Joseph and Mary’s Faith

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Text: Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 1:28-55

These are the two people most affected by the actual birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are prepared people

Purity

They are faithful

Faithful
Joseph and Mary have been entrusted with a once in forever task, not just once in a lifetime.
Mary’s question, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (vs 34)
- Mary asks what everyone asks before God makes clear he wants to use them. She asks HOW?
- The work of God is always done by the Spirit of God. This is significant because the flesh can never comprehend the work of God. The temptation is to make something happen in the flesh through some natural work. But God is in the business of doing supernatural work.
- God of the impossible (vs 37)
God uses believing people.
- Mary believes God …be it unto me according to thy word. (vs 38)
- Conception in verse 38 probably.
  - Spiritual transaction, not physical transaction.
  - Notice immediately that Mary goes to see Elisabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elisabeth’s womb.
- And blessed is she that believed: (vs 45)

They are willing participants

Willing hearted in spite of very complicated circumstances.
Belief in spite of what it might mean to her relationship with Joseph.
- Mary leaves to the hill country in haste (vs 39)
- Joseph is a a just man. Just = equitable

Christmas, Luke, Preaching

The Manger

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Text: Luke 2:6-16

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

The reason for the manger (vs 7)

It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.
The wise men go to the palace and ask Herod about the birth of a king because they thought, like anyone else, the king would be born in the palace.
…because there was no room for them in the inn. The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.
I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.
- No room in culture.
- No room in education.
- No room in politics.
Consider the innkeeper
- No room because of ignorance.
  - The innkeeper didn’t make any preparations to accommodate Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
  - You didn’t know he’d be here, so you’re booked. No rooms vacant.
- No room because of indifference.
  - The innkeeper didn’t care enough about housing Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
  - Maybe you didn’t care he was coming. Church, prayer, Bible, preaching, teaching, witnessing; none of it is “your thing.”
  - You can take him or leave him. Makes no difference to you.
- No room because of inconvenience
  - Look, as an innkeeper, to take on a pregnant mother means special accommodations are going to have to be made.
  - Things will have to be rearranged in order to make room and I just don’t want to get into that.
  - Obligated to current guests. Some might understand there’s a newborn here, but others may not. Either way it’s going to be hard to get those guests out to make room for him.
- Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room?

The sign of the manger (vs 12)

It’s significant what the manger is.
The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.The sign to the shepherds was unmistakable.
The manger is where the flock is fed.
The sign of the manger is Jesus Christ would feed his people.
- He fed his people in the wilderness with manna.
- He fed the 4000 as they travelled with him.
- He fed the 5000 as they travelled with him for three days.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The baby in the manger (vs 16)

It’s significant who was in the manger.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ that makes the manger significant.
…the babe…That baby is God manifest in the flesh.
- Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.
- In that manger was the humanity of God
- 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!? God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (3 words that changed everything)
- 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.
- Righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption all have a body – 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- Eternal life has a form – 1 John 1:1-3 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; (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;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
- Truth is a man – 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.
That the manger smelled like cattle
- Ordinary stable furniture turned to something extraordinary because of who was in it.
- God would take the ordinary, insignificant, common feed trough and make it special by putting someone priceless in it.
- Like a sinner that gets saved.
- 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Christmas, Preaching, Teaching

Birthday of Jesus Christ

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1 Chronicles 24:1-10 – Each priest was given a two week stint to care for the things of the tabernacle. Abijah had the 15th & 16th weeks from beginning of the year which begins in March or April on our calendar.

Luke 1:5 course of Abia which is the Abijah of 1 Chronicles 24:10. This puts Elisabeth’s conception of John the Baptist around July.

Luke 1:26 6th month after John Baptist conception (December- January), Jesus is conceived. So 9 months later, Jesus would be born in September, or in the 7th month for the Jews.

Mary’s faith in Luke 1:38, 45
Joseph’s faith in Matthew 1:18-25

Leviticus 23:23-44 a day of atonement prefacing the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days (14th – 21st)

Christmas, Preaching

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Genesis 35:16-19

Rachel dies in labour in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a place of bitterness for Jacob and Rachel because of Rachel’s death during labour.
She calls Benjamin Benammi which means son of God.

Ruth 1:22, 2:4

Boaz, the kinsmen redeemer, is from Bethlehem.
Ruth 4:18-22

1 Samuel 20:6 David’s city

Jeremiah 31:15 prophecy of weeping, but the day of joy is coming with a return to the land.

Micah 5:2 prophecy of a ruler coming out of Bethlehem

Matthew 2:4-5, 16-18 Herod brings about the weeping in Ramah at the birth of Christ.

Luke 2:1-4 Taxing brings Joseph back to Bethlehem

Christmas, Luke, Preaching

Simeon (Christmas)

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Text: Luke 2:25-35

Simeon is a spiritual man. Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon. The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25. The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26. The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27. Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Simeon is looking for consolation (vs 25)

Simeon is not in love with the world, he is looking for consolation in the world.
Simeon is a welcome place for the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost was UPON him.
Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.
- Waiting like waiting tables. It is an active waiting. If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant. Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way.
- Waiting is defined as:
  - Just means doing right; it is justice
  - Devout means committed. This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.
  - We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him. The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that. Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.

