Title: Unwrapping Christmas: God's Timing
Theme:
Text: Matthew 2:1-12, Galatians 4:1-7
Matthew 2:1-12 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, (2) saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." (3) When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (4) And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. (5) So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: (6) 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' " [6] (7) Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. (8) And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." (9) When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. (10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. (11) And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (12) Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Introduction
Opening Video: Unwrapping Christmas
Illustration: A Christmas Present
Two things about presents:
A Wrapped Present
1) Wrapping of a present is designed to hide what is on the inside. There is a mystery there. The person is not suppose to know what is in there.
It believe this is also true when it comes to Christmas. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds it. Which brings me to my second analogy.
2) The wrapping is not what is most important. No matter how beautiful the package is. It is not about the package.
This morning as we look into scripture I would like us to take a look at the second mystery to unwrap. It is found here in Luke and shown clearer in Galatians. It is one of the most confusing areas and that is God’s timing. If there ever was a mystery of God it has to be His timing.
We learn that from the opening story about the wise men who came to see the baby Jesus. God prepared a star, a sign that appeared at the right time.
Galatians 4:4 reminds us "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law "
God has a perfect time
The first lesson that we learn is that God has a time. It was in the fullness of time that God sent His son and set the stage for redemption to all who will believe.
Jesus said in Mark 1:15 after John the Baptist was thrown in prison, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Everything worked to God’s timing.
The same is true in our personal lives. God has a time for us.
G2540
- Original: καιρός - Transliteration: Kairos - Phonetic: kahee-ros'
- Definition:
1. due measure
2. a measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:
a. a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for
b. opportune or seasonable time
c. the right time
d. a limited period of time
e. to what time brings, the state of the times, the things and events of time
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
God had a plan for us a long time ago
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
David Psalms 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God’s Timing is often times different than ours
Mary and Martha to Jesus about their brother being sick. “If you would have been here”. Tell the story of Mary and Martha's reaction to Jesus showing up after Lazarus death. John 11
It is not about us but God’s glory. In that we will be blessed.
Psalm 46:10 ESV / 23 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
There is a promise of blessing to waiting on God
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (29) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Why is God’s timing so different than ours
God does not view time as we do
2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
We live in a time and a watch. I saw this a little clearer in Belize. Time is not as important. Kind of reminded me what I heard of in the farming days. You had day light, lunch and dark. You tried to get things accomplished in between them.
Even When the Coming of the Lord – It is all about timing
Sometimes Timing is about seasons
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven;
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
NLT 9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV / For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
What is our Answer - Our Solution
Trust – Have Faith – Security and Safety, a place of refuge
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Stay Consistent
Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Determined to make it.
Stay Persistent
Daniel 10 and Prayer
Daniel 10 tells us an interesting story about how Daniel has persistently prayed to the Lord. Over and over again he would petition him. Yet it seemed that the windows of heaven were brass and his prayers were not getting anywhere. After 3 weeks Gabriel the arch angel appears and explains the delay. The Prince of the kingdom Persia on the spiritual side had fought Gabriel and then Michael.
This delayed the prayers. I am not sure how to totally connect this theologically. But we know that there is resistance. There is a devil who walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
God chooses to operate in this system, Why? I believe that it is integrity. When it is all said and done it eliminates all the excuses of not being free to chose.
Redeem the Time
Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
NIV “Making the most of every opportunity”
Conclusion
So let us take time and spend it with the Lord this morning. Let Him give us assurance that He is in control. He has a plan and a time to fulfill that plan.
