Christmas

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, “Discovering the Joy of God’s Plan For Your Life” Week #3 Luke 1:26-45

Discovering the Joy of God’s Plan For Your Life
Luke 1:26-45

Introduction
When you’re a kid you think that you can do the impossible. My friend Lynn and I had been playing at her home and we came across this shed in her backyard and I had an idea. What is we hauled our bikes to the top of this shed and at break neck rode the bike down the slope? After some discussion Lynn seemed to be ok with it so up we went hauling our bikes to the top of this shed.
The theory was, that there was a layer of pine straw, so if we were not able to stick the landing, the straw would be a padding. We looked at each other, and I said “ladies first.” She climbed on her bike and off she went – things did not go as I had originally thought they would go – she sit the ground like bag of cement. She kind of rolled over, and I helped her back to the house. To this day we have never discussed the fact that I never went down the roof.

Anyway, I took away from this experiment that jumping with a bike from too high is not a good idea. Thank you Lynn for helping me learn that lesson. Eventually, in life we learn that there are some things that we can do, and some things that we can not do – but it is having a relationship with God that He works through us to accomplish the impossible.

God’s Plan For Mary (vv. 26-33)
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.”

The sixth month refers to Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, not the sixth month of the year. God’s plan for Elizabeth, Zachariah, and John the Baptist have already been in place for six months. God had already began the process of birthing the one who would run ahead of Jesus in the desert.

Gabriel was sent to a virgin named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Their marriage process was slightly different than our own today. A father would seek to find a wife for his son. Once a girl was found the son’s approval was sought and then a dowry was paid to the father of the bride since he was losing a daughter and a valuable helper.

A written agreement was drawn up and the couple were considered to be married; but there was no sexual contact during this “engagement” time. The engagement could not be broken except in instances of adultery. But if this were the case then there would be great shame on the part of the offender.

Time would pass and there would be a religious ceremony and then the couple would consummate the marriage. It was between the engagement and the ceremony that Gabriel appears before Mary.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!” – Luke is careful to let us know that this favor is not because Mary had any kind of special holiness in her life. There was nothing about her life that would have earned this type of privileged responsibility. God in His grace and mercy just chose her.

God in his grace and mercy has a very special plan for each of our lives as well. God desires to use us to do great things for His name. Mary is an example to us of a person who was called by God to do something wonderful and she did it faithfully. Let’s look to see how Mary sought to carry out her calling.

She Knew God Was With Her
“The Lord is with you” – This is not a wish that God would be with her, but a statement of fact – The Lord is with you. kurios meaning supreme in authority, the controller. The God who was with her was supreme, He was in control, He who has all authority would be with her. Not just in the beginning – but all the way through.

She would need to know that the Lord is with when she was to approach Joseph and tell him that she is pregnant. She would need to know that God is with her when she would have to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem while she would be “great with child.” She would need to know that God is with her when she has to deliver this child in a filthy stable.

She would need to know the Lord was with her when she learns that Herod desired to kill her child – and as she escaped to Egypt. She would have to know that the Lord was with her when the child would become a man – she would watch as he would lay down his tool belt and leave for a public ministry. She would have to let him go.

She would have to know that the Lord was with her as she watched as he would be rejected, spit upon, cursed, ripped to pieces by a Roman cat-of-nine-tails. Mary would have clung to these precious words “The Lord is with you” as she watched her precious Son hang on an old rugged cross for the sins of the world.

As she heard him cry out, “IT IS FINISHED!” and sink into death. She would have to know that the Lord was with her as she looked into the face of her dead son, beaten beyond recognition, wiping his face and body of blood, wrapping his body in cloth and lying his limp body into a tomb. She would need these words from Gabriel.

Notice that Mary is not afraid at Gabriel’s presence, but it his words that cause her to be afraid. These words should cause us to cry out in joy “The Lord is with you!” These words should also drive us to our knees in prayer because if God has called us to accomplish great things for Him, things that can be accomplished only by “The Lord being with us” – then there will be great heartache and circumstances that require us to call out to Him and to cling to His Word.

Matthew 1:22-23 “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.”

Not only would The Lord be with Mary but “God is with us.” Just as Mary would have clung to the words “The Lord is with you,” We can rejoice that God is with us. The Son of the Most High Stepped out of heaven and would come to be among us – to be with us.

