Temple Baptist Church - 12-22-2024
Luke 2:1-20
Introduction:
A. This coming Wednesday, we will once again come to Christmas morning. I will not get into all the controversy concerning the when of Christ’s birth, but I find no other day in the year where it is celebrated except at Christmas.
B. This morning and this week, I just want us to be so very thankful that Christ Jesus came, born of a virgin, to walk on earth as men, go to an ole rugged cross to die for our sin, buried, and bodily resurrected for our justification. I stand here before you this morning redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and Homeward bound!
C. The wonder and thrill of Christ’s birth never ceases to amaze me.
1. I stand amazed at who and what He is.
2. I stand amazed at just how much He loves mankind.
3. I stand amazed that God sent His only begotten Son to die for sinners.
4. I stand amazed, as always, when I read the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. A story that never gets old.
D. In these verses we read, we find:
1. Verses 1-5 – The Prophecies Fulfilled.
a. From Genesis 3:15 until John the Baptist, Israel knew and looked forward to the coming of Messiah. After 4,000 years, Christ was born.
b. So, we think that God works slow and often give up waiting on Him. Don’t give up on God because He will make sure what He promises.
c. The Time of Jesus’ birth had to be right. Four times in your Bible, the word “dispensation” is used. This word does not refer to a specific time but to an administration, an order of system being put into effect. Jesus Christ had to be born at the right time.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time (a time of determination) was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
1) At the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Testament . A time when the Old Testament had been competed, and canonized.
2) A time when Rome was in power. Otherwise, Jospeh, who lived in Nazareth, would not have gone to Bethlehem to be taxed under Roman Law.
3) A time when Jesus Christ had to die on a Roman cross.
d. Jesus had to be born into the right family. Both Mary and Joseph were of the lineage of David. Only the descendent of David could rule and reign on that throne. Christ will one day ascend to the throne of His father David to rule in the Millenium.
2. Verses 6-11 – The Person Identified. Verses 7 and 11 identify the Christ child so that there could be no confusion concerning Him.
a. The Babe in a manger. Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
1) Born in the right place. The city of David, Bethlehem! The place of King David’s birth.
Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? (Naomi and Ruth)
Ruth 4:13, 16-17 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son ... And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Micah 5:2 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.
2) Born in the right way. A virgin birth, the only such birth ever known.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
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.
3) Born the right person. Christ, the Lord!
Isaiah 9:6-7 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.
John 1:14-17 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. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
4) Born for the right Purpose. The Saviour of the World. Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, (47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (I am glad that I do not have to figure out who Christ came to save!)
3. Verse 9-10 – The Peace Available. “Sore afraid … fear not” I love the song that we sing often here at Temple: “Because He Lives.” “Because He lives, ALL fear is gone!” Are you at peace this morning?
a. Peace is Life. Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
b. Peace in Death. Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
4. Verse 10 – The Praise of His People – “Good tidings … great joy … all people.”
Psalms 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (2) Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. (3) Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. (4) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. (5) Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. (6) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Conclusion: Once again, let us put Christ first this Christmas. He is certainly worthy of our praise.
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