is surrounded by powerful beings. Prophets like Isaiah came face-to-face with seraphim who cried out in Isaiah 6:3: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” With the doorposts shaking, and the temple filled with smoke, Isaiah cried out in fear, “Woe is me!”

My guess is that many of us are afraid about something this morning. On 65 different occasions, the Bible tells us to “fear not.” Let?s see how these messages to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds can minister to us today. (Insights for the following come from Pastor Leith Anderson www.wooddale.org).

Let?s look at three different angelic encounters that intersect the Christmas story in order to help us see that which is ultimately real.

1. Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

The first messenger was one of the big guns of the Bible. His name was Gabriel and is one of only two named angels in the Bible, the other one being Michael. His first assignment that we know about came when he was called on to interpret a dream for the prophet Daniel (see Daniel 9:21). Gabriel then disappears from the scene for six hundred years, until he appears to a young teenage peasant girl named Mary.

As we read the familiar story let?s try to imagine what Mary might have felt during this angelic encounter. Luke 1:26-38 (read at beginning of service):

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Gabriel had the privilege of announcing the most astonishing news ever! God was going to send His Son to earth. I wonder if Gabriel questioned why God would want to accomplish His purposes through such an unlikely person. She was young in a culture that respected older people. She was poor. She lived in an isolated village. Don?t you love how God chooses to use people who we might not pick?

But Mary is terrified. She?s agitated at this announcement because she doesn?t understand why God would want to accomplish His purposes through her. I think she was probably afraid of this mighty messenger and dumbfounded by his message. Gabriel must have seen the fear in her eyes and so he said, “Don?t be afraid.” He knew that her fear could keep her from responding in faith and so his first task was to tame her trembling heart. He then explained what was going to happen as best he could. Mary asked a very natural question and Gabriel responded with the mystery of how a virgin could become pregnant with the Son of God. Mary didn?t understand this any more than we can explain it.

Gabriel reminds Mary of the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth and then makes a statement that we still need to hold on to today: “For nothing is impossible with God.” As Mary?s eyes are drawn to the power of God and away from her situation, she is able to respond with faith in verse 38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Mary was ready to respond, choosing faith over her fear.

What about you? Perhaps God has revealed something to you in this past year that you?re afraid to fully submit to. What fear is keeping you back? Friend, because nothing is impossible with God He can do the improbable with insignificant people like you and like me. ?ordinary people who are part of an extraordinary plan?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph needed some divine intervention after he found out Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn?t the father. He had wanted to settle down into his carpentry business, get married, build a home, and pass on his trade to their children. But now things were falling apart and his plans were blown up. His reputation was on the line. And his fianc? had let him down. What was he going to do? Because he was a righteous man, he determined to end the engagement as quietly as he could. Instead of trying to get even, he wanted to do what was right. He?s in a daze, probably wanting to crawl into a hole.

In the middle of his misery, Joseph gets a visit. Let?s look at Matthew 1:20-24:

Matthew 1:20-24 (NIV)

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This unnamed angel fills in some of the blanks for Joseph but first he settles Joseph?s anxious heart by saying, “Do not be afraid.” Amazingly, he is being asked to raise a child that is not his. And, he?s given a glimpse of the glory of this child as the angel tells him that this boy will be the Savior, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14. Joseph then moves from fear to faith when we read, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Does your life seem out of control right now? Have some things happened that have caused you to lose sleep? Maybe your dreams have been destroyed and your problems seem insurmountable. Does everything seem to be going wrong? Friend, hold on to hope. Immanuel will be with you always, no matter what happens. God will work everything out for His glory and for your good. Romans 8:28 is still true: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What God wants from us is to be obedient like Joseph was. He wants us to serve Him in the midst of the storm, to love Him even when we feel like we?ve lost everything, and to trust Him during our trials.

Joseph actually had two more encounters with angels, and like the first time, he chose faith over fear. Look at Matthew 2:13-14:

Matthew 2:13-14 (NIV)

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

Joseph had some “get up and go,” didn?t he? He response was identical some time later after another angelic encounter, in which he was told to go back to Israel because Herod had died. We see his obedience again in Matthew 2:21: “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Friend, don?t be afraid when life throws you a curve. Choose faith over fear. And when God makes it clear what you?re supposed to do, and you?re sure that He?s the one speaking, then “get up and go.”

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

The final exhibit of angelic intervention takes place when God rocks the routine of some guys who are just out doing their job. Luke 2:8-20:

Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

In the midst of the mundane, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. Into the darkness of a silent night came the brightness of the glory of the Lord. I?m sure they were rubbing their eyes and shaking in their sandals. In fact, the word “terrified” means that they were alarmed and agitated.

