God's Word #3

The gospel of Jesus Christ is "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."

1 John 5:11-12 – 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (NIV)

Merry Christmas to one and all! May God richly bless you. May the coming year be better than this one for each of you and yours. 

How can we possible grasp the significance that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”—the Second Person of the Holy Trinity—through whom and by whom all things, both visible and invisible, were created (Col. 1:16), “became mortal man”? The answer is, we can’t. 

Col 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him [Jesus] and for him. (NIV)

These are unusual times, with far too many celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ isolated and alone. Nevertheless, we are blessed in that even if it’s only on a computer screen, we can still join in congregational worship via livestream. One thing we can all agree on is just how much we took pre-2020 Christmases for granted. The true meaning and spirit of Christmas are captured in these words from Isaiah the Prophet …

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (NIV)

God chose a humble Jewish maiden to be the mother of the Savior. Mary was not a random choice. Everything was preordained (Eph. 1:4). For generations God prepared a people, the Hebrew nation, and the House of David, as the chosen host for His Son, Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. 

The angel didn’t come with a question: “will you” or “are you willing”, but he informed Mary that she was chosen by God to “give birth to a son” (v.31). 

These verses tells Mary that it would be, what Catholics call an “immaculate conception”, a supernatural birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Why was this necessary and not a natural birth via a man and woman? If Jesus had been born with a human father, He would have inherited Adam’s fallen nature and original sin. Original sin is passed down from Adam through the man to every human ever born. God chose Mary, and Mary acknowledged her acceptance of God’s blessing (v.38). Which says much about election and predestination that God chose us even before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-6)—our next study?

Matthew 1 shows the moral integrity and kindness of Joseph. We don’t know much about Joseph, but we can be certain he was God’s exclusive choice to protect and care for Mary and the baby Jesus. 

Matt 1:18-25 – 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.  (NIV)

While Mary was pregnant with Jesus, in compliance with a Roman census, all Jews had to return to their ancestral hometown—for Mary and Joseph, it was Bethlehem, a five-day journey of about 65 miles from Nazareth. Jews generally avoided Samaria in their travels as shown on the map. 

Luke 2:1-5 – 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (NIV)

The Roman census also fulfilled Bible prophecy (Micah 5:2). The Romans were record keepers and empire builders. Censuses were also a means of collecting taxes to maintain Rome’s army and empire. Localized censuses also took place regularly in certain areas of the Roman Empire; Judea faced at least three censuses around the time of the birth of Christ, in 8 B.C., 2 B.C., and 6 A.D. Joseph had to go to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5), because Bethlehem was the town of David, and Joseph was of the line of David. As God preordained, Mary was also of the lineage of David.

Not only did God choose a humble Jewish maiden to be the mother of Jesus, but while in the late stages of her pregnancy she had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, in compliance with the Roman census, and fulfillment of Bible prophecy. On their way to Bethlehem, her time had come but there was no vacancy at the local inn, since others were also traveling in compliance with the census. So they used a stable for the birth of Christ the King. 

Luke 2:6-7 – 6 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  (NIV)

There were shepherds in a nearby field tending their sheep. We can only imagine their shock and fear when an angel appeared, the sight of which must have been brilliant since Luke tells us “the glory of the Lord shone around them”. To heighten the experience, a whole host of angels also appeared, giving praise to God. Of course, they were terrified.

Luke 2:8-15 – 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  (NIV)

The Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, came to be our personal Savior, took unto Himself a human body, and yet, becoming 100% man, he remained 100% divine. The Apostle John tells us in the opening verses of his Gospel who Jesus was…

John 1:1-3 – 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (NIV)

And the “Word” Who spoke everything into creation, became flesh. 

The first visitors most likely were the angels. The second visitors were the shepherds, an occupation that was not held in high esteem in Judea. God selected humble people of low stature, to be among the first to visit the Christ Child. The Magi men came later. Tradition says that the Magi arrived about 12 days after the birth of Jesus. 

