Jesus, The Son Of God

Luke 1:26-35

Jesus, The Son of God

Woodlawn Baptist Church

December 2, 2001

Introduction

Only 22 shopping days left! Do you have yours done? This past week as Kathy and I have been out, we have stood in the long lines and thought about that "just right" gift for each member of the family. It is difficult to keep Christmas in perspective with so much pressure coming in from every side, but this morning I want to encourage you to leave all thoughts of lunch, of afternoon activities, those Christmas pressures from family and friends, from strained budgets and tired bodies and join me in the Word of God, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, as we consider Jesus, The Son of God.

There are many titles of Jesus. He is called

• A banner for the peoples

• The Alpha and Omega – Re. 22:13

• The Ancient of Days – Dan. 7:9

• The Anointed One

• He is the Faithful and True

• The Great Shepherd of the sheep

• The Holy and Righteous One

• He is the Lord of Lords

• He is the Prince of Peace

• The Righteous One

• He is the Amen

• The First and the Last – Re. 1:11

• The Word of God

• The Word of Life

• He is the Chief Shepherd

• The Chief Cornerstone

• The Crown of Splendor

• The Rock of Ages

• Our Passover Lamb

• He is the One and Only

• The Image of the Invisible God

• Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

• The Messiah

• The Dayspring from on High

• The Son of man

• The Son of the blessed One

• The Son of the living God

• The Son of the Most High God

• Jesus – The Son of God

Praise the Lord! If there is reason to celebrate this Christmas, Jesus is it. There is no greater gift! There is no greater love! Can you see Jesus?!

As we take up our place in Luke, we find that Elizabeth is six months pregnant with John the Baptist. During this time the angel Gabriel is sent by God to Mary to tell her the news of the child to whom she would give birth.

I can imagine that all of heaven is bursting with anticipation of this moment, that long awaiting appointment that God made with Adam and Eve, that appointment that He promised over and over to the prophets, assuring them that one blessed day a Savior would come!

The angel Gabriel has been given this wonderful task and must be filled with excitement as he breaks through the heavenly realm into ours. The time has finally come! What is this news Gabriel has concerning the Son of God?

He would be called JESUS.

In Matthew’s account, the angel of the Lord told Joseph, "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

The name means, "Jehovah is salvation, Savior, or Yahweh saves."

Jesus, the Son of God, is the only One in whom we have salvation. Men have looked far and wide for the way to eternal life. They have sacrificed their cows, their goats, their children, their wives, and some even themselves. They have given all they own, have tortured their bodies, and beat themselves into subjection. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."

Peter preached in Acts chapter 4 and declared with all the force and authority of heaven when he said, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The Son of God wasn’t called Jesus just because it sounded good. God was making a statement that would last for all eternity. Salvation is to be found in His only begotten Son.

He would be great.

His first coming was great. Read Luke 2:7-14 – What a great entrance into this world! Jesus could have and rightly should have had the most grand of births, yet He was born in a stable, laid in a manger, surrounded by livestock and filth, identifying with those He came to save.

His life was great. He lived a perfect, sinless life, tempted in every way that you and I are, yet without sin. His teachings were great. His miracles were great. His love and compassion were great, and they drove Him to the cross.