Text: Colossians 1:18

While it sounds like Jesus Christ is a created human being, that’s not what’s being said.  Jesus Christ is the Creator and He entered His creation as a man to save mankind.

* The Word was with God and the Word was God.. the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…

* A body hast thou prepared me…

* Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

* 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

When Paul says firstborn, he’s talking about the physical birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, just like he’s talking about the physical death of the Lord Jesus Christ. So the man Christ Jesus, who was the Word that was made flesh, would die on the cross for your sin, would resurrect from the dead, and ascend into heaven.

* Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

And now serve as the mediator between God and man (not Mary or you keeping the law). Jesus Christ satisfied the price of sin and pleased the Father. Now God the Father can forgive sinners on the basis of Jesus Christ without contradicting his Holy and Just nature. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ will inherit all things. He will become the King of kings and Lord of lords in the very near future at His return. God the Father will put an end to this world through a series of judgments and make way for His only begotten Son to inherit all things.

But God the Father wants others to be able to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. That means to partake in the divine nature and to be given a body that wants to serve God instead of disobey God.

* Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

* The church is a body. The church is not a religion, not a building, not a political structure – Ephesians 2:11-18, 3:1-7

But how do you access all the blessings and acceptance and inheritance in Jesus Christ by God the Father? How does a sinner become a partaker of those blessings? By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When God finds faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He spiritually places that faithful soul in the body of Jesus Christ. So that all things that pertain to the Lord Jesus Christ now pertain to that faithful soul. Now I say they are spiritually placed in Jesus Christ because you aren’t physically placed, but as far as God the Father is concerned that soul is represented in Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:1-4 – Application: Difference between agreeing with the statement that Jesus Christ is the head and the application of this truth.

Colossians 2:16-19 – he will have preeminence.

Redeeming the time in 2020.

Searching the scriptures daily

Acts 17:11 – Nobility of the researcher

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

People’s names become associated with their discoveries; it’s the honor given to them.

Diligence in a matter will lead to understanding that God’s creation is wonderfully made.

Joy of discovery.

Study is a readiness of mind.

Much study is a weariness of the flesh (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Maybe this coming year you need to be willing to sit yourself down and dig out some truths for yourself out of your own Bible.

A reliable ambassador for the Lord (Acts 17:17)

People we have contact with daily

Praying for growth, praying that the Lord would save souls and the Holy Spirit says, OK, so open your mouth so I can work.

Tracts, witness, scripture signs, etc.

Maybe this coming year you need to be willing to open your mouth for the Lord more.

Make sure the flesh is being put under control of the spirit daily (1 Corinthians 15:31)

* Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

* Crucify your will – Learn to say No

* Crucify your feelings – Don’t be guided by your feelings.

* Crucify you ambitions – Turn your “I want” into what does God want.

* Maybe this coming year you need to stop giving in to your flesh so much.

Daily exhortation (Hebrews 3:13)

The prodding of brothers and sisters on to do good on a regular basis.

The further away you get from God’s people, the more isolated you are, the more blind you become to your own need for fellowship. Paul uses the phrase hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  That hardness comes in the form of deceit that says, I don’t need to be present.

Maybe this coming year you need to put a guard on your mouth and quit casually using it for filth and cursing and use it to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ in someone else’s life.

Daily prayer

* Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

* Maybe this coming year you need to get focussed on your prayer life.

Text: Isaiah 53

Acts 8:29-35

This Ethiopian man is reading Isaiah 53:8, which is an entire chapter thoroughly prophesying the work of the Lord Jesus Christ 700 years before it happens. Now turn over to Isaiah 52:13 and we’ll start there.

The Vine (vss 1-3)

The Branch shoots forth

Isaiah 10:33-11:5

Despised and rejected meaning few if any have believed. The reaction wasn’t belief, it was despising and rejecting.

The Lamb of God (vss 4-9)

Slain for sinners

Substitutionary sorrow, not his own (vs 5)

Shearers

Shearing means they are going to take from the lamb the part that will be a covering.  Jesus Christ was silent while they took from him what would be used to make a covering for sinners.

The last Adam (vss 10-12)

Eternal life

He is the righteousness of God

He is the King of kings

Text: Matthew 9:1-8

Based on what the Lord Jesus Christ says, these five men are not coming to have their friend healed. The healing in this account is clearly secondary to the forgiveness of sins which is the point. Based on the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the paralytic man is a willing participant. He isn’t being carried to the Lord Jesus Christ against his will. The paralytic man wants to be where the Lord Jesus Christ is preaching to hear him.

Now what the Lord Jesus Christ says is not going to fit into Old Testament forgiveness being because people kept the law.

