Christmas Eve: The King is Here

Next Sunday…Christmas Cantata 10am at Wesley Chapel

Summary: 1. > Expecting; 2. Where will he find you

Leading up to Xmas…

the King is coming…But he is much more than we are expecting?

The king is coming, but where will he find you this Christmas?

Tonight we get to be full of anticipation of the reality that in just a few moments…the king is here will be a reality.

What happens the moment the King arrives

I want us to consider for a moment what happens when the king arrives.

In the text

Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1–7 NIV84

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

A New King is here

Going on in vs 10: The angels had proclaimed that a king was coming.

Now remember Rome had a king already.

Caesar Augustus: greatest nation; unified Rome; out of war; Octavius-Augustus [revered]; gov’t ruled by peace not war; tribunician; Chief priest; father or Rome; good news

Caesar Augustus was King of Rome…Rome was the greatest nation in the world at that time.

He had been the king who brought the nation of Rome together after years of civil war.

He was the one who had changed his name from Octavius to Augustus…”revered”

He had been the one who brought the government of the world’s power…Rome…back to one that is ruled by peace

He was the one known as the “Tribunician”…or the one who stood for the rights of the underclass.

He was the Chief Priest for the people and Father of the Country of Rome

It is even reported that when he was born his mother proclaimed him to be the Good news for Rome

We can imagine how he would respond to one said to be wonderful counselor, mighty god, everlasting father, prince of peace

So what do you think he would do when he got news of someone being born in his realm who claimed be good news? Who his subjects said would be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace?

I can understand how Caesar would never accept this new King. His position being threatened and all.

A kingdom of Grace

Good news; righteousness & justice; defender of weak; freedom to oppressed; earn love-not demand; pay the price, not demand

This new king would be introduced as the real good news, one who would make things right and just. The one who would defend the weak and set the oppressed free. This new king would earn people’s love and devotion rather than demanding it. This new king would pay the price of his subjects instead of demanding a price from his people as Caesar would.

Understand caesar, but want about today?

I understand why Caesar wouldn’t respond…but what about us, today?

Why don’t more people respond to Jesus?

Grace just too good to be true

I guess for many, this GRACE is jsut too good to be true.

They are uncomfortable with this new king and the Kingdom of Grace that this new King would deliver.

Titus 2:11 NIV84

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Grace is uncomfortable

Grace is one of those things that make us uncomfortable about God’s way of doing things.

dont get what deserved b/c of forgiveness

Get what they don't deserve b/c of blessing

Reasons Grace makes us uncomfortable…when we see it:

People don’t get what they deserve…through forgiveness

People get what they don’t deserve…God’s blessing

Shepherds told after they experienced.

Grace becomes a sign when you experience it

But Grace also becomes the motivation to go and tell others about this new king. For the Shepherds the sign to convince them was the presence of the baby that the angels promised. For us, the sign to prove is the experience of grace.

what you have seen and heard.

Faith

Jesus given > we deserve; Jesus tood what we did deserve

The reason Grace is our motivation…when we experience it:

In Jesus we realize that he took what we did deserve

In Jesus we know we have gotten more than we deserve

Can’t help but life in Response

What’s our response to experiencing this? To love him like crazy…in our love for him we see change in our lives….

Titus 2:10-14

Titus 2:11–14 NIV84

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

You see Xmas is a reminder that God loves us first, not because of our goodness; or because we deserve it. Jesus came on Xmas exactly because we didn’t.

We see know how the shepherds responded…we are pretty sure what Caesar thought about it too. But what about you? How are you going to respond to this grace?

Stay at a Distance and wonder or Come in and experience this King

This Christmas are you going to remain at a distance and wonder how anyone could really love like that? or are you going to take this King at his word, trust who he said he was and what he did for you…are you willing to receive the grace that this new king offers. If so, they you are on the verge of experiencing a Xmas worth singing about.

The King is here…and that’s something singing about!