Filed under: Christianity, Christmas | Tags: Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Life, People
Introduction: Do you have all your shopping done yet?
There are some folks that are hard to shop for- – You have no idea what they need or want – You don’t know what size or color – They are just plain picky (Years ago, I made the mistake of buying a tie for my dad- he never wore it) But, God knows exactly what we need. He gives us good and perfect gifts. Just to help us keep our spiritual perspective in these last days leading up to Christmas let us be reminded of some of God’s gifts to us.
I. The gift of the Savior- Luke 2:11 “Unto YOU”
A. If there ever was a gift where “everybody needs one”, “one size fits all”, or “you can’t do
without it”, this is it.
B. It was a promised gift- Gen. 3:15 B. It is a perfectly timed gift- Gal. 4:4
II. The gift of salvation
A personal relationship with the living God-
John 3:16 Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 6:23
III. The gift of the Holy Spirit- John 14:16-18, 26
A. An indwelling Person B. An empowering Person C. An educating Person
IV. The gifts of grace-
A. Giving- II Cor. 8:19 B. Serving- Eph. 3:7,8
V. What do you do with a gift?
I suppose every parent has had the experience of searching for some special gift for their child and then after all that effort seeing the child spend more time playing with the box the gift came in than the gift itself. The feeling you have at that time approximates the feeling God must have about some of His children with their attitude towards His gifts to us.
A. Thank God for it- II Cor. 9:15 B. Use it- I Tim. 4:14 C. Share it- II Tim. 1:6-7 D.
Add to it- II Peter 1:2-8
Conclusion: It was the week before Christmas. Parking spaces were hard to come by. There were long lines, crowded stores, rude people, and grossly inflated prices. In one long checkout line, one man was heard to say, “They should kill the guy who started Christmas.” One wise and Godly woman in the line said, “They did- they hung Him on a cross.” Therein lyes the REAL Christmas story.
Filed under: Christmas | Tags: Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Hope
Text: Matthew 1:18 – 2:21
Introduction: It goes without saying that the date for Christ’s birth remains a mystery and that December 25th was in ancient times a Roman holiday to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice, (December 21st is the shortest day of the year.) and the lengthening of days which would lead to spring and summer.
But in 325 A.D. in Rome, professing Christians settled on this date for commemorating the coming of Christ Jesus into the world. The popularity of this date stems from the 12th century.
The world should be reminded of the great gift God made in the person of His Son who came to be the Saviour; to come and live a sinless life and die a vicarious death for our sins.
I. THE CRADLE: The beginning of Christmas
A. The Angels
1. Matt. 1:20 – appeared to Joseph
2. Luke 1:26 & 2:9
There have been many unusual birth announcements:
IT’S A BOY SIGN IN THE YARD; BALLOONS ON A MAILBOX; BULK MAIL WITH PHOTOGRAPHS NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCEMENT PHONE CALLS to friends and relatives
B. The shepherds
1. Luke 2:9 they were sore afraid 2. The Shepherds believed the angels
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
C. The Wise men; Matthew 2:1-6
1. Matthew 2:2
2. Matthew 2:9
The wise men had come from the East. They had read and studied the ancient Book of Daniel with its prophecies regarding the coming Messiah. There were a large number of Jews living in Babylon, and they had their synagogues. These wise men were educated in all the wisdom of the Babylonians and Persians of earlier times. But somehow they understood that God was leading them in a special way.
1. They had seen His star – Matthew 2:2
2. They came to worship the Christ child -Matt. 2:10-11 – they humbled themselves before the Christ child
3. They presented gifts – Matt. 2:11
4. They departed “another way” – Matt. 2:12 – or “a different route” in order to escape Herod
The Cradle – The Cross – The Crown – cont’d
II. THE CROSS: The ultimate goal of Christmas
A. Matthew 16:21
Hebrews 2:9 (taste death for every man)
I 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”.
III. THE CROWN: The glorious climax of Christmas
Acts 1:3 – I Corinthians 15:3-6 – Hebrews 2:7-9
Hebrews 7:1 – Rev. 17:14 – 19:16 (King of Kings etc. a King wears a Crown).
