Sermon Notes: Luke 2:8-14 (KJV) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
8:30 AM Audio:
Every year most people send Christmas cards. I am told that 1.8 BILLION cards are delivered every year. Many of those cards have the words …
Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
None of the cards express the main reason why God should be glorified, or why there should be peace on earth and good will toward men. The Angel concluded his message with these words because the One in the Manger is the Only One Who can bring
Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Angel when he brought these good tidings of great Joy. Mankind was wallowing in sin and in death, and God tossed man a life rope. Jesus Christ came into this world not as an Angel, but He was made lower than the angels.
Hebrews 2:7 (NKJV) You {O God} have made {Jesus} a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
Jesus Christ was made lower than the Angels. Why?
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death
Hebrews 2:16-17 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. {17} Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
The angels praised God, saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”, even though “God spared not the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell” (2 Peter 2:4). These “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14) focused on a tiny Baby that lay in a manger and praised the Lord. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.
God did a new thing, a prophetic thing, a wondrous thing.
God “did a new thing.
God made a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). Where death ruled, life came to conquer in Christ.
Christ came to give Himself for you.
He left the splendor of Heaven to come to earth.
He was born to die.
He Who made all things was “made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ is the Reason for this season, the center of the mark.
Glorify God For His Great Love
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
As the angels praised God – “Glory to God in the highest” – they praised with wonder in their voices. They were amazed at that which God was doing. Man is a fallen race. God allowed man free will from his creation, from the very Garden of God. Man had absolute freedom to serve the Lord in a place where there was absolute and perfect peace. And yet man abused that free will – and we abuse it yet today. The most often question that I am asked is
How can a holy and loving God allow so much suffering in this evil old world?
It was by our free will that suffering came into the world. The Scripture declares “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin” (Romans 5:12). Adam, given the capacity for free will, chose to do the evil. He chose to follow Satan in disobedience, and chose to neglect the Will of His Creator. Adam, created to rule and reign with God, chose to be enslaved by Satan rather than the Lord Who loved him. Adam took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of death. The gift of God given him was abused, and God had every right to destroy Adam, this earth, and all. Yet God did not. The Scripture declares …
Ephesians 1:4 According as He {God the Father} hath chosen us in Him {God the Son} before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love …
How can man go from out of control sinner to Saint, to child of Adam to Child of God. It is by that Baby in the Manger, that Child of Nazareth, that beautiful Jesus Who is the …
Revelation 13:8 … Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Before the first star was made, God knew. Before the Lord uttered the words “Let there be light” and there was light (Genesis 1:3), God knew. God the Father knew that He would have to send His only Begotten Son. God the Son knew that He would have to come to this earth – leaving the splendor of Heaven – and take upon Himself the likeness of sinful man.
Suffering is terrible – but can you imagine how terrible upcoming suffering must be?
Jesus knew before the foundation of the world that He would have to die a terrible death for our sins. And yet He came to Bethlehem anyway. He came to die for you and for me.
Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to His Name!
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot ….
but do you know the following context, which reads:
1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, but was manifest in these last times for you,
That Baby in the Manger was no accidental birth, no travesty. He was born to die. He came to save.
Hebrews 9:26 … now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Knowing what was coming, God so loved He nonetheless – with His free will – chose to form us in His image. Knowing what was coming He chose the nails for us.
Jesus Christ chose the nails. He chose the beating, He chose the mocking, He chose the bruising, He chose the humiliation. Jesus Christ chose to hang on a Cross between two felons. He chose to pour out His soul unto death. He chose the sponge filled with bitter gall. He chose to bear your sin and mine, and to “make intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). He chose to give Himself for you before creation itself. As the old African spiritual said,
“What wondrous love is this,
O my soul, Oh my soul!”
Jesus chose the nails. He chose them long before He walked and talked among mankind. He chose them long before He was a baby in a manger. He chose the nails from eternity past. Will you not choose Him?
Glorify God For His Great Salvation
Luke 2:8-9 (KJV) And there were in the same country SHEPHERDS abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
The Shepherds watching their flocks were – I am told – raising sheep to be sacrificed at the Temple in Jerusalem. I forget which commentary I read this in, but it makes sense to me. Bethlehem is only about 5 miles from Jerusalem, and the pastures around Bethlehem (also called “The House of Bread”) were beautiful and fertile, great places for feeding sheep. The Shepherds were used to breeding and delivering sheep, and looking for lambs without spot or blemish, for no other could be used for the sacrifice of sin. God had said:
Exodus 12:5 (ESV) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep …
These Shepherds are keeping watch over their flocks by night. Imagine being in the dark with your companions. You can see movement. Maybe there was enough moon to see a little, or maybe not. Then suddenly the glory of the Lord shines round about them. A bright star appears in front of them. Pure energy! Pure light! God’s glory breaks forth, and night becomes day. And they were SORE AFRAID.
