It’s the wonderful old story about Jesus
Matthew 1: 18-21
18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Notice the last verse of this text; “you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Over 2000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem a historical event took place.
It was an event that would change the world.
In a modest little stable there was a baby born to a humble little couple from Nazareth.
But as we all know this little child was not just an ordinary baby.
Unknown to the crowd in Bethlehem that day, a savior had been born!
Hundreds of years earlier Micah gave a prophesy concerning this event;
Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall be come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Isaiah the prophet also foretold;
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.” (God with us)
Many Old Testament scriptures foretold the coming of Jesus Christ, who would be the savior of the world.
But Jesus was rejected by his own people.
John 1:11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
The scribes of that day even rejected him; men who should have had enough insight of the scriptures to know whom Jesus was.
Even though many miracles were performed by Jesus He was still rejected and looked upon as a blasphemer and a false prophet.
He was accused of having a devil (John 8:48) and being crazy (Mark 3:21).
They regarded Jesus as carried away by his religious enthusiasm.
They were so deeply rooted in their own religious Sacramental behavior; they could not recognize that the man who walked among them was their own redeemer.
Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and condemned their double-standards.
His words that he spoke among them made them uncomfortable and distressing, so they sought to get rid of this impious Jew.
In our world today Jesus has become an unwelcome nuisance. And even more than a nuisance, Jesus has become a threat to our godless and worldly society.
You must understand that most people today want to live the way they want to live. They don’t want anyone telling them how to live their lives.
They are offended that Jesus requires purity and holiness.
So they choose to ignore Jesus and His teachings. They think “out of sight, out of mind.”
They think if they can get Jesus out of the picture everything in this world would be better off.
You see Jesus was perfect. He lived a sinless life. He was and is holy. He knows our thoughts, our intentions, our hearts, and sees every sin.
Listen to this; in our society today it isn’t offensive to mention the names of all those false gods because they aren’t perfect. Those false religious leaders had faults and imperfections. So it is easier to compare themselves to them.
But Jesus is perfect, faultless, a perfect example for us to live by; and the world is offended!
They are offended by his words, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
They are offended by his words, Love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart….”
They are offended by his words in 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.”
You see we are living in a society that is preaching tolerance, open mindedness, lenience, and acceptance toward all religions.
They are telling us that Jesus is not the only way to God; and for us to say so is refusing to accept people and religions that are different.
We are being labeled as bigots, insensitive, and insufficiently aware of other people’s feelings about religion.
Therefore the teachings of Jesus Christ are a stumbling-block to the world today.
1 Peter 2:7-8
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Yes, it is an old story; an old story about Jesus. The world never has liked the name of Jesus.
Why? The answer is in II Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
My friend, I love the old story about Jesus! The story about his virgin birth, about his sinless life; I love the story of how he came all the way from glory to die on an old rugged cross that I may have forgiveness of sins!
There’s an old song that was written by Fannie Crosby;
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Refrain
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
Refrain
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.
Oh listen my friend; there is no one like Jesus!
“In chemistry, he turned the water to wine.
In biology, he was born without the normal conception.
In physics, he disapproved the law of gravity when he ascended into heaven.
In economics, he disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fish and five loaves of bread.
In medicine, he cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs.
In history, he is the beginning and the end.
In government, he said that he shall be called wonderful, counselor, prince of peace;
In religion, he said no one comes to the Father except through him.
He is the greatest man in history
He had no servants, yet they called him master
Had no degree, yet they called him teacher
Had no medicines, yet they called him healer
He had no army, yet kings feared him
He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world
He committed no crime, yet they crucified him
He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today” – source unknown
You can’t drown him, for he walks upon the waters
You can’t burn him out, for the walks in the fiery furnace
You can’t starve him out for he is the bread of life
It’s likely that if Jesus were still living among us today, He would be considered a criminal. Everyone would be mad at Him…
• The FDA for turning water into wine without a license
• The EPA for killing fig trees
• The American Medical Association for practicing medicine without a license
• The Department of Health for asking people to open graves, for raising the dead and for feeding 5,000 people in unsanitary conditions
• The NEA for teaching without a certificate
• OSHA for walking on water without a lifejacket and other unsafe boating practices
• SPCA for driving hogs into the sea
• The National Board of Psychiatrists for giving advice on how to live a guilt free life
• The NOW for not choosing a female apostle
• The Interfaith Movement for condemning other religions. – source; Kevin Higgins
Oh but listen,
To the artist He is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the architect He is the Chief Cornerstone.
To the astronomer He is the Sun of Righteousness.
To the baker He is the Living Bread.
To the banker He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the biologist He is the Life.
To the carpenter He is the Sure Foundation.
To the doctor He is the Great Physician.
To the educator He is the Great Teacher.
To the farmer He is the Sower and Lord of the Harvest.
To the florist He is the Lily of the Valley.
To the geologist He is the Rock of Ages.
To the horticulturist He is the True Vine.
To the judge He is the Righteous One.
To the juror He is the True Witness.
To the jeweller He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the editor He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the oculist He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the philosopher He is Wisdom.
To the Printer He is the True Type.
To the servant He is the Good Master.
To the student He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the toiler He is the Giver of Rest.
To the Sinner He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
To the Christian, He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and Lord!-Source unknown
Tell me the old, old story about Jesus my savior!
