The Greatest Story ever Told

This morning we celebrate the greatest story ever told.

The sting and separation of sin had gripped the world. Now separated from the presence of God in the garden man began a different life. Death had now entered into the world. For several millenium man wandered through life attempting to overcome the effects of sin. Life was different.

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah of a promised savior. He would be the one to make all things new.

The prophesied Savior.

In Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

This prophecy came 700 years before Christ was born. In the centuries leading up to His brith there would be 430 years of silence. God’s people waited with anticipation of the coming of their messiah. They prayed earnestly for the one who would be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, and prince of peace. He was destined to rule.

In the fullness of time God sent His messenger Gabriel to announce to Mary that she would carry His own Son. This teenage girl had found favor with God.

Luke 1:26–33 “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.””

Matthew 1:21–23 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.””

This child to be born was Immanuel God with us. He was the prophesied lamb of God who take away the sins of the world. The sting of sin and its separation now on the verge of being erased.

Can you imagine how heaven watched with anticipation. The fulfillment of the promise had come. The one who inhabits eternity leaving his heavenly home to become like His creation. Oh what joy the Father must have felt as the time had come to send His son. It would no longer be a future promise but a promised revealed.

The Promise revealed.

The day finally came, and what Joy it would bring.

Luke 2:8–14 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””

Luke 2:15–18 “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

The greatness of the story is that it is to all people. This baby is Christ the Lord. His birth caused the heavens to be opened and a multitude of heavenly host to give praise and glory to God saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Can you imagine what that angelic choir must have sounded like? Oh what a glorious moment! The goodness of God revealed in the person of Jesus!

The God of wonder, magnificent in all He does, making everything beautiful in its time, and setting eternity in the hearts of men. The wonderful counselor who gives wisdom and purpose. The might God strong and valiant who is from everlasting to everlasting laying as a baby in a manger. What peace He would bring.

He was the promised revealed. He was the Shalom of heaven and the word made flesh who would bring salvation to the world. This same Jesus opened the eyes of the blind. He healed many of sickness and disease. He fed the multitude and taught the ways of the Kingdom of God. What a precious gift we have in Jesus.

This morning we take the time to worship because He is worthy of it. He is the most precious gift ever given to humanity.

The Promise fulfilled.

As we received communion together this morning we know that this baby grew up to become the sacrificial lamb of God. He was no longer the promise revealed, but the promise fulfilled. When he breathed His last on the Cross He fulfilled what was prophesied about Him at His birth. He saved His people from their sins, but more than that He extends that salvation to all who would believe.

(Reference Isaiah 61:5) He through His blood has brought good tidings to the poor, He has brought healing to the brokenhearted, he proclaims liberty to the captive, and the opening of prison to those who are bound. He comforts those who mourn, and gives them beauty for ashes. He lavishes upon us the oil of joy for mourning, and gives us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Jesus made righteousness within reach. He has come today to extend that gift to as many as will receive it. He is the same God today bringing freedom, deliverance, and Salvation. Hope today is within reach because Jesus has made a way.

This is the greatest story ever told. That God stepped out of eternity to rescue humanity from darkness and sin. This gift is available to you, and I promise you it will change everything.

Altar:

Today, as I close this message I ask do you know Him? Have you opened your heart to receive Him?

John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

He has given us opportunity to come into the kingdom, that we might become sons and daughters of God. This is the gift of God to you today.

Pray:

1) If you are here and you have never received Christ as your Lord and Savior today is the day. He is waiting to give you the gift of salvation.

2) Prayer of thanks for the precious gift.