“But the angel said to them, ?Do not be afraid.” Once again, an angel has to tell humans to chill out. The reason they did not need to be afraid is because the messenger was bringing “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.? As the shepherds are trying to handle the message from this one messenger, they are taken aback again. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God?” The word “suddenly” means that the heavenly host came unexpectedly. I imagine the sky filled with a multitude of messengers. The phrase “heavenly host” refers to the Lord?s army in other passages of Scripture. Then the angels say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

After witnessing this incredible display of unbridled adoration and praise, the shepherds knew that they had to move. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ?Let?s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.? They discussed what they should do and were unanimous in their decision to head to Bethlehem. I love verse 16 because it shows that their fear had been replaced with faith and then their faith went to their feet: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” There was no delay. The word “hurried” carries with it the idea of speed.

The shepherds then became messengers of the message they had received from the angel. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” With hearts filled with gratitude, these men broke out into praise: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Friend, God may be trying to break into your ordinary routine with the message of good news. He loves you and has sent His Son to be your Savior. How long will you continue to ignore Immanuel? When will you hurry to the Holy One? He wants to bring you joy in the midst of all the junk going on in your life. Will you receive what He has done for you? Will you put feet to your faith?

There are angels everywhere and I believe they are still doing God?s work today. But whether we see or hear an angel today doesn?t really matter. What matters most is that we get God?s message and that we respond not in fear, but in faith. Since it?s important to understand the role of angels in the Bible, let me briefly mention three things that good angels never do:

Angels Never Take the Place of the Bible. When they give messages from God, angels never supersede Scripture or contradict the Bible. Angels had a part in delivering sections of the Bible; therefore they would never say anything against it. Deuteronomy 33:2 tells us that myriads of holy messengers came down on Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to Moses and the entire book of Revelation is most likely the result of angelic messages. Revelation 1:1: “?He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” Then, in the last chapter of Revelation, a curse is pronounced on anyone who adds or takes away from the words of the book (Revelation 22:18-19). Friends, don?t look to angels, or anything else for that matter, to provide you with new messages from God. Everything that God wants you to know is found in this book!

Angels Never Take the Place of God the Father. God?s good angels refuse to be worshipped. In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John is overcome by all that he has heard and seen: “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel…But he said to me, ?Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!?” Good angels never draw attention to themselves. They can get our attention, but they always do it for God?s sake, not their own. When Biblical angels discharge their duty and deliver their tidings, they withdraw from human contact. They don?t stay long because they don?t want us to focus on them; they want us to worship God. One other thought in this regard. Angels are not to be prayed to. They may help deliver answers to prayer, but the Bible never suggests that we should direct our requests to them.

Angels Never Take the Place of Jesus. Angels are not the go-between for us. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” In the whole scheme of things, Jesus is center stage; angels are just the supporting cast. Like fans of a famous actor, 1 Peter 1:12 says that “angels long to look into the things” that Jesus has accomplished. The picture here is of angels bending over, trying to peer into the truth of salvation through Jesus. They?re intrigued by the whole idea of redemption.

Christmas cannot be explained apart from the thin places. Ray Pritchard puts it strongly: “If you take the supernatural out of Christianity, all you have is a religious book club.” Let me summarize what we?ve learned today.

CONCLUSION

1.Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

When Mary got the news about God?s purpose for her life she said in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Are you ready to surrender to God?s purposes right now?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph?s world was being wiped out and yet he chose to hold on to what was true and to do what God was asking him to do. Matthew 1:24: “He did what the Lord commanded.” Matthew 2:14: “So he got up?” Matthew 2:21: “So he got up?” What are you going to do? Are you going to stew? Or are you going to get up and do what is right?

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

God is giving you a gift this Christmas and He wants you to respond by receiving it. The shepherds could have ignored the good news but they were so moved by the majesty of the glory of God that they had to move. Did you know that angels like to party? I used to think of them as boring and a bit predictable. They certainly don?t seem very spontaneous or very fun. Don?t they strike you as a serious bunch? After all, if their job is to magnify God, serve as His messengers and minister to people, how could they have time to do anything else? Luke 15:10 describes how this all comes together: “…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Whenever an individual repents of sin and receives Jesus into his life, the angels break out into a wild party! They magnify God and minister to us in far greater ways once we respond to the message of good news of great joy.

Friend, what about you? The angels are cheering you on this morning. They want you to surrender your life to Christ?s leadership. All the plans are set for a big celebration. They?re just waiting for you to respond to the invitation. Angels are watching every move you make. They know the spiritual condition of your soul. And they are anxious for you to repent and to receive Christ for salvation before it?s too late. You see, they know what lies ahead for all of us. They understand the joy and rewards that await those who put their faith in Christ; and they know the harsh reality of hell for those who choose not to receive Christ.