John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

She Knew God Called Her To Do Something Great
Gabriel gives several things that describe the son she was to name Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Whereas John would be known as a great man, the difference between John and Jesus is that His greatness would be related to His being the Son of God. Jesus was God in the flesh, who came from heaven to dwell with us.

This child that she would give birth to, would be a king; But he would be different than Saul, David, Solomon, or any other earthly king – The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; Not only would he be a king, but His reign will be for all of eternity.

Responses To Christ

Matthew 27:27-31 “Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

Revelation 19:11-16 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Here are the two responses that people would have to the Son of God. One of mockery, and falsely following the King; or one of standing in awe and reverent fear of the Son of God.

The shepherds ran and told their town about what they had seen and heard, they later returned to worship and praise the Christ child. The Magi from the west came over long distances and brought gifts fit for a king. This evening as we re-discover Christmas, what is your response to Christ; a mocking bow or reverential following?

God’s Plan For Mary Was Impossible – for her (vv. 34-38)
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.

Where Zechariah in the previous verses had wanted more proof from Gabriel that his message was going to come true, Mary asks about how this would come about (since she was a virgin.)

She is seeking to know more about God’s plan because she did not understand. The only explanation she gets is “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” God will make it so. There are several things in the Bible that we can not fully understand or explain.

We do not know how God created the world – only that he did. We have, for example, God the Father sending and angel, The Holy Spirit directing the pregnancy, and the Son Jesus being brought into the world – the Trinity is something difficult to grasp but none the less true.

This Jesus would be fully God and fully man at the same time. How do these things happen? God. Not a blind faith, but a faith upon the evidence revealed to us and taking Him at His Word. “For nothing is impossible with God.”

She recognizes that she is a servant of the Lord, and He has the right to do with her anything He desires. But she is a servant of one where nothing is impossible. A servant follows her master.

You may be here tonight, and your life is not where you thought it would end up, give it to God “For nothing is impossible with God.” No matter how damaged the marriage, no matter how wayward the child, no matter how little in the checking account, “For nothing is impossible with God.” no matter how strong the urge, no matter whether you see how it will work out or not “For nothing is impossible with God”

If God can make a virgin girl become pregnant, if He came shape time and space to orchestrate a star for shepherds and Magi to see and move it at will, if God can fulfill hundreds of prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth and life, if he can give Zechariah and Elizabeth a child in their old age, than he can surely handle anything you desire to lay at his feet.

There will be a time in your life when God will desire to use you to be a part of something amazing, beyond anything you ever could have imagined – and He may just say, “follow me into the impossible.” Our response must be like Mary’s; “Lord, I don’t know how you are going to do this, but here I am. . . “May it be to me as you have said.” God is the God of the impossible.

Mary Raced To See Elizabeth (vv. 39-45)
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Immediately after discovering God’s plan for her life, she got ready and went to celebrate with Elizabeth and her miraculous pregnancy. The angel had told Mary that God had allowed Elizabeth to have a child. So she goes to see it for herself. One impossibility coming together with another impossibility.

How is it that we have been so blessed by God in so many ways? Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God is always working impossibilities in the lives of those who say, “May it be to me as you have said.” God desires that we meet together to share these things and encourage each other.

Elizabeth says, “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Whereas before they would have met and talked about the mundane things of life, even seeing their relationship as casual.

But now she feels honored, “favored” that Mary would come by. Oh, how their conversations would change – what would the two ladies who had experienced the impossible say to each other? Let us meet and discuss the things of God regularly.

Conclusion
The fact that God would gives us an opportunity to receive Christ and how God made the impossible possible is the wonder of Christmas. In order for God to work in your life; realize that He is with you. He has directed you here tonight – because for His love and desire to do great things through you.

Secondly, realize that it is impossible for you to go to heaven or do great things – without God’s help. That is why Jesus was born into the world, to save us from our sins. What is impossible for us, is possible for an almighty God.

If you would like to ask Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sins, you can say a prayer something like this: “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. Amen.”

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, Week #2, “Peace” Luke 2:1-16

Peace
Luke 2:1-16

Introduction
Trees are beginning to appear in windows, radio stations have begun 24 hour rotations of Christmas music and our communities are being transformed into winter wonderlands. Why do we put ourselves through all the paces each year when Christmas comes?

