Worship Despite the Politics
Come Let Us Adore Him • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
John Francis Wade is credited with writing O Come Let Us Adore Him. It is believed to have been written in 1751. It was written in the midst of political upheaval in England causing Wade to move to France. He is most famous for this Christmas Hymn, but made his living teaching music and writing and selling chants that were used the chapel services of wealthy families. A very simple song, yet its words call us to consider a great invitation.
It will be our theme for the season of Advent as we take a closer look at Luke 2 which is so familiar to us. The words of John Francis Wade’s song give us three reflections to think about this Christmas season.
We are given the choice to come. Right now in this country, we have the freedom to worship or not. We have based great faith over the years that we have the ability to choose because of this free country. Unfortunately, it does not seem as free as it used to be. Politics have incited riots and arguments throughout our land, but we still have the freedom to choose for the most part. God gives us that freedom as well. Just like the song, we are called to come. Our memory verse for the month is an example of this calling.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
As we come, we are given a decision to make. The Bible and the song both use the words, “let us.” Again, we are given the ability to choose. As we come into this season of Christmas, we can choose how we will go through it. We can dread it or we can embrace it. The call in both the song and the verse is one of worship. In the song we sing, “O come let us adore Him.” In our memory verse we see, “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel.” Both of these ideas reflect worship. My point is, as we go through this season and as we go through the most familiar of all Christmas passages, may we do so with an act of worship. I want to share with you three perspectives from Luke 2:1-7. There are details here that will give us a historical perspective, a humanly perspective, and a holy perspective. All of these will lead us to worship. It is my desire that this will be the most meaningful Christmas ever for you and for you family as we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to “come let us adore Him.”
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.
How many times have you heard those verses over the years? Often we hear something so much that it becomes routine and seems to lose its meaning. Today, lean in little closer and “come, let us adore Him.”
A Historical Perspective
A Historical Perspective
John Francis Wade was in political turmoil that led him to leave England and go to France in the mid 1700’s. It seems that political turmoil have always been part of the history of mankind. But, can God use that political turmoil? The answer is a resounding, “yes!” God certainly used politics in the birth of His Son. Luke is careful to give us enough details to help us understand that the birth of Christ was indeed a certain point of time. We see that detailed in verse 1 that it was during the time of Caesar Augustus. Caesar Augustus was given that name in 27 B.C. by the Roman Senate. His birth name was Gaius Octavius, born in September of 63 B.C. His was name was changed to give him honor of his defeat and the annexation of Egypt. He was characterized as harsh and unrelenting. He was a master administrator who restored order to the Roman Empire after two decades of civil war. He was responsible for the start of the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, which was the golden age of the Roman Empire and lasted for 250 years. So the naming of Caesar Augustus in this passage, indicate a specific time. Why is this important? It shows us that the birth of Christ was a real event and one that is not made up. We can be assured that it happened.
Another thing we see here from a historical perspective is that a specific tax in the form of a census was taken. The entire world mentioned here was all that the Roman Empire included. The Roman Empire had conquered most of the Mediterranean area and included North Africa, Europe, Asia as well as the Middle East. In fact, the event was even foretold in the Book of Daniel.
44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
Another name is mentioned to help with the timeline, Quirinius who was governor of Syria. We see from history that this was supported from the writings of historians Justin, Tertullian, and Josephus. I mention those names because they are 3 well respected historians that recorded events that are parallel to the ministry of Jesus and the early church. All three make mention of this census and the Governor Quirinius. Additionally, there is much support of Roman military activity in and around Syria during this time frame. I think that is important because of the fact that the politics of the Roman Empire set into motion a specific track to move Mary and Joseph from one place to another. This shows me that God can use a political climate in His will to bring His purpose to fruition. It was ordered by a human but orchestrated by God. The details that Luke give us show God’s hand in history.
Verse 3 tells us that everyone went to their own town to register. We know this means that they went to their town of ancestry. This shows us that there is a humanly perspective.
A Humanly Perspective
A Humanly Perspective
Directed by a mighty government, Mary and Joseph set out on a journey to the place of Joseph’s ancestral city. Notice as accurate as these details are, there are not any details of the attitudes of Mary and Joseph. Maybe there are not any details because they had an attitude that trusted God despite the governmental law in effect. I may be meddling here instead of preaching, but it seems to me that if we all would check our attitudes when it comes to our government, we might be better off. It seems we are complaining lots more instead of glorifying God.
The Biblical Perspective is Matthew 22:21
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
We see this holy directive given to us even in the example of Joseph and Mary. They were directed by a mighty government and they did what they were asked to do.
We also see that they descended from mighty genealogy. As a descendant of David, we see that Joseph needed to go to Bethlehem.
1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
There is an emphasis here to show the Messianic Claim.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
God had this already in motion. Don’t you know that God’s time is always perfect? It was not just a coincidence that that this all this took place. God allowed it to happen. I am reminded that in this crazy world, God is still in control. I encourage you from this Christmas story to remember that politics cannot hurt God or God’s ways. Instead of saying what is this politician doing to God, we should say, “I cannot wait to see what God is going to do through this politician!”
Mary and Joseph had both had mighty encounters with Mighty God! Don’t you think that those encounters they had influenced them to be devoted to Mighty God? Somewhere is the faith over the years, they had to here the words of the Psalmist:
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
Instead of getting all up in arms when things are happening in our country and world, be devoted to God Almighty! By doing so, you and I can have a holy perspective.
A Holy Perspective
A Holy Perspective
Do you see the holy perspective in this Christmas narrative? Lined up just at the right time and right place, the Bible tells us that “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.” Nowadays, babies can be born by scheduling days to induce labor or c-sections can be performed. However, even in those situations, things have to happen for that birth to be possible. There is no mention in our text of a midwife or hospital or any assistance. I believe as detailed as Luke was about the other events that had there been assistance, he would have written about it. That is really a trivial matter. Luke details that the child was born as the first born. This is important because the Lord had instilled in His people that the firstborn would be consecrated.
13 for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”
Mary and Joseph take this King of Kings and Lord of Lords, wrap Him up in cloths, swaddling clothes, because He was just as human as you and me. These swaddling clothes, as the older versions say, provided security, warmth and comfort. Isn’t that what Jesus can provide for us today? Dear friend are you in need of security, warmth and comfort? Jesus came so that you could have that!
They took that child and placed Him in a stable bed, a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn. By the way, the Greek word for inn here is katalyma. It is the same word that is used Luke 22:11
11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
And Mark 14:14
14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
The word for “inn” is the same as “guest chambers.” It is not designed to be a permanent residence. This foreshadows the rejection and deprecation Jesus was to experience later in life.
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Look at the simple beginnings of our Savior. He slept in a stable bed so you and I could experience an abundant life. The Son of God became our Savior so that we could access the Holiness of God and be in full fellowship with Him!
In concluding, there is one message I want you to hear: Jesus came to this world, lived here, and dwelt among us. Today, He wants to come into your world, live with you and dwell among you. He is able to identify with everything about you and take everything you have and transform it to a pleasing aroma for His Father. Why? Because He love you!
Oh Dear friend, come and let us adore Him!