God's Glory is Evident

ILLUSTRATION: There It Is!

Undeniable experiences, we all have them

God Wants Everyone to Know Him

And He’ll go to amazing measures to give them the opportunity

1) Magi (from the East)

Who were they? (how many were there?)

“From the East” - Persia.

Daniel - 70 weeks, he served God while in Babylon, left an impact

Not “kings” - more like astronomers/astrologers, thinkers/scientists

How would they know?

Numbers 24:17 NASB95

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

They see HIS star in the East - they were in the East when they saw it

From a distance - appeared to be over Israel, they would assume to start with Jerusalem, the capital -

They did not know the exact prophecy or - so they asked the people who’d know

Herod - part-Jewish, superficial knowledge of Scripture

calls for scribes, people who should know, and they do

On to Bethlehem - but none of them in Jerusalem go…hmmmm

NOTE: AND THE STAR REAPPEARS!

They meet Jesus, the child (paidion) in a house (In , Jesus is a brephos, or infant)

Their Gifts: all fit for adoration and worship

Gold - prized for beauty and value

Frankincense - fragrant spice

Myrrh - an oil for rubbing, possibly medicinal, definitely lavish, $$$

And they worship, bow down prostrate before Him

They see Jesus as the legitimate king promised

Herod is the illegitimate one here - he should be excited, and he’s enraged when he hears “King of the Jews.”

The magi are warned by God, confirming their interaction with Herod

2) Star (in the East)

“aster” = celestial body, star, used for angel in Rev. 12:4

What was it not?

Triple planetary conjunction, or conjunction between a planet and bright star

Comet

Supernova

All these are indeed spectacular, but not sufficient for Matthew 2

So...What was it? (FYI, only the magi see it…)

Angel

Shekinah Glory - best option, supernatural, special revelation from God

It MOVED to show where God was dwelling

Over the house, right over it.

SHEKINAH - the visible manifestation of God’s presence and glory!

A supernatural event, in this case, brighter than normal light in the sky

Temple, Exodus, Moses, Transfiguration of Jesus

Mercy Seat - there, but only seen by the High Priest

POINT - believers, priests, the Spirit of Christ dwells in each of us - ,

3) God’s Glory Throughout the Christmas Account

Responding by Pointing to the Glory of God

Mary -

Angels -

Simeon -

Magi -

Why Christmas, the special-ness of Jesus coming

TO INDWELL EACH OF US!

All through the Christmas account, the supernatural is seen

Angels, visions, dreams, virgin birth, prophecy fulfilled

God’s plan would not be thwarted or stopped

COOL, So…what about US?

1 Corinthians 2:8 NASB95

the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

Philippians 2:5–8 NASB95

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Phililppians 2:5-8

Christ is the Lord of Glory

That same glory that showed Christ is not upon all who are in Christ

Romans 9:23 NASB95

And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

We are vessels of His mercy, living proof of His glory, and through us, God makes known the riches of glory!

GOD”S WORD

Everything past - pointed forward to Messiah

Everything present, and New Testament - looks back to and confirms Messiah

Everything future, you guessed it, points to Messiah

It was clear to the magi where the King was - GOD SHOWED THEM

TODAY - we need the same King

-so does our community, family, neighbors!

THE CHURCH - show people the King - show everyone where He is

Colossians 3:17 NASB95

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

SUMMARY POINTS

Take the familiar (all the “Christmas” story stuff)

Let His Word richly dwell

Let His Word live in you

The New Self - that’s how people see Jesus, that’s how they know where he is, byt seeing the new self in you!

The familiar story, SO MUCH MORE THAN A STORY

God WILL reveal Himself to you, every day

Maybe spectacularly, maybe “mundane” like waking you up here another day so you can serve Him, grow a little closer to Him today

WHEN GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO YOU - MAKE IT KNOWN!!!

FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God -

God reveals Himself to the world today - Creation (general revelation)

God reveals Himself through His Word, through Christ (special revelation)

God has revealed Himself to you, to each of us - RESPONSE?

God specifically chose to reveal Himself to the World through us, the church

CHRISTMAS

Not to “feel” good

But to KNOW HIM

To know Joy and Peace

To serve Him, and show the world!

Undeniable - There He Is! Immanuel!