A King is Born (2)
Dustin Lee Boden / General
A King is Born / Chaos / Isaiah 9:6
A King is Born— In a time of Chaos
Isaiah 9:6 NLT
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Introduction:
Today we are continuing our series “A King is Born”… the title of this weeks message is “A King is Born— In A Time of Chaos”.
In the midst of life’s greatest uncertainties, God sent a King to show us that hope is born where chaos reigns.
We all know how chaos has a way of showing up at the most inconvenient moments, don't we?"
Not that there’s ever a convenient time for it, but when it strikes, everything can feel like it’s falling apart at once.
Chaos is defined as complete disorder and confusion—where things are unpredictable and out of control.
How many of you feel like you’ve been living in chaos?
Like every time you get your footing, something pulls the rug out from under you?
Here in rural Pennsylvania, we know a thing or two about chaos—especially when it comes to our unpredictable weather.
How many of you have ever been in the middle of something, like preparing a big family dinner, and then all of a sudden then wind begins blowing, ice and sleet starts slamming into the windows, and then all of a sudden, the power goes out!
It’s in those moments, when we’re left fumbling in the dark, that we feel most alone, powerless and out of control.
Stress sets in, worry and anxiety begin to overwhelm us....
What if the power stays off?
How will you heat your house, finish dinner, or live without internet and television?
Just like sudden storm can disrupt our daily lives, chaos can hit us unexpectedly, leaving us feeling out of control and uncertain of what lies ahead!
But here's the truth: chaos never surprises God.
In fact, He often uses it to reveal His purpose and presence.
In moments of chaos, we often wonder where God is and what He’s doing.
Think about your immediate reactions. How do you respond when chaos hits?
Do you freeze, fight, or try to find a way out?
What do those reactions reveal about where you place your trust?
As we face chaos, the story of Christmas reminds us that even in the deepest turmoil, God is present.
When we look at nativity sets, we see peaceful, serene scenes—but the reality of that first Christmas was far from calm!
Mary and Joseph weren’t peacefully sitting under a star, surrounded by calm animals and welcoming smiles.
Instead, they were weary, anxious, and uncertain about what the future would bring.
Far from home, they faced the pressure of Roman decrees, the rejection of a full inn, and the overwhelming stress of an imminent birth.
The world around them was anything but calm—it was chaotic and uncertain.
Mary and Joseph faced overwhelming chaos, and it was into that turmoil that Jesus was born—reminding us that God’s presence is greater than any storm we endure.
In the midst of the disorder, Jesus arrived—a light breaking through the darkness, a King born to bring peace.
Lets look at Luke 2
Luke 2:1–7 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
So today, let’s remember that even when everything seems out of control, God’s plan prevails in chaos.
He meets us right where we are, bringing light into our darkest moments.
No storm is too fierce for His peace—so we can trust Him, no matter what.
1. God’s Plan Prevails in Chaos
Even when life feels out of control, God is still in control, working all things together for His glory and our good.
Chaos doesn’t stop God’s plan—it sets the stage for His purpose.
1. God will divinely orchestrate life to make it serve His purpose.
a. What I mean is this: God has both the power and authority to perfectly orchestrate His plan, even in the midst of chaos and disorder.
i. No matter how crazy, chaotic, and unpredictable life becomes, God’s ultimate plan always prevails.
b. Look at Luke 2:1 again...
Luke 2:1 NLT
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
Luke 2:2–3 NLT
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
a. Here we see the world that Jesus is entering into is one of control and oppression.... a time of political chaos.
b. The world that Jesus was born into was not a time of peace and prosperity.
i. It wasn’t a time of joy and celebration, but a time of oppression, uncertainty, and longing for hope.
c. When Heaven invaded earth, it was during a time of Roman oppression that brought heavy taxation, harsh rules, and stripped people of their freedoms.
i. The God’s people were forced to uproot their families and travel great distances, just so Rome could count the population for its own benefit.
d. It was also a time of spiritual silence—a 400-year period with no prophets, no fresh word from Heaven, only the promises of God to cling to.
e. For generations, God’s people had been waiting, longing to hear from Him.
