[Statements in brackets are for the preacher not the preaching. They are notes that reflect ideas based on the homiletics recommended in "Preach with No Pants" (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/preach-with-no-pants-john-allen-sermon-on-inductive-250167) which proposes an inductive-deductive five-point outline: Trip, Tension, Twist, Truth, Triumph.]
[EXEGETICAL Subject: Jesus' birth at Bethlehem instead of Nazareth...]
[EXEGETICAL Complement: ...happened because God moved the empire.]
[HOMILETICAL Subject: The events of our lives...]
[HOMILETICAL Complement: ...are orchestrated by God.]
[HOMILETICAL IDEAS]
The events of our lives are orchestrated by God.
God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (Eph 1:11).
God can move the world to accomplish his will in you.
God can solve any need in your life.
[TWIST - The Clue to the Idea, Most Startling Idea]
Verse 4: Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied (Matt 2:4-6).
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[TRIP/UPSET]
It has been said there are only two things in life we can count on: death and taxes. (It is often attributed to Mark Twain, but the earliest known version was written by Christopher Bullock in 1716, who stated, "Tis impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes").
But there's another certain thing: Life will NOT go as planned.
"I love it when a plan comes together" is a famous quote from the 1980s television series The A-Team, spoken by the character John "Hannibal" Smith, played by George Peppard. It's become popular because it doesn't happen very often.
[TENSION - Provoking the Questions, Opposites of the Truth]
1 The government will disrupt life by their decisions, especially their taxes and regulations. Have you ever received a letter from the IRS? It means major stress.
4 We may have to make a business trip that is not convenient. Or we have a family emergency.
5 The events of one person's life often upset the whole family.
6-7 Bad things come at us for bad reasons at bad times with bad outcomes.
That's life. If you think I'm complaining, let me remind you that Jesus agrees with me! "In this world you will have trouble and suffering" (John 16:33).
And what I've just described is Christmas. Look at the beloved Christmas story in Luke 2. I have just described what happened to Joseph and Mary. You know we don't have a record that Mary rode a donkey for that 80-mile trip to Bethlehem. (See https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/did-mary-really-ride-on-a-donkey-into-bethlehem.html.) Maybe that journey brought on the birth when they got there. (There are early historical traditions of her riding a donkey. Perhaps Joseph borrowed one.)
[Read it.]
Now these verses do contain one of the greatest events in human history. But why did God make it so inconvenient, so difficult, so troublesome? Why does God make our lives so difficult?
[TWIST - The Clue to the Idea, Most Startling Idea]
Verse 4 says Joseph HAD to go to Bethlehem. The reason, like many truths in the Bible, is found elsewhere in the Bible. Turn to Matthew 2:4-6. You see, God predicted that he would be born in Bethlehem. If you ask, "Why didn't he just predict Jesus' birth in Nazareth?" Well, according to the book of Job, you don't need to know why! God has all the answers! That's enough, or should be.
But look at Luke 2 again to learn how God solved this particular problem of Mary and Joseph living in Nazareth but Jesus needing to be born in Bethlehem.
[TRUTH - Preaching the Bible's Solution]
1-2 God just had the emperor make a decree! God causes an empire-wide movement just for his two special people in the little town of Nazareth! Can you imagine an executive order or a law in Washington D.C. that God causes just for you?
Maybe we can start to believe Isaiah 40:15.
Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales.
3-5 So we have to do what we have to do, as inconvenient and difficult as that may be.
6-7 And God will bring something wonderful out of it. Caution: don't think it's wonderful in your eyes. If you pay attention to the NT letters to the churches, you will see our character is far more important to God than our circumstances. You may think a big pay raise is great. God thinks even a little patience raise is great. Remember this isn't heaven yet. Earth is a battlefield. And God uses it for our training.
[TRIUMPH - The Nugget of Truth]
Why does God allow the plans of life to be upset? Maybe that's good for us, to increase our faith.
Why does God not do things the easy way, predicting Jesus would be born in Nazareth instead of Bethlehem? The hard way is no problem to God. Every way is easy for him.
You can count on every detail of your life being orchestrated by God.
