Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Luke 2:8-14

I am so thankful that this year we celebrate our 11th Christmas together. I must confess that I encounter a certain struggle around this time each year. The struggle that I speak of is preaching the Christmas story without it seeming like I am preaching the exact same message I preached last year. But the reality is, I do preach the same message year after year. It may be a different outline, and it may come from different texts, but the story never changes. And that is perfectly fine because it is the greatest story ever told.

At our house, there are certain Christmas songs that we love to hear. If we are honest, it just isn't Christmas until we hear them. In most cases will listen to these songs multiple times each season. There are certain Christmas decorations that we have been putting out for decades, but they are special to us and ever never get tired of seeing them. We have certain Christmas movies that we watch each year. Though we can quote them word for word, they never get old.

In the same way, the Christmas story as recorded in Luke chapter 2 never gets old. This passage describes the events surrounding the birth of our Savior. However, the events that are described in this passage are only the beginning of the greatest story ever told. I would like to take a comprehensive look at the life of Jesus and preach around the fact that "The Greatest Story Ever Told Never Gets Old"

- Let us begin this great story by examining:

I. JESUS AND HIS ARRIVAL

For hundreds of years it had been prophesied that a Messiah would come. It was foretold that He would be born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem... 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.

It was prophesied that He would be born of a virgin: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Christ's birth in Bethlehem was prophesied 700 years before it happened, but Jesus existed long before His birth.

Revelation 13:8 describes Jesus as "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". God knew that we would need a Savior before He ever created this world. In due time, there in Bethlehem, a virgin gave birth to the sinless Son of God.

Luke 2:6 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.

Before this Child was born, the Angel of the Lord instructed Joseph that the Child would be called Jesus - Matthew 1:21 "...thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." On that first Christmas day, God's Son was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophets and Angels had declared..

- As we consider the greatest story ever told, let us also consider:

II. JESUS AND HIS NAMES

- Obviously we know that:

A. HE IS JESUS - This name speaks of his humanity. Jesus means “Jehovah Is Savior” . This was our Savior’s name while He was here on earth. The angel told Mary in - Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Scripture tells us that the name of Jesus is a saving name. (Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.) There is no greater name in history than the name of God's Son... Jesus.

- He is Jesus and:

B. HE IS CHRIST - The name Christ means “Anointed One". This name identifies Jesus as the Messiah. He is the Promised One! He is the One spoken of by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea and the other prophets. He is the one who came to save the world from their sins!

- He is Jesus, He is Christ and:

C. HE IS LORD - This title speaks of His position. Lord means "One who is supreme in authority". Many people like the idea of Jesus as Savior but they do not want Him as Lord! They want to be saved from Hell but want to live their lives their way... that is not how it works! Jesus is Lord and to have a relationship with Him you must surrender to His Lordship!