Unstoppable Christmas

Introduction

Good morning and Merry Christmas! I want to invite you to open in your Bible’s to Luke chapter 2:1-21 that is Luke 2:1-21. If you are using one of the Bible’s scattered throughout the chairs that is on page 805 that is page 805.

Before we had Simon our first biological child, while Brittany was still pregnant, she confessed to me that she was nervous about going through child labor. I asked her why she was nervous and she gave the obvious answer, it is going to hurt and sometimes people die while giving birth. She was nervous about the pain and the difficulty of labor. I asked a friend who’s wife had birthed 5 children for advice. He laughed and told me, don’t worry once it starts there is no stopping it. Once she goes into labor she will do anything to get that baby out of her body. And low and behold, once labor began Brittany’s nervousness fled away. She had one thing and one thing only on her mind… get this baby out! Once child labor begins there is not stopping it.

Today we will consider the birth of Jesus and while Mary, his mother, would have experienced the same thing as Brittany when giving birth, this birth the birth of Christ was unstoppable for more reasons than just nature taking its course. You see, there was nothing that would stop Christ from being born at just the right time, in just the right place, and for the sake of His people. His birth was an unstoppable birth. Jesus came into this word and nothing would stop him. This morning we will see that Jesus Came at just the right time, He to come you, he came to bring peace and he came just as he said he would. And nothing would stop his coming let’s read Luke 2:1-21

Jesus Came At Just the Right Time v. 1-7

Caesar Augustus was the Emperor of Rome when Jesus was born. Israel was under Roman occupation and therefore when he made his decree that all would be registered this meant that Joesph and Mary would need to return to Joseph’s family’s place of origin in order to be registered. This happened during the governorship of Quirinus who governed Syria. These were real events taking place in a real time. It seems like Joesph and Mary are completely subject to Caesar and his decrees. Caesar appears to be in control of this situation but Proverbs 21:1 tell us, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” You see Jesus was going to be born no matter what, and he would be born in the city of Bethleham no matter what. God is in total control of this situation, even if it appears that Casear, a man that claim to be a god himself and encouraged people to worship him, a man that made this recorded claimed, “

The Gospel according to Luke The Birth of Jesus (2:1–20)

Augustus] is the father of his divine homeland Rome, inherited from his father Zeus, and a savior of the common folk. His foresight not only fulfilled the entreaties of all people, but surpassed them, making peace for land and sea, while cities bloom with order, harmony, and good seasons; the productivity of all things is good and at its prime, there are fond hopes for the future and good will during the present which fills all men, so that they ought to bear pleasing sacrifices and hymns.

He is claiming to be the Savior and God is using him as a pawn to ensure that the real savior is born exactly where God wants him to be born. Because hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus the prophet Micah, God’s prophet said this, Micah 5:2 “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.” From ancient days God had promised that the Messiah, the savior would come to rescue his people. Caesar claimed to be a savior, but God was sending Jesus the true Savior. Caesar ruled an empire, the most powerful empire the world had ever known, and yet God was preparing to save all mankind through the birth, life and death of a carpenter’s son. That is the extreme confidence that God has in His plan. He is willing to use a poor family from a no name town like Nazareth, because he knows he can turn the heart of the most powerful man in the world to get that family to the rightful birthplace of His Messiah, the city of David, Bethlehem.

So, according to God’s plan and at Caesar’s decree this small family makes its way to Bethlehem from Nazareth, roughly a 70 mile journey on foot. Mary is going to have to walk or may ride in some kind of wagon or on a donkey, we don’t know for sure, but she didn’t drive a car and she has to do this while pregnant. God got this to the right place, but was this really the right time?

When Brittany was pregnant with Simon we decided to take a trip to Gatlinburg just the two of us. On that trip, Brittany wanted to take a hike us a small mountain. This was a mistake… we were ignorant to the realities of pregnancy and a little over half into this hike, which was labeled an easy hike, Brittany had to stop. I still remember her humiliation as young children would frolic by without breaking a sweat and little old ladies would walk by with their walking sticks and she sat on a log or rock totally exhausted. Traveling 70 miles without the comforts of modern technology does not seem like very good timing.