Conclusion: Jesus Christ came into this world because He loves us. He died in our place on the Cross of Calvary – he arose again the 3rd day as He said He would.
He is also coming back as he said he would – on His time table.
He did this to save all those would receive Him by faith. He saves us to serve Him – to live for Him.
Filed under: Christmas | Tags: Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, Christmas, Encouragement, faith, Holidays, Jesus, People, Saviour
John’s Account of the Christmas Story
John 1:1-14
Intro: Typically, we’re told the traditional Christmas story… A wonderful GREAT Story.
The town of Bethlehem, the manger, shepherds, angles, the baby, Mary and Joseph, etc.
The Story of Jesus Christ, as has been stated, is “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Three of the four Gospels tell the Christmas story. Matt. and Luke, the traditional story, and John a very non-traditional Christmas story; but …A wonderful Christmas Story to tell.
Matthew writes of Jesus the King, the lineage of David: this was written to the Jew, to believe in Jesus as Messiah. Mark: Jesus the Servant. It represents the character and career of Jesus from the Roman point of view. Luke: Jesus the Man – the human Divine One; to the Greek, written in Greece. John: the Eternal Son the Divine human; written to the saved so that we might cherish Christ more and train Christians to serve the Lord. John was different; probably the youngest of the Apostles; the disciple whom Jesus loved, left in charge of Mary; first Apostle to the tomb. He wrote 5 books in the New Testament. This is the 2nd most. The most were written by Paul. John, the only disciple not to be killed. So John was unique, and his Christmas story is unique. John calls Jesus, “The Word”. John 1:14
Here is John’s Christmas story, the Word became flesh. God became a baby. There is more purpose to the Christmas story then merely to supply us with a warm account of the birth of Jesus, which is wonderful – but more than just a baby being born in a unique way. In fact, there are five reasons why the “Word became flesh”, God became a baby…and four of them are right in John’s account.
#1. The Word became flesh. God became a baby because He wanted to communicate in the most effective way with His number1 creation, man. Jesus is called the “Word”, vs 1.
We use words to communicate. The best way to communicate with a horse would be to become a horse.
And although God communicated with man in the O.T, He knew that the best way would be to become a man, so…the Word became flesh, God became a baby. Jesus communicated in the clearest possible way what God is like and what He desires for His children. If you rely on television evangelists, other Christians, other religions, to communicate to you what God is like, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you look to Jesus… God wants to communicate with you. etc
#2: The next reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because God wants to “enlighten you:” John 1:9.
We live at a time when more and more people are confused, wondering what to do, where to turn. Advice is everywhere but it’s often contradictory and like, “…the blind leading the blind.” We cry out for direction, truth, and meaning, and Jesus cries out, “I am the way the truth and the life…” God wants to enlighten you. etc. To lead you by His written Word.
#3: The third reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because God wanted to be able to relate to His people: John 1:11 The Bible (in Hebrews) tells us that Jesus lived like we did, was exposed to the same temptations as we are, and though, being God, He could not have sinned and He did not sin.
Jesus understands what it is like to be human, He understands the fears and pressures you’re under.
God can relate to you and you can approach Him. #4 – The forth reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because He wanted to adopt us into His family… John 1:12 Romans 8:14-17: the taking and treating a stranger as one’s own child. He receives us as a legitimate child – even though we were strangers and enemies. This means:
1. That we, by nature, had no claim on Him
2. The act is one of mere kindness – of pure, sovereign love
3. that we are now under his protection and care
4. That we are bound to manifest towards Him, and yield to him in obedience Romans 8:15: Cry Abba Father; we now have legal standing, because we were “adopted” by the Lord, when we received Christ, NOW we have the right to call Him FATHER – DADDY; with ALL its rights and privileges. Servants and slaves were not allowed to call their masters “father” or “Abba Father.”
Here, we find that the legitimate, the adopted, can now call Him FATHER.
CRY = from the heart – like a child crying our for “daddy;” it shows confidence.
Believing on the Lord Jesus brings us into His family; by the spirit of adoption, you become literally related to the Father.
