Luke 2:1-14 “Promise Fulfilled”
INTRODUCTION
The birth of a child is viewed in a variety of different ways by different people. Some people see it as a miracle. Others may understand birth to encapsulate life and the potential that all life holds. For many of those who gathered around the child in swaddling clothes laying in a manger in Bethlehem, they saw the birth as a promise fulfilled.
BROKEN PROMISES
We live in a world of broken promises—easily made and easily broken.
• Those who ran for Corporation Commission this past election campaigned on a no increase in utility bill promise. Now, we have a 53% water bill increase.
• Those who were elected to federal office last year promised that they would bring change to the government, work together, and create jobs. We all know the outcome of those promises.
• We occasionally have made promises to our children only to break them—of course for good reason
Broken promises break trust and cause us to question promises and the sincerity of those who make them.
PROMISES KEPT
Jesus’ birth was an affirmation that God keeps his promises.
• God promised David one thousand years before Jesus that a descendent would always occupy the throne of Israel.
• To a broken Israel, God promised a Messiah.
• The words of the angel to Mary, that she would be the mother of the Son of God, the Messiah came true that night.
• The words of the angel to the shepherds—that they would see their savior, was a promise kept.
TODAY’S PROMISES
God’s promises not only have been kept in the past. God continues to keep his promises in our lives today.
• God promises that he will give us a new heart and a new relationship with him.
• Jesus promises that he has come to set his people free and they will be truly free. He also promised to give us abundant lives.
• Jesus has promised to love us steadfastly and unconditionally.
• Jesus has promised to give us rest when we are weary, and peace in the midst of our struggles.
All of these are promises that God has kept and is keeping.
CONCLUSION
Tonight we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate more. We celebrate the birth of our savior, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. God has promised and God keeps his promises.
Amen