Do you want a party thrown in your honor in heaven? Do you want the angels to rejoice? Then, engage your will and receive the free gift of Jesus. Then, not only will know more about the “Angels Out in the Field,” you will have Jesus in you, Immanuel who will always be with you.

J. B. Phillips wrote a wonderful story called, “The Visited Planet” to help us shed the limitations of earthbound thinking and to allow the supernatural to break over us afresh (see www.ccel.org).

Once upon a time a very young angel was being shown the splendors and glories of the universes by a senior and experienced angel?Finally he was shown?a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis-ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen.

“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger. “Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What?s special about that one?” “That,” replied his senior solemnly, “is the Visited Planet.” “Visited?” said the little one. “You don?t mean visited by ——–? “Indeed I do. That ball, which I have no doubt looks to you small and insignificant?has been visited by our young Prince of Glory.” And at these words he bowed his head reverently. The little angel?s face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?” “I do, and I don?t think He would like you to call them ?creeping, crawling creatures? in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”

The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” said the senior angel, “and we will go back in what they call Time.” “Now look!” And as the little angel did as he was told, there appeared here and there on the dull surface of the globe little flashes of light, some merely momentary and some persisting for quite a time. “Every flash and glow of light that you see is something of the Father?s knowledge and wisdom breaking into the minds and hearts of people?Not many people, you see, can hear His Voice or understand what He says, even though He is speaking gently and quietly to them all the time.”

“Why are they so blind and deaf and stupid?” asked the junior angel rather crossly.

“It is not for us to judge them. We who live in the Splendor have no idea what it is like to live in the dark. We hear the music and the Voice like the sound of many waters every day of our lives, but to them – well, there is much darkness and much noise and much distraction upon the earth. Only a few who are quiet and humble and wise hear His Voice. But watch, for in a moment you will see something truly wonderful.”

The Earth went on turning and circling round the sun, and then quite suddenly, in the upper half of the globe, there appeared a light, tiny but so bright in its intensity that both the angels hid their eyes. “I think I can guess,” said the little angel in a low voice. “That was the Visit, wasn?t it?” “Yes, that was the Visit. The Light Himself went down there and lived among them; but in a moment?the light will go out.” “But why? Could He not bear their darkness and stupidity? Did He have to return here?” “No, it wasn?t that,” returned the senior angel. His voice was stern and sad. “They failed to recognize Him for Who He was – or at least only a handful knew Him. For the most part they preferred their darkness to His Light, and in the end they killed Him.”

“The fools, the crazy fools! They don?t deserve —-” “Neither you nor I, nor any other angel, knows why they were so foolish and so wicked. Nor can we say what they deserve or don?t deserve. But the fact remains, they killed our Prince of Glory while He was Man amongst them?Watch now, but be ready to cover your eyes again.” In utter blackness the earth turned round three times, and then there blazed with unbearable radiance a point of light. “What now?” asked the little angel, shielding his eyes. “They killed Him all right, but He conquered death. The thing most of them dread and fear all their lives He broke and conquered. He rose again, and a few of them saw Him and from then on became His utterly devoted slaves.”

“Thank God for that,” said the little angel. “Amen. Open your eyes now, the dazzling light has gone. The Prince has returned to His Home of Light. But watch the Earth now.” As they looked, in place of the dazzling light there was a bright glow, which throbbed and pulsated. And then as the Earth turned, little points of light spread out. A few flickered and died; but for the most part the lights burned steadily, and as they continued to watch, in many Parts of the globe there was a glow over many areas.

“You see what is happening?” asked the senior angel. “The bright glow is the company of loyal men and women He left behind, and with His help they spread the glow and now lights begin to shine all over the Earth.” “Yes, yes,” said the little angel impatiently, “but how does it end? Will the little lights join up with each other? Will it all be light, as it is in Heaven?” His senior shook his head. “We simply do not know,” he replied. “It is in the Father?s hands. Sometimes it is agony to watch and sometimes it is joy unspeakable. The end is not yet. But now I am sure you can see why this little ball is so important. He has visited it; He is working out His Plan upon it.” “Yes, I see, though I don?t understand. I shall never forget that this is the Visited Planet.”

