Pastor Dave Martin       Cross Creek Community Church        December 10, 2006

The Lamb of God

Christmas Messages

Luke 2:1-20

1.      God Sovereignly Orchestrates His Plans

Luke 2:1-7 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Baby that Rocked the World! (ppt of stable scene)

·         Busted time in half… Changed the lives of millions… Be in awe as you view this short video clip…

Video Clip (His name shall be…)

God sent His Son…

Ø       Prophetic Fulfillment –  (Is 7:14; Gen 3:15, etc)

“…Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world… own town to register”

Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

·         The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Scribes understood (Mt 2:5-6), & common people (Jn 7:42)

·         God orchestrates His plans with a Roman census for taxation in the city of Joseph’s birth - Bethlehem.

·         The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (90 miles) – walking / donkey... while being very pregnant

·         Elements of the weather, the necessity of food, water, shelter, with notorious thieves and robbers along the way, it must have been some journey!

Ø       Perfect Timing –  (Mal 3:1, 4:5; Mark 1:15, etc)

“…This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria…”

Galatians 4:4-5 ⁴ But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, ⁵ to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

·         Malachi presents a dark gloomy picture of a sinful Israel where God rebukes her for her sin. 

·         Then God said at the close of the O.T. another prophet will come who will prepare the way for the Messiah.  Then silence for 400 “Silent Years” – God was working out His perfect timing…

·         God sends His angel Gabriel and makes an announcement to Zechariah that Elizabeth will give birth to this forerunner – John the Baptist who paves the way for the long awaited Messiah! 

·         Interesting: Zechariah means “God remembers” and Elizabeth means “His own” put them together:

“God remembers His own” – what was God remembering? His covenant He made in

Psalms 89:34-37 ³⁴ I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. ³⁵ Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness-- and I will not lie to David-- ³⁶ that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; ³⁷ it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah

·         God was still orchestrating His perfect plan in His perfect timing... Persian rule in Malachi’s day and now the Roman form of Government with it’s various languages, infrastructure & roads (to spread the Gospel), particular Rulers and Kings, communications between the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman Government.  Even down to the perfect timing of a decree for a census to be taken, to return to your birthplace... to fulfill Micah 5:2 (Bethlehem is where King David was born)

·         Joseph and Mary of Nazareth followed the law of Caesar and went to Bethlehem!

Ø       Physical Birth – (Is 9:6; Jn 1:14; Mt 1:23, etc)

“… the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son… there was no room for them in the inn”

·         With all the influx of people registering... the inn was full – the “No Vacancy” signs were lit.

·         They found no places to stay — this was not a motel or guesthouse as we would think of today. Vincent describes this as a “khan” a type of fortress or refuge from robbers and thieves. It was a place to come in off the road, through a gate and into a courtyard. Inside there were many little camp fires with a beehive of activity, a well for water, different merchants selling various items and food, sheds and provisions for the livestock — a safe haven. This “khan” was filled up because of the huge influx of travelers coming to register in this census.

·         Mary and Joseph were sent to a nearby animal stable – out back to the local barn. often a cave – not the best of smells!  Ever been in a barn?

·         A crowded inn reminds me of our crowded lives... space filled w/ guests... our lives filled w/ things

·         Neglected, uncomfortable surroundings – Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough.

·         Born in poverty, born in obscurity, born in loneliness, born in humiliation, born into a corruptible world full of sin and selfishness, greed and unkindness. 

·         Innkeeper couldn’t help a pregnant woman in need…

·         Dark, dirty, smelly - I believe this is a beautiful picture of the deep humility of Christ.

Philippians 2:6-8 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

·         The Son of God began his life in a feeding trough for animals. Ironically his life would not end much better. It ended on a dirty wooden cross for criminals — they used rusty iron nails by those crucified earlier. From a manger licked by cattle, to a cross stained with blood. And neither place: the manger of Bethlehem nor the cross of Calvary was really fitting for “Immanuel — God with us”.

God Sovereignly Orchestrates His Plans… Prophetic fulfillment – Perfect timing – Physical Birth

2.      God Included You in His Plans

Luke 2:8-14 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Good News of Great Joy…

Ø       Sufficient for All People –  “…shepherds living out in the fields nearby…”

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

·         A real angel appearing to real shepherds who seldom worshipped God… They were despised because they were ceremonially unclean because of their labor in raising sheep.  Considered untrustworthy and not allowed to testify in court of law.  They were the nobodies of society, the downtrodden, the outcasts, the rejects no one wanted to be around… they smelled, and looked pathetic… what a message to the hopeless. 

