God Has Perfect Timing

There is a school of theological thought that views God as reactionary. The understanding is that God does not know the future, He simply acts and reacts when issues arise.

We reject this idea because it fails the test of Scripture. Prophecy alone clearly reveals that not only does God know what will happen, He has planned it!

The passage we will consider this morning reinforces the sovereignty of God. It also displays the reality that He has everything planned from beginning to end.

This time of year we celebrate the birth of Christ. Yet that celebration is incomplete if we fail to acknowledge that He was born so that He could die.

Christmas time is a celebration of a miraculous birth. However, we dare not forget that the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ was followed by a miraculously sinless life, a miraculous death, and a glorious, miraculous resurrection!

Christmas is not a stand alone event.

If we are going to understand Christmas, we need to understand this passage of Scripture.

In these three verses, the purpose of Christmas is explained.

This passage is also the inspiration for our Christmas program that will be taking place in two weeks.

As we seek to understand the purpose of Christmas we look first at our…

1. Bondage: The Necessity Of Christ’s Birth v. 3

This verse answers the question why. Why was the birth of Christ necessary?

There are a lot of answers we could give. But this verse provides us with a particular one.

We were in bondage.

Here the idea of us being children will be contrasted with adoption. This makes it evident that being children is referencing life before Christ.

Before Christ, we are in bondage.

Why are we in bondage?

Paul mentions the elements of the world. I believe he is speaking here of false religions. Placing faith in anything other than Christ, leaves us in bondage.

Bondage – δουλόω (doulo) enslave; reduce to slavery. To be enslaved.

Bondage – δουλόω (doulo)

says (S)…

Romans 6:6 NKJV

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

The words “no longer” reveals that before Christ, we are slaves of sin.

tells us (S)…

Ephesians 2:2 NKJV

in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Before Christ we are under the power and dominion of Satan. We are in bondage.

Paul says here that we are in bondage under the elements of the world. The idea is that the basic principles this world teaches us place us in bondage.

What is the basic, bottom line rule of this world? Look out for number 1. Right?

Turn to (p. 1399).

(p. 1399)

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

These desires come from taking our eyes off of Christ and putting them on self!

The solution is to fall more in love with the Lord. To do His will and not our own.

Anytime we take our eyes off of Christ, we place ourselves in bondage.

There is nothing we can do to escape bondage.

But God has a plan to deal with it.

God has a plan for my life and yours. That plan is big enough to encompass all the brokenness, all the ugliness, as well as the good and beautiful.

Never forget that it was the horror of sin that brought us the gift of a Savior.

God is very much in the habit of taking what is broken, twisted and making it useful, and beautiful.

The bondage of sin makes necessary the birth of Christ.

This bondage began with the fall in Genesis ch. 3. But in that same chapter, the promise of a future redeemer was made.

Bondage is why we need a redeemer.

;

What are we in bondage to? Sin and Satan

This redeemer couldn’t be just anyone. He had to be God, and He had to be a man. And that’s why Christmas is a time to celebrate a miraculous birth.

Elements of the world = world, flesh, devil

“Born To Die” (v. 1)

Bondage to sin is what makes the birth of Christ necessary.

2. Born: The Perfection Of Christ’s Birth v. 4

Such a powerful expression of God’s sovereign purpose. God was not anxiously waiting, uncertain about when and what to do. God perfectly orchestrated the events of time and when the precise moment of His choosing arrived, Christ was born! Everything happened exactly as God laid it out!

Our title this morning is “God has perfect timing”. That idea comes from this verse.

The timing of Jesus’ birth was no accident. The generation of His birth, the place, the manner; everything about Christ’s birth was intentional and planned.

This ought to give us great comfort. In a time when so many aspects of life are unstable, and uncertain; we can be confident in our God!

God’s plan, His eternal purpose is active in my life and yours.

At the exact perfect time, God sent His Son.

Here we see all three persons of the Godhead active in the birth of Christ. Father sent, Son was sent, according to gospels, Spirit placed Jesus in Mary’s womb.

We could spend hours dissecting this next phrase. But I guess we won’t.

Jesus Christ was born of a woman.

On the one hand, this is the normal way for children to be born. Children are born from women. Yet this is not an ordinary child, this is God’s Son. God’s Son was born of a woman.

In order for Jesus to be the redeemer, He had to be a man. Why? There are several reasons that could be given. gives some of those. We will only consider one this morning. (S).