But the Angel said …
Luke 2:10-11 … FEAR NOT: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
That which God promised has come to pass. This is not a time for FEAR but for REJOICING. God has fulfilled His Word. He has kept His promise.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
That which the Angel told Mary …
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
… has come true. God touched woman, and perfect Man was born.
Luke 1:35 … The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
The Lord has come to us, Oh Emmanuel! The Shepherds were used to taking their little lambs to the Temple to be slaughtered … was not this the Way of Salvation?
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We have no peace in our world today because people are pursuing peace on their own terms. They seek peace through their efforts, through their governments, through their agencies. The angels sang of “peace on earth” because the Prince of Peace had arrived. The angels did not sing of peace in the Garden of Eden. There was peace there, it is sure, but that peace was soon voided. The Babe in the manger showed the angels to what lengths God would go to save His creation. There was no true possibility of peace on earth in any capacity prior to the Coming of God in Christ. Man was at war with God, and proved that warfare at every turn.
Peace is not to be found in ourselves, but in the imputed righteousness of Christ. There can never be peace on earth, good will toward men if Christ is not in the center of that peace.
unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord
You Shepherds used to carry the Lambs to the Temple so people could be saved. You yourselves sacrificed Lambs to save yourselves. But this was only temporary. Now that which is perfect is come, so that which in part can pass away. That Baby in the manger was wrapped in the white flag of peace. On the mountain of Sinai God challenged the conscience of man and showed us that we can never have peace with Him through the keeping of Law. Christ came to us in a lowly manger, and through the Body of His flesh abolished the warfare between ourself and our conscience, and between ourself and God. He has, in Himself, made ..
Ephesians 2:15-17 … ONE NEW MAN, SO MAKING PEACE; {16} And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {17} And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
If you have been saved, you are at peace with God. You are receivers of the New Covenant, a Covenant made with the precious Blood of Christ. We who are born again by faith in Christ are not like those under the old Levitical laws. God has written His Law in your hearts, O Christian, if you have believed in Him.
Hebrews 10:16-20 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; {17} And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. {18} Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. {19} Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
We are consecrated because of that Babe in the manger. We are forgiven because that Child became perfect Man, and bore our sins on Calvary’s tree.
Adrian Rogers once said “I can’t get too mad when someone says something bad about me. I’m just thankful he doesn’t know anything else”!
Go on, legalist, and work your way to Heaven through your toil and through the Law. I myself am quite content to stand with the angels and sing Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men.
We who know that we are firmly in the family of God can always, and with all confidence:
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Glory be to God, salvation is all of God! I rest in that!
To Enjoy Salvation Run To The Savior
Luke 2:15-16 (KJV) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
When the Shepherds heard the Gospel message of the Christ they did not wait. They said “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see the thing that has came to pass”. They went. The Bible says “they went with haste”. They did not hesitate, but went with haste. What does this mean?
If you are a Shepherd you know that sheep cannot be driven. You do not “go with haste” with a flock of sheep. You go at THEIR pace. If the Shepherds went with haste, they dropped everything and walked away from their sheep. To see the Christ became the most important thing in the world for them. They went with haste.
The legendary Evangelist Dwight L. Moody wrote one time of staying with an orange producer. He had been preaching to a crowd in a nearby city, and a well to do orange producer invited him to stay at his mansion. He agreed. He went to the man’s home, knocked on the door, and was ushered into great luxury. The orange producer said “Whatever I have is yours – just help yourself”. Moody loved oranges, and got up every morning, walked outside of his palatial room, and picked fresh oranges from the trees in the groves all around the house. Moody spoke about this in a later sermon, saying:
“When I wanted an orange I did not go to an orange tree and pray the oranges to fall in my pocket; but I walked up to a tree, reached out my hand, and took the oranges. He said “take” and I took. God says “there is My Son; take Him as your Savior. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
The Shepherds left their sheep, a means by which a person in Israel’s day could use to approach God. These were sacrificial sheep raised for the Temple, an old covenant work. The Lamb of God has been born. Him Who came in the Father’s Name to save us is born in Bethlehem. The Shepherds rightly left everything behind:
The old works salvation
The Law
Their possessions
… and ran to see the Bread from Heaven laying in a manger in Bethlehem, the House of Bread. These Shepherds did not stop and clean themselves up. They have been in the field looking after sheep. They did not take the time to put on a new suit or a tie. No – one thought possessed them.
Let us go to Christ.
Let us see the Savior born for us!
Dr. R.G. Lee remarked … “… in such faith – a reckless faith – Jesus takes the keenest delight. There is nothing that so pleases Him as the most daring and reckless and romantic faith. He is never so joyed as when we trust Him with a mad abandon.”
and going to see the Christ, what did they do afterward?
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
They told others. They shared what they saw – they experienced – with others. They made known abroad what they had seen. Have you seen Him? Have you experienced Christ? Will you not run with haste to Him today, giving Him all of your life? May God touch your hearts with His Word.
