Title: Joy to the World
Theme: To show how the coming of Christ means joy.
Text: Luke 2:1 - 18
Luk 2:1-18 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. (3) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. (4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (2 Samuel 7:12 – 13) (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
Seems like happenstance. Caesar Augustus had no idea what he was dong. But God was working behind the scenes. He was preparing for prophecy to be fulfilled. This child had to be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2. God was setting things up.
I want to remind you, never underestimate the power of to fulfill His purpose and promise.
Never underestimate the power of God to fulfill His purpose and promise in your life.
(6) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Shepherds - Joy
(8) Now there were in the same country (outside Bethlehem) shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Fear will set in when we are called to do something great for the Lord. We need to make sure that we do not let fear limit us.
(10) Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. (11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Savior – saved from being perished
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. Galatians 4:4-7
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12
Christ – Messiah – the prophetic anointed one
Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Christ – Reconciled
It is estimated that there are over 300 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament. (*see bottom for a few) To say that the coming of Jesus is the greatest thing to happen in Human History is an understatement.
Hark the Herald Angel Sings
HARK! the Herald Angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild,
God and Sinners reconcil'd.
Joyful all ye Nations rise,
Join the Triumphs of the Skies;
Nature rise and worship him,
Who is born at Bethlehem.
Lord – God became flesh. Wow!
(12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (preparing for death and resurrection)
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: (14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
God reconciled to the people
Rom 8:18-22 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; (21) because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
(15) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
MSG 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
Heard the Message
(16) And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. (17) Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (18) And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
This is what true joy is about. True joy is about what God does on the inside but bubbles out to the outside.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Reaction of the Shepherds
They Heard
They had to Go and see – Experience
They had to go and tell
Reconcilation
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Conclusion
True joy is not just what it does to us on the inside but what we do on the outside. We cannot contain it.
True joy is a response to the message of Christ. Our lives are different because Christ came into the world.
Conclusion
How shall we respond to the message of Christmas?
Messiah in the Old Testament Prophets (found on the internet)
Messiah would be set apart for His ministry and named by God while in His mother’s womb (Isa. 49:1, 5).
Messiah would be a child born (humanity) through a virgin birth (Isa. 7:14; 9:6).
Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse (Isa. 11:1) and David (Jer. 23:5).
Messiah would be eternal in nature but born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2).
Messiah would be named Immanuel (“God with us,” deity) [Isa. 7:14].
God’s Spirit would enable Messiah to do His work (Isa. 61:1–2a).
Messiah would be God’s spiritual light and Savior to Jews and Gentiles (Isa. 9:2; 42:6; 49:5–6; 56:8).
In the 30s A.D., Messiah would officially present Himself to Israel as its Prince by riding humbly into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey (Dan. 9:25–26; Zech. 9:9).
Because of Messiah’s humble background and appearance, Israel and its leaders would regard Him as undesirable and of no significance and would despise and reject Him as their Shepherd, but Gentile rulers would honor and worship Him (Isa. 49:7; 53:1–3; Zech. 11:4–14).
Messiah would be sold for 30 pieces of silver, which would be thrown down in the Temple to be given to a potter (Zech. 11:12–13).
Messiah would be accused falsely, but God would prove Him right (Isa. 50:7–9).
Messiah’s back would be whipped, His beard plucked, and His face beaten and spit upon. As a result, He would be so disfigured that He would not resemble a man (Isa. 50:6; 52:14; 53:5).
Messiah would be pierced and crushed, and, in fulfillment of God’s plan, He would die as a sacrificial offering for man’s sin, thereby providing justification for sinful man (Isa. 53:4–12; Dan. 9:26; Zech. 12:10).
In His death, Messiah would be identified with criminals (Isa. 53:12).
Messiah’s executors would plan to bury Him with the wicked, but He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb because of His innocence (Isa. 53:9).
As a result of His rejection and death, Messiah would turn Israel over to division, scattering, and death starvation, pestilence, war, and cannibalism (Zech. 11:4–14; 13:7).
As a result of Messiah’s rejection, God would send Israel a false shepherd (Antichrist), who would try to destroy Israel (Dan. 9:27; Zech. 11:12–16).
In Israel’s darkest hour (when the armies of all nations would be gathered against it), the Jews would recognize their true Messiah, whom their nation had “pierced,” and would go into great mourning (repentance, a genuine change of mind about Him) [Zech. 12:10].
When Messiah comes with the clouds of Heaven as the Son of Man, God will give Him all the peoples and nations of the world to rule over as King (Dan. 7:13–14).
Messiah would come to crush all the Gentile nations gathered against Israel and Jerusalem, save the repentant remnant of Israel, and provide security for Israel (Isa. 59:18–21; 63:1–6; Joel 3; Mic. 5:4–9; Zech. 14:12).
Messiah would rule and instruct all nations from David’s throne in Jerusalem (Isa. 2:1–4; 9:6–7; Jer. 23:5–6; Mic. 4:1–8; Zech. 14:9).
Messiah would combine the offices of King and Priest in Himself (Zech. 6:9–15).
Messiah would be glorious, the delight of the repentant Jews who survive the Tribulation, and the world’s center of attraction (Isa. 4:2; 11:10).
God’s Spirit would empower Messiah to be a righteous, faithful Judge and King (Isa. 11:2–5; 42:1–9).
Messiah’s government would be characterized by justice and peace (Isa. 9:7).
During Messiah’s reign, all animals would be tame and vegetarian in diet (Isa. 11:6–9; 65:25).