Faith that brings forgiveness

* …thy sins be forgiven thee… (vs 2)

* Justification by faith

* This is not just the faith of the four, but of the five. The man with palsy wanted to come hear the Lord Jesus Christ preach. The reason I say that is because of what the Lord says. Jesus heals people on the basis of other people’s faith, but I don’t see him forgiving sins based on someone else’s faith.

* He didn’t see their sacrifices at the temple. He didn’t see how much good this guy has done. What Jesus Christ responds to is faith.

* Mark 2:5 & Luke 5:20 both record the Lord Jesus Christ forgiving his sin based on faith

* Forgiveness of sins is based on faith

Romans 3:26-30

Psalm 32:1-5 & Romans 4:1-8, verses 6-8 are the ones we’re looking for. In Psalm 32:3-4 David describes a guilty conscience and unwillingness to acknowledge his sin. Then in verse 5 he acknowledges his sin and the Lord and is forgiven.

Galatians 2:14-16, 3:6-11

Only God can forgive sins (vs 3)

The scribes protest among themselves in disbelief.

Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7 & Luke 5:21) which is true.

Isaiah 43:14-15, 22-26 (forgiven and justified)

How God will be able to offer forgiveness is found here:

Ephesians 1:7

Colossians 1:14, 2:13

Healing to prove that forgiveness of sins has now come to Israel

…that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins…

Healing was proof that Jesus Christ could forgive sins.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 1:28-55

These are the two people most affected by the actual birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are prepared people

Purity

They are faithful

Faithful

Joseph and Mary have been entrusted with a once in forever task, not just once in a lifetime.

Mary’s question, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (vs 34)

Mary asks what everyone asks before God makes clear he wants to use them. She asks HOW?

The work of God is always done by the Spirit of God.  This is significant because the flesh can never comprehend the work of God.  The temptation is to make something happen in the flesh through some natural work.  But God is in the business of doing supernatural work.

God of the impossible (vs 37)

God uses believing people.

Mary believes God …be it unto me according to thy word. (vs 38)

Conception in verse 38 probably.

Spiritual transaction, not physical transaction.

Notice immediately that Mary goes to see Elisabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elisabeth’s womb.

And blessed is she that believed: (vs 45)

They are willing participants

Willing hearted in spite of very complicated circumstances.

Belief in spite of what it might mean to her relationship with Joseph.

Mary leaves to the hill country in haste (vs 39)

Joseph is a a just man. Just = equitable

Text: Luke 2:6-16

The word manger only shows up three times in the Bible; all three times are in the verses we will preach from in Luke chapter 2.

The reason for the manger (vs 7)

It’s significant why Jesus was in the manger.

The wise men go to the palace and ask Herod about the birth of a king because they thought, like anyone else, the king would be born in the palace.

…because there was no room for them in the inn.  The inn would be like a house with a couple extra rooms.

I’ve heard multiple sermons about where there is no room for Jesus and you probably have too.

No room in culture.

No room in education.

No room in politics.

Consider the innkeeper

No room because of ignorance.

The innkeeper didn’t make any preparations to accommodate Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

You didn’t know he’d be here, so you’re booked.  No rooms vacant.

No room because of indifference.

The innkeeper didn’t care enough about housing Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

Maybe you didn’t care he was coming.  Church, prayer, Bible, preaching, teaching, witnessing; none of it is “your thing.”

You can take him or leave him.  Makes no difference to you.

No room because of inconvenience

Look, as an innkeeper, to take on a pregnant mother means special accommodations are going to have to be made.

Things will have to be rearranged in order to make room and I just don’t want to get into that.

Obligated to current guests.  Some might understand there’s a newborn here, but others may not.  Either way it’s going to be hard to get those guests out to make room for him.  

Haven’t you found in your life fitting Jesus in is like an overbooked innkeeper who would have to say no to other guests in order to make room?

The sign of the manger (vs 12)

It’s significant what the manger is.

The angel said this would be a sign to the shepherds that they’d find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.The sign to the shepherds was unmistakable.

The manger is where the flock is fed.

The sign of the manger is Jesus Christ would feed his people.

He fed his people in the wilderness with manna.

He fed the 4000 as they travelled with him.

He fed the 5000 as they travelled with him for three days.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The baby in the manger (vs 16)

It’s significant who was in the manger.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ that makes the manger significant.

…the babe…That baby is God manifest in the flesh.

Your calendar would forever be changed with this event.

In that manger was the humanity of God

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh… God in diapers, what a thought!?  God as a child learning, growing, asking questions, hitting his thumb with a hammer, getting splinters, scraping his knee.  Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted ...

1 Chronicles 24:1-10 – Each priest was given a two week stint to care for the things of the tabernacle. Abijah had the 15th & 16th weeks from beginning of the year which begins in March or April on our calendar.

Luke 1:5 course of Abia which is the Abijah of 1 Chronicles 24:10. This puts Elisabeth’s conception of John the Baptist around July.