Tags: angel, angels, bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change, servants, signs
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It’s Your Turn

Sunday, December 15th, 2002

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Christmas - When the Unexpected Happens

Read at beginning of message:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

INTRODUCTION

Read Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-14

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

We are all familiar with the Christmas Story. But did you know that you have a part in it? You do. You make your own ending to the Christmas Story depending on how you respond to who Christ is, what He has done, and what Christ calls you to do. Awesome, isn?t it? You see, the unexpected chain of events that happened over two thousand years ago were initiated by God?s choice to make His salvation available for you and I. He chose the incarnation so that we may have the possibility of a relationship with Him. But our part is what we?re going to do with the offer.

In the accounts surrounding the birth of Christ I?d like to point out three possible responses to the Good News of Christmas. You can either reject it, ignore it, or believe it. Now I want to tell you this morning that whether you believe, reject or ignore that Christ is God, that He was born as a baby, that He died for you and that He calls you to worship and serve Him ? this will write the final chapter of the Christmas story for your life. You can keep the Christ child boxed in from New Years to Thanksgiving, keep him in the cradle forever ? or you can let Him grow, die, and rise again to call you to follow Him. The Bible says,

John 3:1717 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

What ending to the Christmas story will your life have? The choice is yours.

Let?s begin this morning by looking at the response of King Herod and Jerusalem upon hearing the news of the Baby.

Response of King Herod and Jerusalem upon hearing the news of the baby.

Some observations:

Now we know from our text that the news of the Messiah was brought to King Herod (and Jerusalem) by some wise men (who were unwittingly messengers sent by God to the people of Jerusalem ? notice that the star first led them to Jerusalem [see verse 9]) Ultimately it was God who was delivering this message to them.

They were disturbed

Strong’s Greek Number 5015 (troubled)

1) to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro)

1a) to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity

1b) to disquiet, make restless

1c) to stir up

1d) to trouble

1d1) to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread

1e) to render anxious or distressed

1f) to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts

There was something about the Magi?s search that set the presses rolling and the gossip mill running and this disturbance led to their response. Why were they disturbed? Well let?s look at King Herod first.

King Herod?s response

Let?s look at the wise men?s question again? “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

I think there?s some important background information we have to look at in order to understand why this question would be so disturbing.

Background information on Herod the Great

The Bible records history. It has proven itself an accurate and reliable record of people, events, and places. Independent historical accounts verify the Bible’s descriptions and details of many famous lives. One of these was the father of the Herodian family, Herod the Great.

Herod is remembered as a builder of cities and the lavish rebuilder of the temple in Jerusalem. But he also destroyed people. He showed little greatness in either his personal actions or his character. He was ruthless in ruling his territory. His suspicions and jealousy led to the murder of several of his children and the death of his wife Marianne.

Herod’s title, king of the Jews, was granted by Rome but never accepted by the Jewish people. He was not part of the Davidic family line, and he was only partly Jewish. Although Israel benefited from Herod’s lavish efforts to repair the temple in Jerusalem, he won little admiration because he also rebuilt various pagan temples. Herod’s costly attempt to gain the loyalty of the people failed because it was superficial. His only loyalty was to himself. (taken from Life Application Bible Study Notes ? Character Study of Herod the Great)

Now into this arena comes these men from the East with their question about the one who has been born king of the Jews. Note that they did not question if this king had been born but where he was. They spoke with absolute conviction that this king had indeed already been born.

So, why was Herod troubled?

Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore many Jews hated him as a usurper. If this baby really was an heir, trouble would arise.
Herod was ruthless and, because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.
Herod didn?t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.
If these Magi were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome), they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power away from Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.

Herod?s response ended up being to reject the news of the baby.

Notice I didn?t say He didn?t believe it but He chose not to accept it. Rejection isn?t always the mark of an unbeliever but it is always the mark of a poor receiver.

Of all the reasons I looked at in explaining why Herod would be troubled there is one thing that stands out about his response to the baby that is present in every reason. This baby threatened his identity ? He was king!! Herod spent most of his life attaining by ruthless and cunning and despicable means his rise to power. Listen to me closely ? Herod?s whole life depended on his kingship. Without it, he was nothing and he would be defenseless against those he trampled to get there. Herod defined himself by his title and position as King.

Ultimately his response to the disturbing news of the wise men was to try to cover up and actually prevent this baby from becoming King. When you read further in the story you find him sending his soldiers to kill every boy in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two and under.

APPLICATION

some people choose to reject the good news because it threatens their identity ? now your identity may be based on your job, or your family, or your position in society, or your possessions?
some people just don?t like the idea that they are a sinner or that they are lost or that they are doomed and will seek to cover it up any way they can?maybe it won?t be on the level of Herod?s cover-up but nevertheless their rejection becomes an active force in pushing away the good news of Christ.

People of Jerusalem?s response

So there we have the first response found in our study this morning ? Herod rejected the news of the baby.