Maybe we’re trying to recapture the magic of our childhoods. Or maybe we believe if we work hard enough we’ll end up with a Christmas similar to those described in all of our favorite Christmas tunes.

This year, let’s celebrate the true meaning and spirit of the season. Coming home means more than a hearth and a tree. It also means remembering, and renewing our faith in Christ and our church which is our spiritual family. I am looking forward to the best Christmas Ever.

I. A Humble First Home (vv. 1-7)
“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. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

A. Coming Home to Purpose
A rich man was determined to give his mother a Christmas present that would outshine all others. He read of a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages and sing 3 operatic arias. He immediately bought the bird for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned to see if she had received the bird. “What did you think of the bird?” he asked. She replied, “It was delicious.”

In the opening verses of Luke chapter 2 there are many details that are given. What was going on, who issued the decree, who the governor was, where they went from and where they went to — how everyone was moving and the mood of the opening was chaotic.

These details are given so that we can verify historically that this story really happened as it is given to us in Scripture, and that Jesus Christ’s birth fulfilled prophecy that had been given many years before to show that He was the Messiah.

First we see “a decree” was given. This 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. For the Jews this meant their ancestral home. Since Joseph was of the lineage of David, he was required to go to Bethlehem.

The law required that only the men need travel to the ancestral home, register, and travel back – but we see that Mary went with Joseph on this awful trip. “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.

They would have traveled through the land of Ruth and Boaz, and the ancient home of their great-great-grandfather King David. For a woman “great with child,” it would have been miserable.

Why would Mary have gone? Was it to get away from the stigma of having a child without a husband? Was it to just to be with Joseph because she wanted him to be there for the birth? Did she realize that in order to fulfill prophecy her son needed to be born in Bethlehem? For whatever reason she went, they both find themselves in a foreign city, away from their families, away from the comfort of home, and with no proper place to deliver a child.

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.” – After being required by law to travel a very long way, and being away from all they know that is familiar, “the time came for the baby to be born.”

We see that even in the midst of chaos and change – Mary gives birth to Jesus, wraps him in strips of cloth, and places him in a make shift bassinet, a manger. All of these are normal activities for a mom – the problem is that it is under extreme conditions and the world is swirling in chaos around them. Mary and Joseph were able to be normal parents and do what parents naturally but under extreme conditions.

They could have yelled and argued about the government and its’ edicts. They could have yelled at each other, and how each had added to this situation, “Why did you have to come? Why don’t you make more money so we can live better than this? They could have even argued with God, “Why is this happening to us?” We deserve better!”

But they don’t. We see a young couple, in spite of all the difficulty surrounding their lives doing the best they can with a very difficult situation – a child has been brought into the world. This was not just any child, it was a child that angels had spoken with them about (Matt. 1:20 Joseph, Luke 1:26 Mary)

So we see that in this time of chaos the child brought them hope – he was the Messiah, the promised one, who would as the angel said in Matthew 1:21 “save his people from their sins.” Mary and Joseph were able to see past the difficulty and even the pain they were experiencing, because they understood that they had something much bigger to do.

They realized that their lives were not about finding a more comfortable saddle, with a cup holder, or booking ahead at the Bethlehem spa and suite – there was a much bigger plan that they were to be a part of. God has a purpose for your home, and it is a part of a larger plan in which you are to share the story of the one who can “save his people from their sins.”

The ancestral homes of Mary and Joseph originally came from the dividing up of the Promised Land (Joshua 14 ff.). God’s people were to go into this new land and conquer their enemies, and as a whole nation, they were to draw the surrounding nations to worship the One True God.

God began the nation with one man named Abraham and God told him that He would bless him so that the world would be blessed through Abraham’s family. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Mary and Joseph are returning to their ancestral home where God promised that He would bless the world through their family – now Christ was born who will “save his people from their sins.” 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.”

They are returning to an understanding of why they exist as a family. Do you and your family need to return to a “spiritual place, a spiritual home” where you are reminded of why God has blessed you? Do you need to see beyond your current difficult experiences to understand that there is a bigger picture that you are a part of – a plan to share Christ with the world? Christmas loses its excitement when we forget the meaning behind the tinsel.

