The People That Walked in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-23-2025

Isaiah 9:1-2

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  At the time of the birth of Christ, Israel’s Messiah and our Lord and Saviour, Israel walked in dark times.

 

1.  Spiritual Darkness: The Darkness of Religion.  In the 400 Silent Years preceding the birth of Christ, we find the rise of Pharisees and Sadducees.  Feared by man and not respected by God.

 

Matthew 3:7  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

Matthew 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

2.  Physical Darkness: The Darkness of the Rule of Rome.  Rome was the seventh and last of the World Powers.  It is Rome that will be revived at the end times.

 

a)  Rome began as a kingdom around 753 BC and became a republic in 509 BC, governed by a Senate, magistrates, and consuls.  It transitioned into a World Empire. 

 

b)  Julius Caesar came to power in 44 BC and consolidated Rome’s power.  August Caesar became Rome’s first emperor in 27 BC. 

 

c)  It was under the rule of these two men that we find Israel, bringing us to Luke 2:1. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

 

B.  Today, in the last days, we find spiritual darkness.  Our nation is filled with denominations that have left biblical, doctrinal soundness.  From the false doctrine of Roman Catholicism and Reformed Churches, to the “no doctrine” of the Popup Churches. 

 

C.  Physical darkness permeates our nation as morality is at an all time low, integrity is a thing of the past, and common sense has died.

 

D.  The darkness that overshadowed Israel was spiritual darkness.  In the midst of Israel’s darkness, a “great light” shone.  Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us, was born.    Isaiah 9:2  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.

 

E.  The darkness that overshadows America and the world today is a spiritual darkness.  In the midst of the world’s darkness today,  there are three “great lights” that still point mankind to God.

 

1.  There is the Natural Light of Creation.  The World around us.  This Natural Light of Creation is observed by all. 

 

Psalms 19:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 

a.  The Light of God’s Glory is declared in Creation.  Declare – a continual proclamation, not to be silent.  The universe and our earth shout the glory of God.  Who He is, not merely what He made!

 

b.  God’s Creation is Undeniable.  It is neither random nor accidental; it is designed testimony to the Intelligence and Power of the Divine Creator.

 

c.  The Knowledge of God’s Creation is Universal.  There is no “speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”  Every man, every where sees the same glory and hears the same declaration as we see here in America. 

 

d.  The Creation of God renders mankind without excuse!  General revelation.  This is a revelation, though without words, that is yet unmistakable.

 

Romans 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

Psalms 14:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  (2)  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  (3)  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

2.  There is the Innate or Inherent Light of God.  The Witness within us. The Light of God’s Breath! 

 

a.  Life is not Spontaneous: arising from inanimate or non-living matter.  Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) definitively disproved spontaneous generation.  Life can only come from pre-existent life.  Only life can beget life, and our life came from our Creator.  This principle became known as Biogenesis: the synthesis of substances by living organisms.

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

John 1:4-9  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.

 

b.  The Breath of God is the life is found in Birth.  This life is the light of men.  This truth is carefully grounded in the Bible.  I find no place on earth where men do not seek and worship the Divine.  No man or woman is born atheistic.  Atheism or Agnosticism is learned, not innate behavior.

 

c.  The Breath of God is the life found in Behavior. 

 

Romans 2:12-15  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (13)  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  (14)  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

 

d.  A light that is known. 

 

John 1:7-12  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:

 

e.  A light that can be quenched.

 

Matthew 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

 

f.  A light that must be shown and shared.

 

Matthew 5:14-16  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

3.  The Light of God’s Word.  The Word given to us.  God gave the word and great was the company that published it.

 

a.  A Light that was Given by God.  2 Peter 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

b.  A Light that Gives us Guidance.  Psalms 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

c.  A Light that Gives us Birth: Eternal Life.  1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Conclusion:  Spiritual darkness is progressive in nature.  As man seeks light, he finds light.  If a man quenches the light, he begins to “walk in darkness.” As it was in the time of the First Advent, the birth of our Saviour—Israel's Messiah—the Christ, so it is in the end time when His Second Advent is on the horizon.  The world once again walks in darkness but, rest assured, the light of His coming will be soon.

 

"Walk in the light" so that the world may know the Christ of Christmas.

The Person of the Seed of the Woman - Emmanuel: God with Us

Temple Baptist Church - 12-21-2025

Matthew 1:18-25 (vs. 23)

 

Introduction:  We have looked at the Purpose, Prophecy, and Performance of the Incarnation as we saw that Jesus Christ came into the world, born of a virgin, to save sinners and, in doing so, fulfilled every prophecy in the Bible concerning His coming!  Christ came at the right time and came the right way!

 

A.  This morning, I want to look at the Person of the Seed of the Woman.  Matthew 1:23  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.

 

1.  The greatest miracle found in the Bible is that of the incarnation of the Word of God,  Jehovah!  No miracle can rival the greatness of the virgin birth of God’s only begotten Son, the Seed of the Woman!

 

John 1:14  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.

 

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.

 

Philippians 2:6-7  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

 

Hebrews 10:4-5  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  (5)  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

 

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 

2.  That God would so love the world that He would give heaven’s best for earth’s worst, “I AM THAT I AM” would be born in the flesh that we can be born in the Spirit.