#5: But the fifth reason why the Word became flesh is the most important of them all. Without the fifth reason all the other reasons could never benefit us. The fifth reason was the ultimate goal. The fifth reason is the most shocking, so shocking it is seldom mentioned at Christmas time.
The fifth reason why the Word became flesh, why God became a baby, was because one day, He would have to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. Etc. I want you to see the message as set forth here. God became a baby, an infant: The baby grew up; became a man; lived a sinless life; died on the cross to take upon Him your sins and mine. He paid the price for YOU. And because of that, adoption is possible, it’s possible to relate, enlighten, communicate. That’s what’s behind the Christmas story, the star of Bethlehem over the manger, the angles announcing to the shepherds, the wise men visiting in search of truth, visiting the child. COMING TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE THAT WILL BELIEVE
Filed under: Christmas
The Wonder of Christmas
Christ was born in the 1st century, and yet He belongs to ALL centuries.
Introduction: If we do not have Christmas in our hearts, we will never find it under a tree.
He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to ALL races.
Let us think, for a moment, of that very first Christmas service.
Christmas is a most wonderful time of the year. I think of baby Jesus (God became a baby, a human, just for us. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds the wisemen. IT IS A MOST WONDERFUL TRUE STORY OF God’s love, mercy, devotion & salvation, to mankind.
The efforts & obedience of the shepherds. The time, effort, obedience, devotion and money it costs the wise men in their travels to find the King of Kings & Lord of Lords!
Luke 2:20: “And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Matthew 2:12 “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
I. A Gift Of A renewed Life
A. In Christ, we are a new Creature II Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
B. In Matthew 2:12, they departed “another way”
1. When we come to Christ, we should “go” another way
from they way that we were going
2. We should exhibit a changed life
a. blind Bartimaeus was not the same after he received Jesus
b. the Maniac of Gadara was not the same after he received JesusII.
II. Gift Of Servic
A. The shepherds “came with haste” Luke 2:16
1. they found Jesus
2. they wasted no time in doing so
B. Zaccheus also came with haste
C. We need to come with “haste”
1. Isaiah said in Isaiah 6:8 “…here am I, send me.”
2. Saul said in Acts 9:6: “…Lord, what wilt thou have me
to do?”
III. The Gift Of Worship
A. In Matthew 2:11 the wise men “…fell down and
worshipped Him…”
B. Our need is to humble ourselves before God and to
worship Him
C. This indicates a heart of submission unto the Lord
The wisemen traveled for 2 years, following the STAR.
They brought with them: camels to carry provisions of
clothes, food and water for a LONG trip.
A trip they had no idea of how long it would take.
IV. The Gift Of Time: They had servants: cooks, maids, etc. to care for them on this trip.
A trip that took them over mountains, thru valleys; desserts and to cross rivers.
There were robbers along the way, and they had to protect themselves.
Finally, they find the Saviour! Now, they have to take another 2-year long trip, back home where they began 2 years earlier.
IV. Appropriate Gifts
A. The wise men brought four types of gifts in
Matthew 2:11
1. Gold; a tribute to a King and shows forth His Deity
2. Frankincense would be symbolic of purity of life; a
sweet-smelling savor
3. Jesus is God, He did not and cannot sin:
I Peter 2:21-22
4. Myrrh is bitter and would show forth the bitter death
of Christ to come
B. What would our gift to Christ be?
1. Psalms 116:12-14: “What shall I render unto the Lord
for all His benefits toward me?
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence
of all His people.”
2. The example of the Macedonians: II Corinthians 8:1-5:
Notice in verse 5:
“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by
the will of God.”
That’s what God is looking for; He’s looking for you and for me!
God looks for folks to give themselves to Christ;
1. For salvation
2. For service after we are saved.
Filed under: Bible, Blessings, Book of Isaiah, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, faith, Family, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Life, Old Testament, Old Testament Survey, Prayer, Theology, Trials | Tags: Bible, Blogroll, Book of Isaiah, Christian Life, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, faith, God, Grace, Happiness, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus, Law, Life, Love, Old Testament, Old Testament Survey, People, Revival, Scars, Theology, Trials
Introduction: In the Old Testament, we can group the Books into approximately three different categories. Genesis through Esther is history; Job through Song of Solomon is poetry; while Isaiah through Malachi is prophecy.