B. Coming Home to Provision
Why would God allow the King of Kings and Lord of Lord to be born in a stable? Why not wait until they were close to a palace or a nice home? God is sovereign and His timing is perfect. Galatians 4:4-5 says “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” In the fullness of time. It was God’s will for His Son to be born in humblest of circumstances.

Micah 5:2 “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.”

God used the 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 so God had to get them both to Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread” and now the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) was about to be born there.

So now, the one who provides for all of our needs (specifically salvation) has been born. John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” There in that shelter, was born the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Immanuel.

Christ was in a crude shelter, because there was no room for them in the inn – That night swirled in hurriedness, distraction, and everyone was trying to find comfort in a busy time. Everyone was trying to bring order to their lives. To be in a city were everyone was trying to take care of the government business so that they could return to their normal life to go back home to life as usual.

So as everyone was trying to do these things they missed the one who would “save his people from their sins.” Another part of coming home is to remember that Christ is the only one who can give us what we truly need. The longer we try to bring order to our lives, our marriages, our families, our jobs, in our own effort the more miserable we will be.

But if we allow God’s plan to happen in our lives (stinky manger, sleeping on hay, smell of animals – messiness) and follow Him on obedience, seek His provision then Jesus will fill that emptiness within us.

Tennis star Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world — yet he was on the brink of suicide. He said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed … It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”

Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn’t have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels and The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.” Christ fills that emptiness.

II. A Heavenly Eternal Home (vv. 8-16)
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Shortly after the birth of the Savior of the world, an angel appeared and stood before a group of shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem to announce the birth of the “Shepherd of Israel” (Gen.48:15).

Scripture in many places refers to Jesus as a shepherd. For instance, in Psalm 23 he is called the faithful shepherd; in Isaiah 40:11, the tender shepherd; in Ezekiel 34, the caring shepherd; in John 10, the good shepherd; in 1 Peter 5, the chief shepherd.

Shepherds were despised by the orthodox Jews of the day because they could not keep up the requirements of the ceremonial laws, the feasts, the washing of hands, etc. Thus, shepherds were very much part of the lost sheep of their day.

But the angel’s announcing to shepherds the birth of the Shepherd of Israel was designed to give hope to these men, Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” A humbly born Savior reaches out first to the lowliest of people in society, shepherds.

Not only had Jesus been born to seek and save these lost shepherds but also, as Luke details in chapter 4, quoting Jesus’ words from, Isaiah 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,.”

The angel’s first words to the frightened shepherds were, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” He was declaring good news to a society suffering from insecurity, meaninglessness, and the futility of life. And this good news was for all the people.

Jew, Samaritan, Roman, Greek and Barbarian, regardless of their position in life, whether they be master, slave, rich, poor, king, peasant. This was good news for all, regardless of sex, color, and class, the good news of salvation by grace through faith was given for everyone.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” The long-awaited Messiah, God’s Anointed One who is the Lord God, had been born in the flesh so that man, who has rebelled through Adam against the Creator, and had no power to save himself from the bondage of Satan and the power of sin, could be born again. God became man, so that as a man (the perfect man, the sinless man), He could take God’s punishment for sin upon Himself.

“a Savior” – If Jesus was mankind’s Savior, what was He saving it from? What do we need to be saved from? Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” It is our sin that creates a separation between us and God.

Because we are sinners, there is nothing that we can ever do to earn a place in heaven – we will always have sin on us. Christ would be born into the world and never sin – a perfect man with no sin could act as a substitute for you. Our sins could be placed upon Him.

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger,” declared the angel. The Savior of the world was placed in a feeding trough for his bed. God gave the shepherds directions – God wanted the Shepherds to see and experience Christ themselves not just hear about Him.

God coming to the earth is not knowing about Jesus, knowing facts about the plan for mankind’s sins to be dealt with, but it’s all about meeting Christ Himself – the angel said to the shepherds “you will find” there involves a seeking on the part of the hearers.

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” This morning are you seeking to fill the emptiness and lack of purpose? There is an answer – His name is Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

There is an immense difference between knowing about the Christ of Christmas, and knowing the Christ of Christmas. This morning do you know Him? Would you like to meet the one who will bring peace to your troubled soul? Would you like to meet the one who was born in a manger and eventually died on a cross – all for you?

