The Peace of Christmas That Brings Joy to the world

Exegetical Question: What should we do when Christmas doesn't feel like a season of joy, peace, and love?

Introduction:

According to Christians, a simple yet miraculous event occurred in the town of Bethlehem on what is now known as Christmas. A loving God with a plan for salvation entered the world through the birth of a child, Jesus.

Today, Christians believe that a relationship with Jesus—who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and was resurrected from the grave—guarantees our salvation from the eternal consequences of sin and death.2

Christmas celebrates the birth of this savior and the beginning of God’s plan to save mankind. But sadly, what is touted as the most wonderful time of the year is, for many of us, the most dreaded time of the year. Instead of joy, love, and peace, the Christmas experience is filled with loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Maybe this is true for you.3

The "Holiday Blues," anxiety and even depression affect many people about this time of year. To some, remembrance of pleasant childhood memories now gone forever contrast with today's unpleasant realities. Issues such as family strife, unemployment with financial constraints, loneliness from prior losses of loved ones, isolation, unrealized expectations and even family gatherings with tension from estranged relatives may contribute to sadness and despair. The time of joy, cheer, wonderful family reunions and the enjoyment of deep, meaningful relationships just doesn't exist for many. Personal circumstances mock "It's a Wonderful Life."

But unfortunately, feelings of hopelessness and despair occur at any time of year for others. Unrelenting depression haunts the souls of many Christians day after day after day with nothing to blame, no clear cause and no sudden discovery of the underlying problem.

As a Christian medical doctor, I care for many committed Christians and have heard what follows.

Depression is the word in the church that must not be spoken. Those taking anti-depressants may find themselves stigmatized by pastors, elders or church members.

Depression is the word in the church that must not be spoken. Those taking anti-depressants may find themselves stigmatized by pastors, elders or church members. I've had patients forbidden by husbands and elders from taking medicine for serious depression. I've had many Christian women take anti-depressants secretly,

I've heard some pastors rage from the pulpit, "We've given up God for a happy pill! Instead of depending on the power of God and the truth of his word, we've become the Prozac generation!

Few conditions generate more controversy in the evangelical church than depression.

The word "depression" does not appear in the ESV translation of the Bible, but the Bible certainly addresses sorrow and despair often with vivid descriptions.

However Hear what David Says:

Even in David, the man after God's own heart, speaks of his despair. In Psalm 88:3-9, David writes,

For my soul is full of troubles,  and my life draws near to Sheol.  I am counted among those who go down to the pit;  I am a man who has no strength,  like one set loose among the dead,  like the slain that lie in the grave,  like those whom you remember no more,  for they are cut off from your hand.  You have put me in the depths of the pit,  in the regions dark and deep.(ESV)

David also wrote,

"Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. Psalms 69: 1,2. (ESV)

The Bible generally attributes sorrow and despair to enemies or unconfessed sin, both of which can decidedly cause depression. Secret sins hurt the most. Failure to repent, turn from the sin and receive forgiveness and failure to appreciate the glory of God, the magnitude of His sacrifice, the joy of His service and the wonder of His love and His holy word can cause the Christian enter the darkness of despair.

The seriousness of spiritual depression and the need of repentance, forgiveness, turning from sin, restoration of relationships, seeking the face of God and recognition of the sovereignty of God cannot be overemphasized.  Spiritual depression robs us of the certainty of God's care and providence. Pastor and elders must boldly proclaim the gospel seeking restoration of the straying or troubled saint. The family of God needs to be involved; encouraging, coming along side, supporting and helping the downcast. God can heal if He chooses—and He does.

The puritans recognized depression and called it melancholy of the soul. They admonished confession, repentance, forgiveness and pleading at the throne of God for mercy. But the Puritans also recognized an endogenous depression which happened to the spiritually upright, to those with no cause for the turmoil and despair within.

Endogenous depression - having an internal cause or origin. Often contrasted with exogenous.

(melancholia) is an atypical subclass of major depressive disorder (clinical depression). It could be caused by genetic and biological factors.[1] Endogenous depression occurs due to the presence of an internal (cognitive, biological) stressor instead of an external (social, environmental) stressor.[2] Endogenous depression includes patients with treatment-resistant, non-psychotic, major depressive disorder, characterized by abnormal behavior of the endogenous opioid system but not the monoaminergic system.[3][4][5] Symptoms vary in severity, type, and frequency and can be attributed to cognitive, social, biological, or environmental factors that result in persistent feelings of sadness and distress. Since symptoms are due to a biological phenomenon, prevalence rates tend to be higher in older adults.[6] Due to this fact, biological-focused treatment plans are often used in therapy to ensure the best prognosis

Richard Baxter, a Puritan pastor wrote, "If other means will not do, neglect not medicine; and though they will be averse to it, as believing that the disease is only in the mind, they must be persuaded or forced to it."

