The Perfect Gift

I plan on being brief tonight...

Luke 1:26-38, I

Luke 1:26–38 NKJV

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Meaning God with Us....

Introduction

Many during this season have a hard time figuring out what to buy their loved ones, some max out credit cards, other stress out about the gift theyre going to give the other person, will they like it, hope they like it. Etc.

Some really dont care about gifts, Which is fine.

Many during these times look around and might not find themselves in a very good financial situation. Others are in a perfectly fine fianancial situation just dont have the family around them to experiance love.

Some look back at the memories of those that were once celebrating this season.

All this might can be us but let us never forget as cliche as this sounds.... “The Reason for the Season”

Unfortunatly the world were living in has commercialized the season of Christmas, and to some extent is not necessarily bad as long as the reason is not forgotten.

Some in the religious world are totally against this season which regardless of how you celebrate it, its still worthy of celebration only the devil is mad at the fact that savior was born, so why not celebrate!!!!

Before Mary ever conceived the child that would save the world, the birth of our savior was conceived in the mind and heart of God.

God throughout the corridors of time was eager to fulfill the promise of a Son. But the timing had to be perfect.

Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” ​

Our God could have destroyed Adam and Eve in the garden or done away with humanity during the flood.

You see the wickedness of man in the world was so great and every imagination of the thoughts in their heart was evil continually but instead as his cherished creation, he chose to redeem us.

He kept reaching out for the heart of mankind And till this day He continues....

He knew that He could bring mankind back from sin and into a relationship with Himself.

Is there anyone thankful that God did not give up on us.....

This great feat would take a miracle for it to come to pass but God in his love and mercy was willing to perform it.

● It would require a high price but he was willing to pay for it.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe that in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

In the incarnation, God had come to dwell among us.

1.God With Us.

Our Savior, God, had come to us in a harmless manner.

For a time he’d conceal his identity

He came to us humbly, not attracting much attention though in his latter years his ministry

did attract much attention.

But at his birth He came to us as a babe in a manger filled with animals.

○ Explain how the homes were built. And where the manger was at.

Matthew 1:23 ​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.

It was (God, Theos, YHWH, Jehovah, Elohim) who came into the world at the Bethlehem manger.

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

To the Pharisees and scribes he once told them. John 8:24 ​I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins, for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Many misconceptions over the centuries have arisen in trying to identify who this baby really was. But glad that the Bible is clear as this baby was.

For the babe in the manger was God Himself.

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, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Colossians 2:8-9 ​Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

The one that walked the streets of Galilee healing all manners of diseases was more than a man, or a prophet, he was God with us.

In the Life of Mary the Spirit of the Lord overshadowed Her, the same Spirit which created life upon the face of the waters in creation, caused life to be generated with in her.

This put a face on God. Hebrews 1:3 ​Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power.

Richard Davis once wrote.

The Eternal Spirit was embodied in Jesus Christ. The Immortal Spirit took upon himself the mortality of mankind. The invisible God was made known in the visible man, Jesus Christ.

The Eternal became subject to time.

Praise God.!!!!

2.God For Us.

In the Incarnation God did not only come to be with us but he also came to be for us.

Question: how many have struggled with the pain that guilt causes emotionally?

It is true that we are all born with a sinful nature and at times that sinful nature betrays us.

On top of that there is a devil that accuses us acting as our persecutor charging us of crimes done against Gods law and like a grand jury or own conscience indicts us.

● You’re a liar, our conscience yes I’m a liar, you’re a failure; yes I’m a failure (Head hung)

● However thanks be to God that there is deliverance through Jesus Christ.

John 3:17 ​For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

○ This salvation extends more than salvation of the soul but salvation of the powers of the enemy; addictions, oppressions.

○ I personally am thankful for the birth of this savior. Not only did he Save me so that I can be with Him one day, but has also delivered me from so many things.

Today the offer stands , ​Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Today God is offering to transform lives, our lives, any ones life willing to allow him to,all you need to do is surrender to Him. He is offering to make us a new creation by the means of this Miracle in the Manger.

● 1st Corinthians 5:21 ​For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God In Him.

● As the result we have a savior that is for us.

1st John 2:1 ​My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the father. Jesus Christ the righteous.

I’d like to conclude

I’d like to conclude with the fact that God not only came to dwell with us, and is now for us but he has a longing to be in us.

If It had not been for this Miraclous birth I do not know where wed be today, thankfully because of this this perfect gift we can now say things like:

1. Why not overcome? if Scripture tells me “ I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”

You see there is so much more to this Christmas season....

2. Why stress over our needs if according to Phippians 4:19 “He shall supply all our needs according to his riches in glory”

3. Why fear if scripture teaches us that He has not given us a Spirit of Fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

4. Why let the enemy of our souls run our life if He that is in Us is greater than he that is in the world…This would of not been the case if CHirst had not incarnated… Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

It not longer up to the devil who goes to hell or not....Praise God!!!

5. Why accept defeat if Scripture teaches us in 2nd Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

Follow Him and He will lead you to victory!!!!

6. Why be shackled if 2nd Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

I do believe He is here today, and If He is Here, there is liberty..

7. Why feel alone if Jesus said He neither leave us nor forsake us.....

8. Why be sad, if like Paul we can also learn to be content no matter what state we are in...

If today you feel like youre not in a good state He is here!!! I invite you to experaince we only some on the Old Testatment could experience. HIs Glory, HIs presence, His victory, His Love, His Mercy, His Joy.....