For Unto Us A Child is Born
Notes
Transcript
Welcome
Welcome
Hello everybody!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Let’s just greet one another....
To all the guests, we are most welcome and thank you for joining with us this morning, we are hoping that you will continue to join us after this Sunday.
Introduction
Introduction
2018 will end in a couple weeks from today. It was just like yesterday we celebrated the Christmas of 2017. Time flies so fast. So many things happened and it’s always during this time of the year that we tend to look back in our accomplishments, days with the family, our love ones and we start reminiscing.
But in the same event like today, instead of looking back, the people who knew that a child is about to be born, looked forward to the days to come. It was an event like nothing else, The Bible said in
13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke
I mean when the angels appeared to the shepherds they were terrified but once they heard the assurance that they shouldn’t be afraid because...
I mean when the angels appeared to the shepherds they were terrified but once they heard the assurance that they shouldn’t be afraid because...
HE HAS “GOOD NEWS THAT WILL BRING GREAT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE!!!!
THE SAVIOR - YES, THE MESSIAH, THE LORD - HAS BEEN BORN TODAY IN BETHLEHEM, THE CITY OF DAVID!!!
So you see, this is a great news to look forward to!!! If they look back all they see and witness is the Romans ruling over them! They need a Savior that will change their destiny.
But not all of them welcomed the Savior of the world.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.”
16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”
History calls it “Slaughter of the Innocents”. Well known archeologists and Jewish historians, through their extensive research, says “The tale is not history but myth or folk-lore”.
“The tale is not history but myth or folk-lore”. But the writer who looked into this says, “Even though secular history is silent on this event it does not mean it did not occur. When the life of Herod the Great is examined, this event is very consistent with his character and actions so this is pointing to the fact that it did happen as recorded in Holy Scripture.”
In the online site biblearcheoly.org, a research article by Gordon Franz states,
“Even though secular history is silent on this event it does not mean it did not occur. When the life of Herod the Great is examined, this event is very consistent with his character and actions so this is pointing to the fact that it did happen as recorded in Holy Scripture.”
Herod is paranoid! In history you can read that he put to death close friends, allies, even his wife and sons.
The writer then concluded:
The slaughter of the innocents is unattested in secular records, but the historical plausibility of this event happening is consistent with the character and actions of Herod the Great. Besides killing his enemies, he had no qualms in killing family members and friends as well. Herod would not have given a second thought about killing a handful of babies in a small, obscure village south of Jerusalem in order to keep his throne secure for himself.
People don’t like Jesus before, that’s why it’s not a surprise that today He is not welcomed by some.
Though the angels said that he has good news that will bring joy to all men, apparently not all will receive the good news. Do we see the clear picture here?? BUT, STILL, THE GOOD NEWS IS FOR EVERYBODY, regardless if people want’s to hear it or not!!
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
“For God so loved the WORLD..” it didn’t say just for some few people....it says THE WORLD!!! So … (expound..)
WHAT’S THE GOOD NEWS???
Isaiah said it clearly
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isai
A CHILD IS BORN!!!
A CHILD IS BORN!!!
No one can deny that there is a child that was born!!!
- the political leaders, men in position tried to eradicate the truth, they want make sure that the birth of Christ will not happen.
⁃ people today are doing the same thing, they are dismissing the facts, trying to take out the name of Jesus....
⁃ Pastor Ed in his sermon Christmas to - xmas
⁃ Remember the Candy Cane Bro. Sergio mentioned??? Imagin that, they will come up of many things just to deny the truth about Jesus!! They will fabricate a lie just to discredit that a child was born to be the savior of the world!
They may try their best, but they will not succeed!!!
In her online article “What Archeology is telling us about the real Jesus” (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/12/jesus-tomb-archaeology/), Kristin Romey wrote that “The faith that began as a tiny Jewish sect is now the world’s largest, most diverse religion, with more than two billion believers.”
People can deny and be dismissive all they want, but the truth will remain, A CHILD WAS BORN!!!
Kristin Romey said ..
“Many of the scholars I spoke to are neutral on the question of Christ’s birthplace, the physical evidence being too elusive to make a call.”
To their minds, the old adage that Kristin Romey learned in Archaeology 101 applies here.—
“Absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence”—
A SON IS GIVEN
A SON IS GIVEN
God in the Flesh!!!
Although obviously from being baby, and growing up, Jesus had a normal life like a child so to speak,
Jesus is the perfect example of how we should live our lives.
- “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
.
The writer of Hebrews says in ...
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
Hebrew
The God that cannot be seen became incarnate, became human so He can dwell or make His home among us!!
He walked among sinners, loved them at best.
He never showed impartiality, accepted everybody, loved even those who hated Him.
We were born a sinner!!! We inherited that from Adam & Eve, and that curse have been trickling down the ages, from generation to generation.
5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.
