“WHEN GOD SENT HIS SON!”
TEXT: Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
INTRODUCTION:
The people in Jesus’ day longed for the coming of Messiah.
Such longings for deliverance left the people gullible:
Many arose that claimed to be the Messiah – re: Barrabbas, etc.
The Messiah was thought to be several things:
Nationally, He was to be the leader from David’s line who would free the Jewish state and establish it as an independent nation, leading it to be the greatest nation the world had ever known.
Militarily, He was to be a great military leader who would lead Jewish armies to victory all over the world.
Religiously, He was to be a supernatural figure straight from God who would bring righteousness over all the earth.
Personally, He was to be the One who would bring peace to the whole world.
Jesus Christ accepted the title of Messiah on three different occasions:
1. Jesus asked, “Whom do men say that I am?” Matthew 16:16-17
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
2. Questioned by the High Priest prior to crucifixion Mark 14:61-62
“But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
3. The woman at the well in Samaria John 4:25-26
“The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
The name JESUS shows Him to be a MAN –
The name CHRIST shows Him to be God’s ANOINTED!
Christ is Jesus’ official title. It identifies Him officially as:
Prophet
Priest
King
These officials where always anointed with OIL—
a symbol of the Holy Spirit –
Who was to perfectly anoint the Christ!
And now,
Preparations were being made for the day Jesus Christ was to be born!
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)
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,”
I. Earth Was Prepared For the Birth Of Christ!
God’s people were crying out for Messiah!
It was time for a CHANGE!
Zealots caused uproar & unrest
Religious leaders were exploiting the people
Darkness & Despair covered the Earth
Sin & perversion was popular at the time –
Evil & wickedness was in the air –
Apathy & complacency were the attitudes of the day –
It was time for a Savior –
It was time for a Deliverer –
It was time for a Messiah –
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”
Earth is being prepared for the Second Coming!
The Spirit of Antichrist is already at work!
Osama Bin Laden has declared unholy war against America, Jews, and Christians!
As the Zealots of old, uproar & unrest are all around –
Darkness, Despair, Sin, Perversion, Wickedness & Apathy cover the globe in these last days –
It’s time for a Savior –
It’s time for a Deliverer –
It’s time for a Messiah –
II. Heaven Was Prepared For the Birth of Christ!
The Angel Gabriel was a Divine Messenger of God
Luke 1:26-33
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Gabriel said, “God has told me some things, Mary!”
He was stationed outside the Throne Room of God –
He was serving as Divine Messenger of the Lord –
He was listening to the conversation of the Trinity –
EXCITEMENT when he hears of the Incarnation!
“GOD WILL BECOME AS MAN, TO SAVE MAN FROM HELL!”
“Hurry and get things in order!” “I’ve got to go!”
A Majestic moment as Heaven looked on – God the Son walked out of the Throne Room, took off His royal robes…
AND THEN IT HAPPENED!
Luke 2:7-11
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Heaven is being prepared for the Second Coming!
Excitement & Activity along the streets of gold –
Welcome Home banners across the gates of pearl –
1 Corinthians 2:9
“ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Gabriel is at his post – outside the Throne Room of God! Waiting for the command to BLOW THE TRUMPET!
III. Hell Was Prepared For the Birth of Christ!
Satan had received word that the Son of God was
Coming!
He put doubt in Joseph’s mind concerning Mary
Joseph had determined to divorce her –
DREAM – “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Ghost…His name shall be called JESUS, for He shall save his people from their sins.”
Satan placed FEAR in Herod’s heart –
He killed every male child under 2 yrs in Bethlehem
Satan’s desire is to destroy God’s Plan for Man –
Hell is being prepared for the Second Coming!
The Thief is come to steal, kill, and destroy –
Broken homes, shattered lives, abortion on demand… ALL PRODUCTS OF HELL’S UNHOLY PLAN –
Hell’s preparation is almost complete to
DEFEND IT’S GATES against the onslaught of the SECOND COMING!
Matthew 16:18
“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the GATES OF HELL shall not prevail against it.”
CONCLUSION:
Earth is prepared for His coming!
Heaven is prepared for His coming!
Hell is prepared for His coming!
“ARE YOU PREPARED TODAY?”
