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a maternity barn and a savior Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Luke 1:1-20 December 12th, 2010
INTRODUCTION I want to make three observations of irony in the Christmas story…bring out a principle for each and a challenge.
SUMMARY OF THE TEXTS Luke 2:1-20 ESV In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (6) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (8) And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." (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 among those with whom he is pleased!" (15) When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." (16) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
MAIN POINTS
Caesar Augustus – Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 Micah 5:2 ESV But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Principle: “God is in everything; His will is never thwarted; He uses evil means to bring about good.” Challenge: Trust God even before you see deliverance or before it makes sense.
No room in the inn – mark of His life of rejection – no place to lay his head – buried in a borrowed tomb. Yet He is the Maker of all – Heb 1:2-3; John 1:3 Hebrews 1:2-3 ESV but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, John 1:3 ESV All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Principle: - “God condescended to mistreatment and unwelcomeness in order to treat us as His sons and to welcome us” Challenge: Thank Him and adore Him for taking on Himself what we would never want or could take on ourselves
Angels announce and point to Jesus to lowly shepherds He is the glory of the invisible God. Principle: - “God has and does reveal His saving glory to the simple and lowly.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 ESV (26) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. (27) But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; (28) God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, (29) so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. Challenge: Come to Jesus for He will receive you.
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