Simeon receives revelation he’s looking for (vs 26)

It was revealed to him because Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel. People looking for Jesus Christ get answers; they get confidence and assurance.
Holy Spirit of promise brings assurance and confidence

Simeon is led by the Spirit of God (vss 27-32)

Leading of the Spirit of God leads to fulfilled promises and peace.
- Psalm 37:5
- Proverbs 16:3
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Led through the shadow of death
- Simeon now prepared for death since he’s seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ relationship to the nation of Israel and the nations of the world in verse 32.
- Glory of Israel
- Light to the Gentiles

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

Perhaps the only man who saw the resurrection.
The work of the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal the secrets and intents of men’s hearts.
Hebrews 4:12-13

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

Wise Men (Christmas)

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Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men are a common feature in the Christmas story. There are a few myths about the wise men that have become tradition over the years. First, that the wise men were at the manger when Jesus was born. That’s not true. Second, that there were three of them. There was a large group of wise men from the east, but we don’t know how many of them there were. There were three gifts mentioned and that’s where someone got the number three wise men. Third, that this was an official entourage from a distant country. One of those familiar hymns says We Three Kings. In reality they weren’t kings, they weren’t public officials, they weren’t coming on behalf of any government, God only classifies them as wise men. “Wise Men” is not an official title, it is how God described an entourage of people looking for the King of the Jews.

Wise men desire to worship Jesus (vss 1-2)

There is a pursuit to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Faith of the worshipping wise men
- Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the unknown travels ahead.
- Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the personal cost to them.
- Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the time it would take to find the Lord.
- Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the distance they would have to travel to find him.
Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Wise men followed the God given light they had (vss 9-10)

That star has piqued many a Christian’s interests as to what it was. Our Sun is a star, but it would be impossible to figure out what house it was sitting over at any particular time of day.
- The light was visible where they were.
- The light led them in the right direction.
- The light stopped at the Lord Jesus Christ.
External witness in creation
Internal witness in conscience
- Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
- Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Rejected light is a moral issue, a convenience issue, or an ambitions issue.

Wise men have the joy of the Lord as their strength (vss 9-10)

It was their motivation.
It was what they were living for.
It helped them overcome obstacles like strength will do.

Wise men offer offerings that meant something to them (vs 11)

Gold – universally recognized value
Then they brought some essential oils
- Frankincense – an oil that is burned and perfumed the tabernacle
- Myrrh – an oil that perfumes to cover other smells. Used in Christ’s burial.
They brought costly goods to the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Wise men don’t leave the way they came (vs 12)

Safety strategy.
To make an application, after you’ve been with Jesus, you shouldn’t leave the way you came.

Christmas, Preaching

Prophecies of Christ’s Birth (Christmas)

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There are several fulfilled prophecies of Christ’s birth which is in itself supernatural. This morning we’ll see why the prophecies were made to begin with.

Christ will come out of Judah

Genesis 49:8-12 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
Why? Of the 12 tribes, Judah offers himself as a payment for sin (Genesis 43:9, 44:33-34)

Christ will issue out of David’s lineage

Psalm 132:11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
2 Samuel 7:1-3 which leads to the promise in 2 Samuel 7:12

Christ will 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.
Rebellious king Ahaz of Judah is being threatened by Syria and the northern tribes of Israel in war. The Lord sends a message to Ahaz through Isaiah then tells Ahaz to request a sign. Ahaz rejects the offer. And like everything else Ahaz has done in his life, this is just another time where he’s disobeyed and ignored God.
Isaiah’s prophecy is a rejection of Ahaz. (See Jeremiah 22:30).
Now, if you’re trying to make up a story about Jesus so you can get him on the throne, you don’t throw away his royal lineage. You would do everything you can to preserve it and prove it. You make sure there is no question he’s royalty from the king.

Christ will be born in Bethlehem

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.
1 Samuel 20:6 → John 7:42 David was from Bethlehem

Christmas, Luke, Preaching

Anna (Christmas Series)

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Text: Luke 2:36-38

In the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ we are probably familiar with the shepherds, the wise men, Mary, and Joseph, but Anna is a lady that doesn’t make it in the manger scene. She is there when Jesus Christ is a baby and brought to the temple. There is not a lot written about Anna, but there is much said about Anna in what is written.

Anna’s reputation

The first thing of note is that Anna is a prophetess. That means she had a reputation for giving good godly counsel. Like Deborah who is a prophetess in the old testament.
It’s also a statement of her dedication to the things of God in regards to her priorities and how she spends her time.

Anna’s devotion

She learned to love the Lord first.
- After her husband died, she didn’t remarry.
- She spent all her time in the temple.
1 Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Anna’s consolation

She saw her desire come to fruition.
Anna poured her life into the Lord’s work and it paid off.
When We See Jesus (hymn #?)

Anna’s public declaration

In verse 38 Anna publicizes salvation to all who look for redemption in Jerusalem.
She is a witness of the good news of peace from God toward mankind.
When you find what you’re looking for it’s exciting. “We found it!”
- Time of self examination for church going people on a Sunday night. Perhaps you’re not vocal about the Lord Jesus Christ like Anna because he isn’t really what you were looking for.
- Church may be a way not to rock the boat in your family. And since you didn’t care about your old religion, you just go to church so your husband or wife don’t get mad at you.
- Church may be what you grow up in, but that’s all it was. I do it because it’s what I know, but I’ve never really been that excited about the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s revealing what and who the Lord chooses to record in his words and what He leaves out. Three verses devoted to a widow who was dedicated to the Lord and rewarded for it. Well done thou good and faithful servant.

Christmas, Luke, Preaching

The Significance of the Manger

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Text: Luke 2:7, 12, 16

“Were you born in a barn?” use to be a common colloquialism to describe our kids’ lack of discrimination between what’s inside the house and what’s outside the house. That saying came from the birth of Jesus Christ in whose case it was true that He was born in a barn.