Luke 1:26 6th month after John Baptist conception (December- January), Jesus is conceived.  So 9 months later, Jesus would be born in September, or in the 7th month for the Jews.

Mary’s faith in Luke 1:38, 45

Joseph’s faith in Matthew 1:18-25

Leviticus 23:23-44 a day of atonement prefacing the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days (14th – 21st)

Genesis 35:16-19

Rachel dies in labour in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a place of bitterness for Jacob and Rachel because of Rachel’s death during labour.

She calls Benjamin Benammi which means son of God.

Ruth 1:22, 2:4

Boaz, the kinsmen redeemer, is from Bethlehem.

Ruth 4:18-22

1 Samuel 20:6 David’s city

Jeremiah 31:15 prophecy of weeping, but the day of joy is coming with a return to the land.

Micah 5:2 prophecy of a ruler coming out of Bethlehem

Matthew 2:4-5, 16-18 Herod brings about the weeping in Ramah at the birth of Christ.

Luke 2:1-4 Taxing brings Joseph back to Bethlehem

Text: Luke 2:25-35

Simeon is a spiritual man.  Notice how many times God’s spirit is mentioned in connection with Simeon.  The Holy Spirit is upon him in verse 25.  The Holy Spirit reveals a specific promise to Simeon in verse 26.  The Holy Spirit leads Simeon into the temple in verse 27. Then you see the results of the Holy Spirit’s close personal involvement in a man’s life.

Simeon is looking for consolation (vs 25)

Simeon is not in love with the world, he is looking for consolation in the world.

Simeon is a welcome place for the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost was UPON him.

Waiting for the consolation of Israel meant he had an earnest expectation of God’s redemptive work.

Waiting like waiting tables.  It is an active waiting. If you’re really waiting on a table, you do everything you can to make their experience pleasant.  Orders taken timely. Drinks stay full. Isn’t it frustrating when your waiter stops waiting on you. I imagine God feels the same way.

Waiting is defined as:

Just means doing right; it is justice

Devout means committed. This is someone who is invested themselves in the consolation of Israel.

We want God to do a work in our lives so that we can then commit ourselves to him.  The reality is that God’s work is the reverse of that. Nothing great can be done in your life UNTIL there is a commitment on your part to the Lord.

Simeon receives revelation he’s looking for (vs 26)

It was revealed to him because Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel.  People looking for Jesus Christ get answers; they get confidence and assurance.

Holy Spirit of promise brings assurance and confidence

Simeon is led by the Spirit of God (vss 27-32)

Leading of the Spirit of God leads to fulfilled promises and peace.

Psalm 37:5

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Led through the shadow of death

Simeon now prepared for death since he’s seen the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ relationship to the nation of Israel and the nations of the world in verse 32.

Glory of Israel

Light to the Gentiles

Simeon’s prophecy (vss 34-35)

Perhaps the only man who saw the resurrection.

The work of the Lord Jesus Christ to reveal the secrets and intents of men’s hearts.

Hebrews 4:12-13

Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men are a common feature in the Christmas story.  There are a few myths about the wise men that have become tradition over the years.  First, that the wise men were at the manger when Jesus was born. That’s not true. Second, that there were three of them.  There was a large group of wise men from the east, but we don’t know how many of them there were. There were three gifts mentioned and that’s where someone got the number three wise men.  Third, that this was an official entourage from a distant country. One of those familiar hymns says We Three Kings.  In reality they weren’t kings, they weren’t public officials, they weren’t coming on behalf of any government, God only classifies them as wise men.  “Wise Men” is not an official title, it is how God described an entourage of people looking for the King of the Jews.

Wise men desire to worship Jesus (vss 1-2)

There is a pursuit to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Faith of the worshipping wise men

Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the unknown travels ahead.

Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the personal cost to them.

Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the time it would take to find the Lord.

Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the distance they would have to travel to find him.

Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Wise men followed the God given light they had (vss 9-10)

That star has piqued many a Christian’s interests as to what it was.  Our Sun is a star, but it would be impossible to figure out what house it was sitting over at any particular time of day.

The light was visible where they were.

The light led them in the right direction.

The light stopped at the Lord Jesus Christ.

External witness in creation

Internal witness in conscience

Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Rejected light is a moral issue, a convenience issue, or an ambitions issue.

Wise men have the joy of the Lord as their strength (vss 9-10)

It was their motivation.

It was what they were living for.

It helped them overcome obstacles like strength will do.

Wise men offer offerings that meant something to them (vs 11)

Gold – universally recognized value

Then they brought some essential oils

Frankincense – an oil that is burned and perfumed the tabernacle

Myrrh – an oil that perfumes to cover other smells.  Used in Christ’s burial.

They brought costly goods to the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.