Series: A COVID Christmas [#1]
GOVERNOR DECREES
Luke 2:1-7
Introduction:
Here we are in the Christmas Season; and I’m agitated. It is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration; and instead, it is a time of corrupt politics and virus lockdowns. Political, Governmental, and Religious corruption is nothing new to this world. Our Governor has imposed some of the strictest mandates in the World. So, what do we do?
As we begin our Christmas Series- A COVID Christmas; I want you to see how God used Government decrees to fulfill prophesy about the birth of the Savior of the World. I am preaching this sermon during a time that many have labeled as hopeless. During the time Jesus was born, the World felt hopeless then as well. Let’s look at the Government decrees given in our text; and how similar they are to our Governor’s decrees.
Luke 2:1-3
Issued decrees…
1. Disrupt your life.
Everyone was living their “normal” lives- Working, worshipping, family time, etc… Then, the leader of that area decided that everyone had to travel to the town that they were from, in order to register. Stop working, stop schooling, stop life as usual; and follow the decrees of a person- Sound familiar?
Our lives have changed to the point that kids in our community are taking their own lives. I am talking about children who are from good Christian homes. I am talking about children who are good students and active in our community. Our lives have been so disrupted that we do not know what to do. Local businesses are shutting down. Churches are changing how they operate.
So, what do we do? You follow the decree up to the point that it contradicts Scripture. I know that this is not the answer people want to hear; but we have to trust God and continue forward.
If I went to the next point at this moment, I would be failing in my preaching. You cannot hear this and think, “Well, even the Preacher is saying we are just going to have to suffer and get over it- No hope”. That is not true. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2
If this life disrupting decree would not have happened, Jesus would not have been born in Bethlehem. It would have been foolish for Joseph to travel with Mary being that far along in her pregnancy if it were optional. What is God doing right now through this State Shutdown? Sometimes, God has to disrupt our “normal” life so that we will be obedient to His plan for our life.
Luke 2:4-6
Issued decrees…
2. Disturb your family.
This decree forced Joseph to leave where he was living and take his very pregnant wife on a tough journey. I am sure that there were some people that had planned on helping Joseph and Mary that could not; because they had to travel to their hometown. Instead of having friends and family with them, they were alone.
Families have been severely hurt by the Governor’s decrees. Funerals are limited to 5 people. Families cannot meet in groups larger than 5 for the Holidays. Church Families are in the same situation. So, what is there for us to learn from this? Jesus must be at the center of our lives and our family’s lives. With Jesus as your Savior, you are not alone.
Luke 2:6-7
Issued decrees…
3. Discourage your faith.
Because of the decree, the city was filled with people and there was no place for Joseph and Mary to stay. Normally, there would have been plenty of room for them; but not on this day. I am sure that it had to be very confusing for Joseph and Mary; because they knew that Jesus was the promised Messiah. How would God allow His Son to be born in a stable? That could be very discouraging.
During this year, we have prayed for everything going on with the virus. We have prayed that none of us get the virus; but many have. We have prayed that it would not affect our Church; but it has. We have prayed that we would have a fair election; but we did not. We have prayed that our kids would be in school; but they are not. My point is this, “Just because things are not going the way we want it to, does not mean that God does not care”.
Our enemy wants you to allow people, or government, or family, or circumstances to discourage you. If he can cause you to be spiritually discouraged, then he can cause you to stop praying, or reading God’s Word, or fellowshipping with one another. The enemy can cause you to believe that there is no room for you anywhere.
Conclusion:
It is easy to find all of the negatives going on right now; but do not forget Who we are celebrating.