Hebrews 2:14–15 NKJV

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Christ became a man that He might be able to die for sin. Through His death he has delivered us from bondage!

The solution to the bondage of man is the redeemer!

It is not just any redeemer we need, it is a particular redeemer.

This redeemer had to be God because only God could forgive sin and only God could live a perfect, sinless life. Yet this redeemer must also be a man so that He could be fully tested and so that He could die. The only solution to the problem of sin is the God-man Jesus the Christ.

He was born of a woman and born under the law.

Jesus came to fulfill the law. He was the only perfect law-keeper. In Jesus said this (S).

Matthew 5:17–18 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Jesus fulfilled the law! declares that He did no sin.

At God’s perfect, chosen moment of history, Christ was born. He was born as a human baby from a mother. He was born as Jew bound to keep the law of God given to Moses.

All of these things were so that He could deliver us from our bondage.

What do we do about our bondage? We need someone to rescue us. To set us free from our bondage to sin!

Like us in all things.

“Born To Die” (v. 2)

We owe our redemption to Jesus! He was born to die!

Through His death, He accomplished our redemption.

3. Bought: The Accomplishment of Christ’s Birth v. 5

The work of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the incarnation of Christ had a purpose. What purpose? That’s what Paul reveals here in v. 5

This is a purpose statement. Christ was sent, born of a woman, and under the law so that he could redeem those in bondage under the law.

He was born to redeem.

Redeem – ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazō) redeem. To deliver from harm or evil, conceived of as redeeming or buying something back.

He was born to redeem.

Redeem – ἐξαγοράζω (exagorazō)

God purchases us. says (S)…

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

How Christ was sent, when He was sent, where He was sent, how He was sent; all of this was focused on the accomplishment of His purpose. The purpose of Christ is the redemption of sinners.

The law could not redeem us. says (S)…

Romans 3:20 NKJV

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The law made us aware of sin, but could do nothing to remove it. The law covered sin, but that was all. Something more was needed. A redeemer was necessary. This redeemer had to be able to redeem. This takes us back to the necessity of Christ’s birth.

Christ came to purchase us out of bondage to sin because there was no other way for us to be redeemed!

But beloved, that is not all.

This purpose statement of redemption is immediately followed by a second purpose statement. Look again at v. 5.

We are purchased with purpose; to make us His own.

The redemption was to make us His own. To adopt us as adult children.

Being adopted gives us full rights to inherit.

Inherit what? Eternal life! Eternal blessing! Eternal joy! All the riches in Christ Jesus!

This is the purpose of Christ’s birth!

He was born to redeem us. To make an end to our bondage. To purchase us and adopt us as His own.

Through redemption we are made His children.

“Born To Die” (v. 3)

Aren’t those words powerful? (READ song) AMEN!

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #521 “Redeemed” (chorus)

#521 “Redeemed” (chorus)

Redeemed (redeemed)

redeemed (redeemed) Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Redeemed (redeemed)

redeemed (redeemed) His child and forever I am

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #512 “My Savior’s Love” (chorus)

#512 “My Savior’s Love” (chorus)

How marvelous how wonderful And my song shall ever be How marvelous how wonderful Is my Savior's love for me

Conclusion

The progression in this passage is awesome.

We start in bondage. Hopeless. Helpless. Alienated from God. Enemies separated and opposed to the only one who can save us.

But then, at the perfect moment in history. At the appointed time. God sent us Jesus. He was born as any other man. He was born and bound to keep the law. And He kept it perfectly.

All this He did that He might redeem us! That He might purchase us and then make us His own children.

This is the God we serve. A God of sacrifice, of love, of compassion. But also of justice, righteousness, and holiness.

He saw our bondage, He provided a redeemer.

He saw our orphaned state, He made us His own children.

Christmas is the celebration of God keeping His promise.

He sent a redeemer. That redeemer did all that was necessary to purchase us from our bondage.

As the saying goes, the ball is now in our court.

If you have never trusted Christ as Savior, we invite you to do so now. Everything has already been provided. No works are required. All you must do is believe. Believe in who Jesus is, what He came to do.

If you have trust Christ, we invite you to dive deeper. There is more growth, more intimacy, more strength. Dive deeper into Christ.

May this week bring transformation to our lives.

“Born To Die” (v. 4)

Galatians 4:1–7 NKJV

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

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