But it was just the right time. Joseph must travel to Bethlehem because he was of the lineage of David, and Mary his betrothed was to go with him, and while in Bethlehem the time came for her to give birth. And as we said, once that happens there is no stopping it. The time for the arrival of Jesus had come, the unstoppable prophesied promise of a savior was being fulfilled. In Romans 5:6 we read, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” It may not have been a convenient time, it was probably a very challenging time, but it was the right time. He was born in the right city, at just the right time, and he was laid in the right spot.

Luke 2:7 “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.” No place in the inn so he must be laid in a manger, what terrible planning. Or was it? We will se in Luke 2:12 as the angel speaks to the shepherds, “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”” and then in Luke 2:16 when the shepherds go to investigate we read, “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” Even the lack of room in the Inn was a part of God’s plan. He would use this peculiar laying place as a sign for the shepherds. Nothing will stop God’s plan and everything from the desires of an emperor to the lack of lodging in a small town are under God’s control. The big things like worldwide census and the mundane things like a woman wrapping her baby in swaddling cloths are all under the domain of our sovereign God.

He is using everything in your life and in my life to put his glory on display. So when you think to yourself this is so inconvenient, this timing couldn’t be worse, this cannot be the place where we are supposed to be in life… look out. The Lord has just where he wants you. He will use it all to display his glory and might.

T/S- and this is exactly what he does in our text today. He brings this family to Bethlehem and has Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger so that he might display his glory to the most unlikely of folks, shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Jesus Came to You v. 8-12

Luke 2:8–12 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.””

God sovereignly brings Joesph and Mary to Bethlehem and in this same region there are a group of shepherds keeping watch over their sheep. Shepherds at this time were not respectable people. They were often associated with thieves. Joachim Jeremias, a German Lutheran theologian, writes, “ to buy wool, milk, or a kid (baby goat) from a shepherd was forbidden on the assumption that it would be stolen property.” He also states, “The Rabb, [Rabbis] ask with amazement how, in view of the despicable nature of shepherds, one is to explain the fact that God is called ‘my shepherd’ in Ps.23:1” This is a curious reality because the angels could have appeared to anyone, yet they appear to these shepherds. We have already witnessed the extreme nature of God’s work through human events, and how he uses everything to his glory. This is not a coincidence, God chooses these shepherds for a purpose. They are not a random a selection. Rather God’s grace falls to men associated with being thieves to remind us that Jesus has come to “seek and save the lost.” It reminds us that the King of Glory did not come only to the respectable, religious, or righteous, but he came to display his glory and bring peace to all people. The least of us, are the ones to whom Christ came.

These humble, poor, and sinful shepherds are visited by the angel of the Lord and they get to see something truly spectacular for the glory of the Lord shines around them! Pastor John MacArthur states, “The glory of the Lord is the expression of God’s person. It is any manifestation of God’s character or attributes. In other words, glory is to God what brightness is to the sun.” Shepherds get to see the glory of the Lord. The manifestation of God’s greatness shines amoung them, and of course they respond in great fear! This is not something sinners should get to see, and they know it! They know that they are worthy of this honor and so they fear. And the angel says to them, “Fear not…” Why? Why do they not have to fear… not because they aren’t really that bad, not because God doesn’t judge anyone, no they are told to fear not because they bring good news of great joy. What is this good news that brings great joy? It is the news that you don’t have to fear God because unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

In 1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” The word propitiation means that Jesus’ death satisfied the wrath of God. That is Jesus is our savior who saved us from God’s wrath against sin. 1 John 4:17–18 “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” These shepherds are afraid because they know what any person would know if they were to experience the radiance of the glory of God. They know that they are not worthy to be in the presence of this glory. They are not worthy to be in the presence of God, and yet the angels tell them, “Fear not… for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.” You do not need to fear oh, shepherds because a savior has come. And he has come for sinners and thieves, he has come for shepherds and he has come for you.