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

It’s significant who was in the manger

…the babe…That baby is God. Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.
In that manger was the humanity of God
- 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!? God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (3 words that changed everything)
- 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.
- Righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption all have a body – 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- Eternal life has a form – 1 John 1:1-3 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; (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;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
- Truth is a man – 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.

It’s significant that the manger is where the flock was fed

The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The sign to the shepherds was unmistakable.
The manger is where the flock is fed.
- Here is Jesus Christ, the bread of life, to feed the flock of God.
- John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

It’s significant that the manger smelled like cattle

Make no mistake, the manger is a feed trough. It was dirty. It smelled like animals.
Manger, like you and me are dirty because of our flesh.
Manger, like you and me are unworthy of divine royalty.
Manger, like you and me are places God chose to put Himself.
- You get close enough to another Christian and you realize they stink like an animal.
- Christians if not careful begin to focus on the smell of cattle in another Christian rather than the work of God in that soul’s life.
Ordinary stable furniture turned to something extraordinary because of who was in it.
- God would take the ordinary, insignificant, common feed trough and make it special by putting someone priceless in it.
- Like a sinner that gets saved.
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

It’s significant why Jesus was there

No room in the inn. The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.
I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.
- No room in culture.
- No room in education.
- No room in politics.
All that is true. We don’t have any misconceptions about the world and there really is little reason for me to tell you the world has no room for Jesus.
I like the Christmas music, the lights, the decorations, the days off work, the presents, the get togethers. But some things about Christmas which is suppose to be a birthday for Jesus Christ.
- Christmas is the only birthday celebration I know of where everyone else gets gifts except the one with the birthday. We may say He’s the reason for the season, but how many of you have a gift to give the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Christmas is the only birthday I know of where sometimes the birthday boy is not allowed to attend. Instead the heroes are Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty.
Let’s get personal. Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room.
It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.
No room because of ignorance.
- You didn’t know he’d be here, so you’re booked. No rooms vacant. You’ve let guests in that you shouldn’t have.
- Entangled. Now, it’s going to be hard to get those guests out to make room for him.
No room because of indifference.
- Maybe you didn’t care he was coming. Church, prayer, Bible, preaching, teaching, witnessing; none of it is “your thing.”
- You can take him or leave him. Makes no difference to you.
No room because of inconvenience
- Look, as an innkeeper, to take on a pregnant mother means special accommodations are going to have to be made.
- Things will have to be rearranged in order to make room and I just don’t want to get into that.

Christmas, Luke, Preaching, Teaching

Mary, Handmaid of the Lord

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Text: Luke 1:28-38, 45-55

We shy away from talking about Mary because of how she’s been exalted by the Roman Catholic church to the heights of deity and mediator. Mary is highly favored of God. She is the handmaiden of the Lord: maiden waiting at hand.

Gabriel is sent by God to Mary. Gabriel only speaks to three people in the Bible, Daniel Zacharias (John the Baptist’s dad), and Mary.

Now, we need to put ourselves in Mary’s life. Mary and Joseph are engaged. She is a virgin. And she’s told she is going to have a child. Not just any child, but the only begotten Son of God. Mary. From this point on her thoughts and life are consumed with the blessing God has bestowed on her. This blessing of God is going to complicate her future wedding. This blessing of God is going to be unexplainable to those around her.

Mary is one of God’s favorites (vss 28-30)

…thou art highly favoured…thou hast found favour with God. (vss 28, 30)
God has his favorites.
God so loved the world and it can be said of every soul in this world that Jesus Christ died for that soul. That is the ultimate sacrifice and display of love. Now, that doesn’t mean that God likes everybody or that God trusts everybody.
Mary has been entrusted with a once in forever task, not just once in a lifetime.
Mary was prepared by purity (vs 27)
- To a virgin espoused to a man…
- Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
- HOLY Spirit
- HOLY Bible
- God likes clean.
- It will be a sad day when we learn our lack of morals have made us useless to God.
- Consider the negative side of this in God’s work.
  - Baalam taught the children of Israel to commit fornication so God would curse his own people.
Mary feared God
- His mercy on them that fear him 1:50
Mary is humble
- exalted them of low degree 1:52
Mary hungers and thirsts after righteousness
- 1:53

Mary meditates on godly things

Considers the weight of divine responsibility 1:29
- We would do well to consider our responsibilities.
- God entrusts her with tremendous complications in her life
  - Her husband is going to be mad.
  - Her marriage may go out the window.
  - Her reputation may go out the window.
  - He trusts her to keep a right spirit with all the trouble that will come with this.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4. If someone has been entrusted with something, that means I am going to let them have the responsibility of this thing.
Considers the sacrifice associated with God’s blessing 2:19
- She is exhausted. Had a baby. No room for them to stay anywhere but a barn. Then these excited shepherds show up.
Considers the ordinary made extraordinary 2:33
- He’s a baby. He cries. She changes his diaper. She feeds him and burps him. And he is the only begotten Son of God.
- Simeon proclaims the great work of God in this little baby.
Considers losing Jesus 2:51
- Can you imagine Mary here? Jesus has been lost for 3 days. Mary is suppose to be taking care of the only begotten Son of God, her firstborn son, and she can’t find him.
- We seem to have little reaction when we can’t find Jesus.

