Luke 2
Notes
Transcript
The Arrival of the Lord
The Arrival of the Lord
Good morning my friends!
How wonderful it is to come to the house of the Lord.
King David, King of Israel said this in Psalm verse 1
Psalm 122:1
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
It is a joy when we come to worship, it is not something we have to do, no we get too, we have the privileged to worship the Lord our God!
What a blessing!
And here we are, we are just 10 days from Christmas.
And I know, this seems like a busy, almost overwhelming time for many.. but I want to remind you to do a couple of things...
Take time to pray, and pray without ceasing, as Paul tells us… Prayer keeps you in sync, in touch with the Lord.
Keep Christian music playing… Listen, the music of the world, keeps us up and down. It sparks our emotions in many ways. But in Christian music the focus is not us, not our good times or disappointments, the focus is Jesus and the good He does for us.
Man, this will change your attitude each day.
And our focus today, it is Jesus, His entrance into the world…
In the last two weeks we have looked at the Angel coming to Zechariah and Elizabeth, telling them their prayers had been beard and they would have a son..
The 6 months later, Gabriel come to Mary, and speak to her, telling her of God’s great plan for her to bring the Son of God into the world.
And Mary’s words are powerful last week…”Behold, I am the Lord’s servant, let it be to me according to your word...” Luke 1:38 .
And today we come to that faithful day, when Mary’s time had been fulfilled and Jesus enters the world.
So lets begin today and start with this thought..
1. The Stage is Set
When we speak of the stage being set, we are talking about the preparation of all things....
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Look at this passage with me, Paul tells us here that when the fulness of time had come, - when it was the right time, When the moment of God’s timing was complete… everything was in place for Jesus to come into the world.
My friends, God’s timing applies to all of us, you are not here randomly, NO! God purposed you, brought you into this world at this time.
And we know what God was at work doing? God was preparing to send the Son into the world.
And two key facts are mentioned, He would be born of woman. This was necessary that Jesus might bear the veil of humanity, so that he could walk among us but more importantly, ultimately die for us as a perfect, sinless sacrifice for sin.
Born under the law. The law teaches us how we are supposed to live before God and man, but ultimately it reveals our faults, our mistakes our sin.
And when we know our sin, knowing we are sinners, well then we know we need a Savior. And that is Jesus. He is the Savior and Redeemer of this world.
God was setting the stage… Look with me at Luke 2:1-5
1 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.
Now during those days, Caesar Augustus, the ruler of all Rome, issued a decree.
A decree is an imperial edict, an official order by the supreme ruler of the land. And this issue says, the whole world needed to take part in a royal census.
Now we know what a census is, we have one here in America every 10 years, it allows the gov’t to know what our population is, families sizes, etc. It is a way to keep records.
This decree Caesar gave called for everyone to head back to their patriarchal homes and register.
So Joseph went, with the one he was betrothed too, Mary.. and they traveled up from Nazareth, to Judea to the city of David that is Bethlehem.
Interesting fact here.. Bethlehem literally means House of bread…Jesus during is public ministry will testify John 6:35
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
That is just a neat little connection for us to see.
So they travel up to Bethlehem, because this was the patriarchal home of Joseph since we like Mary was from the lineage of David.
So these two people, Mary and Joseph are both from the linage of David. This fact teaches us that Jesus, was qualified to be a heir to the throne of David.
That is important, and like we examined in our study of Revelation, there is coming a day when his kingdom will be established on this world for a 1000 years, and Jesus will sit upon David throne and rule the nations.
Wow..
You see God had been at work, over the course of of time, from creation until that day, getting it all ready, that Jesus might enter the world as a Savior.
God’s timing is perfect… trust Him...
Stop and ask yourself this question my friends, do you trust God today?
You are not here by accident, not in this world and not here in this place today. God is at work in your life for His glory and your good.
Secondly this morning my friends, consider this...
2. The Birth of the Savior...
So Joseph and Mary, like so many others make the trip to register for the census. They of course, are making their way to Bethlehem...
Now this is difficult, the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, isn’t a easy one. It’s approximately 85 to 90 miles for them to travel from their little city to Bethlehem.
And, along with this, Mary is extremely pregnant, She is at her 40 weeks, and she has a desire to go with him.
It wasn’t required that the women go with the men, but perhaps since she is so far along in her pregnancy, that it made sense to them for her to make the journey just in case time came…
But we know that her going with Joseph was special, it was to fulfill what was said in Mic 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.
And so they make the journey, I would imagine it is a long journey for them, and difficult for a young lady who is soon to be a mother.
Lets look at verses 6-7 Luke 2:6-7
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.
