The Christmas Message, Part Three
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In this season we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. Traditionally we read the Christmas Story out of the book of Luke.
It’s here that we find several central figures surrounding the birth of Jesus. Three primary characters which Luke draws our attention to are:
1. John the Baptist
2. Mary, the mother of Jesus and
3. Jesus Himself
Each one had their part to play in the unfolding plan of God which we now call The Christmas Story.
I. Two Sunday’s ago we learned that John the Baptist was:
* Sent on a mission for God
* As a representative of the kingdom of God
* With a message from God
“Prepare for the coming of the Lord”
* This classified him as an Ambassador
We concluded that Sunday with a scripture:
2 Corinthians 5
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
* We have now become Ambassadors
* We too are on a mission for God
* As a representative of the kingdom of God
* With a message from God
When considering John the Baptist, we realize that:
The man is gone but the ministry remains.
We are now the voice of one crying in the wilderness of this world: “Prepare for the coming of the Lord”
Last Sunday we looked at the second central figure in this unfolding plan of God to bring Jesus into the world. That figure was Mary, the mother of Jesus.
II. Mary
A. We clearly found in Luke 1 that God Chose Mary
B. We also learned that Mary Chose God
1. She chose God for her whole life. We saw that:
A. She was there for Jesus’ birth
B. She was there for His baby dedication
C. She was there for 30 years to raise Him
D. She was there for His first debate at 12 years of age
E. She was there for His first miracle at the wedding in Cana
F. She was there for His great meetings in Capernaum
G. She was there for His crucifixion
H. She was even there in Acts 2 in the upper room at Pentecost when God poured out the Holy Spirit on all 120 believers.
I. She was there when Peter preached in the streets of Jerusalem and saw 3000 people born again and converted to Christ.
J. She was no doubt a continuing part of the first local church in the city of Jerusalem
* In fact, one of her other sons, James, who was a half brother to Jesus, was the Senior Pastor of that church for many years.
* What Did We Learn From Mary?
* She chose God and She was always there --- basically:
Mary showed up!
* She was a spectator, a participator and a facilitator
* She was a part of what God was doing through Jesus and the Holy Spirit all the days of her life.
We should never underestimate the importance of showing up.
III. Now For The Key Figure In This Christmas Story - Jesus
Let’s turn to Luke, Chapter 2 (NKJV)
Luke 2
1 ¶ 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,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
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.
8 ¶ Now there were in the same country 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.
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.
12 "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!"
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."
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
A. Just as we have now taken on the ministry and responsibility of:
1. John the Baptist as Ambassadors preparing for the coming of Christ … and …
2. Mary, choosing God’s will for our whole life and showing up to participate in God’s work for all of our life
B. We have also been commissioned by Jesus to take up His ministry and His responsibilities while He is away in heaven.
C. What is that ministry and that responsibility which has now become our ministry, our responsibility?
D. The Angels announced it!
1. Good Tidings - Good News! (verse 10)
* Our part in this unfolding story is to bring Jesus to a lost and dying world. A Savior has come! Good News, not bad news
2. Great Joy! (which will be to all people)
* a non-exclusive ministry
* Jesus can fill every heart with great joy.
3. Glory To God! (verse 14)
* God gets all of the credit for this wonderful plan
4. Peace On Earth!
* this Jesus in any heart will give lasting peace
5. Good Will Toward Men!
* God’s will toward mankind, every one of us, is good
IV. In This Continuing Christmas Story
A. A Savior was born in the City of David, Christ the Lord!
B. We Are --- You Are Now:
1. A Royal Ambassador
2. Participating In The Plan To Bring Jesus To All People
3. That plan is to bring:
* Good News
* Great Joy
* Glory To God In The Heavens
* Peace On Earth
* Good Will To All People
C. Let’s Go And Tell Everyone This Christmas Story