 

3.  The magnitude of this miracle is beyond human comprehension.  Matthew chapter one uses two names that express the greatness of the miracle: JESUS, Jehovah Saves, and Emmanuel, God With Us.

 

B.  In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asked his disciples a question concerning His Person, and Peter gave one of the most quoted statements in the Bible. 

 

Matthew 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

Christ – “The Anointed One”  The Christ, not a Christ!  There were many anointed in both the Old and New Testaments, but this verse is in reference to “The Anointed One,” the very Son of God!

 

C.  Who was that Babe that was born in a manger so long ago?  The world is certainly confused concerning His Person. 

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

 

D.  The world is blinded to the “glorious gospel of Christ,” which deals with the incarnation, life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

1.  Islam pictures Him as merely a prophet.

 

2.  Jehovah’s Witnesses picture Him as merely a “son of God.”

 

3.  Mormons picture Him as Satan’s brother, a mere angel who came to die for sin.

 

4.  Pictures portray Him as some long-haired, Anglo-Saxon effeminate.

 

5.  Most “isms” and “Schisms” ignore Him and worship idols.

 

6.  Many Baptists portray Him as a non-judgmental Savior who is not Lord.

 

7.  BUT, the Scriptures portray Him in a full and wonderful light as the God of all ages!

 

1.  The Bible declares that He is God!  He is not an angel; He is not a son of God; He is Almighty Jehovah God!

 

John 1:1-4  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

 

John 14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

 

2.  The Bible declares that He is the eternal God!  He did not begin at the creation (for He was the Creator); He did not begin in the womb of Mary (for He created both Mary and the womb that bore Him); He always was and always will be God!

 

Psalms 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

 

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.

 

Revelation 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

3.  The Bible declares that He is the unchanging God!  He does not change in His Person; He does not change in His Performance; He does not change in His Purpose; He does not change in His Promises; He is and forever will be the same, for He is immutable!

 

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

Psalms 102:27  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

 

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 

4.  The Bible declares that He is the Only Saviour!  He is not a Saviour, He is THE Saviour; He is not a Way, He is THE Way; He is not a way to Heaven, He is THE only Way to Heaven!

 

Isaiah 43:11  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

5.  The Bible declares that He is the sovereign LORD!  He does as He wills and asks counsel of no man!  He knows the end from the beginning and, therefore, needs no advice or guidance!  His purposes and promises are always fulfilled because He is a sovereign LORD!

 

Romans 11:33-36  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

6.  The Bible declares that He is One of a kind!  There has never been a God before Him; there is no God with Him; there will never be a God after Him because He is both self-existing and eternal!

 

Isaiah 45:5-6  I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

 

Isaiah 45:18  For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

 

7.  The Bible declares that He is everything that this world needs!  For without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5); but with Him, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13)!

 

Isaiah 9:6  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.

 

a.  He is the Reason of my Praise – “Wonderful”

 

b.  He is the Remedy of my Problems – “Counselor”

 

c.  He is the Resource of my Power – “The Mighty God”

 

d.  He is the Righteousness of my Permanence – “The Everlasting Father”

 

e.  He is the Reality of my Peace – “The Prince Of Peace”

The Reason for the Season - Part 1 - Sin and The Sinner

Temple Baptist Church - 11-30-2025

Matthew 1:18-25; Genesis 3

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  As we now are enjoying what is called the “Christmas Season,” it would do us well to reflect upon the real meaning of this time of the year.  There is much controversy about the time of the Messiah's birth, and I believe Scripture teaches that he was born in the fall rather than in the winter.

 

B.  Men will have to settle in their own hearts how and when to celebrate the Lord’s wonderful birth, and it should be celebrated year-round.  But here in America, most celebrate His birth on December 25^th, regardless of how the tradition began.

 

Romans 14:5-6a  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

C.  Some choose to celebrate it during the Christmas Season, while others choose not to.  I understand its beginning but have no problem with praising the Lord for His coming to earth this time of the year.  The main thing is that He did come! 

 

D.  There is little or nothing that I can preach to you this year that you have not heard before, but we are admonished

 

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

E.  Most of us, from our childhood, have known of the wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—but it is a history (I use the word “history” because a story can be true or fiction.  The Birth of Christ is history or “His Story.”  It never grows old and holds for this preacher a wonder and beauty that never fades! 

 

1.  If I should ask the question, “What is the Reason for the Season,” the answers would possibly vary. 

 

a.  Some say Jesus was the Reason for the Season.  I would agree with that as Christmas is about the birth of Christ. 

 

2.  Some would say Sinners were the Reason for the Season.  I would agree with that.  Christ gave His life for sinners. 

 

3.  Some would say Sin was the Reason for the Season.  I would agree with that.  Without sin, there would be no death and redemption.

 

4.  Some would say I am the Reason for the Season.  I agree wholeheartedly.  Calvinistic people who teach “Reformed Theology” are either biblically ignorant or biblically stupid!  I do not mean to offend at this point, but the Bible is so very clear about who Christ came and died for. 