We are now at the Old Testament writings by the prophets. There are 17 in number and generally divided into 5 Major Prophets and 12 Minor Prophets. They are not called “major” or “minor” prophets because some are more important than others. They are referred to such because of the amount of material in each Book. The Books of poetry were written during the golden age of Israel; the Books of prophecy were written during days of apostasy in Israel.
Definition of a prophet: derived from a verb signifying “to bubble forth” like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God. A spokesman; speaker. They were authoritative and influential men of God. They were direct spokesmen of God; they received their messages directly from God and preached them to the people. Therefore, “prophet” means: one who speaks for another. When put in proper context, we will know if that spokesman is speaking for God or for some man or some other deity; Numbers 12:6-8 Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – II Peter 1:21.
Matthew 11:13 – Luke 16:16: Prophets …. until John. “Until” is a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place): (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to. The prophets lasted until the time of John the Baptist. “The law and the prophets were in force until John: from that time the Gospel takes place; and humble upright men receive it with inexpressible earnestness,” John Wesley.
The prophets taught, or continued to instruct. They were the instructors concerning the Christ who was to come. John the Baptist came and showed that all the predictions of the Messiah, were now about to be fully and finally accomplished; for Christ was now revealed. There was 400 silent years between the closing of the Old Testament Books and the beginnings of the Gospel. John the Baptist is clearly New Testament and NOT an Old Testament prophet. Today, those who call themselves prophets are not “God called” but “self-called.”
Central message of Isaiah: Jehovah is supreme Ruler and the ONLY Saviour.
Author: The Holy Spirit of God Human writer: The Prophet Isaiah
Chronological Order Of The Prophets: According to Ussher
- Prophets Before The Exile
- Jonah to Nineveh – 862 B.C.
- To the 10 Tribes of Israel
- Amos – 787 B.C.
- Hosea – 785 – 725 B.C.
- Obadiah – 887 B.C.
- Joel – 800 B.C.
- To Judah
- Isaiah – 760 – 698 B.C.
- Micah – 750 – 710 B.C.
- Nahum – 713 B.C.
- Habakkuk 626 B.C.
- Zephaniah – 630 B.C.
- Jeremiah – 629 – 588 B.C.
- Prophets During The Exile
- Ezekiel – 595 – 574 B.C.
- Daniel – 607 – 534 B.C.
III. Prophets After The Exile
A. Haggai – 520 B.C.
B. Zechariah – 520 – 518 B.C.
C. Malachi – 397 B.C.
IV. The Book Of Isaiah Shows Absolute Proof that Christ Is God
A. Isaiah 19:20; 43:3, 11; 45:15, 21; 49:26, 60:16, 63:8
B. Isaiah 53 is direct and obvious prophecies of Christ
C. There are many New Testament Scriptures that make it obvious that Jesus Christ is the Saviour; the ONE spoken about by the Prophet Isaiah
1. Luke 1:47; 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31, 13:23; Philippians 3:20; II Timothy 1:10
2. Titus 1:3-4; 2:10-13; 3:4-6; II Peter 1:1,11; 2:20; 3:2,18; I John 4:14
V. The Lowliness Of The Messiah’s Arrival
- Isaiah 53:2
- He did not come as the Jews expected Him to come
- No political deliverance
- no great ceremony befitting a King
- born to a carpenter’s family
- born to a family of Northern Galilee; a place and family from which nothing was expected
- a “root out of dry ground” Isaiah 53:2 – Romans 15:12
- dry ground – where no one would expect it to grow – before unbelieving Jews
- root – Vs 1 – “the arm of the Lord is revealed. (1) the same Hebrew for the above is used in Genesis 3:15 – Christ is the seed (2) roots have no beauty in them (3) the root is that of a decayed tree springing up into a new tree – Isaiah 11:1 “tender plant” – “a suckling” Job 14:7 – a young shoot springing up from old stock
- No form or comeliness – beauty
- magnificence, ornament or splendor: beauty, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty.