i. Imagine the frustration of 400 years of silence, the reality is some of us struggle with waiting just a few moments for God to respond in the chaos of our lives.
f. Yet what may have looked like coincidence was divine providence.
g. God chose this exact time in history to send His Son.
i. Rome was the most powerful empire in History.
ii. Rome established peace through out the empire that lasted for centuries.
iii. This peace made travel and communication easier than ever before, and Rome's vast empire covered most of the known western world.
h. It’s clear that God’s timing was perfect.
i. He sent Christ into the world at a moment when the gospel could spread farther and faster than at any other time in history.
j. Even in the midst of oppression and silence, God’s plan was unfolding with precision and purpose!
2. God often uses unlikely circumstances, people, and situations to accomplish his will.
Isaiah 55:8 NLT
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
a. Last week we saw His family lineage full of unlikely people, like Rahab, Ruth, and David.
i. We saw how God used dysfunctional families to bring for the savior of the world.
ii. So I think it is safe to say that God will use unlikely and even unfavorable people and circumstances to cause His divine plan to come to pass.
b. God often uses the very situations we see as messy, chaotic, and unlikely to accomplish His purpose.
c. Here is what is interesting....
i. There was a prophecy given 700 years before the day when Gabriel visited Mary.
ii. That prophecy stated that the birth place of Christ would be in Bethlehem.
iii. Here is the problem, Joseph and Mary did not live in Bethlehem, they lived in Nazareth.
Micah 5:2 NKJV
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
a. Prophecies are imporant and fulfilled prophecy is very important.
i. It is proof of God.
ii. It serves as evidence that Jesus is the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament.
b. So, at times, God will allow difficult circumstances and situations to enter our lives so that His plan can be fulfilled.
c. God often works in ways we least expect to bring about His greatest works.
i. Jesus HAD to be born in Bethlehem… there was no other way around it.
ii. This was the best time in history.
iii. God found the perfect, imperfect people to be the parents of the Christ.
iv. And now he needed them to uproot their lives and travel to this little town of Bethlehem so that this specific prophecy could be fulfilled.
d. Can you imagine if Mary and Joseph reacted the way we often do today when things don’t go as planned or expected?
i. When faced with chaos and uncertainty, we panic, question God, and become frustrated because life isn’t going the way we want!
ii. We get upset, even angry, questioning God’s love and motives, instead of trusting in His divine providence.
e. Mary and Joseph, on the other hand, had no road-map for what was happening.
i. They were navigating unexpected challenges—an unexpected pregnancy, an arduous journey, a birth in a stable, and the constant threat of danger.
ii. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, they trusted in God’s plan and moved forward in faith.
f. Some people today are so desperate to know what the future holds that they forget to trust in God’s perfect timing.
i. When God speaks of the future and reveals His plans, He speaks with authority and wisdom.
ii. He knows every detail of what is to come, and His plans are always purposeful, even when we can't see how they fit together.
iii. The difference between Mary and Joseph’s faith and our tendency to doubt is often found in our willingness to trust God when life doesn’t go as we envisioned.
g. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God said,
Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
a. God knows “the end from the beginning.”
i. The arrangement of those words is striking because it’s the exact opposite of the way that humans know history.
ii. We are limited by time and space and learn about things as they unfold in time, from the beginning to the end.
b. But God says, “I know the end from the beginning. I already know what will happen.
c. The prophecy of Micah 5:2 stated that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, and it was the chaos of the census the forced Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
d. God works in ways that are beyond comprehension, His purpose and plan for our lives are greater than even our own plans.
i. God has no limits, we need to remind ourselves this when we go through tough times and unfavorable circumstances, that instead of complaining and limiting God, we need to give him something to work with!
e. Give him your humble obedience and trust that he is working all things out for the good.
Romans 8:28 NLT
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
a. If God’s plan prevails even in the chaos of life, where does that leave us when we find ourselves stuck in the middle of the mess?
b. The truth is, God doesn’t just work through the chaos—He meets us right there in it.
c. He doesn’t shy away from our brokenness; instead, He steps into it to bring healing, redemption, and hope.
d. Consider how the King of Kings chose to meet humanity in the mess of a stable, a feeding trough, and a broken world. In doing so, He showed us that no mess is too great for His mercy.
e. Let’s look at how the King of Kings chose to meet humanity in the mess of a stable, a feeding trough, and a broken world to prove that no mess is too great for His mercy.
