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?

1. 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.
2. Herod was ruthless and, because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.
3. Herod didn?t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.
4. 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)

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.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

INTRODUCTION:

Well here we are into another Holiday Season with Christmas and New Years on the horizon. Have you ever noticed that there are certain things you can expect to happen on Christmas?

You can expect?

• that as soon as Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations and displays are taken down, Christmas decorations are put up.
• That your neighbor will annoy you yet again this year by putting up his Christmas lights and decorations before you do.
  

  • That your wife will kindly remind you that your neighbors have got their lights up and its time for you to get out and stick those things on your house and trees.
  • That when you go to put up those lights and decorations you?ll find that half of the bulbs are missing and need replaced?

• That there are going to be gifts exchanged.
  

  • That it will be harder to find a parking spot at the stores (part of the reason being that you can expect that will be last minute shopping to do)
  • That the gifts you want to get will be sold out.
  • That the money you spend on those gifts will be significantly more than you planned on spending.
  • That you will receive a lot of gifts that you like but will have to wear a couple of ummm..?pretty neat? gifts that you?ll donate to the Thrift store two months down the road.
  • That you?re toddlers will gleefully tear off the wrapper, demolish the card, tear open the cover, nag Daddy to put the toy together and then spend the rest of the week playing with the box!!
  • That you?re older children will ask for the receipt to exchange what you gave them for something ?cooler?.

• That there will be food at Christmas!
  

  • Ah, yes the pleasant assurance of turkey and mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and all the trimmings brings a smile to many stout hearts.
  • But of course all the woman are thinking, I can expect that our men are going to be busy relaxing and digesting their food while we slave away in the kitchens cleaning up after that ?heavenly? meal.
  • Of course the men are expecting that too!?

• You can expect that Christmas will be full of fun-filled joyous times with family and friends or on the other end of the scale maybe there are some who expect?.

• You can expect that Christmas Carols will be sung over and over again during the season on radios, on television, in the community, in our homes,?.and you can expect that by January 1^st some people will be glad that there is a whole other year before they hear another ?Jingle Bells? whereas others will be pining the fact that they won?t hear another ??dreamin of a white Christmas? for 12 months

• Speaking of white Christmas you can expect that there will be snow on Christmas (or at least wishful thinking by people who say Christmas just isn?t Christmas without the snow)

• You can expect that there will be those remembering the true meaning of Christmas?the story of a babe in a manger, Emmanuel, God with us, God?s masterful plan of salvation being worked out on Earth?shepherds, angels, wisemen?
  

  • And on that note that there will be many Christmas pageants performed all over the world, many nativity scenes displayed in homes and storefronts, and elsewhere ? seeking us to remind us of the true joy of the season.
  • Of course you could also expect that pastors will be preaching about Christmas too!!

Yes you can expect all these things and more ? I?m sure you could think of your own?

However, what I find interesting is that even though there is so much we can expect to happen this Christmas ? Christmas actually finds its beginnings in events that happened unexpectantly!!

This week I?m beginning a series of messages for this season entitled, ?Christmas: When the Unexpected Happens? I really believe that for many of us Christmas has become too predictable. Christian and non-Christian alike have learned to expect certain emotions, expect certain events, expect certain highs and lows for the course of the holidays. There is a pattern to our expectancy every year ? there are traditions we follow and things we look forward to ? now, I?m not against expecting those things ? but I am against expecting those things at the expense of losing the mystery and novelty of what makes Christmas unique each and every year. You see Christmas is about the unexpected!! How many people missed out on the awesome events of that special evening over 2000 years ago because it wasn?t what they expected? How many people miss out on the good news of Christ today because it doesn?t fit in with what they expect? How many of you are stuck in the habit of your expectations this Christmas? I would challenge you to be prepared for the unexpected to happen in your life this Christmas. I challenge you to surrender and let God do some unexpected things through you this Christmas! Please, don?t expect Christmas to be the same this year? To help us in understanding this challenge this morning I?d like to take a journey back and look at an unexpected visit?

