Suddenly
12/22/02
Rev. John McCaherty
1st Baptist Murphy
Text: Luke 2:13-14
Lu:2:13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Lu:2:14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Intro: Picture the amazement of the shepherds as they are out watching their sheep, and then SUDDENLY angels appear. For hundreds of years the prophets had been foretelling the coming of the messiah and not SUDDENLY here are the angels proclaiming the time has come. In fact the Bible say’s that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son!” Wow, to know that at the exact moment in history that had been planned for ages, at that exact moment: Christ was born!
This morning I want to focus on the word “SUDDENLY” things with God, sometimes happen very quickly and if you are not ready for it, you miss it completely. Even though for hundreds of years the people had heard about the coming of their king, when it finally happened it happened “SUDDENLY” and very few were ready.
1. Who was ready?
A. shepherds – even though they were surprised they were still ready to receive the message.
b. Wise Men – they had been studying and waiting for years for the prophecies to come to pass.
C. Mary and Joseph- Though they did not understand they were willing to be used by God.
2. Who was not ready?
a. Jewish People – Called themselves ready and looking for a king but missed the most important event in the history of the world
b. King Herod – didn’t want to give up his power or influence to a new king.
3. A lot of things with God happen SUDDENLY
A. Jesus Came Suddenly
B. Holy Spirit came to the disciples Suddenly - Ac:2:2: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
C. Paul on the Damascus road, came to know the Lord suddenly: Ac:9:3: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
D. When Paul was in prison and had been praying all night and giving praise to God “Suddenly there was an answer to his prayers: Ac:16:26: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
4. In fact the Bible say’s that there is something else that will happen suddenly: 1Th:4:16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th:4:17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
A. The return of Christ: 1Co:15:52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
5. Who will be ready this time?
a. Maybe you’re like the Shepherd’s here, ready to hear the Great news of the Gospel and ready to respond. The good news is that we are here celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, because God sent His Son to be a Saviour to all who would believe. we were lost in sin, dying and maybe some of you here this morning are still lost in your sin, can’t get out, tried to clean up, made the new years resolutions time and time again, and now here you sit. In the same position as those Shepherd’s so many years ago, hearing the good news and having to make that decision as to what you will do with this JESUS.
I believe it was Charles Spurgeon who once said that Jesus was either the Son of God or that he was an absolute lunatic” you must decide what you will do with Him.
b. Maybe you are like Herod- too proud, too educated, or to powerful to think that you need a Saviour. My friend my question to you is this. When you suddenly realize that you are standing before a HOLY RIGHTEOUS GOD, what will you say to Him? How will you explain that you did not need His Son?
c. Maybe you are like the Wise Men – and you have been searching for years to find some peace or contentment, or the meaning of life, or whatever it is that drives you.
Today let me show you a star: the Bible says that Jesus is the “bright and morning star” Re:22:16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Find this star today, follow it until it leads you to the Cross of Christ..
This star will lead you to the Old Testament prophecies and the virgin birth of Jesus, and then it will lead you to the foot of the Cross. There at the foot of the cross you will make a choice, to give up your sin and your meaningless life for the purposeful life that Christ has offered, for the forgiveness of sin that He died for. OHH, but don’t stop there, after you have decided to follow Christ follow him to the tomb that they buried him in. and see his resurrection that you may have eternal life.
d. Maybe you are like Joseph and Mary: Trusting God to do His will in your life today
1. Ready to serve
2. Ready to be obedient to whatever He calls you to do.
Don’t delay; things in this world happen “SUDDENLY” with out warning.
A. “when the fullness of time had come God sent His son.” Gal. 4:4
B. Eph: 1:10: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
C, Heb:9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
You and I have an appointment to keep, and it will come “SUDDENLY”
Take this moment right now to respond to the call of God, and allow Him to “SUDDENLY” change your life for all of eternity.
AMEN