But Herod wasn?t the only one disturbed by the wise men?s question. I found it astonishing that verse 3 says, all Jerusalem with him was disturbed!! You would think that the people of Jerusalem who were predominately Jews would have been delighted at the news of a Jewish King ? one that deserved the crown. One that would lead them out of Roman oppression! Yet the Bible clearly says that the people of Jerusalem were disturbed too!! Why?

I believe that it is because the baby threatened the status quo ? it threatened their sense of security. It was not what they expected!! Perhaps the inhabitants of Jerusalem had grown comfortable with the way things were and became scared of the upheavals that would be sure to happen if there was a challenge to Herod?s kingship. Certainly they had experienced the wrath of Herod the Great in the past and maybe they weren?t anxious to go through it again. Whatever the case this baby threatened their sense of security. Isn?t it ironic that this baby actually was the security of God?

I also find it interesting that the Priests and teachers of the law were the ones who gave Herod the location for the birth of the Messiah ? they knew the truth and yet they chose to ignore it. How come they didn?t send anyone with the wise men to Bethlehem? Maybe because the figured they had God all figured out?

This was the response of the people of Jerusalem THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE THE GOOD NEWS. (Let someone else deal with it?)

APPLICATION

Some people become so used to the way things are that they choose to ignore the good news rather than risk change even though they know that it is true because of the evidence.

Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their lack of understanding

These are the people who keep putting off the decision to choose because their waiting for the right moment, or they?re not sure what?s going to happen, or they don?t fully understand yet.
These are the people who have questions about God that never seem to get answered to their satisfaction. These are the people who want a logical explanation for all the illogical stuff that happens in the world and a supernatural God just doesn?t fit in the picture.
There are some things that God does that we simply cannot understand and instead must grasp in faith. That is why the Bible says that faith is a gift from God. That is why Jesus said in John 6:29 that the work of God is to simply believe in the one He sent. Ultimately your relationship with God must begin not in understanding everything about Him but in trusting Him for and in everything and simply having faith in Him!!
The irony of this is that for Christians who have put their faith in God through Jesus Christ they find the idea of sharing the faith scary because they don?t have all the answers. The truth is that we don?t have all the answers only God does and all we are asked to do is to be His witnesses?

Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their arrogant “knowledge”

Some people ignore the good news because they feel they?ve already got God all figured all out. “After all, if we?re basically good people a loving God wouldn?t send us to hell would He!”

Some people are so sure that they?ve got God all figured out that they begin to come up with formulas to greater blessings or step by step plans for cashing in on the “manna” God can provide. They?re so sure that they know what to expect that they miss out on what God actually does in the unexpected (much as Priests and teachers of the law did in Jerusalem). Friends, there were some people who thought they had God all figured out in Jesus? day and Jesus called them Pharisees.

The whole incarnation event (which includes the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ) is not about making your life better it?s about rescuing you from death to life. It?s not about making you richer in worldly wealth or health but about introducing the wealth of God?s kingdom into the poverty of the world. It?s not about condemning you to your sin and your sorrows and eternal destruction it?s about saving you from the depths, rescuing you from death, and making possible an eternal relationship with the creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, our Heavenly Father ? Hallelujah and Amen!!

John 3:17 (NIV)

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 10:10 (NIV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

yes, there are those who choose to ignore the good news of the incarnation. But there is one more possible response that I?d like to look at today ? and we learn about this response from the unlikiest of sources ? the shepherds?

Response of the shepherds upon hearing the news of the baby.

(Briefly recap the background leading to the shepherds response)

Some observations about the shepherd?s response:

they believed that what the angels said was true (vs 15 ? “?Let?s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened”
they hurried off (vs16)
They spread the word
- About what they angels had told them about the child (vs17)
- All who heard them were amazed (vs 18)
They returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen

What was the shepherd?s response? The believed and they received. They didn?t reject the good news because it might change their identity. They didn?t ignore the message because it might change their life. But they believed and received what the angels said even though they didn?t really understand, without the hindrances of false expectations and with a faith that is birthed in the hope of God?s salvation.

CONCLUSION

APPLICATION

Yes, believing the good news will redefine your identity?

The shepherds left their flocks to go see the baby. Some fishermen left their nets to follow the man, Jesus.

A point: maybe you thought you could follow Jesus without losing any of the other “stuff” well guess again ? Jesus said?

Take up your cross

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

What does this mean? It means are you ready to?

Lose your family??

Luke 14:26-27 (NIV)

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Lose your material possessions??

Mark 10:21-22 (NIV)

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Leave your job (fishermen, shepherds)

Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Now hear me ? I?m not saying that you will lose all those things when you believe and receive Christ ? that?s not the point ? the point is whether or not you would if it meant it was necessary to follow Him?