And it has to be stopped, somebody have to put an end to it! And that’s why God came up with this elaborate design, and no one grasps it at first, sending His own begotten Son.....born in a manger and then just to die young,
based upon the scriptures and upon scholars explaining that Jesus have to be baptized to enter into the Melchizedek order, the Old Testament requirements for being a priest, which among them was being the minimum age of 30 () from the time on until the time he got baptised in Matthew3:13-15, and until His ministry lasted for about 3 1/2 years all in all He died 33 yrs old.
A CHILD IS BORN
A SON IS GIVEN
All that for us to have salvation!!!! GLORY TO GOD!!!!!
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
All that for us to have salvation!!!!
AND THE GOVERNMENT....
AND THE GOVERNMENT....
I don’t want to leave this out, we have to understand why Isaiah mentioned it...
“ And the government will rest on His shoulders...”
Matt Slick is the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry already laid it down for us....
I mentioned a while ago that, the Israelites wanted to look forward to the good news that the angels have brought, because they don’t want to be ruled by the Romans.
Matt Slick is the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.
I mentioned a while ago that, the Israelites wanted to look forward to the good news that the angels have brought, because they don’t want to be ruled by the Romans.
The Hebrew word “government” is (misrah) and it occurs only here and the next verse., “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom…”
And the government will rest on His shoulders
Matt Slick the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry already laid it down for us....
Government was often seen as a burden by the Israelites, especially when they are under subjugation to foreign powers which happened frequently in Israel’s history.
Isaiah was prophesying of what to come! Imagine, hearing about a child will be born and knowing what He will accomplish. For those who are really desperate and wanting a different life, they were looking forward to a savior!! That’s what this part of the verse really is - about the kingly aspect of Jesus Christ’s ministry and it points to His peaceful and perfect rule.
And Jesus laid it out clearly to Pilate..
under subjugation to foreign powers which happened frequently in Israel’s history.
33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 18:32
But the catch here is at the very end of the verse...
“Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
For each of one of us here ,since day 1, since we accepted Christ, we heard His voice, those of you who are guests, you heard the voice of God, that’s why you are here, the word “coincidence” is not in God’s vocabulary.
We have questions in life, like the Israelites, we needed a new opportunity, a change, a way out, we wanted to know the truth, and the reason why we are all here is because we know that we can only find out that truth is trough Jesus, andJesus says in His word - ‘I am the way the ....TRUTH...
And in ...
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
With all of this truth about why Jesus was born, going back to my first premise, people, in general, people will continue to dispute that He was born and that he is THE Savior of the World.
With all of this truth about why Jesus was born, going back to my first premise, people, in general will continue to dispute that Jesus was born and he is THE Savior of the World.
That’s why Isaiah goes on to tell us the different names about the Savior to be born. He reinforces it further, And His name exhibit four aspects about His character.
These specific titles do not appear in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as direct quotes, but they are alluded to.
Wonderful Counselor
Wonderful Counselor
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
Jesus gave us wisdom and teaching. He is the wonderful Counsel.
Mighty God
Mighty God
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
8 But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
Everlasting Father
Everlasting Father
30 The Father and I are one.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?
30 “I and the Father are one.”
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
R
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Hebrew
18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Colosians 1:20
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
We always celebrate Christmas, for the world, Christmas has become a commercialized frenzy of crazed shoppers who trample each other underfoot while trying to get a good deal on shoes, games, and clothing, people in general have forgotten what Christmas is all about, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, we recognize that there is a Savior, a Messiah, who has come to redeem mankind from the consequences of sin! Let not that recognition just be a passive experience, let not that understanding, just fade away and just be a mere thought....
For the world, Christmas has become a commercialized frenzy of crazed shoppers who trample each other underfoot while trying to get a good deal on shoes, games, and clothing.we recognize that there is a Savior, a Messiah, who has come to redeem mankind, let not that recognition just be a passive experience, let not that understanding, just fade away and just be a mere thought, friends people of God, when the angels sang “Hossana, Hossana, Glory to God in the Highest and goodwill to all men!!They were not just shouting their lungs out so that there will be another bed time story to tell, THIS IS THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, and it’s been here for more than 2K years, so let’s keep telling it to others not only during Christmas, not just like a bed time story, but tell it through the kind of lives God wants us to have, let’s walk the talk,
Friends, people of God, when the angels sang “Hossana, Hossana, Glory to God in the Highest and goodwill to all men”, they were not just shouting their lungs out so that there will be another bed time story to tell, Jesus was born in a manger so that we, like the shepherds who heard about the good news, will continue to uphold the truth!! THIS IS THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, and it’s been here for more than 2K years, so let’s keep telling it to others not only during Christmas, not just like a bed time story, but tell it to others that in the birth of Christ is our redemption, our blessings our cleansing and all our hope. May you have a blessed Christmas.