Sermon Notes Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Audio of Sermon:
Last week we talked about the parents of John the Baptist, the Herald of Christ. We spoke of faith filled Elisabeth, and praised God for Godly women. Godly and faithful women are so important to the preaching of the Gospel. It is the efforts of the mother and particularly my grandmother that planted the seed of the Gospel in my heart, a seed that would one day bloom forth into eternal life.
But we also need to recognize the importance of the Godly man.
In the Christmas story and the children’s plays Joseph of Nazareth is often pushed back into the shadows, relegated to a third wheel sort of position. But Joseph was very important to the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth(Matthew 13:55, Luke 2:4).
His name means “Yahweh Will Increase”.
He carried the same name as the Old Testament Joseph who, sold into slavery by his brothers, became the savior of the nation of Israel.
The Old Testament Joseph would not take vengeance on his deceitful and envious brothers, but said:
Genesis 50:20 (NLT) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
A Godly Man puts his faith in the Word of God, and puts God before his own base desires. Had the Old Testament Joseph taken vengeance then Israel would have never been a great nation. The New Testament Joseph has much in common with his namesake. The Reverend Francis J Peffley wrote a paper called “The Two Josephs” in which we see some very interesting parallels between the “Joseph of the Coat of many Colors” and “Joseph the husband of Mary”:
Both Josephs had a father named Jacob
Both Josephs were of the Household of David
Both Josephs suffered without complaint for God’s glory
Both Josephs left home and ended up in Egypt
Both Josephs were chosen by God to bring Bread into the world
Both Josephs were Godly men who loved the Lord
Let’s honor our Lord by studying what He wrote of His Stepfather Joseph.
The Just Or Righteous Man Has A Changed BEING
Matthew 1:18-19 (KJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away …
In the ancient world marriage and engagement we both looked at with equal seriousness. The commentator William Barclay noted:
“The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months before marriage. So sacred was this relationship that unfaithfulness to it was considered adultery, and was punishable by death.” (Deuteronomy 22:23-28)
Mary and Joseph had not yet consummated their marriage when “she was found with child”. The Child she carried was the Christ, the Messiah promised to be our Savior. But Joseph had no way of knowing this. She was discovered to be pregnant by Joseph – I suspect she began to show as the Child within her grew. This caused Joseph a problem.
Joseph her husband, BEING a JUST man
Joseph was BEING what he was supposed to be – He was BEING a JUST or RIGHTEOUS Man.
The JUST Man is a person who first of all has been saved by faith in God, the God of Scripture. The Bible repeatedly says:
Hebrews 10:38 (KJV) Now the JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH.
The “Just”, “Justified”, or “Righteous” person puts their faith in the God of the Heavens. The faith that they have shows in the life that they live. There are a lot of people who say “I am saved” but live just like the darkness around them. The salvation that does not touch your heart or change your lifestyle is but a fake salvation.
The JUST Man Is Not Like He WAS. Salvation comes to us the day we receive Christ as our Savior, but with SALVATION comes SANCTIFICATION.
Romans 1:16-17 (KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
A “Just” person has first realized that they are sinners, then realized that they needed God as their Savior. The “Just” person is saved by faith. Once that person is saved they begin a non-rebellious relationship with God. They become a son of the Father, and begin to walk in His paths.
There is no such thing as a just or righteous person who does not obey the Father.
Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24).
Noah “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time,
WALKED FAITHFULLY with God (Genesis 6:9).
Those who are “Just” obey their Savior.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? TO ACT JUSTLY and to love mercy and TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.
If you are JUST you will ACT JUST.
The JUST Man honors his God FIRST, not last. Discovering that Mary was pregnant meant that he – according to the Word of God’s Law – should “put her away”.
The Politically Correct crowd are, I am sure, experiencing their heads spinning around like the little girl in the horror movie The Exorcist. “What!” they declare. “How dare Joseph not look the other way?”. The Just Man does not debate what God has clearly stated. God tells us in His Word that sexual activity is only to be between two married people – one man and one woman (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5).
Those who are saved by faith in Christ – justified – are not to make light of sin, but are to honor the Lord Who saved them. So Joseph moved to ACT JUSTLY.
The Just Man Is Not Self Righteous But COMPASSIONATE
Matthew 1:19 (KJV) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and NOT WILLING TO MAKE HER A PUBLIC EXAMPLE, was minded to put her away privily.
COMPASSION is the mark of the Christian because it is the mark of Christ.
Matthew 9:36 (ESV) When {Jesus} saw the crowds, HE HAD COMPASSION FOR THEM, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 14:14 (NKJV) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was MOVED WITH COMPASSION for them, and healed their sick.
Matthew 20:34 (NKJV) So JESUS HAD COMPASSION and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
The word COMPASSION is a compound derived from COM which means WITH and PASSION. The word means “To have passion with, or to empathize or put yourself in their place as you have sympathetic pity for the sufferings of others”.