Mary’s question (vs 34)

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (vs34)
Mary asks what everyone asks before God makes clear he wants to use them. She asks HOW?
The work of God is always done by the Spirit of God. This is significant because the flesh can never comprehend the work of God. The temptation is to make something happen in the flesh through some natural work. But God is in the business of doing supernatural work.
God of the impossible

Mary believes God (vss 38-45)

God uses believing people.
…be it unto me according to thy word. (vs 38)
And blessed is she that believed: (vs 45)
Conception in verse 38 probably.
- Spiritual transaction, not physical transaction.
- Notice immediately that Mary goes to see Elisabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elisabeth’s womb.
Belief in spite of what it might mean to her relationship with Joseph.
- Mary leaves to the hill country in haste (vs 39)
You find the same language in Daniel 6:23. Someone believes God, therefore some work of God is accomplished in them.
Luke 11:27-28 One tried to worship Mary, but the Lord corrected them and said the believers are the one’s blessed.

Christmas, Luke, Preaching

Simeon, a Spiritual Man

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Text: Luke 2:25-35

Simeon is a spiritual man. Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon. The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25. The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26. The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27. Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Seal of God’s Spirit on Simeon (vs 25)

Seal of God’s approval is His Spirit. Simeon displayed characteristics of the Spirit of God.
Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.
- So much of our lives is determined by what we are waiting for. So much is determined by our expectations. Our attitude. Our behavior.
- Waiting like waiting tables. It is an active waiting. If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant. Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way.
Just means doing right; it is justice.
Simeon is just because he is waiting on the consolation of Israel.
- Someone who fears God, like Simeon, who is looking for the consolation of Israel is going to be like the Lord.
If we confess…faithful and just to forgive… We sometimes forget about the justice in that verse. God said it was just to forgive when a real confession of sin is made.
Devout means committed.
- This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.
- We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him. The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that. Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.
  - Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
  - Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

God’s personal promise to Simeon (vs 26)

Not everyone gets this promise.
He had a great desire to see God’s salvation.
God is personal. If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, there are some things between you and the Lord that aren’t between you and anybody else.

Spiritual leadership in Simeon’s life (vss 27-35)

Led him right (vs 27)
- Right place
- Right people
Was cause for rejoicing (vs 28)
Resulted in satisfaction (vs 29)
The work of God was made visible (vss 30-32)
Marvellous words of life (vs 33)
Blessing to those in God’s will (vs 34)
Perhaps the only man who foresaw the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (vss 34-35)

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

Herod’s Desperate Pride

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Text: Matthew 2

Tonight, I want you to see Herod’s pride. And particularly we need to understand the brutal consequences of unchecked pride. Pride is something we all have. And as long as we tell that arrogance to to keep quiet we are controlling it. But when the pride begins talking and acting out the ramifications are horrible.

The threat of another king (vss 1-2)

If you’re the king and you have some foreigners showing up in your kingdom asking where is the king. Now, you’d be tempted to say, “You’re looking at him.” But the wise men were aware who they were talking to. And Herod knew the wise men knew he was the king. But that it made no matter to the wise men, they were looking for another king.
Direct threat to your word.
Affront to your royalty.
Jesus Christ poses a threat to man’s pride.

The tyrant’s frightened demands (vss 3-6)

…he demanded of them where Christ should be born… (vs 4)
Herod is desperately paranoid. He quickly gathers the Jewish religious leaders to figure out where this rival is so he can eliminate him.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The treacherous camouflage of the proud (vss 7-8)

…when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. (vs 8)
Herod has no intention of worshipping Jesus Christ.
He gets the religious guys out of the room so he can really sell the act that he wants to worship Jesus.
Serpentine. Camouflage is to appear as your surroundings to mask your identity.
Camouflaging – camouflage breaks up the contours so you can’t see the shape of it defined – Genesis 3:1

The truth revealed to the faithful (vss 12-15)

…being warned of God in a dream… (vs 12)
Stay away from this guy. He is trouble.
Now, God will say the same thing to others about you if you’re the proud one. Because that pride is so destructive. It knows no boundaries. It is a cancer to any congregation.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
3 John 9-10

The trauma that soothes a hurt ego (vss 16-18)

Herod’s ego was wounded. When he saw that he was mocked…(vs 16)
Now, he’s going to hurt other people since his pride has been hurt.
Pride knows no boundaries. It will destroy God’s work without a second thought. It is consumed with itself.

The time for Christ’s presence when pride is gone (vss 19-21)

James 4:6 – Humility is submission to the will of God
Humility is the end of the education of the will
- When a man or women humbles himself before God, there no more learning required. Not my will, but thine be done.
- Job (Job 42:6), Moses (Exodus 2-3), Paul (Acts 9:6), Amos (Amos 7:14-15), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5-8)
- Leviticus 26:40-42 the irony is that when you will accept the punishment, receive the chastisement for your sin, there is no more need for chastisement.
Humility is the beginning of divine protection
- I thought to take a great spiritual man and show how it affected his life. But that sort of makes it unattainable. Let’s take a completely wicked man, sold out to iniquity, defiling God’s people and in a act of humility turns the course of a nation around.
- 1 Kings 21:25-29 – God gives details of his wickedness to contrast the great value the Lord places on humility.
- Get low and stay low. The fall isn’t as bad and you will survive it.
Humility is the beginning of spiritual growth
Humility says God alone is Righteous! Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. 2 Chronicles 12:6

The troubling heritage of the proud (vss 22-23)

Herod’s boy follows in his footsteps.
Before you open your mouth about that chip on your shoulder. Before you express your distaste at someone else’s inferiority (in your mind), you better consider the legacy you’re leaving behind.

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

What Made the Wise Man Wise?