2. God Meets Us in the Mess
Jesus entered a broken, chaotic world to bring redemption, showing that no mess is too great for Him to handle.
Our mess is no match for His mercy.
Luke 2:4–5 NLT
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
1. Can you imagine the mess and personal chaos of Joseph and Mary must have experienced?
a. Mary’s Perspective:
i. Mary was likely between 14 and 16 years old, engaged and suddenly pregnant.
ii. Just a teenager, she was already preparing for the expectations of marriage when she received the news that she was carrying the Son of God.
iii. Imagine the fear, the confusion, and the questions: What will people say? Will Joseph leave me? Will anyone believe me?
iv. Can you picture the shame she must have felt as she faced the scorn of those who might have thought she was unfaithful, even as she walked in obedience to God?
v. In Mary’s culture, being pregnant outside of marriage was punishable by death.
1. Even if she wasn’t killed, the ridicule and rejection would have been unbearable.
vi. Some of you may know what it’s like to walk through shame, to carry a burden that no one else understands.
vii. Mary carried that, too— but she also carried God’s promise.
viii. Now, in her final trimester, she has to make a grueling journey to Bethlehem.
b. Joseph’s Perspective:
i. Can you imagine Joseph finding out Mary was pregnant, knowing the child wasn’t his?
ii. The heartbreak? The anger? The disbelief?
iii. Yet in the middle of Joseph’s inner chaos, God sent an angel to calm his heart and remind him of the bigger picture.
iv. Engaged to Mary, he was trying to make sense of what God was asking him to do—protect and care for the Messiah.
v. He was leading his pregnant fiancée on a dangerous and exhausting journey, likely facing judgment and whispers from others about her pregnancy.
vi. He was trusting God, but the circumstances seemed far from ideal or easy.
2. Obedience in the storm paves the way for God’s promises to unfold.
a. Sometimes God doesn’t take us out of the mess; He walks with us through it.
b. Despite the personal chaos of Joseph and Mary, God was with them.
c. He didn’t prevent the challenges, but He was present in the midst of them.
d. While we may not understand the reasons for our difficulties, setbacks, or delays, we can find comfort in knowing there is a higher purpose at work.
e. Sometimes obeying Jesus means we are choosing to walk into a storm.
f. We live in a world that strives to avoid pain at all costs.
g. We take the long route if it means avoiding suffering.
h. We do all sorts of things to keep pain at bay:
i. We keep ourselves busy so we don’t have to think about the problem.
i. We create new habits to feel a sense of control.
ii. Some take on extra work.
iii. We turn to food as a way to cope.
iv. We unplug from reality, using entertainment as a distraction from emotions and worries.
j. Why? Because we HATE storms, we HATE trials, and we HATE suffering.
k. Yet, sometimes Jesus call us to walk right into them!
i. Sometimes He tells us to leave a relationship we don’t want to let go of.
ii. Sometimes He calls us to get up and move our life even though it is comfortable,
iii. Sometimes He calls us to do the right thing even though it hurts our image or might make other people think less of us.
iv. And sometimes, He simply allows chaos and hardship to enter our lives to prepare the way for His divine plan.
l. It isn’t because He enjoys our suffering, isn’t because He wants to see us struggle or be in pain, and it isn’t because He is punishing us.
m. Sometimes, it's because the breakthrough we seek can only come if we endure a moment of discomfort.
n. The truth is, there are times when we won’t grow or understand God’s plans until we learn what true dependence on Him looks like.
i. That dependence is often realized when we’re in the middle of chaos, with no control, and we finally understand that He is with us through it all.
o. For Joseph and Mary, the journey to Bethlehem likely felt overwhelming. Yet their trust in God carried them through.
p. God doesn’t promise smooth roads, but He does promise steady steps.
q. Don’t you think Joseph and Mary might have questioned, “Why does this have to be so hard?”
r. But every step they took was part of God’s divine plan.
i. The struggles we face don’t mean we’re off course; they may be the very steps God is using to lead us to His purpose.
s. Like Mary and Joseph heading to Bethlehem, you might feel like your journey is full of obstacles.
t. But the hardest steps are often the ones that lead us to the greatest blessings.
u. Jesus steps into our messy world.