·         “I bring you Good News of Great Joy” that will be to all people!  1Co 15:1-4 death, burial, resurrection

·         Entire human race is likened to the shepherds… lost in sin, nothing to offer, dirty, smelly…

·         Aren’t you glad God sees differently than man?  God chose the shepherds – God calls you!

·         A visible manifestation of the glory of God… they were terrified… then the heavenly “Host” shows up

Lowly Shepherds were the…  First to Hear about the birth of Jesus! V11  First to Seek after Jesus! V16  First to Find Jesus! V16  First to Share about Jesus! V17  First to Rejoice over Jesus! V20

Ø       Savior, Christ, Lord – ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.

1 John 4:9-10 ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

·         V 11 gives us 3 titles for Christ… there are 256 names for Jesus found in God’s Word because he was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express!

·         Savior / Redeemer; He will save… Christ / The long awaited Messiah, … Lord / Yahweh, God

·         Good News of Great Joy… Sufficient for all mankind – Savior of the World … Jesus is the

Ø       Sacrificial Lamb of God –

·         Bethlehem was the lamb raising capital of the world… only 6 miles to Jerusalem / Temple worship

·         It’s estimated 2-3 million people flooded Jerusalem at Passover with hundreds of thousands lambs sacrificed every year.

·         Lay hand on the head of the lamb symbolically transferring his sin & guilt to the innocent… feel the quivering of an innocent lamb bearing your sin… I’ve read a lamb does not bleat when it is killed... but shows a willingness to succumb to its fate... like Jesus, we read in Isaiah:

Isaiah 53:6-7 ⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

PPT – Lamb & Cross - John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

·         Jesus is the Lamb of God, He’s even described as standing in the center of the throne in heaven in Rev 5:6.  Jesus was born to die… God became flesh… so He could die in our place… perfect / sinless

God is orchestrating His plans and you are included in them…

He has GOOD NEWS of Great Joy - Good News for all people… Good News of a Savior…

Good News Jesus is the Lamb of God and made a way for you!

3.      You Must be WILLING to go God’s Way

Luke 2:16-20 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

·         They acted with haste, rushed… They felt an urgency to act and to act now. They wasted no time!

·         They sought and found Jesus… born in a stable where the sacrificial lambs were also born…

·         Then they shared the message, the first to bear witness to the Savior of the world.

·         Christ came to seek and to save the lost... those who seek Him will find Him.

·         Filled with confusion, despair, fear, guilt, weight of sin… Are you willing to come to God His way?   

This Christmas realize, the God of the universe has a perfect plan for your life…

But you must be willing to humble yourself and be saved.

Be Willing to…

Ø       TURN from your Sins –  (Acts 3:19; Acts 26:18; 2Tim 2:19, etc) Change your thinking (Repentance)

Mark 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

Ø       TRUST Jesus as Savior –  (Rom 10:9-10, 13; 5:1, etc)  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Faith)

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Romans 10:9-10 ⁹ That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ø       TESTIFY of my Changed Life –  (2Co 5:17; Acts 20:24, etc)  Live the New Life

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Let me leave you with a story…

During the Great Depression, a Missouri man named Don Griffith controlled the railroad drawbridge across the Mississippi River.  In the summer of 1937, he took his eight-year-old son, Greg, to work with him.  At noon, he put the bridge up to allow ships their passage.  Enjoying the presence of his son, he lost track of time.  At 1:07pm, he was startled by the Memphis Express blowing its whistle in the distance.  He dashed to the controls and prepared to lower the bridge.

Just before releasing the master lever, he panicked as he caught sight of his son.  His son had slipped from the observation deck, and now he had his leg caught in the cogs of the main gears.  Griffith quickly thought of a plan to rescue the boy, but there was no time.  The express train carrying four hundred passengers was bearing down on the bridge.  Saving his son would cost the lives of the passengers.

In anguish, Don Griffith threw the lever and watched his son die in the cogs of the gears.  His son’s death spared the lives of all the passengers on the train.  As they sped by, great heartache followed, as a numb Griffith stared into the windows of the speeding train.  He saw passengers reading their newspapers and sipping coffee in the dining car, oblivious to the price that had been paid to save their lives.  No one even looked his way to acknowledge his great sacrifice and overwhelming grief.  Through tear-stained eyes, he screamed at the top of his voice to the passing train, “I sacrificed my son for you people!  Don’t you even care?”

·         The birth of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ MUST take us to Calvary where His mission was accomplished.

·         God sacrificed His Son in order for our sins to be forgiven!

We must “Lose your religion and discover a relationship”

·         Like the shepherds, we must lose your religion and discover a new relationship and be changed forever!

Let’s Pray

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