Gtcotr/ss122318
I just want to say one thing before we get started with the word today: In case of an emergency - Put your mask on first before trying to help someone else with theirs. Take care of yourself … you can worry about others later. (David encouraged himself in the Lord …)
This morning we are going to take a fresh look at twofamiliar passages of scripture traditionally read in Churches during the Christmas season. I want you to know that I believe in Christmas. Christmas is a special time of the year in which we celebrate God sending His Son, Jesus, into the world as the promised Messiah.
Christmas = Christ-mas:
• As you know, Christ is not Jesus’s last name, rather it is His title. It is the Greek rendering of the term applied to the Messiah.
• The mas in Christmas is derived from the late Latin word, “missa” which means “dismissal”. I
o It is used in the concluding formula of the Latin Mass to encourage people to “Go – It is the dismissal”.
o The strict meaning of missa is dismissal while the Christianization of this term contains the direct connection as to why we are dismissed:We are dismissed To be sent on a mission.
o Hence, the “mas” in Christmas refers to being dismissed or sent to begin a mission.
Therefore, Christmas means the Day in which Jesus, the Christ, Messiah of the Jews and Savior of the World, was sent to earth to begin His mission … I believe that to be the day Mary said yes to God’s plan for her life.
God’s Word insures us that life begins at conception. This is neither a political nor a religious statement but merely a fact. Life is not determined by how intelligent or how self-sufficient a person may be. Life is life and I celebrate Christmas as the season in which God, by the sudden, miraculous, overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit, responded to Mary’s faith and calling, and sent His Word to live in her. God brought His Word to life in Mary and we call it Christmas. Christ sent on a mission.
Today we will be reading from the 1st chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and from the 1st chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Let’s turn our attention first to Lukeand his inspired account of the first Christmas. While we read, take note of those special people whom God decided to include to bring about His plan and what we can learn today from them.
Luke 1
26 ¶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name wasMary.
28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.
32 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
33 “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary is a saint … she was the first person to receive Jesus as the Son of God and the promised Savior of the world. Mary was the first true Evangelist of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She received Christ and she gave Him to the whole world.
Mary was sent on a mission with Christ … Mary made every day Christmas!
The greatest lesson I have learned from Mary’s life deals with having faith in the impossible. She confessed her trust in God by saying yes to the unknown. She didn’t know how but she trusted God.
Miracles begin to happen in our lives when we say yes to God.
God had a special mission for Mary and He has one for you as well.
The second person we will learn from today is Joseph. I find it interesting that we never hear Joseph say even one word in the Bible.
Matthew 1 NKJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
God chose Joseph, a common construction worker, to be the earthly image and play the role of father in the life of Jesus. I have long looked at Joseph as one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. So many times we overlook the critical part he played in the plan of God.He was also given a mission from God.
Although Joseph words aren’t recorded anywhere in the Bible, his silence speaks loudly. A simple survey of the passage in Matthew 1 reveals 4 evident reasons why Joseph was chosen for this special mission. As we look at his life, imagine yourself in his shoes. What can we learn from Joseph’s life today?
1. Joseph was connected to someone who was connected to God …
a. Matthew 1:18&19 tell us that Joseph was engaged to Mary and was her husband.
b. Who we include in our inner circle can help us or hurt us.
c. The three ladies who married Noah’s sons were saved from the flood and given a great mission from God simply and only because of who they married.
d. Our success in life may depend on others more than we realize.
2. Joseph was a humble man
a. Matthew 1:19 says that Joseph did not react selfishly when he found out about Mary’s pregnancy but considered what he should do based on how his actions would affect her.
b. Joseph did not react out of haste or hurt; he was not rash, nor did he take advantage of the situation to vindicate himself.
c. Joseph didn’t let his pride get the best of him … rather he humbled himself and gave his best to God and to Mary.
3. Joseph embraced the supernatural
a. Matthew 1:20-23 reveal how Joseph believed in and accepted both the messenger and the message from heaven.
b. One Word from God changes everything … at least it does for those who will receive it …
c. Some things can only be explained in light of the supernatural plan of God.
d. In his critical moment Joseph embraced the Word of the Lord as divine direction for his life.
e. When God could do no better, God sent His Word … to Mary; to Joseph; and to the world!
4. Joseph was unafraid to go against popular opinion
a. Matthew 1:24&25 show us that Joseph obeyed God instead of just going with the flow or pleasing the crowd.
b. Reckon what all those “wagging tongues” are going to say come judgment day? Think they’ll still be making fun of Joe?
c. Actions most often speak louder than words and Joseph’s silence still speaks today … what do his choices say to you?
Both Mary and Joseph were chosen to bring about the plan of God for the day of Christ. Both of them were essential to Christmas being all god planned. You and I have the same opportunity that was given Mary and Joseph. We have an opportunity to:
• Say yes to the Word of God
• Receive Jesus in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit
• Give Him to a world that is lost and hurting
Remember the end of Church service is the most important part. It is the part where you’re dismissed to go on your next mission.
Are you ready for your next Christmas mission? It’s ready for you. Trust God and realize it may not be all about you so stay humble, embrace the supernatural Word of the Lord and don’t be afraid to swim against the tide.
Just like Mary received Christ and gave Him to the whole world, you can make every day Christmas.
Why bother? Because: Without a Savior, this world is the best place anyone will ever live.
Be the Christmas someone else needs today!
You’re dismissed! – Merry Christmas!!!