This morning if you would like to meet Christ, if you would like for your sins to be taken away, for that emptiness to be filled, is there room in your heart for Christ? “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. Amen.”

“Best Christmas Ever” Sermon Series, Week #1 “HOPE” Isaiah 9:1-7

“Best Christmas Ever” 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. Amen.

Gold, Frankincense, and Carbonite; Creativity and Teaching

For the Christmas season this year Liquid Church[1] are doing things a little different. They have coupled the expectation of the release of the new Star Wars movie â€œThe Force Awakensâ€ with the biblical story and expectation of the Christ child at Christmas. The preaching series is entitled â€œCosmic Christmasâ€ and is complete with Star Wars themed role out videos, graphics, and a Han Solo draped pastor. He reviews his love for the Star Wars movies and how it impacted him as a child.

Pastor Tim Lucas (no relation to George Lucas) began the non-denominational church plant in 1999 that now has six locations (counting one online â€œlocationâ€) throughout New Jersey. This sermon series caught the eye of several news affiliates and their story has been broadcasted nationally.

This is a great example of where a church has tapped into a popular trend among people and blended their message into it.

The following show why this kind of thinking is so important in church life:

â€œCosmic Christmasâ€ and sermon series like it show the world that church can be fun. The pastor was dressed like Han Solo. Their nativity scene had Han Solo and Princess Leia instead of the shepherd dressed Mary and Joseph. When the world sees these things they stop and take notice. Humor and oneâ€™s ability to not take yourself too serious tears down walls of assumptions and false understandings.
It lends itself to continuing the message. You could have photo opportunities with Storm Troopers in the lobby or the fellowship hall after or before the service where people will post them to their social media accounts thereby reaching thousands with the message â€œOur church is fun.â€ The theme also is easy to carry throughout the church (the childrenâ€™s area for example).

The pastor could take pictures with people and use that time to engage in intentional evangelistic conversations. God gave us our imaginations and creativity to be used to bring Him glory â€“ and what better way than being creative in how we share His eternal message. Jesus was known for stepping out and doing the unexpected â€“ but as His disciples why do we feel that we shouldnâ€™t?

If it is done well and with great care the message of the gospel becomes easier for the lost world toÂ remember or even understand. You take that which is common and attach the message of Christ to it, so that when they see it they (consciously or subconsciously) begin to understand a biblical principle.

Creativity and themes such as this forces the church to plan further in advance. If you watch the sermon on their website there are prerecorded videos that play at specific times during the message, you would have to order or make his costume, etc. And donâ€™t forget those storm troopers in the lobby â€“ they need to get leave from the Empire. Yodaâ€™s schedule is crazy busy, especially with the release of the new film. All that takes time, galactic paperwork, and a great deal of planning by the church.

Truthfully, many churches just do what they have always done (candle light services, same old hymns, same rotating sermons, same ole decorations, etc.) and Christmas becomes a time to check out mentally instead of honestly engaging the culture.

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As you listen and go through the sermon it became obvious to me we would have a declination of biblical interpretation.[2] But donâ€™t let the minutia of doctrine take away from the bigger overall principle that they are engaging the culture in a way that people â€œget it.â€ Donâ€™t be too quick to dismiss what they are doing simply because they are denominationally different. Don’t be too quick to dismiss your idea because it is different than what your church culture is used to. It you are thinking, “they’ll never go for this,” you might just be on the right track.

. Â . Â . Â and may the force be with you.

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[1] http://www.Liquidchurch.com

[2] he uses the phrase â€œbinding Satanâ€ for example.

Zombie Christmas, Undead Jesus; A Lively Response

The following is a quote from Fox 19 and the story of the zombie nativity in Sycamore Township in Ohio.

“SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP, OH (FOX19) – Jasen Dixon’s nativity scene featuring zombies was ordered to be taken down Friday, however, it’s still standing in Sycamore Township.

[Related: Sycamore Township homeowner does unique and unusual nativity scene with zombies]
On Tuesday, Sycamore Township ordered the nativity scene to be taken down. Dixon had until Friday to take the scene down. If he did not take down the exhibit, legal action would have been taken and he would be fined $1,000.