Joseph knew that Mary was carrying a child who was not his, and he wanted to obey the Law of God because he put God first. Joseph could have said:
“How dare she do this to me?
I’m going to the priests and have this little girl taken care of.”
That’s the way of the flesh, the world, and the devil. But this is not the way of Christ. Joseph had compassion. He empathized with Mary. His thought processes ran this way.
“Mary is with child, but it’s not my child.
I need to honor my God and His Word.
But we are all sinners, and I have often stumbled.
I love Mary still, so I will divorce her privately.”
So often I hear Christians who, being offended, get on their High Horse so they can ride over a fallen brother or sister. They puff up their chests and look up to the Heavens, saying:
“Lord, I thank Thee that I am not like this Publican over here.
What an honor You bestowed on Yourself the day that You saved Me!
(Blessed be My Name forever)”
Jesus spoke against this type of person in Luke 18:10-14 when He taught of the Pharisee and the Publican in the Temple. Being righteous means to do things in a Godly, loving, and right way. Those who are saved by faith are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit – we are His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19).
Joseph was saved by Grace, and lived by Grace. He emulated the teachings of the Apostle who declared:
1 John 4:7-8, 11-13 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. … 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The saved person is first of all loving as God is loving, and merciful as God is merciful. Those who are “just” are righteous, not self-righteous. Joseph was not self righteous, but he loved Mary … even if she had made a mistake (which she had not). Joseph was not out for vengeance, but realized that his actions reflected on his God. So he chose to be compassionate. He chose to be loving. The Godly man is much like God, for God is inside him.
The Just or Righteous Man CONVERSES With God
Matthew 1:20 (KJV) But while HE THOUGHT ON THESE THINGS, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying…
The word translated “thought” is the Greek ἐνθυμέομαι enthymeomai which means “To MEDITATE on”. Joseph was in deep meditative PRAYER. He approached God in prayer with the problem. Oh, that we would PRAY and SEEK HIS FACE rather than worry!
1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
James 5:13 Is any one among you in trouble? Let them PRAY ….
Proverbs 15:8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the PRAYER of the UPRIGHT pleases Him…
Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who CALL ON HIM, to all who CALL ON HIM in truth.
Joseph was not approaching the problem himself, but seeking God’s face while meditating on God’s Word. I want you to notice that as he meditated – not MEDICATED but MEDITATED – it is THEN that God sends the Angel Gabriel to answer his prayer.
The Angel came to Mary out of the blue.
The Angel came to Joseph when he was blue,
But in obedient prayer!
Matthew 1:20-21 (KJV) … JOSEPH, thou son of David, FEAR NOT to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And SHE SHALL bring forth a son, and THOU SHALT call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
When Joseph prayed I want you to notice:
The Angel called him by NAME. If God saved you, God knows you.
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
John 10:3 (ESV) …. the sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out …
God did not die for no body on that Cross. God gave His life for YOU. He knows you by name. Joseph! Hear Me, Joseph! I have numbered the hairs of your head. I know you, and love you.
God told Joseph “Don’t be afraid”.
Isaiah 41:10 So DO NOT FEAR, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“Joseph, that Baby is not a mark of Mary’s unfaithfulness.
That Baby is a mark of MY Faithfulness.
I promised the Messiah, and have chosen you and Mary
To be a part of this great plan!”
“Mary SHALL bring forth a Son … the unique Son of God … and You Joseph have a part in this. YOU get to name the Savior of the world. YOU shall call His name JESUS.”
Righteous men often fall. King David fell. Noah fell. We all fall. But righteous men PRAY. They are people of prayer. They love the Lord, and converse with Him frequently.
The Just or Righteous Man COMPLIES
With God’s Direction
Matthew 1:22-25 (KJV) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Isaiah – a Just man – prophesied what the Lord told him to prophesy. Joseph – a Just man – did what God said so that the prophecy would come to pass. Joseph raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord told him to do. He obediently received Mary to be his wife. But he did not have intimate relations with her until she brought forth Jesus.
Jesus had many step brothers and step sisters that were born after He came into the world. Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55-56 tells us that the half brothers of Jesus were James, Joseph, Jude and Simon. The Catholic Church tries to make these out to be cousins, but the Bible calls them “brothers” and “sisters”. And our text specifically says:
and Joseph KNEW HER NOT TILL she brought forth her firstborn son
Joseph KNEW HER INTIMATELY after Jesus was born, and other children came into the family. But Joseph obeyed God. He obeyed God in loving his wife. He obeyed God and became a beautiful example of fatherhood to Jesus.
God bless the Godly man. We are in desperate need of Godly men in the world today, men who will not mistreat women, but who will be as Joseph was. May God touch your hearts with His Word!
Sermon Notes: Luke 2:1-7 (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
I love the words that start chapter 2 of the Christmas Story.
