“Why Should A Weary World Rejoice?” Luke 2:1-6
Merry & Bright
A Christmas Sermon Series
“Why Should A Weary World Rejoice?”
Luke 2:1-6
Part One
Introduction
Have you ever planned an event, or a trip, a vacation and everything that was planned just seemed to fall apart but you look back you remember it with fond memories.
When Joshua and Caleb were only a few months old, Kimberly and I and the boys and I had to fly home for a family emergency. We went from BWI to Atlanta and then to Columbus GA. Because of a snow storm we were stuck in Atlanta, all the flights were delayed, delayed and then delayed again until we found ourselves at two in the morning trying to figure out what to do. God put a lady in our “customer service” line that looked at us with two small infants in those front packs who gave us a free hotel nights stay and a food voucher for the airport.
We were not able to get any of our luggage but by three am we were in our room rationing diapers, brushing our teeth with a hotel toothbrush and trying to sleep. We had to up at 6am to catch the first flight to Columbus.
When we were ready we made our way to the front lobby of the hotel, where all the other people whose flights had been delayed were also trying to make their flights – and there was only one airport shuttle trying to make mad dashed to the airport and back to the hotel. Well there was a young woman who worked at the hotel, who was getting off of the evening shift who came up to us (with our two infants in front carriers) and asked us to follow her out – she leaned over and said, “I’ll getting off of work, I can run you the airport.”
What a trip. These were extreme inconveniencies but there were also moments of grace where God provided and got us to where we needed to be at the time we needed to be there. As hard as that trip was for us, it is nothing in comparison to the trip that we are going to look at today.
I have found that God seems to work best when we are inconvenienced and find ourselves being “put out” and blown through a course of events that we would call miserable. In those times we must look for what God is doing. He may be putting us in a position to minister to others or to teach us an invaluable lesson – like He will take our misery and cause us to rejoice.
Prayer – Lord, we are a weary people living in a weary world. We need to experience your encouragement, your joy, and your refreshment. We pray that you turn our mourning into praise, our weariness into strength, and our sadness into rejoicing. Help us to experience the Christmas story anew this Christmas season.
Rejoice Because He is the Lord of Interruptions (vv. 1-5)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
By giving the specifics of the name of the Emperor and other names he is showing that God’s plan for mankind is not just related to the Jewish people but that all of mankind (the Roman world) plays a part in the salvation story.
God is not just the God of people of the Old Testament; He is also sovereign and works through all of history to lay out his plan. Without going into too much Roman history, God worked behind the scenes to bring to power a man who would usher a long period of peace (the Pax Romana) in the Roman world. It was during this time of peace that Jesus was born and lived his life.
(v. 1) “a decree” is an imperial edict (Acts 17:7). The decree was for tax purposes. Registration required a personal appearance at one’s principal place of residence. But for the Jews “Own town” means one’s ancestral home. Since Joseph and Mary both were of the lineage of David, they were required to go to Bethlehem.
“From …Nazareth … to Bethlehem” This would entail a trip of eighty-five to ninety miles if they went through Samaria, the trip would have included mountainous and rough terrain.
Sometimes God uses the bad things to allow some of the most wonderful events happen. God used taxes to bring about Jesus’ birth. Taxes brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
God used the interruption of an imperial decree in the lives of Mary and Joseph to bring about the fulfillment of Scripture. The Messiah or The Deliverer was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread” and now the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) was about to be born there.
I am sure that Mary and Joseph were bothered about Mary having to travel as she was “great with child” and then the challenge of the journey itself, and then the constant reminder that Mary could deliver at any time. Rejoice when you encounter hard times because God is the Lord of interruptions.
Rejoice Because He is the Lord of Time (v. 6)
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
When Kimberly and I took the first round of prenatal classes, I had planned to pack her bag for the hospital. But it was one of those things that you think you have 9 months to do, so you put it off. Well, she was sitting on the coach, a friend of ours, had stopped by our house to drop something off and I was watching TV. Suddenly Kim jumps up and says “my water just broke!”