My story continues,

Pastors, elders and the church family need to acknowledge the medical side of depression and not just the spiritual side of depression. Medical depression exists and affects the saved and unsaved alike. The seriously depressed who find healing and relief in medical treatment benefit from the common grace of God which is showered on all humanity (it rains of the just and unjust alike). Those saints should not be castigated, belittled or shunned.

True medical depression is hard to understand for those who have never experienced it. But the depressed who find themselves in the pit with no way out, those who view suicide as a relief from this despair and those who wish for death every night as they crawl into bed understand. They need kindness, understanding, and help from the church without the side looks and whispers. They need the body of Christ to come along side, provide Christian love, care and help, just like one would with a grieving widow. The depressed need understanding and prayer, not a scold.

So here we find ourselves in deep despair, folk fell apart after the election in the church as tough God is not and was not in control.

The Peace of Christmas

Text: Isaiah 26:1-3 Luke 2:14 Theme: The peace that Jesus brings to a troubled world. Key Points:

Introduction:

Speaking about the birth of Jesus hundreds of years before it happened, Isaiah says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). So Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaim the good news to the shepherds, again emphasizing the peace that Christ would bring: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14, KJV).

But in Matthew 10:34-36 Jesus seems to downplay His role as Prince of Peace, as He warns His disciples of the hardships they will face in their ministry: “Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household’” (verses 34–36).

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, yet the kind of peace He brings is not necessarily what most people are thinking of when they hear of “peace on earth” at Christmas time or see slogans advocating “world peace.”

There are a number of different fronts where conflicts rage today, and there are a number of different kinds of peace needed in our world:

Psalm

Revelation 21:4. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no

Revelation 21:4Inner conflict. People the world over are struggling with doubts, fears and uncertainties. They are in need of inner peace. Mental health professionals tell us that the Christmas holidays, the time of “peace on earth,” is often one of the most depressing as expectations go unmet and stress multiplies.Psalms 34:18, Psalms 147:3,

Interpersonal conflict. People struggle against other people. There are family conflicts and conflicts with co-workers and sometimes even conflicts with total strangers. Crime, racism, abuse, and violence are everyday occurrences. Divorce rates show the conflict between husbands and wives. During the season of “peace and goodwill,” individuals often disappoint each other and fail to meet expectations. Family conflicts are often heightened as people who may not normally spend a lot of time together are suddenly at close quarters. Even total strangers may get into conflict with each other as they compete for limited numbers of the most popular toys, the best “Black Friday” deals, or the most convenient parking spots at the stores. Christmas fights, even near riots, James 4:1-3 (

International conflict. What the term peace on earth probably means to most people is international peace. Currently, conflicts rage around the globe, and war is nothing new. In addition to the possibility of overt war, there is the constant threat of international terrorism. Isaiah 19:2

While the need for inner peace, interpersonal peace, and international peace might be recognized by most people, there is one other kind of peace that rarely gets a second (or even a first) thought. Yet this peace is our most pressing need. We all need peace with God. The universal human response to the reign of God is open rebellion against Him. Because we have all sinned and rebelled against God, we do not have peace with Him. Romans 5:10 describes people in sin as “enemies of God.”

Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that God’s wrath could be turned away from us and we could have peace with God. This peace and forgiveness are available to anyone who trusts Jesus for salvation: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Jesus also brings peace on earth by sending the Holy Spirit to live within believers. The Spirit changes them so that they can gain a measure of inner peace. When believers feel turmoil inside, they have resources to deal with it. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Likewise, as believers are changed into more loving, more Christlike people, they have the resources to better live at peace with those around them. They develop the capacity to forgive wrongs done to them and be more aware of wrongs they might do to others. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). In this way, the Christian experiences more interpersonal peace.

This is what Jesus was speaking of when He said He did not come to bring peace to the earth in Matthew 10:34–36. Jesus warned of the persecution that will come to His followers when they confront a world that rejects Him. Although Christians in the Western world have, for the past few centuries, experienced a remarkable level of protection from persecution, the majority of the world for the past twenty centuries has been very hostile to Christians. Yet, in spite of the interpersonal turmoil that the Christian may experience when those who reject Christ also reject him—even members of his own family—the Christian can still have inner peace. Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:17–20). And, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In this case, Jesus did not come to bring peace to the unbelieving world, but He did bring peace to those who trust Him.