“It Came To Pass”
The phrase is found 452 times in the Bible. It’s not found in the first three chapters of the Bible in the Book of Genesis. Though time was created by God in those first books as He set the lights in the Heavens, and established 24 hour days, time didn’t matter until Adam sinned. Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life, and lived infinite lives until the day that they listened to that old serpent the devil. With one bite the devil led all humanity into sin.
Romans 5:12 (NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned …
The phrase “it came to pass” doesn’t come into being until Genesis chapter 4, showing us that the phrase is tied to time and death. You see, we all shall cease to be. Why? Because Adam not only brought sin into the world, but his action separated us from God and from Paradise. We do not have access to the Tree of Life. We will not live together forever, defeating death, in our own ability. The clock is ticking. When you are a young man or woman you may think you are infinite and immortal. But as you age you realize you are fragile. The things I used to be able to do I can no longer do without effort, if at all. “It Came To Pass”. Time is ticking.
The first “It Came To Pass” is found in the story of two brothers, Cain and Abel. The Bible says:
Genesis 4:3 (KJV) And in process of time IT CAME TO PASS, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Man was separated from God by Adam’s sin, and man wanted God. We were created to walk with God. So Cain – a farmer because his daddy was a farmer – brought the fruit of the ground to God to offer it to Him. But there was a problem with this offering. Though a day would come when God would allow man to bring food offerings, the only covering for sin was blood. God showed this to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. The Bible says …
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Why is this? Why does God require the shedding of blood to cover sin? Because God’s Word to Adam was “the day that you eat that which is forbidden YOU SHALL SURELY DIE” (Genesis 2:17). The penalty for sin against the Holy Creator is death. God said it, and God meant it. So death hovers over all of Adam’s children.
But what if Someone died in my place?
What if Someone worthy died in my place?
God wanted all of Adam’s children to understand that sin is not a trifle, but it is an act against the Holy and Righteous Who runs all things. When Cain brought his offering to God no Blood was shed. I’ve never seen a stalk of corn bleed, or a radish hemorrhage. Vegetables have no blood. But then Abel his brother brought an offering to God …
Genesis 4:4 (NKJV) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.
Abel didn’t go into the family business, but was a Shepherd. He brought the “blood of the Lamb” to God. And “God respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering” (Genesis 4:4b-5). Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. It requires the blood of the innocent – the death of the innocent – to cover sin. Abel’s offering was of blood, and his sin was covered. But what of Cain? God could not accept his offering, the works of his hands.
You cannot work your way to God, but must obey His Word.
God wants none to perish, but wants all to be saved.
Ezekiel 18:23 (NKJV) Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?
God is not pleased with the death and sin of mankind. He advised Cain to do as his brother Abel did, to offer the blood of the lamb for his sins. What did Cain do? In the second “It Came To Pass” of the Bible we see:
Genesis 4:8 (KJV) And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and IT CAME TO PASS, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Rather than do what God says, Cain rose up against his brother and killed him with a 357 Magnum! That tragedy would never have happened if the government had intervened and made a law against it. Is that true? No. Cain killed his brother with whatever he had at hand. He did so not because of government laxity, but because of sin in his heart. Cain didn’t want to listen to God. He felt that he knew better than God, and would do it his way. As a result his brother was murdered – the blood of an innocent – because he knew better than God.
So “It Came To Pass” begins human history, and that history is bloody, filled with violence and evil. Man grows so evil that “It Came To Pass” that God would send a flood on the earth in Genesis 6. Erasing all of humanity but Noah and his family, surely thins would be better. No, because sin is in us, and death by sin. We are all fallen.
But God never forgot us.
God was not willing that we perish, but wished us life.
God Who Controls Time Entered Time For Us
Luke 2:1-3 (KJV) And IT CAME TO PASS in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Governments love to tax people. Without taxes there could be no armies to protect us, and no politicians to lie to us. Taxes pay for highways. Taxes build schools for our children. Taxes have good uses, though I believe human greed misuses much of our tax dollars. When Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of Rome decreed that all those under Roman rule be taxed, he decreed that every family return nto their home town to be counted. Everyone into his own city. No one thought much of this except the inconvenience of it, but God was in control. What appeared to be a petty squabble between Caesar and Herod which led to a census was actually God controlling human events. The Bible says:
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
This census caused the tiny family of Joseph and Mary to travel nearly a hundred miles.
Luke 2:4-6 (KJV) … Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
If the decree of Caesar Augustus had not been issued, Mary would have had her Baby in Nazareth where she and Joseph lived. But the decree of the Emperor required that every person return to their home town to be counted for tax purposes. They traveled about 97 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and Mary was GREAT with Child. Was this just a coincidence? Just happenstance? No, for God is control.
Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV) The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
God is in control – ALWAYS! Many years before God promised that Messiah would enter humanity in a very specific way. What God’s Word says will always come to pass. God’s Word does not change with the seasons, nor with the fickle soul of man. His Word is true – let every man be a liar! God’s Word said that …
First, the Messiah would come into this world through Bethlehem:
Micah 5:2 (NKJV) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.