And after several days they arrive there in that city to complete the required governmental processes of registering..
And while there, the time comes for this child to enter the world, but they could not find any place for them inside of inns or other places were people would lodge in those days.
And consider, many people have come to register, and it is kind of first come, first serve and all they are seeing at this point if you will is the “No Vacancies” signs out in display...
I would be horrified as a young man and my wife didn't have a adequate place to lay her head at night… I would think He is very concerned, but finally they find a place..
It’s not 5 star… its not even one star, and the google reviews, well they are ok, for what it was, a stable area. Plenty of hay and water and out of the weather…
But its a stable, but its the only place they could find out of the elements and she gives birth to her first child, a son and she wrapped him in swaddling cloths verse 7.
Swaddling cloths are just strips of linen cloth, we do not know how many, but it was enough to wrap this baby and keep him warm and safe.
And sadly, there was not baby bed, no beautiful bassinet for our Lord, no … none of those things..
Just a manger. A simple feed trough with hay or straw to lay the baby Jesus upon… and this was their first place of residence until they could travel back to Nazareth, which may have been possible for her in a day or so, we do not have the timeline to tell us this...
Yet with all of this information, please know that these details are good, but the greatest miracle ever seen has just taken place… God became man...
Jesus, the second person of the Trinity has come from heaven to us, made like us, entered the world, born as we were and the whole reason, well it is to become the Savior.
The one who was present and created it all, He has become man to restore man’s relationship with God.
We were broken and he came to be a healing balm, We were sinful and He came like hyssop, to cleanse us from our sins. We were dead and He has made us alive in the heavens.
My friends, the birth of the Savior has forever changed this world and given humanity hope again.
Today let me ask you two questions before we move forward.
Do you know Jesus is the Lord of your life, you have received Him as your Savior?
If you have, Are you living in a way that is pleasing to Him?
He is our Savior, He came to save us from death and hell.. We owe Him everything.
Now just one last thought today...
3. The Angels Declaration..
This is one of my favorite stories connected to the birth of Jesus.
One of the first times I ever heard this story was on the Charlie Brown Christmas…Do you remember it??
Charlie Brown is asking, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about…???”
Well, Linus speaks up and goes to center stage and tells the story of the Shepherds who heard and received the angels message telling them about the birth of the Savior.
Let me share it with you....
Lets look at verses 8-14 Luke 2:8-14
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 great 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!”
Man.... what a beautiful story...
So the scene changes from the grotto, the stable area where Jesus is born, and the scene shifts to where the shepherds are at...
There are out in the fields outside of the city itself, there they set up their camp to care for the sheep and protect them overnight.
Now shepherds were needed, they raised sheep that were important for meat, wool and the sacrificial system of worship. But they were considered unclean, outcasts and essentially the same as a thief.
Most considered them as sinners. But the good news is this…Jesus came for sinners, He came to save those who were sinners, those who were broken and unwelcome by the religious establishment.
These shepherds are taking turns, keeping watch over the sheep through the watches of the night. The watches of the night were as follows back then...
First watch: From sunset to 9 PM, Second watch: From 9 PM to midnight, Third watch: From midnight to 3 AM, Fourth watch: From 3 AM to sunrise
And as all this has happened in that grotto, a stable area… the Angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds..
I suspect, even though not named this is Gabriel again. He has appeared to Zechariah in the Temple, and to Mary and then an Angel here.. So I think it is Gabriel… one of the Arch -angels of God...
And notice the scene, as the Angel of the Lord appears the glory of the Lord shown all around the angel.
What is this… This is a manifestation of God’s presence among his people. This is some magnificent light, a sight where without a doubt people knew it was the Lord.
Exodus 24:17 for instance....
17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
So this is a magnificent sight and it got their attention, all of the shepherds.
And His words are wonderful… Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news...
The word there good news is evangelizo, which means to preach the good news…it is good news, a savior as come.
It was a message of great joy… the joy here just isn’t a matter of personal feeling, but a sense of godly joy what we experience in our hearts for what God is doing on our behalf.
We will spend some time during the month of January talking about the work of God for us, Salvation and Redemption.
And look the Angel says it will be for all people. The message of God’s love wasn’t meant for only a certain class of people, not a certain religious group, No....it was for everyone as the old preacher said from the Uttermost to the Gutter-most.
Every person has the opportunity to find Jesus.
Today.... and Angel makes it very real for them, today … just earlier today … in the city of David, Bethlehem.. which is the “House of Bread.”
A Savior is born to you who is Christ the Lord.
Jesus role as a Savior is qualified by the title “Christ and Lord.”