But what about the “peace on earth” that the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth? Jesus’ first coming did not bring international peace; however, He promised that He would come again. The only way there will ever be international peace is when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10) and the Lord assumes His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When Christ reigns supreme and the nations are living in obedience to Him, then there will be world peace (see Micah 4:2–4; Isaiah 2:4).

Text: Isaiah 26:1-3 Luke 2:14

Jesus as the Prince of Peace and how He reconciles us to God.God gives His people a strong city, a city of salvation (vv. Isa. 1–2 .

We Find Peace in The Protection, Provision and Power of God!

Only the righteous will enter and live with the Savior. Jerusalem will no longer be known as a city of division and conflict, but as the city of God, the city of salvation. Savior will become a citizen of His kingdom. A genuine believer has the wonderful hope of living in a strong city, a city of salvation ruled over by Christ. In that day all believers will be delivered from all the evil of this world. All pain, heartache, and trouble will be erased.

The citizens of the Lord’s kingdom will never again experience grief, suffering, or oppression from the unbelievers and the wicked of the earth. Listen to the promise of God’s Holy Word:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (He. 11:8–10).

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (He. 11:13–16).

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels” (He. 12:22).

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (He. 13:14).

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Re. 21:2–7).

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God” (Re. 21:10).

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Re. 22:19).

2. The difference between worldly peace and the peace of Christ.

a. God gives His people perfect peace. But perfect peace is given only to the person whose mind or thoughts are fixed on Him (v. 3). The word peace (shalom) means to be in harmony with God, experiencing peace with God and the peace of God. It means to be in such harmony with God that one is assured of having all needs met. Peace gives a person the assurance of health, wholeness, the absence of conflict and strife within and without his soul. Peace is the assurance of deliverance through hardship, accident, disease, and calamity. The peace given by God is a quiet, restful soul; a sense of purpose, contentment, fulfillment and completion. God’s peace is the assurance of present and future security, deliverance and success. God’s peace delivers a person through all the conflicts, strife, divisions, trials, and temptations of this life.

However, note this important fact: the person who has such peace is the person whose mind or thoughts stay fixed on the LORD. through all the turmoil of Isaiah’s day, the prophet Isaiah clearly experienced what so many long for: the perfect peace of God—peace of heart and soul.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro. 5:1).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Ph. 4:6–7).

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Ph. 4:6-9 ). Phil 4:5-9

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:15–16).

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14).

c. One of the great works of God in behalf of His people is to provide a solid foundation for life. As the rock of life, the LORD provides stability, security, support, and defense against all the stormy trials and temptations of life.

Thought 1. As we walk through life, we decide to build our lives either upon sinking sand or upon the solid rock of the Lord. Listen to what God’s Holy Word says:

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Mt. 7:24–27).

“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (1 S. 2:2).

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars” (2 Chr. 16:9).

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Ps. 18:2).

“For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect” (Ps. 18:31–32).

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit” (Ps. 28:1).

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved” (Ps. 62:1–2).

“But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge” (Ps. 94:22).

3. How to experience and share this peace during the Christmas season.

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2

Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

3

Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

4

Thou the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me;

Whom have I on earth beside Thee?

Whom in heaven but Thee?

When My Marriage is Messed Up:

Do Not Pass Me By

When My Finances are Messed Up

Do Not Pass Me By

When My Finances Are Messed Up

Do Not Pass Me By

When My Mother and Father Forsake Me:

Do Not Pass Me By

When I’m all Alone

Do Not Pass me By

When I Need Peace

Do Not Pass Me By

The Source of True Joy (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

How the birth of Jesus brings true joy to the world.

How His reign brings eternal joy and peace.

Living in the Joy of Christ (Philippians 4:4)

Rejoicing in the Lord always, even amidst challenges.

The call for believers to share this joy with others.

Sharing the joy of Christ with others through acts of kindness and worship.

Conclusion: Let the joy of Christ’s birth fill our hearts and overflow into the lives of others.

Rev 15:2-3 . The Song of Moses and The Lamb.

Joy to the World: The Savior Has Come

Key Scripture: Luke 2:10-11 Theme: The birth of Christ brings joy that transcends circumstances. Text: Luke 2:8-14 Theme: The announcement of Jesus' birth as a message of great joy.

Point: You canot experience Joy unless you have peace - Isn’t that the truth, unless you are experiencing peace, you will never be able to fully worship and Glorify God, we will never be able really give ourselves over to the Lord when we are not experiencing His Peace and when we are not at peace with Him, when we are at war with God, you are not happy about anything!

Outline:

Introduction: Christmas is a season of joy, rooted in the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds.