Without starting a whole other message?taking up your cross refers to the laying down of everything you do, have and are in your life on the cross of Christ and taking up everything that Christ does, has, and is as the exchange.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Christ died and rose again so that He may be your life!!! And is that going to result in a change of identity??you bet! Is that going to disrupt the status quo? You bet!!

These shepherds changed from sheep men to God?s men (his messengers), from keepers of lambs to heralds of the lion of Judah. Just imagine what God wants to do with you!!

Will you see Christmas as the time when the unexpected happens? Will you believe that God chose to do things the way he did because He said He would, to demonstrate that nothing is impossible for Him, and to make Himself more accessible to you? Will you receive the good news of Christmas ? not rejecting it because it threatens your identity or ignoring it because it might turn your world upside down? How will the Christmas story be completed in your life? Friends let God do the unexpected in and through your life beginning this Christmas and for the rest of your life!

One of my favorite stories for the Christmas season is about a nine-year-old boy named Wallace Purling. It is adapted from a story by Dina Donahue that was published in Guideposts. Wallace was nine. Larger than most kids, he was also slow in mind. But the children all liked him. He was so much bigger than they, but he never bullied them. In fact, he was the ever-present defender of the smaller boys. Wally wanted very much to be in the Christmas play that year. He hoped he could be a shepherd. But the teacher had a larger part in mind. Wally was big enough to be the innkeeper, she reasoned. And so it was that Wallace Purling got the part of the innkeeper. He was given the part. Oh, how he practiced. The night of the play everything went beautifully. No one even missed a line. At last the play came to the part where Mary and Joseph knocked on the door of the inn. “What do you want?” Wallace asked, opening the door with a brusque gesture. “We seek lodging,” came the response. “Seek it elsewhere, the inn is filled,” “But sir, we have tried elsewhere, we have come a long way, and we are very tired,” they responded. “Go away,” Wally properly commanded. “There is no room in my inn for you.” “But sir, my wife is with child. Don?t you have a corner where we can get out of the cold?” For the first time the innkeeper broke his icy stare and looked at Mary. There was a long silence. The audience was tense with embarrassment because they thought Wallace had forgotten his lines. “No, be gone,” the prompter whispered. “No, be gone,” Wally said halfheartedly. Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary as they began to move off the stage. Suddenly, this Christmas program became different from all the others. Wallace Purling could stand it no longer. Big he was ? cruel he could never be. With big tears welling up in his eyes he gave a performance others would never forget. “Wait, don?t go Joseph!” Wally called. “Bring Mary back.” Wallace Purling?s face grew into a bright smile. “You can have my room and I?ll sleep out in the cold.” Some said the pageant was ruined. Others knew better. Wallace Purling caught the real spirit of Christmas ? that of giving and sacrifice. (Autoillustrator.com, CHRISTMAS)

Tags: angel, bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas - When the Unexpected Happens, herod, Jesus, relationship
Posted in Christmas, Sermons, Sunday Morning Service | No Comments »

More than a Mall Display

Sunday, December 8th, 2002

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Christmas - When the Unexpected Happens

Read at beginning of service:

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

INTRODUCTION

READ JOHN 1:1-18

PRAY

A Mid-Western family in the early days of the Depression were struggling to make ends meet. They were unable to afford any of the so-called luxuries in life. The father simply made enough to keep bread on the table and pay the rent on his house. One day the news came to the community that a circus was coming to town and the entry fee would be $1.00. The little boy came running home from school excited and eager to get the money from his dad. His father, unable to provide that luxury, regretfully told his son that it would be impossible for him to attend the circus. However, he told the boy, if he went out and worked on odd jobs he might make enough money so that he could purchase a ticket on his own. His father agreed that for every nickel he earned he would match it with a nickel.

Having never been to the circus before, the little boy worked feverishly and hard to earn the money to buy a ticket. A few days before the circus came to town the boy emptied his bank and found that he had raised enough money to pay for half of the entry fee. His father gave him the other 50 cents and the boy ran off downtown to buy his ticket to the circus.

Excitedly, he waited for a couple of days until the circus came to town and eagerly clutching his ticket in his hand, he rushed down to the main street and stood on the curb as the circus parade went by. The clowns, the elephants, all of the performers in the circus thrilled him as he watched them go by. A clown came dancing over to him and the boy put his ticket in the clown’s hand. He eagerly stood there on the curb as the rest of the parade went by on its way to the circus tent. The boy rushed home after the parade was over and told his father that he had been to the circus and how much fun it was.