- the beauty of Christ was moral; holiness; love etc.
- this is an inward beauty and not outward.
VI. He Suffered For Us
- Isaiah 53:4-5 “… He was wounded for our transgressions.” I Peter 2:24
- He took in our place; our sufferings, it was God’s will I John 4:10
- He was / is guiltless = sinless: Isaiah 53:9; I Peter 2:22; Luke 23:1-22
- He made His grave with the wicked – Isaiah 53:9
- He was crucified between two thieves – Matthew 27:38
- “with the rich …” Joseph of Arimathea – Matthew 27:57-60 and Nicodemus – John 19:38-42
- He was made an offering for sin – Isaiah 53:10
- Isaiah 53:12 – He was numbered with the transgressors’ – Matthew 27:38 – two thieves
- He bare the sins of many – Isaiah 53:12 – Matt. 26:28 – Hebrews 9:28
- He made intercession for the transgressors – Romans 8:34 – Hebrews 7:25 a. He constantly presents the merits of his death as a reason why we should be saved. b. The precise mode, however, in which he makes intercession in heaven for his people is not revealed. The general meaning is, that he undertakes their cause, and assists them in overcoming their foes and in their endeavors to live a holy life. (Barnes) c. I John 2:1 – an advocate – one who has undertaken, and is fully able, to plead in behalf of every one who applies for pardon and salvation in his name, depending on his pleading for them. (Matthew Henry)
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Mary’s Alabaster Box Verse 3
Three times, in the Gospels, we read of Mary of Bethany. Each time, she is sitting at the Master’s feet.
1. Luke 10:38-39: Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening at what Jesus was teaching. Vs 42: Needful = demanded; required; necessary. Martha’s service which allowed Mary to hear the Word.
2. John 11:32: Mary fell at Jesus feet. This was when Lazarus had died.
3. John 12:1-3. Mary breaks the precious alabaster box, adoringly, at the feet of Jesus. Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3 & Luke 7:37 records it as the “alabaster” box. Alabaster = a perfume vase of any material.
John 12:3 calls the contents: “spikenard.” This was the oil or perfume of a very costly plant of East India. It was very fragrant. A pound, in that day & time, was 12 ounces. It was expensive.
From these three glimpses of Mary of Bethany, we can see a three-fold example to learn from.
1. Mary sat at Jesus feet, to learn: Luke 10:39
2. Mary took her grief to the feet of Jesus: John 11:32 3. She gave her best while at the feet of Jesus: John 12:3
3. In this third example: John 12:3; we have an excellent example of consecration to Christ. In this story, we have five very prominent figures: Martha; Mary; Judas; Lazarus; Jesus.
Busy Martha typifies service. Lazarus eating, typifies communion with the Lord.
Mary typifies consecration to the Lord. Judas typifies the world’s attitude towards consecration.
Jesus represents the Divine attitude.
The act of Mary, bringing her precious ointment to the feet of Jesus, illustrates consecration in the following:
1. It was costly
2. It involved being broken
3. It was fragrant
4. It was discerning, verse 7.
5. It was misunderstood by others.
6. It was prized by the Lord and He blessed it. Judas represents the worldly attitude of condemnation: why the waste? Mark 14:4; John 12:5-6. Why not sell it & give it to the poor? This was a false and hypocritical statement. Judas stands condemned by history as well as by Christ.
The Lord represents the divine attitude. Jesus praised Mary’s sacrifice: Matthew 26:10. Good = valuable; virtuous; honest; worthy.
Consecration: True consecration to Christ makes the Christian life simple.
1. It leaves the management of it to the Lord.
2. It also unifies because it bends all our motives and activities in one aim (controlled by the Lord), to please Him.
3. It purifies life because it gets rid of all the things that He disapproves of in our lives.
4. It amplifies life because it gives the divine will a spacious fulfillment through the believer so that we will uplift Him.