Mary, in her song of praise said Luke 1:47
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
A Savior speaks to the one who will save the people from their sin. Jesus will save humanity.
The term “Christ” is more than a name, it is a title, it means the “Anointed One” He is the one who the Lord God (Father) has sent into the world. The Father sent His Son into the world, to be His official representative on earth.
The term “Lord” speaks to His authority given Him. God’s authority was placed on the Son that He would come and declare the message of the Father, to tell of God’s love and the salvation he offers and would one day lay down his life as a sacrifice for sin.
And look, verses 12, what the angel tells them.. Luke 2:12
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Now the angel wants them to know the message given to them is true.
This will be a sign for you… You will find the child lying in a manger. Now this is a pretty common item of the day, but not everyone would have them.
But perhaps it gave them an idea where to start, Stables or other areas were animals are kept.. So I would imagine they began looking in those areas and just so you know, this child will be wrapped a certain way, in swaddling cloths..
So, without a doubt the shepherds could know exactly how to find this child and not doubt.
And then something wonderful happens.. A host of heavenly hosts, angels appear to the shepherds.
Look at verses 13-14
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!”
Praising God, the very thing our God is worthy of is the voice of his people, his angels even giving him praise..
Glory to God in the highest… The highest here refers to the highest of heavens…And then listen the call is for God’s peace to rest upon the lives of those who are God’s people.
Listen my friends, God’s peace doesn’t rest out in the world, it doesn’t rest or lay upon those who hate His name and follow the devil… No.
This peace, this blessings will rest o His people and them alone.
And a side note here, God’s peace is not the absence of problems and struggles, pain or suffering, it is the ability to be content with Him in the midst of the storm or problem.
If your life is overwhelmed, hurting and torn apart the very first thing you need is a close walk with the Lord. God’s presence will sustain us as we walk in the valley.
David said even though I walk through he valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for your rod and our staff comforts me… God presence and protection brought comfort, it brought peace to him.
There is a old saying “Know Jesus = Know Peace” The implication is without Jesus there is no peace.
And upon hearing this great message from God the Father, the shepherds said in verse 15 Luke 2:15 “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this things that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us....
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.”
And upon going they found the child, lying in a manger, just as the Lord had told them...
Can you imagine, not only to receive the word of God but to also have the validation, the proof that the message was true.
WOW...
God is good, amen..
Now they told Mary and Joseph all that the angel and told them, and it says that Mary treasured up all these things in her heart, and pondered on it.
So much as happened, Mary knew of her cousin Elizabeth, and then what happened in her life being found with child and now Jesus has been born. The message of the angel to her and now these shepherds..it was significant,
I do not think she is confused or anything, but it is a lot, taking in the work of God.
My friends, God is always at work, in your life and mine and every believer who has lived. I think about what the Lord does to work in us, how He gets our attention at the right time and how we follow and ultimately serve him.
It is the work of the Lord!
What has God done in your life?
How has God woven his message and story around your life to call you to Salvation, to where you are today.
Even today, this is not by chance, and so I would challenge you to pray.. God what do you want from me today?
There is generally 4 things that God is doing in our midst I think.
One- To call you either to salvation or rededication… God wants us living close to God the Father. Salvation The first step is to become part of the family of God, to make a eternal decision to follow the Lord. Seeking his forgiveness by repenting of our sin asking the Lord to save us.
All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”
Rededication is where we know we have not lived as close to God has we should…
Maybe we have been playing with sin, living for our own self and satisfaction, pleasure and not living for him.
Today you can seek forgiveness, I John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
He will forgive, but of course he is expecting us to live differently,to put away those foolish, sinful things...
Two- He is trying to place us with a body of believers, anchoring us in a place we can call home, a place where there is support and love and help for life.
Is he leading you here? To stay here to join, to call this home.
Three- Prayer, God knows there are times we need the help of our brothers and sisters.
We are hurting, sick and broken and we need help, we desire people to pray for us to lift us up. Prayer is the single greatest thing we can do for one another.
I am thankful each day knowing many of you pray for me each day. I need that, I desire that and I and Marci are so appreciative of your prayers.
You never know what we each face in the course of a day, God does and I am blessed God loves us so deeply.
Four- He calls us to service… God impresses upon us that we can serve and we should serve. Maybe you feel a desire to help… There are many opportunities for you to serve if you are open to do whatever He leads you too.
Today, in these last moments what have you felt God has impressed upon your life.
Would you act on that right now?
I would love to pray with you and talk with you…
As we prepare to stand and pray, would you slip our and meet me here and let me pray with you.
Let’s bow our heads....