There were two Bethlehems when Micah wrote this prophecy. Bethlehem Ephrathah was the Bethlehem of Judah. The One promised was “from everlasting”, the Eternal Christ. When Herod the King wondered where Christ would be born the chief priests and Scribes quoted this prophecy of Micah:
Matthew 2:6 (NKJV) But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.
Second, Messiah was to be a direct descendant of David. God said that the Messiah would come from the Ruling Tribe of Israel, Judah (see 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; 2 Chronicles 6:16). God promised King David that he would have a Son who would rule forever. Messiah had to come from the line of David. When Jesus came He was known as “The Son of David” because His lineage was established by both Mary and Joseph. Joseph would take his wife Mary – GREAT with CHILD – to Bethlehem because of the decree of the Emperor.
Matthew 12:23 … and all the people were amazed {at Jesus}, and said, Is this not the Son of David?
God is in control. Though the Emperor issued the decree, and though Mary and Joseph moved to Bethlehem because of the decree, it was God Who was in control. The Emperor would not tax the people until ten years later based on this census … but God wanted the Christ to be born in Bethlehem.
The name “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread”.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because He is God’s Messiah. The Lord said:
John 6:51 (NASB) I am the LIVING BREAD THAT CAME DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.
God chose where Christ would be born “before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9 NASB). Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, for Jesus is the one and only Messiah.
John 7:42 (NKJV) Has not the Scripture said that the CHRIST COMES FROM THE SEED OF DAVID AND FROM THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, where David was?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David. He is a direct descendant of King David. He is the Son of David. How would this King of Kings – our Savior – be born?
God Was In Charge And
Messiah Was Brought Forth Safely
Luke 2:1 (KJV) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Let’s break this wonderful text down.
“She brought forth”. Mary had no midwives or doctors. Mary had her child with Joseph, her faithful husband, at hand. Most women have someone to receive the Child, but our Savior was born in lowest place. His mother brought Him forth. He was delivered safely.
“And wrapped Him in swaddling clothes”. You would think that the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would be wrapped in a robe befitting a king. The Scripture says:
Colossians 2:9 For in [Christ] dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus is God in human flesh. Abel sacrificed a lamb for his sins and God had respect to that. But an earthly lamb was only appropriate until God made a more permanent way. God made us to walk with Him, but we turned our backs on God. But God loved us, and loves us still. He does not want us to perish, but to ascend to Him.
In order for us to ASCEND to Him He had to DESCEND to us.
He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and not a king’s robe,
So any can reach Him.
And can come to Him.
“And laid Him in a manger”. His crib was an animal’s feeding trough. How strange and lowly did our Lord enter this earth. Yet He was to be:
John 1:29 (NKJV) … The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
He was not like Abel’s lamb, though Abel obeyed the Father. Jesus was a Child Who would grow into a Man Who …
Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) … was in all points tempted as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.
Jesus Christ is the Innocent born to take my guilty place, and your guilty place. He is the perfect Lamb of God offered for our sins. What better place to find a Lamb than in a Manger? What better place to find Him and Him alone Who can redeem you from sin?
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV) …. knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
That Baby was born to die for the sins of the world. This Jesus was lovingly brought forth, laid to rest in a manger, so that He could grow up and take our punishment on Himself. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Finally:
“Because there was no room for them at the inn”. The census had pushed people outside of their homes. When Mary and Joseph could find no place to stay because of the crowds, they found a place where animals were kept, a warm barn. No one meant to reject the Christ. The Apostle said:
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NKJV) … we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
No one knew when they sent that pregnant virgin to a barn to have a baby that she carried the Messiah. No one meant evil of Christ in either the decree of Caesar or the journey – that hard journey – from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They just didn’t know.
But you know.
YOU KNOW.
God’s Word Always Proves True
I have told you. I have showed you. God was in control, and God knew. God’s Word always proves true.
God’s Word says we are born dead in sin.
God’s Word says that we need a Savior.
God’s Word says that Christ is that Savior.
He was born in Bethlehem, in a manger.
He came to this earth to save whosoever will.
God’s Word says that Jesus grew up to die for our sins.
God’s Word says that His death covers our sins.
God’s Word says that He conquered death, and rose again.
Will you receive Him?
Will you confess Him?
Will you believe Him?
God will not receive your efforts at salvation any more than He received Cain’s. He had no respect for Cain’s offering, but unto Abel God had respect. Why? Without the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sin. Christ came to this earth for you. Christ was born for you. Christ lived for you. Christ died on Calvary for you. Will you receive Him, and in so doing receive what He has for you?
Romans 10:9-11 (NASB) … if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.
“It Came To Pass”
Will your life continue forever, or will it
“Come To Pass”?
What you do now for Jesus matters.
What Jesus did for you matters.
Receive Him, and God will receive you.
May God the Holy Spirit reach someone with this Word today.