Luke 2:6 NLT
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
Luke 2:7 NLT
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
a. Jesus entered a world filled with political oppression, spiritual silence, and societal chaos.
i. His birth wasn’t glamorous; it was gritty and humble.
ii. This wasn’t just a messy setting—it was a picture of a messy world.
b. Jesus’ birth into a stable reminds us that He meets us where we are, not where we think we need to be.
i. Jesus doesn’t avoid the mess—He enters it to bring hope.
ii. The messy circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth didn’t hinder God’s plan—they were part of it.
iii. The Savior of the world wasn’t born in a royal palace but in a humble stable, showing that God’s redemption starts even in the lowliest places.
c. Whatever mess you’re in right now, God can redeem it.
i. He works through the hardest circumstances to bring about His greatest purposes.
ii. Let me reassure you today: God sees you in your chaos and mess. He knows the weight you carry, and He’s not distant—He’s with you.
d. Your personal chaos isn’t too big for God to handle.
i. Chaos isn’t the end of the story—it’s where God begins a new one.
e. Jesus’ birth was a sign that God is not a distant deity but a personal Savior.
f. He steps into the middle of our pain, struggles, and chaos to redeem us.
i. He’s not afraid of your brokenness—He’s ready to bring healing and hope.
g. When God meets us in our mess, He doesn’t just leave us there.
h. He offers something no one else can—peace.
i. Not just temporary relief, but an everlasting, unshakable peace that calms our hearts even when the chaos around us continues.
j. Lastly, lets look at how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brings calm to our storms and peace to our souls.
3. Jesus Brings Peace Amid the Chaos
Jesus is the Prince of Peace who offers calm to our storms and peace in our souls, even when chaos surrounds us.
True peace isn’t the absence of chaos; it’s the presence of Christ.
1. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
a. Isaiah speaks of a coming deliverer— who will unite the Jews and the Gentiles, and lead them into a life of joy, peace, justice, and into a right relationship with God.
b. The people of Israel were in a time of deep turmoil, and Isaiah’s message was meant to comfort and point them to hope.
c. The was a prophetic promise of peace that was fulfilled when Jesus came.
d. Peace is not defined by the absence of chaos.
i. It is defined by the presence of Christ that creates a stillness within you that is greater than what’s going on around you.
e. John 14:27 tells of a peace that cannot be found anywhere but in the presence of God. Jesus says...
John 14:27 NLT
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
a. Peace is a gift from Christ, it is not found anywhere else but IN HIS PRESENCE!
i. How often do we find ourselves in moments of deep despair, consumed by the fear that our pain and chaos will never end?
ii. It's easy to fall into hopelessness when faced with uncertainty.
b. In a world of chaos, remember: true peace isn't tied to our circumstances.
i. It's an unshakable core of confidence in God.
c. You can’t always change the storm or escape the chaps but you can shift your focus on the one who is peace.
2. Jesus doesn’t just bring peace to our external circumstances; He brings peace to our souls.
Philippians 4:6–7 NLT
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
a. Worry and anxiety are part of life’s chaos, but prayer anchors us in God’s peace.
b. Peace overcomes all fear!
i. Imagine not worrying about anything!!
ii. Imagine the freedom you would have that in your moments of struggle, when life feels chaotic and over whelming that Jesus is present.
iii. He came and brought a peace the surpasses understanding.
iv. Not the kind of peace that makes problems disappear, but a deep sense of assurance that provides you the ability to not be taken by fear, worry, anxiety, or doubt!
c. This is talking about child-like faith… remember when you were a child, and mom and dad were able to take all your fears?
i. I can remember when the girls were quite young, in the days when thunder storms terrified them. Storms at night would come unexpectedly, and it wouldn’t be long when a couple tiny girls were wiggling between us.