It was time for the babies to be born. We ran around, I was thinking, “now what?” and our friend said “you’ve got to go to the hospital.” So off we went.
I can imagine Mary on the journey; all that bumping, walking, and riding for the whole trip. Then trying to find a place for the night. In the middle of all that, Mary turns to Joseph and says “it’s time” and Joseph thinks “now what?”
Have you ever found yourself in a seemingly hopeless and desperate situation and you ask yourself “now what?” It may be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a sudden illness, the mortgage payment is coming and there doesn’t seen to be any money left, a child who is making some bad decisions, – and you simply don’t know what to do, where to turn. The answer is to turn to God, because He is the Lord of time.
We see only the moment, only the immediate situation – As Lord of time, he sees all of eternity, all of time, and knows how it is all going to turn out – in the end He gets the glory, and we get to grow through the process.
Why would God allow the King of Kings and Lord of Lord to be born then? Why not wait until they were close to a palace or a nice home? Galatians 4:4-5 says “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
In God’s timetable, when the exact religious, cultural, and political conditions demanded by His perfect plan were in place, Jesus came into the world. There are several reason for Mary delivering when she did. I want to give you five reasons to set the stage for Jesus’ birth:
The Language: Alexander the Great conquered his known world. This military conquest led to a cultural conquest. The Greek culture and language spread through the world and in the process it was altered by contact with other cultures; this new mixture of cultures is called Hellenism.
So the people of the world were given a common tongue by which to trade and exchange. This new language is called Koine Greek. Through one language the gospel could spread rapidly.
God united a large part of the world with a common method of communication, a trade language. By the time of Jesus, the Greek language was on the lips and hearts of the “known” world, which is why the NT is written in Koine. The first missionaries evangelized in Greek because the masses knew what they were talking about.
Pax Romana: In world history up to the birth of Jesus there had been many different types of empires. The Egyptians had already had thirty different dynasties by the time of Christ although only a handful of those were actually imperial or world-ruling. The Babylonians owned a large chunk of the world at least twice.
The Assyrians had a major empire. The Persians, the Greeks, and now the Romans all had mega-kingdoms. Archaeologists continue to discover empires that have been completely wiped out and forgotten such as the Hittites.
The king of kings rules over the lesser kings and receives tribute or taxes. The Roman title for the king of kings was Caesar or Lord. The Romans had twelve Caesars. Caesar Augustus was the first and the greatest of all the Caesars.
He helped bring in the famous Pax Romana or peace over the world. His government brought law and order to a crime infested world. It was during the reign of Augustus when Jesus was born. The world was looking for a great king to come. It received a great political king, but crucified the messianic king. Jesus was born at the right time of the Pax Romana.
The Land: Among the architectural achievements of the Roman government, the building of roads and highways was a major achievement. The Romans had connected the world through roads and highways that exist to this day. At the time of Christ the world experienced the revolution of roads. The roads allowed the gospel to travel quickly to distant lands.
The Temple: The temple was crucial to the times. Solomon’s temple was built about 900 B.C., but had been plundered by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Initially, the second temple was built with less money and effort. The rebuilding started in 520 B.C.E.
The old men cried when they saw it and compared it to Solomon’s temple. Later, just before Jesus was born, Herod the Great would repair and rebuild on the temple making it a breathtaking sight. Herod did a tremendous amount of building all over Israel. He made extraordinary improvements to the temple. At the time of Jesus there was a beautiful temple building. Sacrifices were being made daily.
The blood of bulls, goats, lambs, and birds were regularly flowing from the open veins and arteries of the animals and then sprinkled onto the holy altars. From the altar area the amount of blood was so great it was drained by plumbing pipes into the Kidron River valley.
The necessity for atonement by death and blood was very real to the people. Everyone knew that the shedding of blood was necessary for spiritual cleansing. The time was ripe for the messiah’s blood to be shed.
