God with us
Matthew 1:18-1:25
Introduction-
Here we are again, last Sunday before Christmas.
Next Sunday some will be wearing their now wrapped unknown gifts.
This Sunday is anticipation of Christmas, Thursday in a blink of an eye will be done, and next Sunday anticipating the New Year.
If you are not careful, it will be over before you know it. The only thing that lasts is the credit card bill that keeps on coming.
I love Christmas-
I love what it stands for. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I love getting presents (who don’t)
I love getting together with family and friends (most of the time)
What I don’t love about Christmas-
Buying gifts (I am not cheap) I don’t like guessing what someone will like.
I don’t like the business it puts on an already busy life.
I don’t like how some can be all about presents to others but totally forget that Christmas is a celebration about the birth of Jesus.
Most will not even acknowledge Him throughout their celebration of Christ-mas.
Turn to Matthew 1:18-1:25
I love how this starts
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.”
Matthew begins to go into detail of how the Christ-child came into this unappreciative world.
I want you to see here-
Matthew records how Christ physically came to this world, but what goes before this is how God planned it from the beginning of time. Before He came, He knew that their world only have one way that mankind would be saved from themselves and the sins they would commit.
Jesus to bridge the gap between God and man had to come to this world because this world had no other way to get to God.
Joan Osborne wrote a song called “One of us” a song that forces you to answer the question
“What if God comes here.”
If God had a name what would it be?
And would you call it to His face?
If you were faced with him in all His glory
What would you ask if you had just one question?
She goes on in the song
If seeing meant that you would have to believe in things like heaven and in Jesus and the Saints and all the prophets.
Well…God did become one of us!
In the person of Jesus Christ!
Not a sinner like us- but God Almighty left the throne of God of heaven and in the flesh became a man and He did it by the most unusual way- born as an infant to two very young kids who loved God.
Two kids pledged to be married, who had no sexual relationship with each other. Each had a miraculous experience with God and both agreed to put His supernatural plan in motion.
Mary response Luke 1
“I am the Lords servant, Mary answered, may your word to me be fulfilled.”
The prophet Isaiah looking ahead 700 years into the future records
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, Everlasting father, prince of peace.”
Joseph struggled with all this- was going to divorce Mary quietly because of his love for her.
Engagement during that time was a binding agreement with no sexual contact but only could be broken by divorce. He had a choice to quietly do it or have her publically mocked before the people.
And in a dream, an angel appeared to Joseph
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from his sins.”
God choose Joseph to be a part of God with us!
Joseph listened to God
God gave him the plan and he knew it was from God
Joseph believed God
He could of laughed at God and chalk it up to too much Matzo balls.
He didn’t have to take Mary for his wife- but he did.
He did not have to name that child Jesus- but he did.
Joseph obeyed God
Scripture describes what God commands and what Joseph did- they were the same thing.
Take Mary as your wife
Name the child Jesus
Keep Mary a virgin- do not have relationship with her.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about!
God coming to this earth in the most unusual way, to die for the sins of mankind in the most cruel way.
The savior arrives,
“Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you, He is the messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12
The miracle, the meaning, and the message of Christmas was in the supernatural work of God.
God using godly people to fulfill the plan of God.
It was foretold, it was completed because no matter how hard the devil tried, it could not be stopped.
A loving God was coming down from heaven and was going to redeem mankind.
Christmas can only be commercialized if you let it, only be high-jacked into something it was never meant to be, only if you let it.
Reason for the season is found in Jesus Christ.
The true meaning of Christmas is God’s love.
God the Father sending His only Son to be born in supernatural way to walk a sinless and supernatural life, and to die for the supernatural redemption of mankind.
To be reconciled by supernatural powers demonstrating his love for us that in our sins Christ died for us.
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that Holy one who is to be born will be called the son of God”. Luke 1:35
If you get nothing else this morning, Christmas is a God thing!
You can try to apply mans knowledge, but it will fall short.
Angel of the Lord,
“She will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus saves- Yahweh saves! It is a God thing! Say it again- Christmas is a God thing!
No man thought it up
Made it up
Conjured it up
Christmas happened because we messed up and God fixed it by sending Jesus!
Christmas is a time of hope, peace, love, joy because God kept His promise.
Is there room in your heart for Jesus? I know the more we prepare for Christmas with gifts, decorations, parties, if we are not careful, there is less room for Jesus.
God with us
I will not leave you or forsake you
I will ask the father, and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.
God promises to be our refuse- and God keeps His promises! Amen.
The ultimate gift this Christmas is Jesus!
Giver of the ultimate gift- God
Reason for the ultimate gift- Love
Recipient of the gift- you and I (the world) if they accept.
“Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
That is Christmas! Wither you celebrate it that way or not- He (Jesus) is Christmas. You can take Christ out of Christmas but you cannot change the reason for Christmas.
Let me close this morning by offering you the greatest gift- God’s expression of love- Jesus Christ.
God doing something that you and I cannot do for ourselves.
This morning a reminder that He is not coming to redeem, He has come to redeem you and I.
He is no longer in a manger, The Son of God has gone to the cross and completed the ultimate gift of sacrifice for each one of us and paid the ultimate price for the ultimate gift.
Rev. 3:20
“I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he with me.”
Ever to be with us for eternity.
“He who believes in me has everlasting life.”
The gift is presented, will you except it this morning and allow Him to change your life forever?