ii. See it was our presence that brought comfort, we did not take away the booms of thunder or the flashes of lightening… but their safety was found in their confidence that they had in us.
iii. The storm raged outside but it was our presence that brought stillness within.
d. so too does God’s peace quiet our hearts, even when the world around us is in turmoil.
e. Paul’s advice is to turn your fears and worries into prayers!
f. Then you will experience God’s peace.
g. God’s peace is unlike anything we can find one earth today.
h. It goes beyond anything the world can offer.
i. True peace is not found in positive thinking, or the absence of conflict…
ii. It is only found in Christ!
i. God’s peace silences life’s loudest fears.
3. Jesus’ birth wasn’t just about temporary peace—it was the beginning of eternal peace through His work on the cross.
Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
a. Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem signified more than a temporary reprieve from life’s struggles; it marked the beginning of God’s ultimate plan to restore peace between heaven and earth.
b. From the manger to the cross, Jesus’ mission was reconciliation.
c. His birth was the promise, and His death and resurrection were the fulfillment.
d. The world needed eternal peace.
i. Since the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, our relationship with God was broken, and peace was lost.
ii. Sin created a separation that no human effort could bridge.
Romans 5:1 NLT
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
a. Jesus’ birth was the first step in God’s redemptive plan to restore what sin had shattered.
b. While the manger introduced Jesus to the world, it was the cross that introduced peace to our souls.
c. At the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins, defeating sin, death, and the chaos they bring into our lives.
d. His resurrection secured eternal peace for all who believe.
Colossians 1:20 NLT
20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
a. Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate treaty between God and humanity, not only ending the conflict but opening the door for an eternal relationship.
b. The peace Jesus brought isn’t confined to this life; it stretches into eternity. His birth was the dawn of a kingdom characterized by everlasting peace.
c. When we accept Jesus, we don’t just receive peace for eternity; we experience it now.
i. Peace with God means we no longer carry the weight of guilt and shame.
ii. Peace within ourselves comes as we trust in His promises, even in the chaos.
iii. Peace with others flows out of our reconciliation with God.
4. God has been writing a story that originated before us and will continue beyond us.
i. God’s word reminds us again and again… that His promises and His plans are unfolding and nothing can stop them!
ii. His plans are much grander than any of us can comprehend!
a. Peace isn’t the absence of chaos—it’s the presence of Jesus in the middle of it
b. What storm are you facing right now?
i. Maybe it’s financial stress, family struggles, or uncertainty about the future.
ii. Today, I invite you to bring it to the Prince of Peace, who promises a peace beyond understanding.
iii. Will you trust Him to calm your heart?
Conclusion:
As we come to the end of this message, I want us to hold onto this powerful truth: In the most chaotic moments of our lives, God's plan prevails.
Just as He orchestrated the events that led to Jesus' birth in the humble setting of a manger, He is at work in our circumstances today.
When we feel lost in the mess, we can find comfort in knowing that God meets us there, not with judgment, but with the presence of His Son, Jesus.
Mary and Joseph were not expecting the messiness of their journey to Bethlehem, yet God showed up.
He met them in that chaos and fulfilled His promise.
And today, God wants to meet us in our mess. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born to bring hope where there is despair and calm where there is turmoil.
He isn’t just a figure we celebrate once a year; He is our Savior who can transform our hearts and situations.
So, as we prepare to leave this place, I challenge you to think about your own life.
What chaos do you need to surrender to Him today?
What burdens are you carrying that God wants to lift from your shoulders?
Jesus is here, right now, ready to bring peace into your storm.
I’d like to invite you to take a moment for prayer.
If you are feeling the weight of chaos or longing for peace, I encourage you to position yourself in a way that you can lay down your burdens and connect with God in a tangible way and invite Him to transform your situation!
If you wish to come to the altar, myself and our prayer team would be happy to pray and believe with you.
If you wish remain in you seat, you are welcome to do that also.
Psalm 34:14 tells us to seek after pursue peace.
Psalm 34:14 ESV
14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
As the worship team minsters to us today, I encourage you seek God’s presence and trust that He is here, ready to meet to you and guide you!
