A Sign from God

Signs are very important to us.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Prophesied signs of Messiah arrival

· Isaiah 7:14 – The LORD will give you a sign – Virgin Birth

Isaiah 7:14 KJV 1900

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

· Isaiah 9:6-7 – He will be a rightful heir to the throne of David

Isaiah 9:6–7 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

o Unto us a child it born – born of the flesh – a man

o Unto us a son is given – given by his Father – given to us – a mysterious gift

· Micah 5:2 – A sign, he will come out of Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

· Hosea 11:1 – He will be called out of Egypt

Hosea 11:1 KJV 1900

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, And called my son out of Egypt.

Signs to Identify Jesus to the Shepard’s

· He will be in the city of David (Bethlehem)

o Bethlehem means “House of Bread”

o It was the burial site for Rachael, Jacob’s favorite wife

o This is the area where David was anointed by Samuel

o It was known as Ephraim then Bethlehem and called the City of David in honor of its most favored son – King David

· He will be wrapped in swaddling clothes

o Light blankets used to snuggle a baby, to five comfort and warmth

o Show that God entrusted Jesus to Mary and Joseph

§ God’s creation would take care of God (amazing)

· He will be in a manger

· The Angels testified by giving glory to God

o They prayed for peace on earth

o They declared God’s good will towards men

o The angels LOVED giving us this message of good news… even if we did not understand it

God had come down to men in the flesh!

What a miraculous thing to see!

What a sign of God’s love!

What are signs for?

· In scripture signs are for Jews

o John 2:11 - This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

o John 4:48 - Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

o 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom

· Signs tell us of something that we need to know

o Some are for guidance, some for warning

o Traffic signs give us information of directions, hazards, etc…

o Heart attach signs (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms, etc…)

What do these signs tell us?

Creation tells us the God exists

· Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

· Psalms 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The 6 days of creation tell us that God is the creator and he has chosen Israel as his people

· Genesis 31:16-17 - Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The signs of Jesus’ birth tell us that God has sent his son, a gift to us…

· Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

but for what?

John 3:16

· If unto me a child has been born then I am a child

· If a son has been given to me then I am a son

· If the Father gave his son to me, then the Father loves me

If the Father entrusted the knowledge