Before Christ

Before Christ

Malachi 3:1

Malachi3:1 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Lakeview Baptist Church

November 26, 2017

Introduction

I love this time of the year. Yes, even with “Black Friday” in our rear-view mirror and “Cyber Monday” tomorrow, I still love it. It’s the Christmas season. You know, the most commercialized time of the year, that creeps earlier and earlier each year. I saw Christmas items and decorations being set up two weeks before Thanksgiving. This is the time of the season that helps some companies stay in the “black” and makes their stockholders happy.

Neighbors are putting up lights and yard displays of Santa, reindeer, Frosty the Snow Man and so far, no manger scenes. Still I am happy.

I have already heard Andy Williams singing, “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (Eddie Pola, George Wyle).

It's the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you be of good cheer

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Why could I be so happy when the celebration of our Savior’s birth is anything but that; celebrating the birth of Jesus Messiah? It is because the whole world, unwittingly, is celebrating the birth of the Son of God, even if they are oblivious. You see, I know. It is the easiest holiday to bring up Jesus.

I can’t be upset at the commercialization as they just don’t know. I think you could all agree with me today that there are far less believers than there are unbelievers.

The world doesn’t know, but with all the displays, lights, and singing, they are helping me celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Where the “Ten Commandments” and religious objects are being torn down through-out the US, there is still Christmas! There is Christmas vacations, Christmas parties, and Christmas movies shown through-out the month of December.

Our times are dark, and that is for sure. But the Christmas season shines brightly, even if it is driven by commercialism, it still operates under the banner of “Christmas.”

I wonder at the parable that Jesus would teach His disciples concerning the commercialization of His birth.

400 Years in Captivity

We all remember the Exodus. God moved a family to Egypt for protection and raised an enormous nation. It was not easy for this new nation that had grown so large that it worried the Pharaoh. They were enslaved for a large portion of that 400 years. It was during this enslavement that God was preparing His people to be a great nation.

High’s and Low’s

High’s – the Law was given, the Tabernacle was made and Jehovah was present with His people.

Low’s – Theocracy led to kings. Kings lead to bondage once again.

400 Years Without God’s Voice

There was another “dark time” before the first Christmas. Before Jesus was born, there was a period of silence in the world. I am talking about the period of 400 years between the ending of the last verse in Malachi and the first verse of the New Testament.

· The Temple was rebuilt and was busy with activity.

· The People were engulfed in religion. Their leadership added to the Law of God and spoke for Him.

· God was preparing the world for the arrival of His Son and the birth of the Church.

· The Lord stopped raising up prophets to speak to His people for Him.

· All that needed to be said, was already said.

· The Jews found favor in their own form of worship

· The rest of the world rejected Judaism. It was not inviting.

What Was On In the Heart of God before Immanuel?

The last book in the Old Testament is from God’s prophet, Malachi. It is roughly 400 years before the birth of Christ. That would mean that Abraham, the Father of the Jewish Nation has been dead for over 1500 years.

Israel’s history has seen the time of Moses, Joshua’s leadership in entering the Land of Promise. There was a time of Judges, Kings and enslavement by the Babylonian’s, Mede’s, Persians and as the New Testament time begins, Rome is the conquering nation in all the world.

Israel is asking, “Where is God? Their spiritual leadership has failed. Society has become wicked, corrupt and depraved. God answered their question 400 years earlier:

Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

Illustration

An old couple was sitting by the fireside. He looked over at her, had a romantic thought, and said, “After fifty years, I’ve found you tried and true.”

The wife’s hearing wasn’t very good, so she said, “What?”

He repeated, “After fifty years, I’ve found you tried and true.”

“After fifty years, I’m tired of you too,” she replied.[1]

God Fulfils Malachi 3:1

Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

The “Forerunner” is born to very little fanfare.

The world does not acknowledge the birth of the last Prophet of God.

Jesus spoke of John the Baptist:

Matthew 11:7-11 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?8 What then did you go out to see? A man2 dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Conclusion

My take-aways for today are these:

1. Even in the most troubling times, 400 years of slavery or absence from God’s intervention, God is still active and busy.

2. Even though the world argues against Jesus being God, He still is. It really doesn’t matter what the world thinks. Truth is still truth. And Jesus is Truth.

3. God prearranged for Moses to lead the Children out of bondage, when the time was right.

4. God prearranged for John the Baptist to be the herald for the coming of the Savior of the world. In obscurity he came. God used the message of John to cause the people to repent or reject the soon coming “Kingdom of God.”

5. I don’t know what the circumstances are for you this morning. We can trust that God has a plan, and that He loves you.

6. This could be the greatest Christmas you have ever seen. Attitude is the key during troubling and dark times.

7. Yes. Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

8. Bring It On!

[1] Adrian Rogers, Ten Secrets for a Successful Family (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1996), 115.