God’s Love: At the fullness of time God sent his son into the world. Under the conditions described above we can see the hand of God working in the detail of time and history. But the entire purpose of God was not to bedazzle us with his providential power and planning.
His principal purpose was to demonstrate his love for us in Christ. God sent his son into the world. John 3:16 describes the magnitude and the meaning of God’s love. He loved us so much he sent his son to die for us. He loved us so much that he did not want anyone of us to die for our own sin in hell forever.
He wanted to free us from our sin and turn us loose in heaven forever. After we experience God’s saving love through the Lord Jesus, he wants us to live our life based on love for him. We are now set free from the power and penalty of sin and are free to live for him not out of fear or condemnation but out of pure love.
We obey because of the love in our heart for God and not because of the compulsion of rule or a quest to live a perfect life. The timing of the birth and death of Jesus was perfect. Now what about your life? Isn’t it time you gave your heart to Jesus? Isn’t it time for you to fully trust the hand of God in the detail of your own life?
God sent his son into this world and worked all of these circumstances out for YOU. God sent his son into this world because he loves you and wants to have a relationship with you.
Conclusion
“Hope” Isaiah 9:1-7
“HOPE” Isaiah 9:1-7
Merry & Bright
A Christmas Sermon Series
HOPE
Isaiah 9:1-7
Introduction
I love the Christmas season. I love going to the tree farm with the kids and cutting down the tree, having an open house for friends, seeing the kids open their gifts. Having a candlelight service on Christmas Eve – one thing in particular I enjoy about Christmas is getting Christmas cards. They are often very pretty and we use them to decorate our home.
It is a way that people say what’s going on in their lives or just to say, “We are thinking about you this year.” Did you know that God wrote the very first Christmas Card to you and to me in the Bible – but he sent it early, in fact it came hundreds and hundreds of years early. Let’s see what He wrote in His card.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—the promised Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, a prophet greater than Moses, the Son of David, who will rule forever, He is the Righteous One, the King-Priest, the suffering savior, he is the babe born of a virgin who will be born in Bethlehem. He is Immanuel – We celebrate the birth of the Son of God who dwelt among us.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). Immanu means “with us,” and El means God.
This promised child would be the “with-us God.” Just as God was with Israel in the wilderness, so also Jesus Christ, as God-with-us, saves us, guides us, protects us, and provides for us. Because God is with us in Jesus Christ, we can always be triumphant and rejoice.
We can do all things through Christ! We can resist temptation and cause the devil to flee. In Christ we have all that we need. We can rejoice in tribulations and be fearless in the face of death.
725 BC N. Assyrian evil empires are poised to attack the morally bankrupt Jews. There is darkness and despair all around them. They about to be crushed from all sides, there seems to be no hope. It is at that moment that now they have a word from God.
This morning, you may feel completely surrounded by a dark world, and you feel crushed, and you have come here maybe, just maybe for a word from the Lord. Let’s see what He wants to tell you.
Isaiah 9:1-7
“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.3 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as son the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
The gloom of verse 1 turns to brightness in verse 3. The darkness is turned to rejoicing. The perfect tense is used when referring to these various things, therefore it is so certain to happen that it as if they already have happened.
Many years before the wise men came, centuries before the shepherd’s bent a knee a king is foretold of coming who will be marvelous, a king is coming who is majestic, watchful and wonderful. We are told in Isaiah 11:1 that this king is the stem of Jesse, and in v. 53 he will be the suffering Savior.
He is Marvelous in How He Came
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given”
This king came in earthy humanity “a child is born” – child is emphasized. In the Hebrew text the emphasis is on “child.” Children represent newness and change. There is a new day coming, a new day is born. This king will bring about a change in the lives of His people. Thank God that he is a king of change who does not change. I thank my king that he changed my life!
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God does not change, His word does not change, but when this king comes He changes you.