The father, surprised that he was home already, asked the boy to describe the circus to him and the boy told of the parade that went by the main street of town. The father pitifully took his son in his arms and said, “Son, you didn?t see the circus, all you saw was the parade.”

This boy is typical of so many people at Christmastime. All they see about Christmas are the Christmas trees, the lights, the toys, the decorations, and the Christmas carols. They don?t really see Christmas which is the Christ Child being born as a babe in a manger. All they get to see is the parade and they miss the real meaning of Christmas.. (Autoillustrator.com, INCARNATION)

We wouldn?t ordinarily think of searching for the Christmas story in the gospel of John ? yet it is here that we find the core truth of what Christmas is all about ? “The Word became flesh”?(elaborate)
Christmas is not about mall displays?Christmas is about God making Himself known to man in a way that could never be topped or matched by anything anyone ever has or will do (including God Himself)!

Last week I began the series of messages entitled, Christmas ? when the Unexpected Happens?and if there is ever anything that is unexpected about the Christmas story it is this very fact that an all mighty, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, eternal Creator would choose to enter the world as a baby! Now this poses an interesting questions, “Why would God choose to do this? And why would He come to Earth this way?”

This leads to another interesting question ? “If you were God (what a ridiculous and scary thought), how would you have done things?” Would you have even bothered in the first place ? would you have left your rebellious creation to their own fate ? knowing that you would be forever separated from them because of their sin? Say you loved your creation as God does and decided you would enter the world to show the way of salvation. How would you have done it?

Well, a little over 2000 years ago we find a bunch of angels? share parable “Angelic Spin“

How would you send Jesus (the Word) into the world?

But no matter how we imagine Christmas would be if we had done it our way we?re still left with the facts of how God did it and the question remains?”Why did God choose to come to Earth this way?” While I don?t profess to know the full answer to this question, what I do know is what can be uncovered in God?s word?

Fulfillment of Prophecy ? God said He would do things this way!

The Old Testament, written over a one-thousand-year period, contains nearly three hundred references to the coming Messiah. All of these were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and they establish a solid confirmation of His credentials as Messiah.

Some Examples:

Born of the Seed of Woman

Genesis 3:15 (NIV)15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,

Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Born of a Virgin

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:24 (NIV)

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Matthew 1:25 (NIV)

25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

(see also Luke 1:26-35)

Born at Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 (NIV)2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

(see also Matt. 2:4; Luke 2:4-7; John 7:42)

Presented with Gifts

Psalm 72:10 (NIV)10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.

Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Application:

The main point here, friends, is that what God says He does. What God promises ? He fulfills. What God plans ? He completes!!! The Christmas story happened the way it did first of all because God said it would happen that way, He promised it would happen that way, He planned it to happen that way!!!

Psalm 145:13 (NIV)13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

Now what I understand from this is that since God demonstrated this 100% reliability in the fulfillment of prophecy when it came to the birth of Jesus Christ then I can be sure that every other promise of God in the Bible is true. That means when God says?

John 6:35 (NIV)35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 11:25 (NIV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

John 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Then there was the promise of the Holy Spirit!

Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

And what about the greatest promise the promise that Jesus Christ will come again? Only this time He will come in glory and majesty as King of King and Lord of Lords ? listen to what the Apostle Peter wrote hundreds of years ago about that promise?

2 Peter 3:3-14 (NIV)3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

A man named Simeon understood this about the promises of God?

Luke 2:25-32 (NIV)25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Lay a hold of the promises of God and rest assured that He is faithful!!!

God did Christmas the way He did in fulfillment of what He said He would do and?

To show that with God nothing is impossible!!!

The events surrounding the birth?

A virgin conceives a child? Impossible?yet it is done. It is interesting to note that as the angel is announcing to Mary her impending pregnancy he also makes mention of how Elizabeth, Mary?s relative, is going to have a child in her old age and that she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. Then the angel makes this profound statement?

Luke 1:37 (NIV)

37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

What about the star that hovered over the place where the Baby Jesus was and guided some wise guys hundreds of miles to Bethlehem?

What about the escape from King Herod?s awful massacre of children in Bethlehem. (That a simple Carpenter could lead his new wife and family to Egypt without being discovered by Herod?)

What about the very fact that all the events surrounding the Birth of Christ happened exactly as foretold by Old Testament prophets!!

Application:

With God nothing is impossible

Certainly any self-claimed follower of Christ and student of the Bible would proclaim this statement is true. But is this really evident in your life, in your choices, in your faith? Any careful study of the Bible and particularly the life of Christ would reveal the incredible impossibilities that God overcame in the form of miracles and demonstrations of His power. Jesus healed the sick, the blind could see, the lame could walk, the leprous were made whole. Jesus spoke to storms and the wind would die down and the waves would become calm. Jesus cast out demons and silenced the Pharisees. Jesus fed 5000 with five loaves and two fish. Jesus walked on water. Jesus raised the dead and rose Himself victorious from the grave and yet, and yet?Jesus said to His disciples?

