Christ is Born,
God with Us
Christ is born
Christ’s birth announced
Christ visited
Dillingham Bible Fellowship, Christmas Sermon 2002
December 22, 2002
No matter how many times I read it or hear it, the story of God’s hand in and around the birth of HIS only begotten son, touches my heart deeply.
The fact that a portion of God’s triune nature Jesus Christ would put off HIS greatness and majesty to come down and be constrained and remain in a human body for about 33 years is amazing to me.
To think that the Creator, put off HIS greatness to come down and walk with HIS creation is a very humbling thought to me.
God himself, who enjoyed HIS commune with Adam and Eve, came down to walk with us sin stained vessels designed to bring HIM praise, honor, and glory.
I am sometimes saddened by the words spin on this glorious time. To stores and marketers it is the most productive time of year.
To parents it is the most hectic time of year, battling other parents for the toy most desired by their off spring.
To children it is the most grand time of putting in requests then sitting under the tree and seeing if your every wish was realized.
Of course, this also necessarily makes it the very worst times of years for people disappointed in their ability to provide for themselves and their children.
It is the time when more people attempt or succeed in committing suicide. There are numerous alcohol related crimes so that people do not have to feel bad about themselves or the situations.
On a day that should be remembered as the day that “HOPE” was born to man in the form of a child in Bethlehem, look around you and see what “man” has made it to be.
Go back with me today, and look at this great mystery, how God came down to man to bring not only “HOPE” for this world but eternal “HOPE” for all who would call upon the glorious and saving name of “Jesus Christ”.
Christ is born
Luke 2:1-7 (KJV)
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)…Why would this seem important to anyone???
So someone went somewhere to pay taxes that were required, it’ s a coincident that this census was called and at the time that Mary was to give birth.
Imagine a seventy mile trip (Nazareth to Bethlehem) by donkey with a full term pregnant wife. Those fathers among us know that we would not do that just for coincidence sake.
In the fullness of time, God decreed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2 (KJV)
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Isaiah 9:1-7 (KJV)
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
In last weeks lesson, I talked about the foundation of this nation as a Theocratic Democracy, a free democracy under God.
You see, many of the people who came to this great land came because of persecution by the Orthodox churches, who were following after the practices that had been set to them by the men they elected as Pope’s. Many people died if they did not follow the dictates of the cruel oppressors in the European Countries.
They sought after the “HOPE” that God came down to bring for all men and women. They saw the people walking in darkness and although the Christian’s could see the light of Christ in all situations the Orthodox around them where in the darkness of “man”, so they sought after something that would bring religious freedom and freedom from persecution in following God.
True “freedom in God” is what Christ was born into this world for…Praise God.
Look at the names of Christ: Wonderful, Counsellor, The Might God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace…all who have truly called upon the name of Jesus Christ and asked HIM to be your Lord and Saviors have experienced HIM in these characters.
If you have not you need to seriously revisit the time that you may have verbalized a commitment, and decide if you are ready to truly make the true commitment of asking Jesus Christ to become Lord and Savior of your life so that you also can start to be able to praise God for manifest these, HIS characteristics in your life. Amen.
[5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn…We often talk about our faith being tested.
Who are we? If Mary and Joseph, both having angels foretell the glory of the child that was born, have the child in a manger, what do we really have to complain about…Amen.
If it is suitable for God himself to be born in and receive and audience in a manger, who are we to complain when we are in whatever buildings or shacks that are made available to us. We should spend our days praising our Savior and King, and seeking to be more of HIS character in all our ways.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I thank you for the truth of your birth which you provided to us so that we may be a greater part of YOU, seeing the austere situation into which YOU, Oh Lord were born.
Christ’s birth announced
Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Not only is Jesus born as prophesied in the Word of God, but God’s special messengers, HIS angels appear to shepherds abiding in the fields.
Oh, glorious day, that the birth announcement of our “HOPE” was given to the less hopeful people of their time is of great “HOPE” and assurance to me today.
That Christ came to save the poor, sick, wretched, and sinful like I was and would remake them into “HIS” very imagine in due time. Oh glorious day, that Jesus came to man this day, and in his choice HE did not choose those of wealth, of greatness, or reign. HE came instead to show the way to those who feared not to call upon HIS name.
Oh, to be a lowly Shepherd that day and to listen to the majesty of God’s Angelic Choir say: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.
And as the shepherd they were given more than an announcement they were given an audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The invitation is always open as the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s stands at your hearts door ever knocking to see if today you might let HIM in.
Come to the real meaning of Christmas, the fact that Christ was and is and is to come again.
Christ visited
Luke 2:15-20 (KJV)
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us…What can I bring to a King?
This had to be a great question on the mind of the lowly shepherds as they set off to see the Messiah. What can you possibly bring on this earth that could impress the creator of all.
We see in Christ’s life that food, clothing, and money were no object. Christ readily had these things at HIS disposal at the hand of HIS God and Father.
[16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger…God still wants us to come unto him with haste. We as born again believers who are seeking daily to do the will of God know that God is always seeking us to be about HIS good and perfect will.
Are you ready to come with haste?
Are you ready to make this one of your top priorities for Christ?
What Christ wants people to bring was then as it is today. A willing heart fully given to Christ and seeking after God’s will in all of our actions.
What results when a heart is given and touched by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings?
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them…We will tell others and have a hard time not always speaking about Christ and the glories that God brings into our lives.
These shepherds became messengers after the angelic messengers came to them.
Are you a born again Christian today?
Are you a messenger of Christ today?
If your answer to the first questions is “Yes” then your answer to the second question should also be “Yes”.
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We who are the called of Christ, the “set apart”, “peculiar” people of God through Christ are required to follow the “Great Commission”. That is to let others know of the blessings and eternal life that is available to them through Christ Jesus Our Lord. Oh blessed day, that we are able to have every day in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This was the reaction of the Shepherd’s to the “Good News” of the birth of Christ, may it manifest itself as your natural reaction in your continued growth in Christ.
Or do you find yourself identifying with the people mentioned earlier?
Do you only seek after the things that will bring you joy in this place?
Do you seek after money because you think it will be able to bring you the true joy that you are seeking?
Do you seek after gifts from others because you think the gifts might bring you happiness and joy?
Have you come to a place where you know that the things above will never fully be able to give you joy alone?
The only way that we can start to see the glory that came to earth over two thousand years ago, is to start by:
First; we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Under any other circumstance we can only have limited understanding of God’s perfect truths.
We must start by admitting to God that we are sinners, for God word clearly states, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We truly deserve Death and the very fire and brimstone of Hell.
But Praise God, HE loved us “for while we were yet sinners HE made a way for us” through Jesus Christ to come before HIM.
If we believe with our hearts and confess with our tongues that Jesus Christ is God’s only son and believe on HIM.
If we commit our lives to the Lord above and ask HIM to fill us up with God’s love. In these step we become new creations “In Christ” and can have HIS blessed assurance.
If you would like to start to walk in newness of life today, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, if you are weary, sick or bed ridden, Jesus is calling.
If you would like someone to pray with you, we ask that you let us know we would love to pray the “sinners prayer” with you or to just ask Christ’s direction into your life.
If you have been walking with a hardened heart and need Jesus to tenderize it, come forward HE will do it.
If you or your loved ones have any specific prayer needs we ask that you let us know, we would love to pray for you.
Closing prayer.