You and I do not need to fear God because the savior came and in love he died for sinners like you and me. That’s the good news of about Jesus Christ. He died, so that we might live! You are like these shepherds, poor, needy, sinners who do not deserve to stand in the presence of God and yet, because of what Christ has done … you are invited to glory in the glory of God. They are not worthy to be in the presence of God, and what do they get? They get an invitation. The angel invites them to go and see the baby for themselves, they are invited to go and see with their own eyes the glory of God manifested in the flesh in Christ the Lord. Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, … If the brightness of God’s glory was impressive imagine what it must have been like to go and see God incarnate with your own eyes. Sinful shepherds are invited to go and see the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. They get a front row seat to witness the glory of God displayed in the person of Jesus Christ.

T/S- And this glory is going to result in peace between God and man.

Jesus Came to Bring Peace. v. 13-14

Luke 2:13–14 “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 among those with whom he is pleased!””

God’s glory burst onto the scene and it comes with an announcement. The announcement of Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace. God’s glory extends from the highest heaven to the lowest parts of earth and with his glory comes the promise of peace. God has come in Jesus Christ to make peace with man. Those on whom the favor of God rest, or those who experience the pleasure of God are those who will experience the peace of God. This peace is offered to all the people, this announcement of good news of great joy is for everyone, but not everyone will enjoy it. Those who are objects of God’s grace of objects of God’s pleasure are those who will have peace with God.

Colossians 1:19–20 “For in him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, God’s glory made manifest and through him to reconcile to himself all things (make peace), whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Jesus was born to die and he died that he would rise again, and this reality is being celebrated by these angels. His birth, which was unstoppable, signals the unstoppable reality of his death and resurrection. God is on a mission to save his people, to bring them peace, and he will not be stopped. It was as good as done at the very birth of Christ. So, they can sing glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, because peace between man and God was unstoppable. It would happen! Nothing would stop it. All those with whom God is well pleased will have peace with God.

So maybe you are asking, “How do I have peace with God? How do I get in on this offer of peace to all people?” Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, my friend. Peace has come to earth through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the promise of that God makes to you today. If you put your faith in Jesus you will have peace with God.

Maybe you’re asking, how can I know? How can I honestly know that this promise is true? Perhaps you are here today and you are Christian and you’re are struggling with doubt. You believe in Jesus, but you struggle with the assurance of your salvation. You wonder is really true, am I really saved? Can God really save sinners like me? Maybe he can save other people, but me… I don’t know, how can I know, how can I have that kind of faith…

T/S- The best answer I have for is to look upon the one who always keeps his promises. You can know that his promise to save you is true, because he has a proven track record of keeping miraculous promises.

Jesus Came Just As He Said He Would v. 15-21

Luke 2:15–21 “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 they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

God keeps his promises to these shepherds, the angel tells them what they will find, and that do actually find it.

You and I live in a world of broken promises, and if we are honest we often break our own promises. Our own sin nature, our own failures, and the experience of sinful activity around us, that is the failures of others, make it difficult to actually believe that someone will keep their word. The temptation for you and I is to hear this good news of great joy and think, that it is just a good story. It’s a nice thing to tell the kids, but it isn’t actually real. Or you believe it is did happen it just isn’t for you. You think you are too far gone. This would be really great news if only it could apply to you, but for some reason you don’t believe this is good news for you. Or perhaps you would say you are a Christian, you believe this story and the story of the cross and resurrection, you say I believe in Jesus, but you are like me. And sometimes you fail to see how this good news applies to your everyday life. You live in what author Paul Tripp calls, “The Gospel Gap.” You know that Jesus forgives you of your past sin and that he promises a future hope in heaven, but you don’t really know how or believe that this good news of great joy applies to you today. You are currently discouraged or overwhelmed, you are constantly giving in to temptation, you are irritable, parenting is not going well or marriage is not going well and you don’t understand how believing that God keeps his work impacts your life today. You don’t see how this story of shepherds seeing Christ the Lord, matters for your real problems. Now, we will unpack that in great detail when start up Equip again in January., and I want to encourage you to come. It will be a blessing to your life. But, I won’t make you wait until then to get a little help now.