“The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8)
Welcome to the start of a new series.
This post works off one simple premise: God’s word is powerful. And if you don’t believe me, let me just discredit your objections in advance. I’ll just throw some truth your way:
“The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born” (Psalm 33:6). We know a God who “calls into existence the things that do not exist” (Romans 4:17). It was “at the blast of his breath, that the bottom of the earth could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare” (2 Samuel 22:16).
God is “sustaining all things by the power of his word” (Hebrews 1:3). The hum of the generator powering the whole universe is every word that the comes from the mouth of God. And we have at our…
Every Christmas the big red starts making his appearance. And so we dust off and roll out the red carpet for our hailed guest at Christmas Carols. News Shows. Adverts. Major festivals. Photo shoots. Sporting events. Pageants. Ceremonies. Parties.
Santa’s social stocks go off the freaking charts.
And amongst all the flashing lights and fan-fare, the true Christmas story appears increasingly irrelevant. God is thrown onto the back-burner. Jesus is once again driven back into his manger on the outskirts of town, as we fill and leave no room or vacancy for the God who came to save the very people who showed him the stiff arm.
It’s not unusual for Jesus to have opposition. Hear that loud and clear. Jesus is no stranger to rejection. Jesus even expected it (John 15:18). But if you’re going to hate on God, at least get your criticisms remotely right…
Luke 1:56-64 (KJV) And Mary abode with {Elisabeth} about three months, and returned to her own house. [57] Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. [58] And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. [59] And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. [60] And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. [62] And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. [63] And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. [64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
For those of you who have been following the Christmas Story with me you know that God came to Elisabeth and Zacharias first, promising them a son named John. This was an answer to Zacharias’ prayer. He and his wife were barren – without children – and they were both well past child bearing years. So God sent Gabriel unto Zacharias to tell him that his prayer was heard, and that he was to have a child.
But then Zacharias doubted the Word of God.
God silenced him that day, taking away his voice. “Since you did not believe My Words, You will be silent until John is born.”
C.H. Spurgeon wrote “If there can be one sin more heinous than the unbelief of a sinner, it is the unbelief of a saint. For a saint to doubt God’s word – for a saint to distrust God after innumerable instances of his love, after ten thousand proofs of his mercy, exceeds everything.”
So Zacharias was silent for nine months. Mary came to help her cousin Elisabeth have her blessed child. It’s ironic that Elisabeth said of Mary:
“Blessed is she that believeth” (vs 45)
but could not say the same thing of her poor husband. Unbelief had shut his mouth. Then the child John was born.
Faith Trusts God Without Knowing Why
Luke 1:59 (KJV) And it came to pass, that on the EIGHTH DAY they came to circumcise the child;
Why was John circumcised on the eighth day? Because this was when God told His people Israel to circumcise their children. God told Abraham:
Genesis 17:12 (KJV) And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Circumcision was the mark of the household of faith. Males were circumcised, not females, so circumcision was not a sign of salvation but of inheritance. Those who would not submit to circumcision among the children of Israel were cut off from Abraham’s inheritance:
Genesis 17:14 (KJV) And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
I want you to notice that God told the Israelite male that he had to be circumcised – but God never told him WHY. When God first directed Abraham to the rite of circumcision – a terribly painful thing to do to an adult male – God never said why. He just said “Do it”.
God said to future generations of children born “do it on the eighth day” but never specified why. Faith does not debate with God. Faith trusts God. God knows best. Where God sees unbelief He chastises if needed to bring us to full faith in Him.
Zacharias doubted God, but Elisabeth trusted God.
Doubt cost Zacharias his voice, but in her faithfulness Elisabeth found a voice. She circumcised John on the eighth day according to God’s Word.
Why the eighth?
Because God said so.
And God knows best.
It was not until 1935 that doctors discovered the relationship between Vitamin K and Prothrombin, a protein present in blood plasma that leads to clotting of the blood. From Apologetics Press I quote:
“On the eighth day {of a newborn’s life} the amount of Prothrombin present {in it’s blood stream} is elevated above one-hundred percent of normal — {this} is the only day in the male’s life … this will be the case … If surgery {such as circumcision} is to be performed, day eight is the perfect day to do it. Vitamin K and prothrombin levels are at their peak.”
Elisabeth didn’t know these medical truths, but trusted the Word of God. Oh that we would trust God and His Word! God always knows best for His children. The Psalmist said “He knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6). When Job was tried of God he did not curse the Lord, but trusted His heart and His Word, saying:
“God knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10)
This trial is not to my destruction, but to my good. Our God is a wonderful Father and a magnificent Provider. We must trust Him.
Do You Prefer GOOD or BEST?
Luke 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and THEY CALLED HIM ZACHARIAS, after the name of his father.
When a child is born it is a celebration in a Jewish home. The Special Rabbi (called the Moile) who was to circumcise the baby and the Rabbi who would bless the child “called him Zacharias after his father’s name”. These men were Jewish authorities, Pastors who were much respected. But Elisabeth did not let their prestige or positions cow her. God had said what this child should be named.