John 14:12-14 (NIV)12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Listen here folks?what does this mean? Listen? did you hear what Jesus said to his disciples ? what He promised ? This is His promise to all who have faith in Him?

You may think that you are in so deep of a financial hole that there is no way you will ever get out ? I tell you, have faith in God, trust in Him, obey His word and God will fill it in
You may think that your marriage is beyond repair, that your wife or your husband has shut the door on any chance of reconciliation, that you are headed for a divorce ? I tell you, turn to God, pray, let God turn your heart inside out, have faith in Christ, lay your marriage before Him and let God bring reconciliation, let God restore your marriage!
You may think that there is no way in Hades your loved one is ever going to be saved. That theirs is an impossible case ? that their beyond redemption ? that they?ve got ears as small as pinholes and hearts as hard as a bachelor?s meatloaf – well, let me tell you something with God nothing is impossible and He can work a miracle in their life and He can turn their heart and He can put the fear of hell in them as He convicts them of their sin. Lift your loved one up to God, travail before the Lord in prayer, Cry out to God for their salvation and have faith that with God nothing, nothing, nothing is impossible!!!!

To demonstrate that His salvation is offered to anyone who would receive!!

Before the cross could take place the manger was needed

Before Golgotha could be enacted, Bethlehem had to be done.

Folks, Jesus was born to die. This reminds me of a song – “The Final Word” by Michael Card.

You and me, we use so very many clumsy words.

The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard.

When the Father?s wisdom wanted to communicate His love,

He spoke it in one final perfect Word.

He spoke the Incarnation, and then so was born the Son.

His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.

Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.

And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.

And so the Father?s fondest thought took on flesh and bone.

He spoke the living, luminous Word, at once His will was done.

And so the transformation that in man had been unheard,

Took place in God the Father, as He spoke that final Word.

You see Jesus was born to die ? through His death Man could know the forgiveness of sins, the grace of God and be reconciled to Him. Through His resurrection we can know His life. Yet in His birth God did something significant ? God the father was making Himself accessible through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said,

John 10:30 (NIV)30 I and the Father are one.”

John 10:38 (NIV)

38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

John 14:7 (NIV)

7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:10 (NIV)

10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

If Jesus had been born in a palace surrounded with the riches and resources of the world at His disposal would many people know about Him. Sure ? lot?s of people would hear about Him and maybe even see Him. But not too many people would get to know Him. The whole point of Jesus? birth was to make the Father more accessible to mankind. Through Jesus we could know God. Through Jesus we could encounter deity. Through Jesus we could actually have a relationship with the creator of the universe!!

Notice the events that bear witness to this observation?

The birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem instead of Jerusalem.

The birth of Jesus was in a stable not a hotel or a hospital.

The birth of God?s son was announced to lowly shepherds and rich wise men.

Both rich and poor were received in the presence of the baby.

Both natives and foreigners were received in the presence of the baby.

Not only in His birth but also during His whole earthly life ? Jesus demonstrated the desire of the Father to be accessible by everyone. Jesus taught men and women, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, rulers and commoners, soldiers and civilians. All could know the Father through the Son and all could receive salvation through Him. However there is one important thing that needs to be mentioned. Just because God made Himself accessible through His son does not automatically guarantee us access. Did you hear me? (repeat) Even though the birth of the baby was announced to the shepherds and the star caught the attention of the wise men ? they still needed to respond and receive. That is the key difference between those who know God?s salvation and those who don?t, that is the key difference between those who know life and those who continue in death, that is the key difference between those who know about Christ and those who actually know Him. Until you respond and receive Christ you will never have access to the Father ? ever! But God did Christmas the way He did because He wants you and I to have access to Him!!

CONCLUSION

Friends, Christmas is more than a mall display! (repeat) Do I hear an amen? Christmas is all about that statement in John 1:14

John 1:14 (NIV)14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. ?

Now I want to ask you this morning what does that statement mean to you? Maybe it means?(go over each point and reiterate the application?)

That you can lay a hold of the promises of God for your life and have faith that God will carry out His word?
That you can believe God for the impossible in your life?
That you will recognize the access you can have to God and respond and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

If any of those things apply to you this morning will you stand, right now, right where you are, stand ? come on get out of your seats. (Do this for each statement.

Tags: bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas - When the Unexpected Happens
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