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Text: Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men are a common feature in the Christmas story. There are a few myths about the wise men that have become tradition over the years. First, that the wise men were at the manger when Jesus was born. That’s not true. Second, that there were three of them. There was a large group of wise men from the east, but we don’t know how many of them there were. There were three gifts mentioned and that’s where someone got the number three wise men. Third, that this was an official entourage from a distant country. One of those familiar hymns says We Three Kings. In reality they weren’t kings, they weren’t public officials, they weren’t coming on behalf of any government, God only classifies them as wise men. “Wise Men” is not an official title, it is how God described an entourage of people looking for the King of the Jews.

Their desire to see Jesus (vss 1-2)

It is not so much the right answer every time, but the pursuit, the desire to know him.
It’s a desire more than a destination. An appetite, a thirst, more than a location.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- A greater desire than the unknown that was ahead.
- A greater desire than the personal cost to them.
- A greater desire than the time it would take to find the Lord.
- A greater desire than the distance they would have to travel to find him.
Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

They followed the God given light they had (vss 9-10)

That star has piqued many a Christian’s interests as to what it was. Our Sun is a star, but it would be impossible to figure out what house it was sitting over at any particular time of day.
- The light was visible where they were.
- The light led them in the right direction.
- The light stopped at the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Job 38-39 God dealt with Job on the basis of creation just like God deals with any Gentile who does not have all the physical imagery and types given to the Jews.
God put the beginning in the beginning of His book because it is rudimentary to what follows in the words of God. The world teaches as doctrine the absence of any Creator, so parents must be careful to reinforce in their children the truth that they are created beings and the Creator desires very much to fellowship with them. Secondly, that they are accountable to their Creator. Thirdly, because God is the Creator there is much you can learn in the earth about God’s attributes.
External witness in creation
- Luke 12:24-28 God’s provision
- Psalm 19 God’s creation
- Malachi 3:3 God’s holiness like fire
- Proverbs 26:11 dogs and fools
- Proverbs 11:22 pig and women
- Matthew 7:15 wolves and false prophets
- 1 Peter 5:8 lion like the devil (looking for prey like in Job)
Internal witness in conscience
- In the mouth of two or three witnesses is every word established. First witness, creation. Second witness, conscience. And there will even be a third witness.
- But God didn’t Create in order to corner man in a box, He did it to fellowship with Him. What Creation turns into for man who rejects God is a witness against him.
- You can’t point the finger and then claim ignorance before God. You can’t take your measuring stick of righteousness and put it up against someone you don’t like without God taking that same measuring stick and putting it up to you.
- Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
- Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

The joy of the Lord was their strength (vss 9-10)

God answers man in the joy of his heart.
Supply of strength
- Lose your joy you lose your strength.
- Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
- Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Acts 5:40-42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Cynicism is dangerous. David wrote, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes. David was betrayed, persecuted, and hunted. Then he recorded, I said in my haste all men are liars.
- Be careful that you don’t fall into the trap that you would RATHER believe evil than good.
- We’ve become vultures circling the carcass. We fly around the dead things, the “I told you so”. We find satisfaction in being right that everything was going to go wrong.
First of all, rejoice evermore is a complete sentence. It is an instruction.
- So we are capable of doing it, though it isn’t something that comes naturally.
- Joy is an inside job.
Insight – All circumstances have value to the child of God
Evermore is an eternal state. Rejoicing is the natural state of the child of God.
The point is to rejoice in the Lord. It’s not a positive attitude I need. What I need to focus on and think about and ponder is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then relish thoughts of him.

Their offerings meant something to them (vs 11)

Gold – universally recognized value
Then they brought some essential oils
- Frankincense – an oil that is burned and perfumed the tabernacle
- Myrrh – an oil that perfumes to cover other smells. Used in Christ’s burial.
They brought costly goods to the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Abraham said of Isaac that he and the lad would go worship.

They didn’t leave the way they came (vs 12)

SEAL training – find another way out.
Safety strategy.
To make an application, after you’ve been with Jesus, you shouldn’t leave the way you came.

Christmas, Preaching, Teaching

The Fullness of the Time

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Galatians 4:4 …fullness of time…

Prophetic timing

Daniel 9:25-26 – Notice the 70 weeks are broken down to 7 weeks + 62 weeks + 1 week.
- They are determined, but not consecutive
- 7 weeks (49 years) – Silver – Medes/Persians
- 62 weeks (434 years) – Brass – Greek – silent years (no scripture)
- 1 week (7 years) – Iron – Assyrian confederacy
7 weeks (49 years) – Silver – Ram – Medes/Persians
- Rebuilding the wall in troublous times (9:25)
- Recorded in Nehemiah and the time is 445 B.C.
- Done during the silver phase of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2
- Done during the Ram of Daniel 8
- The commandment to rebuild the temple began with Cyrus as is recorded in Ezra, but that was not specified in Daniel’s 70 weeks.
62 weeks (434 years) – Brass – Goat – Greece
after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (9:26)
- Done during the brass phase of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2
- The clock would start with the Persians desire to rebuild the temple. Notice that it was men from the east that were looking for the Messiah’s birth in Matthew 2. So they had these numbers and worked backwards, figuring the Messiah to be 30 years old when he started his ministry (Numbers 4:3) and would die shortly after that.

