Arrival

Let us pray. Father in Heaven, how we thank you that we truly can gather in your name. Praises to your name we can now rejoice in prayer and Thanksgiving for all that you have done and father. We can examine your word get to know you more with each and every step and that's what we desire to do father. May your spirit truly be poured out upon each of us that we would draw near to you father Ray that you would have specially annoys me that as I speak. I would speak your words and your way that you would be the strength of the energy touches each of our hearts. Thank you Father. We praise your name. In Jesus name amen. Okay. Well if you didn't get it right at the beginning with the reading we are going to be looking at the coming of Our Lord. I call the sermon arrival going to be looking at the arrival, but I want us to examine in a way that we understand that God is through this experience is demonstrating his power.

To continue to do what he is called to happen and that he has energy and strength and that we have the opportunity to trust in that humble ourselves into trust in that energy and strength. He looks at us and as we look through this here's three things. I would like you to look at number one is God is in control of the circumstances, even though it may be thousands of years that he allows to go by before he brings it about you still in control. And he still understands that will examine that as we look at our own lives. Do you really trust his control II he has the power to do what he says he will do. We can trust in that part in that strength Even in our lives today. And finally, we need to trust in him to really see what he desires for our lives because each and every one of us walks through life and we have choices that we can make each and every day. are you guys that are still working and have fun jobs that you do every day who asked God to be with you through each and every circumstance that you go through, you know when you I enter into a classroom. Do you ask God to guide you as you leave those kids and wisdom and understanding, you know, he wants to be there is ready to help out. For those of you who are caring for a home. Do you ask God to give you wisdom and guidance and how you care for that home and how you meet other people. Are you kids that are going to school? When you enter into a classroom you pray for God's wisdom and guidance as you go through that experience. He's there he wants to be with you. He says I'll never leave you or forsake. You doesn't he will if he says that do you believe it? And you believed it in part because you ask for his guidance as he takes you through all of this.

As we go through all these experiences is so when we take a look at what God has done in sending his son Jesus Christ to this earth. We need to remember that it is demonstrating to you and to me that he truly is in control. He does God our lives and we have a need to trust him through those circumstances. So often people say, well I sure like to see God's work in our world today. Well, are you seeking God's work in your own live? If you're not seeking his work and your life, how can you expect to see his work in our world? It comes down to the individual to each and every one of us. Do we really trust God or am I just coming and trusting him for Sunday morning from 11 to noon and then Life Goes On it ought to go on with God following him and everything that we do so as we read through this and we read the account of his coming help us. Let us remember that it is for us to understand. Who he is and how much he has control of Our Lives will start it up and Luke Chapter 2 will read the first 7 verses about God's plan. A plan that was implemented before creation even began. Think about that God's plan how many years did it take? Well, I find you're a new age like I am, you know, that's maybe 4000 + years. Think about that a little bit.

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 their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to ggf to Bethlehem the town of David because he belong to the house and the line of David he went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child and well 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 clothes and placed him in a Manger because there was no room available for them. God's plan play down over thousands of years and yet there's a personal touch that we can see this. Imagine here is the ruler of the world Caesar Augustus. And he's operating the hands of the Living God is he because he calls for a census at a particular time in life that would bring about circumstances. Did God had ordained from long ago? imagine that Isn't that incredible God? Declares that we think think about your life God is there he's ready to work with you. Are you listening? Are you listening to him his plans always work? God never fails in his plans and he has a plan for your life. Are you a participant in those plans? Let's read Psalm 33:11, but the plans of the Lord stand firm forever the purposes of his heart through all generations. God's plans are there they're in place and we can be participants in those plans are going to be bystanders that allow those things to go buying perhaps not even notice.

But part of it has to do with our willingness to accept he has a plan for our lives and we can humble ourselves and allow him to work in those plans. his plans for Jesus is coming we're long ago and then he gave little marks along the way that he showed us that those plans were taking place. One of them was the plan of having is Sun Inn Bethlehem, you know, he was the son of David, you know, so you would imagine he would be born in the town of David Bethlehem, but sometimes that passes over when we think about that Micah a contemporary of Isaiah, which was 700 years before Jesus cry World wrote these words Micah 5:2, but you Bethlehem ephrathah though, you are small among the clans of Judah out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel whose Origins are from old from ancient times. In other words the plan an ancient plan, but describe to you and do I from is scripture in the Old Testament? Yes, he's coming. He's on the way and he will be born in Bethlehem. Pretty strange that Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth Nazareth some sixty or seventy miles away from Bethlehem. Probably a good week's travel it particularly if it were winter time and she's pregnant and so it's it's pretty amazing when you think about the circumstances God had a plan in his plan was implemented and carried out to perfection.