You see, the angels leave and the shepherds decide to go and see if this announcement is true. They put on display the reality of their belief in the words of the angel and they go and see the baby for themselves. Their faith takes action. They obey what the angel tells them to do. They go and see the baby! And guess what when they get they the find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger just like the angel said. Faith in action breeds proof and leads to more faith. God keeps his word to these shepherds, what he says they will find through his angel, they find. His word is trustworthy. He said in Micah the messiah would be born in Bethlehem and he was, the prophets said he would come from the lineage of David, and he was, the angels said he would found lying in a manger and he was. He came, just like he said he would. And for those who would listen to the words of the angels they experienced the fulfillment of God’s word. So, what about for you? It is one to hear God’s promises it is another to actually see them fulfilled.

God promises to save you from your sin, and if you repent and believe in Jesus, he will. Will you follow in obedience like these shepherds give your life to Christ. Follow him by making your profession public, be baptized and join a Bible preaching church. We will have new members class on January 10 and I am always happy to talk to you about baptism. God promises to be near to you in your troubles and he promises that when you pray that the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds beyond all understanding, and he will. Do you pray when you are worried and anxious? He promises to draw near the broken hearted, he will. But in Psalm 34 he also says Blessed is He who take refuge in Him it exhorts you to taste and see the goodness of God. He promises that in him you will find the fullness of joy, and in Him you will. But Psalm 16:7 “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” You want the joy of the Lord, but are you willing to go and get the counseling of the Lord. Will you go and submit yourself to a pastor or a mature Christian and say, I need help. I need to understand how God would have me live, I need instruction and counsel. He promises that this present suffering is not worthy to be compared to his future glory, and it is not, and He promises to work all things together for your good, to be conformed to the image of His son, he will. But that promise comes after He tells us to suffer with Him. He promises to give rest to the weary, and he will. But he still bids you to come to him. Jesus came to us at the right time, in the right place, in the exact right circumstances because he is the God who always keeps his word. He will keep his word, but he bids you to come unto Him. He calls us to be like these shepherds and when we encounter the glory of the Lord through the word of the Lord we are to take action. Go and see the baby! Go and take hold of the promises of God. He always keep his word.

Conclusion

Christmas, was an unstoppable reality. In Genesis 3:15 God promised to crush the serpents head, that is to defeat sin and death forever and once that process was set in motion nothing would stop it from happening. Just as sure as that the sun with rise it is a sure thing that God will keep His word. He promised to send his Son to save this world and he did. He promises to return again to destroy all pain and all evil and he will. This is good news of great joy and nothing will stop it. Christ has come and he will come again! Will you go and see the evidence that God has provided to you. Will take hold of a promise of God and actually go see for yourself! These events take place in our story and Mary, an example of faith responds like this, Luke 2:19–20 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

The verb translated to treasure is in the imperfect tense, it means she continually treasured these things in her heart. She continually treasured the fulfilled promises of God in her life and in the life of her people. He pondered them, that is to say she deeply thought about these things. The shepherds experienced the fulfilled promise of God and they went about praising and glorifying God for all they had heard and seed, as it had been told to them. Does that sound like you? Are you continually treasuring all that God has done for you. Are you a person that goes out and praises and glorifies God for all you have seen and heard him do?

It won’t describe you so long as you stay out in the field and instead of going and seeing Christ in the manager. If you just hear a herald proclaim the good news, even if the herald does it really well, and you don’t go and see it for yourself then you won’t experience the fulfilled promises of God. Going to church is like being a shepherd out in the field at night. You hear the good news, you see others experincing the great joy around you, but have you seen the word of God fulifilled. Do you take the message that you hear in this place and put it to work Monday through Saturday. If your experience of Jesus is limited to an hour and 20 minutes a week then you will not experience the great joy the angels foretold. The shepherds are over joyed after they go and see the baby. I pray this week you go and take the next step of obedience in your life. May the spirit lead you to see and hear the good news of great joy for yourself.

[Let’s Pray]