Generational timing

Matthew 1:17. For some reason, the Lord thought it significant to point out the number of generations from Abraham to Jesus. And a breakdown of how those generations divided out.
- From the promise of land (Abraham) to the acquisition (David) is 14 generations. From the acquisition to the loss of the land to the Gentiles (Nebuchadnezzar) is another fourteen generations. That was according to the law. From the loss of the land to the birth of Jesus Christ the promised seed would be another fourteen generations.
- 42 generations from Abraham
- Other instances where judgement would be complete after 42
  - 42 cities set aside for the Levites in Numbers 35:6 – administration of judgment
  - 42 years to clean out the house of Saul in 2 Samuel 2:10 – purging of a household
  - 42 children killed by bears for mocking Elisha in 2 Kings 2:23-24 – satisfied judgment of mockers
  - 42 months given to Gentiles to trample underfoot, Revelation 11:2, 13:5 – judgment of God on the Jews religion
Luke 3:23-38 reckons his genealogy from Adam, the first man who was the son of God
- 76 generations from Adam
  - Seven is another significant number. It describes completion. 7 days in a week and another week begins. 7 notes and the progression begins again.
  - The 77th generation from Adam would be the children of God.
  - Psalm 22:30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
  - 1 Peter 2:9
- 69 generations from Enoch
  - 70 weeks in Daniel 9
  - 70 generations from the first preacher of the Second Coming. See Jude 14-15

Particular timing

1 Chronicles 24:10 – two week stint (15th & 16th weeks from beginning of the year which begins in March or April)
Luke 1:5 course of Abia
Luke 1:25 5th month after John Baptist conception (November)
Luke 1:26 6th month after John Baptist conception (December), Jesus is conceived.
Jesus would be born in September most likely.
September (7th month)
Leviticus 23:27, 34 a day of atonement prefacing the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days (14th – 21st)

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

The Star of Bethlehem

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Text: Matthew 2:1-10

The star of Bethlehem, as it has been called, is the most peculiar star in history. Identifying it as a constellation or Jupiter doesn’t hold water given the specific elements of the star. It moves. It locates a specific home. It appears, disappears and is only seen by certain people. Knowing the things we know about the star, most astronomical phenomena can be cancelled out since they don’t meet the criteria.

Angels in the bible are stars. Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. If I had to pick an explanation, I’d pick this one. In California the stars (movie stars) are in the city of angels (Los Angeles). So it’s not a stretch.

There are a couple of verses about Jesus Christ being a star. Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Balaam prophesied, Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

God chose not to make plain whatever this star was, but he did make it clear what this star DID. So what did the star do? Here are the six points of the star of Bethlehem.

A light that heralded the King of the Jews

…for we have seen his star in the east… (vs 2)
Salvation is of the Jews.
The wise men say they are here to worship this King of the Jews, so they believe him to be deity.
- God’s final redemptive work
- God manifest in the flesh to provide a body that would serve as the pattern for many bodies to come.

A light that threatened the culture

Herod hears this and is troubled. All Jerusalem is troubled with him. (vs 3)
The presence of Jesus Christ always threatens the old man and the culture.

A light that exposed religious hypocrisy

Chief priests (vss 4-6)
The scribes misquote 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.
- John 7:27-These same people pretend not to know.
Herod (vss 7-8)

A light that was not seen by unbelievers

…inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (vs 7)
A telescope wouldn’t help you.
Revelation was based on the heart.

A light that shepherded men to Jesus Christ

…and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. (vs 9)
It went ahead of the wise men as they went south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem
It stopped over the house in Bethlehem where Jesus was.

A light that was the source of joy because of the work it did

When they saw the star, they rejoiced… (vs 10)
Joy’s refreshing
- Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
- This is my testimony of coming to love the Bible. I love the Bible like I love cold water after a hot, humid, hard, football practice. Cold water would hit the back of my throat and all my muscles and sensations would breathe a collective sigh of relief – “aaaaahhhhh”.
- Chinese Christians receiving their first Bibles in suitcases from missionaries.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
- Testimony of salvation and the spirit of God in you rejoices that truth has worked in a sinner’s life.
- 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. It is a shepherding quality.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

The Virgin Birth

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Text: Matthew 1:22-23

At this time of year you think about the birth of Jesus Christ as a wonderful thing. Folks get out the nativity scene and sometimes even perform a live nativity scene. Complete with smiling shepherds, giggling Mary and Joseph and perhaps even real animals.

Circumstances of the prophecy

Matthew 1:22-23 is a reference to Isaiah 7:14.
Rebellious king Ahaz of Judah is being threatened by Syria and the northern tribes of Israel in war. The Lord sends a message to Ahaz through Isaiah then tells Ahaz to request a sign. Ahaz rejects the offer. And like everything else Ahaz has done in his life, this is just another time where he’s disobeyed and ignored God.
Isaiah’s prophecy is a rejection of Judah’s royal lineage. (See Jeremiah 22:30).
Now, if you’re trying to make up a story about Jesus so you can get him on the throne, you don’t throw away his royal lineage. You would do everything you can to preserve it and prove it.

Complications this caused

The history of Jesus Christ’s birth is more complicated. Mary is engaged to Joseph and then turns out to be pregnant. Joseph is quite a good man, but thinking what normal people think; she must have someone else. I’ve heard of critics criticizing Mary and Joseph for being too primitive and they just didn’t understand how children were born “back then”. Joseph is told in a dream what is happening. That leads to a little practical question about God, is it necessary that God reveal Himself? The answer to that is yes. Jesus Christ asked one time who do you say that I am? Peter said the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said flesh and blood have not revealed that to you but my Father in heaven.
Back to the birth of Christ. A virgin bearing a son is complicated. Not because it’s hard for God, but because it’s hard for man. Then Caesar taxes the world which forces Joseph and Mary to travel while Mary is about to give birth. What a journey that would be! On top of that, because of the taxing, many people had returned to their home towns, plus all the IRS officials in town made for the inns to be completely booked. The weren’t 300 room hotels. These inns had four or five extra rooms and that was it. So Mary is having a baby. The couple are putting together tax money and now there is no place for them to stay, so they end up in a shepherd’s stall where Mary can at least have her baby. The shepherds are in the field when the angel tells them about baby Jesus. I think they head back to their stalls back at the ranch and find Joseph, Mary, and Jesus altogether in one of the stalls.

