The Night Heaven Came to Earth
Notes
Transcript
The Birth of Christ is the single greatest event that has ever happened in the course of human history.
Just think about it Heaven open up and the Son of God came down and became a man.
Because of sin and our disobedience our path to God was blocked.
He did what we could not do He came to us.
Here in this passage we see God break the bonds of space and time and reach from the time of Adam until the Great Judgement of mankind when Christ comes back a second time just to make us whole again.
A Time of Providential Intervention (vv 1-5)
A Time of Providential Intervention (vv 1-5)
The first thing that we see here is that there was a taxation.
Many centuries before this Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
God moved in the heart of a pagan emperor named Caesar Augustus who lived in Rome which was 1430 miles away, to impose a tax at the precise time that Mary needed to be in Bethlehem.
Had this not taken place Joseph would have had no reason to take his family there.
But because of the tax he was required to go there because he was a great grandson of the King David.
It is easy to see how God intervened in the affairs of men to place Mary exactly where He needed her, when He needed her to be there.
We also see the trip.
From Nazareth to Bethlehem was an 80 mile trip.
The trip was made even more difficult by the fact of Marys advanced pregnancy.
We also see a Time Table.
God worked everything out to place Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in Bethlehem at precisely the correct time for the child’s birth. Gal 4:4
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
God’s timing and His plan for our lives has already been planned out.
God has a special plan for each of us all we have to do is be willing to follow it.
A Time of Perfect Incarnation (6-7)
A Time of Perfect Incarnation (6-7)
Here in verse 6 we see a Miracle.
The helpless baby that Mary held was none other than the Creator of everything.
God had became man! John 1:14
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.
The one who needs nothing was dependent on a human being that He had created to provide Him with food, shelter, and all the basics of life.
This is an event that is almost beyond our human comprehension!
Certainly it is one, if not the greatest miracles of all time. Phil 2:5-8
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Also here in verse 7 we see both the Manger and the Message of that manger.
Why a dirty feeding trough?
He came to identify with us
We can easily find Him.
By coming in such poverty Jesus made Himself much more accessible to those who would come to Him by faith.
His own poverty enables Him to understand our needs. Heb 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
His descent into poverty was on our behalf. 2 Cor 8:9
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
The Message Jesus was born in a manger because no one in Bethlehem had room for Him.
A Time of Amazing Inclusion (vv 8-20)
A Time of Amazing Inclusion (vv 8-20)
But why shepherds?
These men were considered the lowest people in society.
They were not allowed in the temple because they were often times considered unclean.
They also could not testify in court.
God chose these men to be the first ones to hear the good news!
It is a powerful statement about the power of Christ and what He can do for someone.
It does not matter what your station or standing in life Christ is enough for everyone.
There is NO prerequisite for salvation.
But Who were the shepherds?
These were not just any shepherds.
These were most likely the shepherds that watched over the heard of sheep for the temple.
They were in charge of providing the spotless lambs that were without blemish to the High Priest for the sacrifice on the day of atonement.
How does the message of Christmas impact your life?
Does it make a difference in you at all?
Is it just a time of tinsel, toys and trinkets?
Or, does the message of Christmas thrill your soul with the glory of Heaven and the power of God?