5. It glorifies life because it makes the believer a blessing to others and a praise to the Lord.
Above all else, the consecration that the Lord desires of us; far more than our service; prayers; time; talents; money; is when we think of all the unsaved people around us. Recognize our need to be a witness; a light house; to give forth the Gospel; to endeavor to win the unsaved to Christ.
Are all Christians consecrated? The answer is no.
Do they desire to be consecrated? The answer is yes.
Why are not all Christians consecrated? For a Christian to completely hand over everything to the Lord, is a hard thing to do. It deals with the self centered ego in the life of the Christian. Some may give up certain sins is somewhat tolerable to many.
To give up self-management; self motives; grudges; plans; and self-everything is utterly unbearable to our Adam sin nature. The resistance by the devil and the world and even other Christians is the supporting factor in this.
John 12:3: the act of Mary pouring out this very expensive fragrance, was the form in which Mary’s love to Christ, at so much cost to herself, poured her love out. This was Mary’s grand testimonial of love. She thought that nothing was too good for her Lord. She brought him the best she had, for her love was generous.
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The Ministry and witness of John The Baptist
John 1:6-8
Vs 6 – “a man” = a mere man who came and told of Jesus who “was with God and that He was God. John was a great man, but he was a man, a son of man; he was sent from God, he was God’s messenger: Malachi 3:1. He was a witness, John 1:7-8.
John was not “that” light; he testified and gave witness to the only “true” light of the world.
John 1:9-10; Isaiah 49:6.
God gave John the Baptist both his mission and his message;
both his credentials and his instructions.
We do not find where John performed a miracle; had visions and revelations.
He was a man, sent from God: his name was John. “Sent from God” indicates the person and function of a prophet.
John The Baptist Gives Witness to and about Jesus Christ
John 1:15 – “My Successor is my Superior, for He was my Predecessor.”
John 1:16, “grace for grace,” This is where “joy” and “cross” are balanced against each other.
Hebrews 12:2: Here the picture is “grace” taking the place of “grace,” like the manna fresh each morning, new grace for the new day and the new service.
Grace for grace may mean much grace; superlative favors bestowed on man; favors superior to all that had been under the law: superior to all other things that God can confer on men. These favors consist in pardon, redemption, protection, sanctification, peace here, and heaven hereafter.
Ephesians 1:6-8; Ephesians 2:5-9
John 1:17 – The law was force; the grace and truth of Jesus Christ are love and light.
The Law was a shadow of what was coming: Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1.
The Law condemns while God’s grace saves: Galatians 3:24.
The authority of John The Baptist’s Testimony, John 1:19-22
Vs 23- John said that he was “the voice.” Isaiah 40:3-5, Matthew 3:3.
The word “Voice” gives the idea of disclosure. John “disclosed” that Jesus was the Christ.
John’s baptism, John 1:25-28
Vs 25 – they demand: What right do you have to baptize? The Jews knew there should be some change in religion under the Messiah.
Vs 25: NOTE: Their perplexity shows that the baptismal rite was new to them. There is no proof that Jewish proselyte baptism of Gentile converts existed at this period, save the assertion of the Talmud, written two or three centuries after this. Josephus, who wrote in the time of the apostles, is silent about it.
John 1:29 – Jesus, The Lamb of God is what takes away the sin; it was not the baptism.
Baptism is symbolic of what took place when a believer repents and receives Jesus as Savior.
Matthew 3:16 Jesus is baptized: He is God, without sin.
This was symbolic of His death, burial & resurrection; John 1:32-33.
Matthew 3:11, the word “unto.” The Greek word “eis” is used here.
It is figurative indicating that John baptized people because their sins had already been forgiven. The ordinance of baptism is symbolic as to what the new believer had done with Christ.
Same word is used in Acts 2:38: ‘for” = “eis.” Romans 6:3-5.
John preached repentance, Matthew 3:8; Jesus preached the same message, Matthew 9:13.
John baptized Christ
John 3:22, Jesus was baptizing
John 3:23, John the Baptist was also baptizing there.
John gives his last testimony of Jesus.
Vs 28, 30, 34-36.
