The Birth of Christ

Luke 2:10-11

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

What we’re after here

realizing this isn’t just a story for children, sunday schoolers, a quaint happy tale.

this is a rescue. The birth of the king. the rightful king who is coming to defeat the enemy and rescue his people. raise an army.

In the days of Caesar Augustus - “the august one” - the surpreme, sublime, magestic one - titles only for God.

we’re being show the false king, before the true one.

and where is the true king? in the manger. The TRULY august one, spurpreme, sublime, majestic.

an intentional contrast. and what culminates?

FEAR NOT for behold I bring you GOOD NEWS

Something GOOD and something NEW.

Consider the word NEW

“i got a new car” new new? new to you? like new? several diff meanings.

same in greek - new, also renewed, a new nature

so there was creation - and then a NEW creation. Things are being MADE NEW

why? original creation awas infected. Broken. sin.

this is why we must be born again - made new - regenerated.

this is why until you are made new, you cannot see the kingdom, and you don’t care whether you sin or not.

which means - if you have no concious care about your sin - it doesn’t seem that you’re born again.

And Jesus is the author of both creation and Re-creation.

John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Rev. 3:14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

v14 - “AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONG THOSE WHOM HE IS PLEASED”

ESV is clunky here.

Ironically enough the KJV keeps the poetry in place nicely.

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men”

Good will, grace, towards men, from who? GOD.

In other words, its the announcement of a new era. No longer a time of enmity between God and man, where we face the wrath of God for our sins,but a time where we enjoy the grace and mercy and favor of God AS HIS CHILDREN.

The good news - God has offered peace.

His son, and whoever accepts him is renewed, made new, and helps to MAKE THE WORLD NEW.

IF THIS IS TRUE - this means that human history itself is a history of renewal.

therefore - we cna mourn the past - but we are a people looking towards the future.

“Remember when… when will things be normal again… ready for 2020 to be over....”

but if Christ is making all things new - then this is a time of renewal.

there are a lot of things to mourn… and if we aren’t careful we’ll just get stuck there.

instead, we look to the future, we put our hands to the plow, and we get to work here and now.

we live in today - with a future hope.

“let the dead bury their dead”

don’t dwell there. move on.

So, to have faith is to look forward.

faith in what? faith that you are saved. when? now AND THEN.

and as redeemed people we are redeeming. renewing.

so how?

obviously with our families, children.

but also, in every sphere in which you carry influence. Bringing the Gospel, the seed of hope.

how can we be agents of RENEWAL if we don’t bring in what makes things new???

when we have this hope we want others to have it as well. we bring it forth.

and we can know that Christ conquorrs all.

How do we know this?

Herod’s line eventually ended. he was betrayed by caesar, cast our.

his son rule in his place only to be struck down by an angel in the middle of blaspheming God (Acts 21).

And this is the case for all of history. Eventually, the wicked are always defeated. But Christ and his kingdom moves on.

AND WHAT OF CAESAR AND ROME?

well the kingdom of Rome arose and fell perfectly in line with the dispersion of the Gospel message throughout the world.

what a coincidence...

and as for Caesar and his line?

Phil 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD?

THINGS SEEM SO BLEAK

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

the work of redemption is in your hands.

so take up your swords and you plows and the gospel of peace… and let us go to work.

JOY TO THE WORLD!