A child is born for us! That is speaking about the human nature of Jesus Christ. Then we read, “to us a son is given.” This is emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
A change is coming “for us,” it was for us that he was born. Gal. 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
He came in heavenly diety – “a son is given” – son is emphasized; an eternal being, the God of Glory. Given not born, a son not child – John. 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.”
There was never a time when “the Son” has not existed. Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but bin these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed ethe heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
God translated deity into humanity – a perfect wedding of the two. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
He is Majestic in Who He Is
Matthew 1:23 says “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” A Jewish name described both character and activity. There are four names given to describe the character and activity of this king who was given to us.
4 Names
(v. 6) “. . . his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
He is a Wonderful Counselor who soothes my conscience
In Isaiah 9 we are told, “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor.” In the Hebrew text we read, “He is” Jesus Christ is the greatest wonder imaginable because his very person is wonder: As God/man, there is no one else like him.
Is Jesus a wonder to you? Have your eyes been opened to the person of Jesus Christ? He is wonder, especially to his people. He is Wonder of wonders.
As the Wonderful Counselor the war boots and bloody blankets are used not for battle but for fire, the forces of evil will be over. This king will defeat the Enemy, and he brings peace to our hearts.
Counselor – solves my confusion, he is glorious, unfailing in His wisdom. He is our advisor and teacher – Hebrews 4:1-2 “Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” The Counselor makes salvation very easy to understand. As we have seen this morning, even young children can grasp sin and forgiveness of that sin.
Joshua failed to seek God’s counsel and was deceived by the Gibeonites. Saul, after being abandoned by God, sought the counsel of a witch. The people of the world seek the counsel of mediums, spiritists, and so called “experts” who whisper and mutter nonsense: Isaiah 8:19 says, “And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” But God has given us the counsel of his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Bible.
He is a Worthy Defender who fights before me – Mighty God ; warrior God (El Gabor), the child was nothing less than God.
He fought a battle far greater than Gettysburg, he fought a battle far more strategic than D-Day, he fought a battle far more crucial than any battle waged in Iraq. He fought the ultimate battle on the battleground called Calvary – where He conquered death, hell, and the grave – the empty tomb stood open as a memorial of this great battle.
He is a Watchful Father who showers me with affection, Jesus is the
Everlasting Father, it is a title, who he is to us:
He is the Father of Eternity – the source and origin of order, he is Alpha and Omega. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Hebrews 1:8 tells us that His thrown is forever and ever “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”
As a Father he is compassionate, a provider, a protector, and it is forever. He is always faithful and He will never leave. He is with us every step of the way. Think about the father of the prodigal son, waiting for his child to return. He received him with great joy, saying, “Let’s celebrate! This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Jesus Christ is such a Father to us.
He is a Prince of Peace who calms my storms
Isaiah 66:12 “For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” When this king comes we have peace.
Peace with God as in Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
And we have the peace of God as in Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
He is Mighty With What He Will Do
II Sam. 7:12-13 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
This king will rule completely and the rule of all of creation will be on “his shoulders” – no one will vote him into office no one will ever vote him out of office. And his rule will be for all of eternity “there will be no end”
There will be peace from peacelessness, justice from injustice – He will rule powerfully, the Father will see that the Son will reign. In fact, it says that he is zealous to make it happen.
In heaven there is no confusion about Christmas— God has burned for the glory of His Son. – in whom he takes delight.”
This One is the prince who brings peace, not by negotiation, but by the conquest of all his enemies. Peace comes to us from the cross of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Ultimately nothing else matters except what we think about Jesus and God will never be able to give a greater gift then His Son. The first Christmas Card was telling us of a Savior for all of mankind, but as with any Christmas Card you have to do something with it.
You can place it on a shelf and treasure it, or you can toss it in the trash. This morning what will you do with Jesus? Will you become his disciple and allow Him to become your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, and your Prince of Peace? Not only is He mighty in what He will do in the world, but it also true of what a mighty work he can do in your heart.
“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins, I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.” In Jesus’ Name.
“Two Believers Are Arguing; What Do We Do?” Philippians 4:2-9
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