Luke 1:60-61 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
In the Bible names have meaning. “John” means “the Grace or Mercy of the Lord”. John would go before the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
Grace and Love always proceeds Jesus, so JOHN was the best name for the child.
John would promote Christ, herald Christ. The name “Zacharias” is a beautiful name meaning “The Lord has remembered”. It’s a good name – but JOHN was better. But God wanted John named John.
As humans when we second guess the will of God we always choose the good over the best. God knows what is BEST. Name him Zacharias – OK that’s good, but not BEST. It is BEST to follow God’s Word.
As soon as Elisabeth said “he shall be called John” the traditionalists began to argue. “Not so! None of your kindred are called by that name”. The traditionalists are everywhere and ever present. Their battle cry is:
“We’ve never done it that way before”
and they say “Others will laugh at us if we do what God says”. They are not ground breakers in their faith but love to dig a hole that that everyone else can crawl in with them. They never hear the Word of Faith as “Onward Christian Soldiers”, and instead of standing on the promises of Christ my Lord they die sitting on the premises despite the Lord. They are the noisy ones in the Business Meetings who seem to know best, but do not care to glorify God.
After shunning the mother Elisabeth’s direction … WHAT ARROGANCE …. they look to Zacharias.
Luke 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
“If we can’t get support for our suggestion, let’s look to Zacharias!” Here is a man who lost his voice for 9 months for unbelief. Let’s turn to this faithless individual. But Zacharias has learned his lesson. We read:
Luke 1:63-64 {Zacharias} asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. [64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Just four words. “His name IS John”. But with these four words Zacharias’ voice is restored. And as he spoke, John praised God.
Christ Centered Faith Is Rewarded By God
Luke 1:67 (KJV) And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
God will not reward faithlessness, but He does reward faith. Zacharias’ obedience to God in spite of his disability caused his voice to return – and he was FILLED with the Holy Spirit, empowered or anointed or God – and he began to preach!
Luke 1:68-69 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, [69] And hath raised up an HORN OF SALVATION for us in the house of his servant David; [70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: [71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
In his preaching Zacharias praised God for His faithfulness. God raised up the HORN of SALVATION, his son John. God’s Israel are depicted as a mighty army moving forward. When the Calvary moved forward it always responded to the sounds of the HORN, the TRUMPET. John was not the Savior, but he would be the HORN that went before Jesus. Each of the four Gospels show John as the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:30 and Malachi 3:1 …
In Matthew 3:3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!’
In Mark 1:1-3 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”
In John 1:23 {John the Baptist} said, ‘I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
John would be the Horn of Salvation, the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy. His message would ring out clearly that Christ was the Messiah. His ministry would be successful because Christ was Whom he pointed to. No ministry will stand that does not center itself on Christ.
If Christ is not the point, your ministry is pointless!
The Bible warns in 1 Corinthians 14:8-9 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
There are many preachers and supposed Bible teachers today who are “speaking into the air” rather than preaching. All preaching drives toward Christ. All of God’s glory drives toward Christ. John in his ministry would never be side tracked – he would always herald clearly that Christ was the Savior, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His ministry would be successful unto the end.
Zacharias also preached of the faithfulness of God, saying ..
Luke 1:72-75 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; [73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, [74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, [75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Finally, Zacharias directly bestowed blessing on his newborn child Zacharias. Fathers often laid their right hand on their firstborn child to bestow their inheritance upon them. As Zacharias laid his right hand on little baby John he did not bestow his earthly inheritance. Priests such as Zacharias were not given a portion in Israel as were the other tribes, for their portion was the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). So Zacharias passed on to John the only thing he had – he passed on service to the Lord.
Luke 1:76-79 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; [77] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, [78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring From On High hath visited us, [79] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The words “Dayspring From On High” or better “Sunrise From On High” is a reference to Jesus Christ. God sent His Son into the world to be the Light of the World. He is the Light of God that lights our path so that we might not stumble in this present darkness. Praise His Name forever more!
Today was one of those days I was alone and my mind was free to revisit past incidents of my life. I am certain it’s by God’s grace that I could sit down and converse with God as I did some life’s introspection. I was taken by a deep warmth surprise at finding the most worthiest reasons to thank God for. It wasn’t those moments of great success, times of abundance and self fulfilment. Instead, I am grateful for those times when my heart was broken, when the dreams and the people I held close and tight were taken away from me, and when things did not go my way. The pain and hurts at the moment were true and difficult. But it was in those hurtful experiences that I was actually being rescued from the path of lesser life and dimmer light. I also realised that I’m a human…
Sermon Notes
Luke 1:56-64 (KJV) And Mary abode with {Elisabeth} about three months, and returned to her own house. [57] Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. [58] And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. [59] And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. [60] And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. [62] And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. [63] And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. [64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