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Matthew 2 – Visit Of The Magi
Vs 1 – Micah 5:2 – Bethlehem was about six miles southwest of Jerusalem.
From the East – Persia or Arabia
Wise men – gentiles. They were scholars.
“Magi,” a term which designates an order of priests and philosophers which belonged originally to Persia and Media, and who were extensively distributed over the region of the Euphrates.
Vs 2 – They saw His star – In the East is where they were when they say it.
His star – Among the ancients, the appearance of a star or comet was regarded as an omen of some remarkable event. Perhaps they knew the prophecy of Numbers 24:17.
Come to worhip – not necessarily a religious worship. This was the mode in which homage was paid to earthly kings; and this they wished to pay to the new-born King of the Jews.
Vs 3 – Herod was troubled – Herod had obtained the kingdom by great crimes, and by shedding much blood. He was, therefore, easily alarmed by any remarkable appearances; and the fact that this star appeared, and since it was regarded as proof that the King of the Jews was born, alarmed him. Besides, it was a common expectation that the Messiah was about to appear, and Herod feared that his reign was about to come to an end.
Jerusalem was troubled – Herod, fearing rivalry, put to death three of his sons, and several other men and women. The whole city was upset because the people knew only too well what he could do when in a rage over the thought of another rival.
Vs 4 – Chief priests and scribes – the heads of the four and twenty courses of the priests and the High priest and his deputy.
Scribes -transcribers of the Law and they read the Law in the synagogue. Later, they became interpreters of the law and referred to as lawyers.
Vs 5 – Written by the prophet – Micah 5:2. They answered without hesitation. 700 yrs before this, the prophecy was written and the priests and scribes knew it. Yet, we find no evidence that these men went to Bethlehem to try and find the Messiah
Vs 6 – Bethlehem …Juda – This distinguishes it from Bethlehem, in the tribe of Zebulon
Not the least – this distinction lifts it from the lowest to the highest rank. Out of a small city comes a new King – the Messiah.
Rule – to tend as a shepherd – to feed
Vs 7 – When did star appear? – This would give Herod clue as to the age of the new “King”
Vs 8 – Herod wants to worship Him – What hypocrisy here. He only wished to find the child that he might murder him. He sent the wise men that they might actually see him, and bring him word.
Vs 8 – Wicked men often hide their evil motives under the appearance of religion. They attempt to deceive those who are really good, and to make them think that they have the same belief. But God cannot be deceived, and He will bring them to punishment.
Vs 9 – The star took them to Jerusalem on route to Bethlehem.. The wise men perhaps thought that a “King” would be born in a Palace; that’s why they went there first. The star guided them to the house where Jesus was.
A real or ordinary star would have stood indiscriminately over every house in Bethlehem, and would have been no aid whatever toward finding the right child.
Stood over where … they were guided by it to the exact spot by His star.
Vs 10 – When they saw star – Standing over where the child was.
They rejoiced – their search was complete – they found what they had been looking for; success. A Saviour was found.
Vs 11 – Came into house – they place where they lived. Jesus was now about two years old.
They fell down and worshipped Him – (fell down) This was the usual way of showing respect or homage among the Jews. Worshipped – paid homage & showed reverence.
They worshipped Him – not Mary but Jesus
Gifts – The people of the East never approach the presence of kings and great personages, without a present in their hands.
Frankincense was an aromatic used in sacrificial offerings: It was fragrant when burned, and was, used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God.
Myrrh was used in perfuming ointments. The name denotes bitterness, and was given to it on account of its great bitterness. It was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it had the property of preserving them from putrefaction.
Gold showed that the Magi were affluent & was a usual offering to a king. These offerings were made because they were the most valuable which their country produced. They were tokens of respect and homage which they paid to the new-born King of the Jews. These offerings would be used in the long and expensive trip to Egypt, by Joseph and Mary, and to help with their living expenses in Egypt.
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John 3:16
“He gave His only begotten Son”
Introduction: There is no sweeter verse in the Bible. It declares:
A. That God is love
B. That He loved the world instead of hating it
C. He so loves that He gave His Son. Jesus did not come to appease the Father’s wrath, but He came because God loved so well.