Humanity yearns for hope, for meaning and purpose. Within every human heart is the knowledge of eternity, even if we don’t recognize it as such (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Without God as a vital part of our existence, only emptiness and futility remain. The world was lost in darkness before Jesus came the first time. God had not spoken through His prophets for over 400 years. The period between Malachi and Matthew is silent, setting the stage for the greatest event of all time: God would become a Man and live among us (John 1:14).

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the field, his first words were “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). That “great joy” was the truth that the God who had seemed far off had come to them in human flesh. He was to be called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us” (Isaiah 9:6–7; Matthew 1:23). Those who saw Him saw the face of God (John 14:9). He had come to rescue, to save, to heal, and to make mankind right with God (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:17–21). That was cause for great joy!

Because Jesus came, sinful human beings have an opportunity to come into the presence of a holy God and be pronounced “not guilty” (2 Corinthians 5:21)! When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two, symbolizing that the wall of separation between God and man had been eliminated (Mark 15:38). From then on, all who placed their trust in Christ would be forgiven of their sin and inherit eternal life (John 3:16–18). When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered death for every person who trusts in Him (1 Corinthians 15:53–56). That is cause for great joy!

Jesus ascended back into heaven to “prepare a place” for all those who follow Him (John 14:1–2). But He promised that He will come again, a second time, to establish His kingdom on earth. In this kingdom righteousness and justice will reign, and God’s people will have places of honor (Micah 4; Isaiah 11; Matthew 19:28–29). The troubles of this life are not the end. Jesus told His followers, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The knowledge that soon we will live and reign forever with our Lord is cause for great joy!

The popular Christmas song “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts celebrates the joyful occasion of the Lord’s coming. But the lyrics were never intended to be a Christmas song. They were a poem by Watts based on Psalm 98, which is a psalm of the second coming of the Lord who “comes to judge the earth” (verse 9). Jesus’ purpose in His first coming was not to judge but to save (John 3:17); still, celebrating the King in His lowliness is appropriate. Jesus brought joy to the world in His first coming to earth as a baby, and He will bring joy to the world when He comes again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

The wait for God’s promised Messiah, expressed in passages such as Isaiah 59:20, is over. The angels announced His arrival with great fanfare. No greater honor could befall the children of Adam than that their Creator had come to redeem them from Satan’s stranglehold (1 John 5:19–20). So, although our earthly life may be filled with troubles, we have reason for hope. Because Jesus came the first time and is poised to come the second time, we can sing with conviction, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king!”

The Good News of Great Joy (Luke 2:8-14 .

The announcement of the Savior’s birth to ordinary shepherds highlights the inclusivity of God’s message.

The angelic proclamation of peace and joy to the shepherds.

Luke 1–5: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chapter 13: The Announcement of Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:8–20)) The Scripture says that in His incarnation the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8) “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and [was] made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). All the adjectives and exclamations in language could never say enough about that reality. Yet, paradoxically, history’s most notable birth happened under the most obscure, nondescript, humble circumstances imaginable—Jesus was born in the place where the animals of those staying in a public shelter were kept. No one in the sleepy little village of Bethlehem realized the significance of what had happened, except, to a certain degree, the Child’s parents. But that was about to change; the silence regarding the Savior’s birth would be broken in a most supernaturally dramatic way. If the announcement of Jesus’ birth had been part of a humanly planned public relations campaign, it would have been handled very differently. The announcement would have targeted the powerful and influential in Israel: the high priest, the members of the Sanhedrin, the priests, Levites, scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees. Instead God chose to reveal this glorious truth first of all to members of a lowly, despised group (see the exposition of v. 8 later in the chapter).

The theme of this passage is found in the angel’s declaration in verse 11, “there has been born for you a Savior.” That statement is the heart of the gospel message that the church proclaims to the world: all people are sinners, and in need of a Savior. But the concept of a savior is by no means limited to the New Testament. The idea that there is a radical disconnect between the supposedly angry, hostile, vengeful God of the Old Testament and the compassionate, loving, saving Christ of the New Testament is a figment of the skeptics’ imagination.

The truth is that in the Old Testament God was known to His people as a Savior and a deliverer. That is in sharp contrast to the false gods worshiped by Israel’s neighbors. When the prophets of Baal, one of the chief Canaanite deities, confronted Elijah on Mount Carmel, they tried for hours to get Baal’s attention. But “there was no voice and no one answered” (1 Kings 18:26). That prompted Elijah to say mockingly, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened” (v. 27). Even after they in desperation mutilated themselves (v. 28), “there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention” (v. 29). At the other end of the spectrum from Baal’s indifference was Molech’s cruelty and hostility, which his worshipers desperately attempted to appease by the unspeakable atrocity of infant sacrifice (Lev. 18:21, 20:2–5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 32:35).