UNEXPECTED VISIT TO MARY (Luke 1:26-38)

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.

• unexpected visit of an angel
• unexpected announcement
• unexpected responsibility
• unexpected journey
• unexpected lodging/delivery of the baby?
• What if Mary wasn?t the first young lady the angel visited that evening? (I know that isn?t true but explore this for a moment)

UNEXPECTED VISIT TO THE SHEPHERDS (Luke 2:8-14)

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.”

• Relate the story
• Now that is what really happened but could this event have happened like this? DO PARABLE OF ?CARL, SVEN, AND THE ANGELS” (Click on link to see the parable I used)
• Now I don?t believe things really happened that way, in fact? (share about the real shepherds) but this parable I related does illustrate one thing. Sometimes when the unexpected happens people get afraid!!

Now there is one more event I?d like to look at this morning that is inspired by Luke 2:7

UNEXPECTED VISIT TO THE INN KEEPER

Luke 2:7 (NIV)

7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

• DO PARABLE OF ?HOLY DAY INN KEEPER? (Click on link to see the parable I used)

Don?t let the unexpected pass you by this Christmas?what could the unexpected be?

Maybe the unexpected will be in the form of a message from God?

• this message will always be confirmed in His word.
• Maybe it is something that God has been telling you do for a while.
• Maybe it is a promise that God has given you for your future (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

• Maybe it is the message of salvation that is unexpected in your life ? maybe you don?t expect to hear you?re a sinner, maybe you don?t expect salvation to be so simple, maybe you don?t expect that God loves you and wants you to be with Him for eternity?

Maybe the unexpected will be the opportunities God places before you to find Him, to know Him, or to serve Him.

• Don?t miss out like the fictional innkeeper in the parable this morning.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

?

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Who knows what unexpected opportunities will come your way? Chances for you to do the unexpected this Christmas? Maybe you?ll forgo that Christmas gift for yourself in favor of giving to a needy cause.

Talk about Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and the Goats) The sheep were commended for seizing the unexpected opportunities that presented themselves to help those more unfortunate than them. Little did they know they were serving the Lord!! But the goats missed out on the reward because their expectation of Jesus was wrong!

Story of a woman named Judith: Her friends and family were wondering how her and her family were doing after her husband Mike?s death just before the last Christmas. It is always a hard time for a family with three teenage boys when a dad suddenly dies, and the mother has to step into his shoes with three very demanding teenagers. But Judith seemed to be doing well. She wrote of a custom her family has:

It is just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. It all began because my husband Mike hated the commercialism of Christmas: the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry, and the dusting powder for Grandma ? the gifts given in desperation because you cannot think of anything else. He just said, ?All I want is for my boys and us to be together, and to be Christian.?

Knowing he felt this way I decided one year not to buy him the usual shirt, sweater, tie and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, took up the sport of wrestling at the school he attended. Shortly before Christmas, there was a match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. The boys were mostly black and came from under-privileged, poor families.

These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, designed to protect a wrestler?s ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn?t acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, ?I wish just one of them could have won,? he said. ?They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.?

Mike loved kids ? all kids ? and he knew them. He had coached little league football. When Christmas came that year the idea for his present came. I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church for their team. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year. In succeeding years I followed the tradition ? one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a football game, another year a cheque to two elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on, always helping the poor.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. As you know, we lost Mike last year due to cancer.

When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree. It was my gift for Mike. I was sending in his name a group of underprivileged kids to church camp. In the morning, as we all gathered round the tree in our pajamas, I was amazed to find three more envelopes stuck in the tree. Each of our sons, unknown to the others had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad telling what they had done for others. This year we know it will happen again. A tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike?s spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

CONCLUSION

What unexpected messages does God have for you this Christmas?

Do you fear the unexpected? What is it you fear?