According toÂ documents obtained by FOX19 NOW, Sycamore Township does not allow structures to be located in the front or the side yard to occupy more than 35 percent of the area. Also, the primary structure must be three feet from the street, and six feet from the house.

“They actually said that it is taking up about 35 percent of the yard, and it’s not. We did the calculations and it’s like 14, 17 percent,” said Dixon.

No officials from Sycamore Township came by the zombie nativity scene Friday.

FOX19 NOW’s Lindsey Wopschall reached out to Sycamore Township officials to ask if they plan to come by the home to serve Dixon the violation, but they did not wish to comment on the matter.

Dixon says this was his second violation since the exhibit was put up.

“I’ve lived here for 15 years and I’ve never had a violation of any kind,” Dixon said. “It’s a holiday decoration. I know if it was a real pretty nativity scene they wouldn’t be saying anything,” said Dixon.

Dixon has no plans on taking down the nativity scene. Instead he’s using a crowdfunding site with a $5,000 goal to make a better zombie nativity scene next year.”

So as Christians how should we respond to this?

Is it safe to assume that Mr. Dixon does not understand the true meaning of Christmas? I think so. But the sad truth is that most of America doesn’t understand the true meaning of ChristmasÂ either. One of the things that is constantly mentioned by those who do not follow Jesus is that the church is filled with hypocrites. Well, I must say, that this topic seems to smack of hypocrisy, but not from Mr. Dixon.

Hypocrite Alert

1) If he were my neighbor and put this up in his yard then it would indicate to me that I had not invested much in our friendship or in being “neighborly.” He may know that I am a Christian but does not have a deep enough friendship with me to respect my beliefs. You would not do this to a friend — but you would not hesitate if you see your neighbors with Bibles in hand going to church on Sunday, but not caring anything about you or your family during the rest of the week. You would not care if you were offending someone you see as a hypocrite.

Jesus died for our sins, rose again to secure a place for us in heaven, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. So, instead of focusing so much effort on trying to stop his zombie display why not win his heart through love and friendship? Christians have a long history of fighting the wrong battles. We fight for laws to be changed instead of fighting for hearts to be changed. We fight wars to show that we are right,Â instead of living out a life of gentleness and love.

Romans 12:17 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, â€œVengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.â€ 20 To the contrary, â€œif your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.â€ 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)”

2) Â Christians are celebrating Halloween with Mr. Dixon when he puts up his decorations in October, but now they are offensiveÂ in December? Zombies are cool on Halloween but not in December? Yes, I know Jesus was not depicted as a zombie in October. But the argument about zoning and city restrictions is just a farce. Christians are offended and want it taken down.

But if we want to have the freedom to express our beliefs (i.e. nativity in my front yard), then Mr. Dixon should have the right to display his “interpretation” of the nativity as well. Otherwise, those in power begin to dictate religion and how it is to be expressed. I don’t want anyone telling me who to worship, when to worship, or how to express my beliefs in the life of my family. Mr. Dixon is ignorant in his understanding of who Jesus is, but am I going to change his heart by being hypocritical and dictating how he worships and expresses his beliefs according to my belief system? Just because you find it offensive doesn’t mean youÂ should use the government to have it stopped.

In London, there is the (attempted) development of Sharia law “zones” where if you enter into them you have to follow extremist Islamic law. If you don’t then you will be attacked or taken to a kangaroo court for sentencing. What makes America different than these radical religious group’s efforts is that we value the freedom to express our religious beliefs and do not have to fear repercussions from other groups who do not agree with us. We can not hold toÂ our freedom to put up a nativity while denying another person’s freedom do so as well just because we don’t like it.

3) Focusing on this makes Christians look foolish. Some guy put up a tacky display in his yard. Have you driven though the south on Christmas? Are you telling me all those displays accurately show the Christ Child’s heralding? Seriously? Let it go. Focus on what’s important. Â Why don’t we make some cookies for our neighbors, you can even make themÂ shaped like Â zombies.

Do we love Mr. Dixon, or do we just want him to go away? Honestly, we just want him to stop interrupting our greatly delusional time of the year. However, Mr. Dixon is a wake up call to the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you Mr. Dixon for your undead display. It reminded me that I need to spend more time with my neighbors.