Critics of virgin conception

God will never do anything without being criticized or mocked for it.
The unscientific claim is not valid since IVF has come about.
Worldly Critic:
- If you reject the virgin birth because you believe in evolution you’re just an idiot. You’d be willing to say life came from nothing, but reject the idea that at least a woman was present for the virgin birth. Half the genetic material is there wherein your case there is nothing.
- God had already created people four different ways by the time you get to the virgin birth.
- Out of dust.
- Out of a rib. God was dealing with DNA and genetics a long time ago.
- Out of husband and wife naturally.
- Out of husband and wife beyond child bearing age.
- A virgin birth is no problem.
- There had also been people created out of perversion when the angels – sons of God – had children with women in Genesis 6.
Scholarly Critic:
- Someone said “virgin” is mistranslated in Isaiah 7:14. They said it should say “young woman.
- Equally stupid since a young woman having a child is hardly a sign to anyone.
Medical Critic:
- Another critic said there was no medical proof. Luke wrote about it as a doctor. Not to mention the responses of Mary and Joseph to the news of a conception tells you all you need to know. The problem is that critic doesn’t accept the medical evidence they’re given.
- Another critic said there is no DNA evidence. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard. If you had DNA evidence, what would you compare it to to show it was God’s DNA? Again, while you’re in a lab coat with goggles staring down a microscope to disprove the Bible, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead (See Romans 1:4) proving His divine nature.

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

Ancestry of Jesus

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Text: Matthew 1:1-17

I learned that the Bible is God’s legal document

Genealogy of a king of utmost importance. Is he the rightful heir?
Matthew 1 is the legal record linking Jesus Christ to the throne of David.
Judgement in Revelation where the books are opened. (The Law)
Summons to court if you neglect to trust Christ. Or a wonderful pardon if you’ve chosen to trust Jesus Christ.

I learned that God uses imperfect vessels

This is not a godly line of holy people.
Even Gentiles included
- 1:3 Thamar – Canaanite Genesis 38
- 1:5 Rachab – Amorite Joshua 6:25; Ruth 4:21
- 1:5 Ruth – Moabite Ruth 4:9-10
- 1:6 Bathsheba – Hittite 2 Samuel 12:10, 24
- 1:7 Naamah – Ammonite 1 Kings 14:21
God doesn’t need sinless people for this work, He’s just tying His genealogy to Abraham and David.
If I mess up, that’s me talking. If I do something God is happy with, that’s the Holy Spirit working through me. Same goes for you.

I learned that God’s family begins and ends with a miraculous birth

First birth in the genealogy is the miraculous birth of Isaac
Jesus Christ’s virgin birth
Reformation won’t do
Except ye be born again ye shall not enter the Kingdom of God.

I learned the harsh reality that some generations are lost

There are some missing generations in Matthew’s list.
When it comes to the things of God, some generations can be lost
- Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 21:1
- Jehoram – 2 Chronicles 21:1, also called Joram
- Ahaziah – 2 Chronicles 22:1 (missing in Matthew 1)
- Joash – 2 Chronicles 24:1 (missing in Matthew 1)
- Amaziah – 2 Chronicles 25:1 (missing in Matthew 1)
- Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:1, also called Azariah in 2 Kings 15:1

I learned that God must get man out of the way

Virgin born facilitated by Jeremiah 22:30
Joseph was of the line of Jechonias (Coniah) and could never father the heir to the throne

I learned that God’s family is a heritage without death

Compare Matthew 1 to Genesis 5 – Adam’s line contains death.
Genesis 5 …and he died…
There is a “begetting” but no death

I learned that God’s miracles are always attended by critics

Virgin birth and the complications that attended that.
Isaac being persecuted by Ishmael

I learned that God’s timing is perfect

14 generations + 14 generations + 14 generations
Fulness of time
Generation – Matthew 1:1, 3:7, 11:16, 12:34, 39, 41,42,45, 16:4, 17:17, 23:33, 36, 24:34

Christmas, Preaching

Santa Claus vs Jesus Christ

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Santa and Jesus Christ have eternal life

1 John 5:12
Santa is under no threat of death. He is “alive” forever.

Santa and Jesus Christ live in the North

Psalm 48:2
Santa lives in the North Pole.

Santa and Jesus Christ are carpenters

Mark 6:3
Santa’s workshop

Santa, like Jesus Christ is omniscient – he knows everything

He sees you when you’re sleeping, He knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake
Hebrews 4:13
Proverbs 15:3

Jesus Christ is not bound by nature and neither is Santa Claus

Matthew 14:25
Santa is suppose to move through the night unbound by physics.