D. He came to keep mankind from perishing.
I. If we could measure the love of God, we would have to measure it by Calvary.
A. The measure of love is always its willingness to “give.”
B. The measure of love is its capacity for sacrifice.
C. In our text – the word “for” = a primary particle used in argumentation – explanation or intensification … It denotes that there is NO DOUBT.
D. There is no doubt about God’s love. He “so loved” = on this fashion or in like manner. This teaches us that – there is NO DOUBT about the love of God … He proved His love for us “in this fashion” – He GAVE His only begotten Son.
II. God’s love is revealed in His giving
A. His giving is beyond all measure
B. We will never know what Calvary cost God
C. We will never know the love that lay behind the Cross of Calvary
III. Here we see the “oneness” of God the Father & God the Son
A. In giving the Son, the Father gave Himself
B. II Corinthians 5:19 (God was in Christ)
IV. Jesus was not just an agent that God used to send a message that He loves us
A. Jesus IS God Himself & God came to earth to love us
B. He just does not expound the love of God – He IS the love of God
C. God “so loved” = so freely – so fully – so sublimely
V. Think of How God the Father gave up His Son on the Cross
A. He incorporated the human nature into His Divine being.
B. This was done by a real human birth
C. Language now breaks down … Such love is beyond our words
D. God loved us in such a way that words cannot express
VI. Christmas is close by
A. In our minds and hearts .. we cannot separate His birth at Bethlehem from His death at Calvary. We cannot separate the cradle from the Cross
B. Without the virgin birth, there never would have been an atonement And without the atonement, there never would have been a virgin birth
Conclusion: The greatest thing that we can know about God is John 3:16 “For God so loved …”
I John 4:19 – Romans 5:6-8.
To experience God’s love is to FIRST, receive Him as Saviour. That is done by simple believing FAITH.
If you are saved – you experience God’s love John 14:15 & 17 – this is by serving, trusting, obeying, walking in His steps etc.
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John 3:16
“He gave His only begotten Son”
Introduction: The word “gave” means “gave up.” God gave His Son to the world;
But also for the world. We must think & realize just how horrible our sin is to require such a sacrifice, as God revealed to us, in the flesh of mankind.
I. His Giving Was A Free Gift
A. We don’t deserve it
B. We have no claim on it
C. It pleased God to give Himself, as Jesus, to die in our place & for our sins – I John 3:1
II. The Magnitude Of The Gift
A. John 3:16 “He gave …… Son.”
B. Its unending reach: He gave to a sinful world – Romans 5:8
C. God’s gift is impartial – ANYONE can receive it – Romans 10:13
III. God’s Gift Has Limits
A. Love is a mutual and binding grace between God and mankind
B. He will save ALL who come to Him by faith and receive Him
C. The limit = He will not save those who refuse Him – John 3:18 = the limit is set by us
IV. No Greater Gift Was Ever Given
A. He left the beauty and greatness of His Father’s throne – for a stable in Bethlehem
B. The Infinite became an infant
C. He left the riches of Glory for poverty on earth
D. He was tempted in every way that we are – hunger, grief, sadness, heartbreak
E. He suffered the shame of being beaten – spit on – A crown of thorns & iron spikes and a deadly spear
F. He tasted death for you and me. Jesus, the One without sin – became our sin bearer
G. He came – He toiled – He hungers and thirsts
He weeps – He suffers – He bleeds and dies
“For God so loved the world, that He gave (gave up) His only begotten Son
Conclusion: God’s giving is different than ours. We tend to give so we can get – God gives so we can get. God gives out of pure love. Our giving has limits (how much we can pay) God’s giving has no limits.
We usually give to friends. God gives to those who really don’t care about Him, Romans 5:6.
We give and want folks to appreciate our efforts and the gift we gave them.
God offers His gift to those who don’t appreciate it & don’t even realize their need for it.
Such Love – Such giving – the greatest gift of all.
FAITH - HOPE - FORGIVENESS by Growing Older 