Also says that the baby was going to be born to a virgin. When is that ever happened? one time that time when Jesus Christ was born Well, Isaiah wrote about it back in Isaiah 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign the Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son. And will call him Immanuel. Hitman

And it happened Matthew 1:25, but he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth with son and he gave him the name Jesus.

all in scripture lay down because that was God's plan and there are many many more. Of those gifts that God plants along the way for each of us to examine say yeah. God does have control. He has the circumstances in his hand. Even to the rejection remember I came to Bethlehem hear she's preg was rejected by the housekeepers all around town all we haven't got room for you around even the rejection began back then and we see that e33. He was just fine Sandra Dent. I'm a man of suffering and familiar with pain like one whom people by their faces. He was despised and we held him in low esteem. UC Even the beginning rejected by normal mankind. Look away from sperm. And yet he came humbly to mankind to give them the greatest gift that they could ever receive the gift of freedom freedom some sin the gift of Eternity eternity in heaven. All those were gifts by Jesus Christ Isley humbly came to Earth to be born in a stable. Well, that's go ahead and read on we see and hear the engelic Declaration, you know.

Do earth May stand still and not think about these things certainly Heaven thinks about the things that God is doing in there. I can imagine the Angels now we get to go and Proclaim. Well, let's read about that Proclamation and what they do. Verse 8 of Luke 2 and there were shepherds living in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night an angel of the Lord appeared to them in the glory of the Lord Shone around them. They were terrified. Imagine that an angel appeared to us should wake you up a little bit, huh? But the angel said to them do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will be caused that will cause great. Joy for all the people today in the town of David a savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah the Lord. This is a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a Manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel a praising God and saying glory to God in the heaven and on Earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

You know, he was coming to touch us and make a difference for us. But he was also bringing a celebration to Heaven that is pretty incredible when we think about the angels and how they wanted to be a part of the celebration. Can you imagine sitting on that Hillside and all of a sudden thousands of angels gather around and start singing? Oh my goodness. It's amazing. But we'll get to hear that one day in heaven will be surrounded by those same angels and we'll be able to see raises with them. Can you imagine at the incredible sound that will be but there are many angels God created an enormous number of angels. We see in Revelation that it's that he claims 10000 * 10000. That's a hundred million angels. Think about that well in the Old Testament it also proclaims in Psalm 68 17. The Chariots of God the angels of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is come to sign has come to Sinai into his from Sinai into his Sanctuary. Sorry describing the thousands of angels and the Living God and do his work.

Pretty amazing when you think about all that Proclamation these Angels were there to celebrate the birth of his son. Notice, they didn't come to a great palace and say wake up people.

The Lord is here. The God is come. They didn't come to somebody's some rich man's house and say here he is. they didn't even come to the spiritual leaders of the day those Pharisees and Sadducees and the scripture scriptural Riders all of those things. He ignore them. Where did he go? He went to some people living on a hillside watching over sheep. Why? Why do they go to them? And I think it's because they were humble enough to think about it Imagine The Shepherd's sitting around having a lot of time to talk it nice and chatting back and forth about things. Can you imagine they do if Messiah was supposed to come? You know, I hear this messiah's coming wind that be really neat to be able to have him come while we're still here when that be exciting. You know about realizing what was about to happen. on their side think about that they were waiting. Y'all didn't come to them just because they were. Sitting on a hillside he came to them because there was an anticipation in their lives. I think about that for your life. Do you have an anticipation of God being involved in every circumstance of your life? Anticipation comes from really seeking God two parts of your life. Because if you're not into submitting it it's not going to really happen.

In other words, are you seeking God to go with you through your day Moment by moment. God tells us to be continually in prayer doesn't he? Each each and every circumstance is what God is allowed into your life. Don't you want him to be a part of it and what I Realize is that people that anticipate gone? And expecting to be involved in your life. They feel and know God as he's operating in that line. That's why we need to be seeking after him. You know, if you want God to reveal himself to make himself known.

I think they Shepherds wanted in the Shepherds wanted him to be a part of their line. And it comes with humbly asking, you know, they weren't looking for power and strength. They were looking for a savior.

Psalm 10:17 says You Lord hear the desires of The Afflicted you encouraged them and you listen to their cry. Their cry, I'm sure. Open the side. I would love to see the Messiah. I would love to have him change my life. And minister to me.

Is that what we want God to do to our lives? Do we want it and we Desiring, you know, he comes to those who are humble. He came to these Shepherds on the hillside. But that characterizes life, you know.

We can turn to John chapter 4 and read about of the life of this woman at the well, she was a Samaritan woman one rejected by Israel. But there was something in her heart that desire to know some things and she knew about God and she knew what God's plans were and those sort of things in Jesus Christ came to her and revealed himself to her and it changed her life, but she also went to her town. We don't think about this part of it very often, but she goes to the town if she tells the town about Jesus Christ. And they have to go out and meet him.

