Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

When approaching the subject of the gospel, it is most important to understand that we are never asked to believe a fairy tale that cannot be substantiated.

And yet, as true as this is...

No amount of substantiated evidence or miraculous events, will ever make someone believe.

This morning I want to talk to you about signs!

We are all aware of signs:

Road signs

Billboard signs

Warning signs

What do these do?

Well, they tell us what’s ahead!

And unless you are like my friend who once ignored the arrow signs on the highway in the middle of the Siera Madre montains of Mexico causing us to drive southbound on a one lane northbound highway, you believe what the signs point to.

There are other types of signs in life, like the kind that determine our overall health, or some particular sickness or disease.

If we ignore these signs, we do it to our own peril.

But, God has signs!

In fact He has lot’s of signs!!

Warning signs

Spiritual health signs

Directional signs

But the signs I want to talk about specifically, are the signs that point the way to everlasting life.

I.

The sign of the virgin.

A. This sign is properly a miracle.

I think we pretty much understand this concept.

When people talk about getting a sign from God, they are referring to something miraculous.

Something that can’t be explained by natural causes.

This is also why many are sceptical!

Yet, people are drawn to miracles.

Remember back in the 1980’s?

Medjugorje, a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the scene of apparitions of the virgin Mary.

The history of the Roman Catholic Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared in apparition many times, the most recognizable names being Guadalupe (Mexico), LaSallette and Lourdes (France), Knock (Ireland) and Fatima (Portugal).

But never in recorded Marian history has she appeared daily for so long a period of time, to so many chosen visionaries, with such profound global results.

Now, do I believe this was of God? Absolutely not!

Do I believe something supernatural was happening?

Absolutely!

Just not of God.

How ca i be so certain of this?

B. This miracle is confined to one.

Mary alone fulfils this prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, as there can be only one virgin.

Isaiah’s wife does not fulfill the supernatural aspect of the sign, only the immediate.

God uses the Hebrew word “Almah” for our word virgin in verse 14.

Why is this significant?

Because the word properly means young maiden in most cases, which coupled with the the word sign, would make the conception miraculous.

God did not use the Hebrew “Betulim” which is used for proof of a girl’s virginity.

Thus, God’s word provides for both aspects of the prophecy, the immediate fulfillment giving credibility to the prophet, and the true prophecy fulfilled in Mary.

II.

The sign of the coming messiah.

Isaiah tells us plainly that His name will be called Emmanuel (God with us from Matthew 1:23).

Who is...

the everlasting King of Judah.

The Ruler of the earth.

A. He will come at the prescribed place.

B. He will come at the prescribed time.

That equals 483 years

There are four decrees concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem that Scripture records.

The first was Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple in 538 B.C. (2 Chron.

36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–4; 6:1–5).

The second was Darius I’s decree in 512 B.C. confirming Cyrus’ earlier one (Ezra 6:1, 6–12).

The third was Artaxerxes’ decree in 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:11–26).364

The fourth was Artaxerxes’ decree authorizing Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem in 444 B.C. (Neh.

2:1–8).

Messiah’s triumphal entry occurred when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey when He was about 33 years of age.

Giving a few years to account for discrepancies in dating, Simeon knew that the Messiah would be born just about the time he was waiting at the temple.

III.

The sign that He arrived.

A. Confirmed by a star and eastern astrologers.

The wise men from the east, bearing gifts, were part of God’s message that the King of the Jews has come.

They were directed to Jerusalem making known to Herod that the promised one had arrived.

They saw a star and followed it there.

They knew of the prophecies and came to welcome the king.

B. Witnessed by shepherds.

They were eye witnesses who told everyone they came in contact with, what had happened, and what they saw.

C. Heralded by Angels.

The shepherds were just doing the shepherd thing, watching over their flocks.

God chose them to be visited by an Angel and reveal to them what was happening.

D. Confirmed in the Temple.

Conclusion:

The world around us does not believe these signs, because they were so many years ago.

But, God in His mercy provides continuing signs every day:

Every time a sinner repents and trusts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we see a miracle.

The evidence of a changed life amongst those that once knew how unholy we were, is a powerful testimony of the grace of God, and a witness that something supernatural is going on.

Let your light shine that men would see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.