 

5.  The reason that I would agree with all the above is that they cannot be separated.  As with the Trinity, it takes All the parts to make up the Whole.

 

F.  To fully understand the Birth of Christ, we must go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation found in Genesis chapter three. 

 

1.  I will not take the time to deal with each verse in the chapter but will look at the parts over the next few weeks.

 

2.  The “Seed of the Woman,” the Virgin Birth of Christ, was founded in the sin of Adam and Eve!  Without sinfulness, there would be no need for salvation.  Without sinfulness, there would be no meaningful reason for sacrifice.  Without sinfulness, there would be no need for a Saviour.

 

G.  I want to look this morning at the purpose of His coming.  In verse 21, the Bible says, “and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” 

 

1.  Here, we find sin and sinners.  “His people” are those who come to the Lord by faith.  Those who choose not to come to Christ by faith are not “His people!”  This is not Calvinism; it is “Whosoever will” and “Whosoever will not!” 

 

2.  Christ died for the sins of the whole world, but only saves those who choose to come to Him by faith and are saved.  These Jews already had faith in the coming of the Messiah and were waiting for His appearance.

 

H.  Therefore, sin, sacrifice, Saviour,  and salvation are intrinsically tied together in the prophecy and performance of Christmas.  This morning, we will look at two things: sin and sinners.

 

1.  Sin.  What Is Sin?  The word “sin” in its various forms appears 1482 times in your Bible.  It has been said that 726 sins are named in the Bible.  I do not know for sure myself because I haven't taken the time to count them and probably would miss many in the process, so I'll trust these theologians at their word. 

 

There are several rather extensive listings of sin such as:  Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

a.  Sin Defined:

 

1)  Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance definition of  “sins” is – to miss the mark!  To violate God’s law

 

2)  Webster’s states that, “sin is any offence or fault. It is the breaking of a religious or moral law.

 

3)  The Greek dictionary defines sin as missing the mark; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor. The Greek also states sin is a violation of the divine law in thought or in act.

 

4)  What is the Bible's definition?

 

1 John 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

 

A transgression means to overstep, to cross over the line God has drawn, or to jump the fence. The Word of God (Law) is the fence referred to. Therefore, transgression is an act of rebellion against the known will of God.

 

1 John 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

 

Unrighteousness is wickedness, iniquity, inward crookedness, perversity, and stubbornly contrary to God’s Word and Will.

 

Romans 14:23b  For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

If our actions are not those motivated by faith then it is sin. Open sin is probably not hindering revival as much as a lack of faith.

 

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

If a person fails to practice what is good, his action or his lack of action is sin.  This is generally called a sin of omission.

 

b.  Generally, we classify sins in two ways :

 

1)  Sins of Commission – things that we do that are contrary to God’s Word.  God says not to do something and we do it anyway. The over stepping of God’s Law – a trespass.

 

2)  Sins of Omission – things that we do not do that are contrary to God’s Will.  God says to do something and we choose not to obey because of stubbornness.

 

Jesus Came To Die For Sin!

 

2.  Sinners.  Who Has Sinned?

 

a.  The First Man Sinned - Romans 5:12a  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;

 

Genesis 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

b.  All Have Sinned – Romans 5:12b  and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  (Both Jews And Gentiles)

 

Romans 3:9  What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

 

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

 

Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

 

Romans 3:10-12  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (That is Me!  That is you!)

 

          c.  The Sinless Became Sin!

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

Jesus Came To Save Sinners!

 

3.  What Were Some of The Consequence Of Sin? 

 

a.  They lost their innocence. They went from purity to shame in a single moment.

 

Genesis 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 

b.  They became both guilty and ashamed.  For the first time, Adam and Eve hid from God. Sin always drives a wedge between man and God. Before sin, they walked with God freely; after sin, they feared His presence.  Fear replaced fellowship.

Genesis 3:8-10  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.  (9)  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?  (10)  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

 

c. They spiritually died.  God had warned them!  Physically, they would live almost a millennium, but spiritually, they were dead in trespasses and sin. 

 

Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

d.  Their sin brought about a curse. 

 

1)  Eve’s curse was pain and travail in childbearing, along with conflict within the home. 

 

Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

2)  The Earth’s Curse.  The ground was cursed, and this once perfect earth started to grow thistles and thorns.

 

Genesis 3:17-18  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  (18)  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

 

3)  Adam’s job of dressing the Garden became sweat, toil, and tears while working an unproductive ground.

 

Genesis 3:17-18  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  (18)  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

 

e.  They were driven from the Garden of Eden.  Paradise lost!  They lost Paradise, the place God had made just for them. They exchanged a garden of delight for a world of thorns.

 

Genesis 3:23-24  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  (24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

f.  They became subject to physical death.  Mortality entered the human race. Every sickness, every funeral, every grave traces back to that moment.

 

Genesis 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

Genesis 5:4-5  And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:  (5)  And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

 

g.  They lost access to the tree of life.  This ensured they could not live forever in their sinful condition.  The wages of sin was death!

 

Genesis 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

 

Conclusion:  Christ came because of sin and the sinner!

The Wonder of Christ’s Birth

 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.