Find it. And it changes their lot. Because they were humble enough to believe that God could actually be there for them. And here's what they say to the woman John 4:42. They said to the woman we no longer believe just because of what you said, we now have heard for ourselves and we know that this man really is the savior of the world Is the really the savior of the world? He changed the lives of the Samaritans those who are put down. By the leaders in in Israel in that day because they were only half breeds. They didn't have what it took to really be a follower of God. And yet here they find Salvation. Whereas many in the Israel did not find salvage. They were lost it would be so because they humble themselves and were willing to listen to one who brought them truth. the Lord and savior

we need to glorify God and that's what the Angels showed the shepherd's there. Horrify God and so we see this great. tumult of the Angels gathering around the shepherd's because the Shepherds were willing to listen for one thing and they sang probably the most wonderful song that you could possibly imagine because

you know one day you and I will worship the King and King of Lord and Lord of lords if you believe in him, you'll worship Him. If you don't believe in you. your word everyone will will all kneel at the feet of Jesus and we will worship him whether you believe in him or don't because one day you will believe in him. It may not help you in eternity. But one day you will kneel at the feet of Jesus and Proclaim him Philippians chapter 2 tells us this versus a 10 and 11. It says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on Earth. And under the Earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. you say you will give glory to God one way or another when did be great to give Glory because you're really I've given him glory here by believing in him and trusting him in your life all your life. Well, let's take a look at the response of the Shepherds. They hear the truth and how they respond to that truth. That was given them. Starting at verse 15 of Luke Chapter 2 when the Angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherd's head to one another. Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. What's the Lord is? They recognize where those angels came from. They recognize who they represented. It represented the Lord so they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby were lying in a Manger Shepherd's Auto know where the majors are when they had seen him. They spread the word concerning what have they had been told about this child and all who heard this were amazed at what the shepherd said that they But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The Shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

Wow.

You know Don comes to those who are willing to receive him and you know that. Circumstances always seem to be those who are humble enough to truly listen to him. They came to the Shepherds because the shepherd's actually listen to what the Angels had to say and they responded to it. You know in NG did this throughout his ministry, he came to people who would listen and hear what he had to say. He did. So with the disciples as he called them he went about didn't he didn't search once again in the places that you would assume he would search the places of power the places of spring the places of authority scriptural Authority.

No, you didn't go there. He went to the humble to the listeners and we see in Matthew for Jesus is beginning in Ministry and he's going out and he's touching. He's catching the next one with you. They made a difference in the entire world.

Because they listen to what Jesus had to say and they went and did what he called them to do to make a difference in the lives of people. truly around the world The disciples went all the way to India. They went South to Ethiopia. They went throughout the whole Roman Empire. They covered the entire world at that time. with a message of the truth of the Messiah But they look at right now. But it comes with our desire to seek him. You know, we're all here today. Most of us believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord and savior. Do we want to seek him with our lives right now? We seek after him Jesus speaking on the in The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 7 verse 7. He says ask and it will be given

therefore asked me to be there when you take a test. Asked me to be there when you go into a classroom asked me to be there when you're on cutting down trees in the forest.

Asked me to be there when you're taking hold of a household. God wants to be there in your life. He wants to be a part of all the things that you're doing. Not just when you decide to come before him and pray he wants to be there all the time and help guide and give you wisdom and you see is mighty hand.

He wants us to reveal him in our lives. And that's that's what the Shepherds do. They went and they saw they saw the baby in a Manger just as the Angels had told them. Hey heard the miraculous presentation by the Angels. They needed to tell somebody. Didn't just run back of the hillside white sheep. They went around town knocking on doors. Hey, guess what? We saw.

Guess what we saw. Each and every one of us needs to do that. We need to be people who say guess what I've done. I've come to know the Living God.

And he wants you to know him, too. He wants you to know into. Tell Matthew 10:27 what I tell you in the dark. Speak in the daylight. What is we're ear Proclaim from the roofs. That's what the Shepherds did. That's what the disciples did. That's what we're called to do to reclaim his name. Let people know he's the king he can change your life. You make such a difference. for all eternity and play they go back and they go back with rejoicing, you know, it was exciting and you imagine how exciting it would be. Start off. With the angel Proclamation and then see everything that that God had promised come about how much they rejoiced and each and every one of us is called to do that. If your life has been changed by Jesus Christ. You want to be rejoicing that day by day. I mean that should be excitement for us every day.

The decide the Epistles always talk about those things.

Yeah. Alright in Philippians 4:4 rejoice in the lord. Always I will say it again rejoice. You know, we all have happy Lots. If we've been changed by the work of Jesus Christ the Messiah in our lives. It should be something that we rejoice in every single day.

Not just Sunday. Not just when we gather together pray around the table or something like that, but it be something that should be apart. Jesus Christ came into the world directed by God to change locks that's exciting stuff. But it's exciting to know that it didn't just change live back then. Is an opportunity to live our life with every moment? every moment

and it draws us to want to seek him out and to pray for him to be a part of each and every one of those moments. And see his mighty hand make an amazing difference. You don't notice the difference until you were involved in it be involved with the Living God through the experiences of you gracious father how we thank you that we can be.

So involved in your life. Or have you so involved in our life? That you make a difference.

Did you become so we need to shout it to the world because we see him working.

Help us to see that father help us to seek you. Help us to let you make a difference in. Every move every day bless us. Oh Lord in Jesus name. Amen.