Unlike the false gods of Israel’s pagan neighbors, the God of Israel, the only true, eternal, and living God, is by nature “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness’ ” (Ex. 34:6; cf. Neh. 9:17; Ps. 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). The Jewish people understood, therefore, that it was in keeping with God’s nature to save His people. In Deuteronomy 20:4 Moses reminded Israel, “The Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” David called God “my savior, [the one who] save[s] me from violence” (2 Sam. 22:3); the “God of [his] salvation” (Ps. 25:5); and the “Savior of those who take refuge at [His] right hand” (Ps. 17:7). Psalm 106:21; Isaiah 45:15; 63:8–9; and Jeremiah 14:8 also refer to God as Israel’s Savior, as does God Himself (Isa. 43:3, 11; 45:21; 49:26; 60:16; Hos. 13:4). Reflecting their understanding of that key Old Testament truth, Mary (Luke 1:47), Zacharias (Luke 1:68–69, 77), and Simeon (Luke 2:30) all spoke of God as Savior, as does the rest of the New Testament (1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25). Since God alone is the Savior (Isa. 43:11; Hos. 13:4), the New Testament’s repeated use of that title for the Lord Jesus Christ (e.g., Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Phil. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:4; 2:13; 3:6; 2 Peter 1:2, 11; 2:20; 3:18; 1 John 4:14) is a strong affirmation of His full deity and equality with the Father.

What allows God to be the Savior of lost sinners is the propitiatory, sacrificial, substitionary death of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament describes Messiah’s sacrificial death most thoroughly in Isaiah 53:

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (vv. 4–6)

By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (v. 8)

But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors. (vv. 10–12)

All the redeemed, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament eras, were saved by God’s placing their sins on Jesus Christ. He alone (Acts 4:12) is the source of salvation since, as Peter wrote, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24; cf. 3:18; John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 9:28; 1 John 2:1–2).

God revealed Himself as a Savior to Israel in two ways. Temporally, God saved the people by delivering them from bondage in Egypt and preserving them through the ensuing forty years of wandering in the wilderness (Isa. 63:9; cf. Num. 10:9; Deut. 23:14; 33:29; Judg. 2:18; 8:34; 2 Sam. 3:18; 22:1, 4; 2 Kings 17:39; Ps. 106:10; Ezra 8:31 ). Through common grace, God, in His “kindness and tolerance and patience,” gives sinners an opportunity to repent (Rom. 2:4); He is “the Savior of all men” in a temporal sense and “especially of believers” in a spiritual sense (1 Tim. 4:10). God delivers people generally from the just and immediate temporal and physical consequences of their sin, but more importantly delivers believers from sin’s spiritual and eternal consequences as well. Thus the believing remnant of Israel (Rom. 9:27; 11:5) enjoyed not only God’s temporal salvation like the rest of the nation, but also spiritual salvation.

The angelic announcement of His birth set forth at the outset the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry. He did not come into the world to be an example of nobility and integrity. He was not merely a Jewish sage, a teacher of morality and ethics. Still less was He a passive, nonviolent social reformer; a sort of first-century Gandhi. He was and is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14 ), who came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10) by “sav[ing] His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus did come to fulfill the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants (see chaps. 9 and 10 of this volume). The fulfillment of those covenants, however, is predicated on the fulfillment of the New covenant (see chapter 11 of this volume), which was initiated by His sacrificial death (Matt. 26:28).

The announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ heralds the greatest good news that the world has ever heard. From the narrative of that announcement and its aftermath, five truths about the good news emerge: the proclamation of the good news, the pervasiveness of the good news, the person of the good news, the purpose of the good news, and the picture of the good news.

Joy as a response to the fulfillment of God’s promise.

1 Luke 2:13-14

Luke 2:13–14 KJV 1900

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, Good will toward men.

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2

Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

3

Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

4

Thou the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me;

Whom have I on earth beside Thee?

Whom in heaven but Thee?

The Source of True Joy (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

How the birth of Jesus brings true joy to the world.

How His reign brings eternal joy and peace.

Living in the Joy of Christ (Philippians 4:4)

Rejoicing in the Lord always, even amidst challenges.

The call for believers to share this joy with others.

Sharing the joy of Christ with others through acts of kindness and worship.

Conclusion: Let the joy of Christ’s birth fill our hearts and overflow into the lives of others.

Rev 15:2-3 . The Song of Moses and The Lamb.