Welcome, beloved friends, family, and fellow seekers of God’s grace. We gather together today, not by chance, but by the divine orchestration of our loving Creator, who has drawn us into His presence to share in the beauty of His Word. Here, we are nestled in the comforting embrace of fellowship, warmed by the fire of God's love, and inspired by the beacon of His truth.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the awe-inspiring narrative of Christ's arrival, heralded by a divine messenger and brought into being through a miraculous conception. As we immerse ourselves in these passages, I’m reminded of the words of J.I. Packer, who said, "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross."
Let's allow these words to resonate within us as we get into the Scripture.
When we consider the birth of Jesus Christ, we are drawn to the significance of its timing. The Scripture tells us that "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son." This phrase, "the fullness of time," is rich with meaning. It suggests that God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, had a specific plan for the arrival of His Son. It was not a random event, but a divinely orchestrated moment in history.
God's timing is always perfect. He is never early, never late, but always right on time. God is always an on-time God.
This is a truth we see throughout the Bible, and it's a truth we can trust in our own lives. When we face trials and tribulations, when we're waiting for answers to prayer, when we're longing for change, we can rest in the knowledge that God's timing is perfect. He knows what He's doing, and He's in control.
The timing of Jesus' birth was also significant in a historical context. During this period, the Roman Empire was at its peak. This meant that the gospel could spread quickly and efficiently throughout the known world. The Romans had built roads and established a system of government that allowed for relative peace and stability. Additionally, Greek, the language of the New Testament, was widely spoken and understood. These factors created a sort of "perfect storm" for the spread of the gospel.
But there's more to the story. The timing of Jesus' birth also fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, prophets like Isaiah and Micah foretold His birth. They spoke of a child who would be born of a virgin, a ruler who would come from Bethlehem. These prophecies were not vague or ambiguous. They were specific and detailed, and Jesus fulfilled them all.
The timing of Jesus' birth also speaks to the nature of God's love for us. In Romans 5:6, we read, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." This is the heart of the gospel message. When we were lost in our sin, when we were powerless to save ourselves, God sent His Son to die for us. He didn't wait for us to get our act together. He didn't wait for us to become worthy. He sent Jesus when we were still sinners, demonstrating His great love for us.
So, as we reflect on the birth of Jesus, let's remember the significance of its timing. Let's remember that God's timing is perfect, that He works in history for His purposes, that He fulfills His promises, and that He loves us with an everlasting love. And let's trust in His timing in our own lives, knowing that He is at work for our good and His glory.
The angel Gabriel, a divine messenger, was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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