December 21, 2008
Morning Service

Last week the Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth, “2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

 

·        It is time once again to celebrate the birth of the Jesus that the Apostle teaches us about.  Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  Christians have set aside Dec. 25^th as this wonderful day.

 

·        Matthew builds our faith by a more earthly explanation of the Lord’s birth.  He first gives us the linage of   Jesus, linking Him to the family of David.  The prophecy was that the Messiah would sit on the throne of David.  After listing all the families from Abraham to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly Father, Matthew concludes by saying this: 

Mat 1:16-25  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.  (17)  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

·          This explanation of family history is basically to build the faith of the Jews, that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy,   1Ki 9:5  Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

(18)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 

• You will find this to be an important scripture in your Bible studies.  The Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus.

(19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.  (20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 

• Again emphasizing that Joseph is in the linage of David.

(21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

• Joseph had no way of knowing what the tremendous cost would be to save mankind.

(22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  (23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

• Isa 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.
• Jesus, His earthly name, Immanuel, His spiritual name.

(24)  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  (25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

·         Peter chose to start his Gospel of Mark at the time John the Baptist came out of the wilderness, preaching “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  He excludes the birth of John, and Jesus.  Jesus is at the age of starting His ministry.

 

• Luke writes his Gospel in all confidence of what he had learned;

Luk 1:1-4  Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,  (2)  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;  (3)  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,  (4)  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

• Luke starts out with the parents of John the Baptist, Zechariah, and Elisabeth, and the Angels declaration of the birth of John the Baptist.
• Then gives us the account of the birth of Jesus.

Then the Apostle John climaxes the story of Jesus when he gives us the true identity of this Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Joh 1:1-14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  (4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  (12)  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  (13)  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  (14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

·         Yes, this little baby boy named Jesus is revealed to us to be the very Son of God, the Word of God, who dwelt with God in the beginning.  Took on flesh, and still dwells among us, and in us, by His glorious Spirit.

·         “He will save His people from their sins.”  No greater price has ever been given to save mankind from their sins.  No one knew until the very end, the plan that had been made from the beginning of the world, how He would save a fallen, degenerate world.

·         Almighty God has revealed Himself to us as a Holy Object of Worship, as a Heavenly Father, and because we are weak, and could not save ourselves, One had to come and shed His life’s blood, for us, so that we one day can stand before God in His righteousness. 

·         The work Jesus did for us on Calvary should create in us a desire to love, honor, follow, and worship Him.

 

Thank you Jesus, and may Your Spirit of love fill this season with happiness, thankfulness, and joy for everyone.

 

God bless you all, and have a very Merry Christmas.