Jesus Christ is not bound by time and neither is Santa Claus

2 Peter 3:8
Santa is suppose to deliver presents all over the world without restraints of time.

Jesus Christ is believed on and worshipped just as Santa Claus

John 9:38
You don’t believe Santa is worshipped? Try telling folks Santa is a fake. You’d get thrown out and ridiculed and HE ISN’T EVEN REAL! And you think people don’t worship him? Parents thought you’d committed the unpardonable sin by telling your kids he doesn’t exist.
John 12:12 – Jesus Christ is worshipped when people came out to see him just as Santa Claus

Santa is omnipresent just like Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:20
Santa Claus is everywhere. At the mall, in the parade, at the shopping center. He’s in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, Minnesota, Colorado, California, New York, he’s everywhere

Jesus Christ’s coming is celebrated by his believers as is Santa’s

Revelation 1:13

As Jesus Christ, Santa has:

White Hair—Revelation 1:14
Red Garments—Isaiah 63:2

Jesus Christ comes with his rewards as Santa Claus

Revelation 22:12

Jesus Christ opens a list, Santa’s good and bad list

He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice
Revelation 20:12

Santa is the Father of Lights as Jesus Christ

James 1:17

Ho, ho, ho from the north

Zechariah 2:6

Christmas, Matthew, Preaching

Joseph’s Leadership

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Text: Matthew 1:18-25, 2:11-15, 19-23

Joseph, the husband of Mary, is an incredible leader. His navigation of the difficult circumstances surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ are exemplary. Consider the testimony of God the Father of this man. God chose this man as the caretaker of his only begotten son in perhaps God’s most vulnerable time on this earth: God as a baby, in diapers.

From the very beginning Joseph is met with circumstantial evidence that looks bad on his fiance. He’s then compelled by the IRS to travel with a very pregnant wife to Bethlehem, his hometown, to pay taxes. Then a child that is not his, but he is caring for, is hunted down by a king. An entire generation of babies to two year olds are killed in a region because of the child Joseph is protecting.

Leading with character

…before they came together, she was found with child… (1:18)
Joseph is put in a position where God is working with his wife, but Joseph has no idea what is going on. The situation is complicated by the look of impropriety.
So, what do you do when God is working in someone’s life and He hasn’t told you what He’s doing yet? Secondly, on the surface it really looks bad.
Character keeps you from making a mess.
Character keeps the people you love safe.

Leading with compassion

…was minded to put her away privily. (1:19)
Revenge is not in his character.

Leading with closeness to the Lord

…while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream… (1:20)
Relationship with the Lord that guided his decisions.
He’s given scripture and he accepts what’s happening.

Leading with catastrophic burdens

Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt… (2:13)
Joseph takes Mary and Jesus into Egypt to avoid Herod. Herod immediately begins a killing spree of every male 2 years old and under.
Now, what you know about Joseph is that he is a very caring man. Joseph probably sat up nights feeling like the death of who know how many children were because the child he’s caring for is being hunted. Not that he would ever think of giving up Jesus to end the slaughter, but you carry a burden of guilt like that. Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown. He knew the children. He grew up with the moms and dads his age, now having children.

Leading that creates scriptural fulfillment

Virgin birth fulfilled, vs 1:23.
Call him Jesus is fulfilled, vs 1:25.
Born in Bethlehem is fulfilled, vs 2:6.
Call him out of Egypt is fulfilled, vs 2:15.
Rama weeping and lamentation, vs 2:18.
Called a Nazarene is fulfilled, vs 2:23.

Category: Christmas

They are prepared people

They are faithful

They are willing participants

The reason for the manger (vs 7)

The sign of the manger (vs 12)

The baby in the manger (vs 16)

Simeon is looking for consolation (vs 25)

Simeon receives revelation he’s looking for (vs 26)

Simeon is led by the Spirit of God (vss 27-32)

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

Wise men desire to worship Jesus (vss 1-2)

Wise men followed the God given light they had (vss 9-10)

Wise men have the joy of the Lord as their strength (vss 9-10)

Wise men offer offerings that meant something to them (vs 11)

Wise men don’t leave the way they came (vs 12)

Christ will come out of Judah

Christ will issue out of David’s lineage

Christ will be born of a virgin

Christ will be born in Bethlehem

Anna’s reputation

Anna’s devotion

Anna’s consolation

Anna’s public declaration

It’s significant who was in the manger

It’s significant that the manger is where the flock was fed

It’s significant that the manger smelled like cattle

It’s significant why Jesus was there

Mary is one of God’s favorites (vss 28-30)

Mary meditates on godly things

Mary’s question (vs 34)

Mary believes God (vss 38-45)

Seal of God’s Spirit on Simeon (vs 25)

God’s personal promise to Simeon (vs 26)

Spiritual leadership in Simeon’s life (vss 27-35)

The threat of another king (vss 1-2)

The tyrant’s frightened demands (vss 3-6)

The treacherous camouflage of the proud (vss 7-8)

The truth revealed to the faithful (vss 12-15)

The trauma that soothes a hurt ego (vss 16-18)

The time for Christ’s presence when pride is gone (vss 19-21)

The troubling heritage of the proud (vss 22-23)

Their desire to see Jesus (vss 1-2)

They followed the God given light they had (vss 9-10)

The joy of the Lord was their strength (vss 9-10)

Their offerings meant something to them (vs 11)

They didn’t leave the way they came (vs 12)

Prophetic timing

Generational timing

Particular timing

A light that heralded the King of the Jews

A light that threatened the culture

A light that exposed religious hypocrisy

A light that was not seen by unbelievers

A light that shepherded men to Jesus Christ

A light that was the source of joy because of the work it did

Circumstances of the prophecy

Complications this caused

Critics of virgin conception

I learned that the Bible is God’s legal document

I learned that God uses imperfect vessels

I learned that God’s family begins and ends with a miraculous birth

I learned the harsh reality that some generations are lost

I learned that God must get man out of the way

I learned that God’s family is a heritage without death

I learned that God’s miracles are always attended by critics

I learned that God’s timing is perfect

Leading with character

Leading with compassion

Leading with closeness to the Lord

Leading with catastrophic burdens

Leading that creates scriptural fulfillment

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