Luke 2:16-20 -- 16 So they [shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

The Bible does not give us the exact location or country from where the Magi started their trip (Matt. 2:1). It’s safe to presume that the Magi traveled with an entourage and not alone. The Jews considered the area of northern Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia as the “East.” A trip of 400 miles would have taken them approximately two to three weeks on camels or around a month’s journey by foot. If we assume that they traveled by night to be able to be guided by the star, this would mean that their journey would have taken an even longer time.

Matt 2:1-2 – 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi  from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (NIV)

Satan cannot see the future, and the New Testament was yet to be written. Working through Herod, Satan’s goal was to kill God’s promised Messiah (which he did in the future through the Pharisees and Romans in accordance with God’s timetable and plan).  

Matt 2:3-6 – 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”  (NIV)

The Magi (wise men) came to inquire of Herod where the King of the Jews was born so they could go and worship Him. Herod’s jealousy and anger raged secretly inside. There was more than one Herod. The first Herod during Jesus’ life is believed by scholars to refer to “Herod the Great,” who ruled for 33 years. Most historians date Jesus’ birth between 6 and 4 B.C. to coincide with this Herod’s reign—if we add the date of the Roman census, it could also be 2 B.C. It is this Herod who ordered the “slaughter of innocents” mentioned in Matthew 2:16, which was the primary reason why Joseph was warned by an angel to take his family into exile in Egypt.

Matt 2:7-8 – 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."  (NIV)

Who exactly was Herod the Great?  From the “Ancient History Encyclopedia”. 

His palace was at the Herodium, a fortress and mausoleum (next slide). 

Herod’s fortress was built on the Jebel Fureidis mountain, 11 km (6.8 miles) south of Jerusalem, and completed around 15 BCE. It included a palace structure within its walls and a town at the foot of the mountain (background image). Photo on right is what it would have looked like during the time of Jesus. 

The Holy Family would soon have a major threat looming over their newborn baby. Herod the Great was a Roman client king of Judea, referred to as the Herodian kingdom. He is known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea, including his renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the expansion of the Temple Mount towards its north, which was the temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. 

Herod felt threatened that another King could potentially take his throne, especially one that was prophesied. Surely the Jews would follow this new King who was prophesied in Scripture. Yet, Herod life and his reign would soon come to an end. He is believed to have died round 4 B.C. and would have to account for all the children he had killed. How deep is hell? 

The Magi after visiting with Herod to inquire about the newborn King, saw the star in the east again, and they followed it (v.9). When they came to the house (v.11), they saw Mary with the young child Jesus. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many Magi there were. There were three gifts, which implies there were three Magi. And after the Magi left came a warning to Joseph (v.13)

Matt 2:7-13 – 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." (NIV)

The Magi being warned of Herod’s intentions by an angel, took a different route home (Matt. 2:12). When Herod, realized that he had been deceived by the Magi by not returning to report to him, he became furious, and sent his soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old and under, based on the time that he determined from the Magi’s visit. 

Matt 2:16-18 – 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."  (NIV)

Mary and Joseph, with baby Jesus, had to flee because King Herod wanted to kill their child. After Herod died around 4 B.C., Joseph has a dream where an angel tells him it is safe to return to Israel. The family's trip to and from Egypt is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Hosea 11:1). They then began their journey back to Galilee. 

Matt 2:13-15 – 13 When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."  (NIV)

Most likely, Joseph walked the entire journey, going to and returning from Egypt, while Mary and Jesus rode on a donkey. I’m not sure of the accuracy of the map showing their return trip through Samaria. Perhaps Joseph being aware of angelic protection, chose that route being it was the shortest journey and easiest for Mary and the child Jesus. 

Matt 2:19-20 – 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." (NIV)

How much humbler a beginning could God have destined for His Son, Jesus Christ? Not a palace or upper-class family, but a carpenter’s home in a small out of the way village. No one could ever imagine that in the modest village of Nazareth in Galilee, and a working-class family, resided the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

Luke 2:39-40 – 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (NIV)

One can only imagine—or not—what must have gone through Joseph’s mind as he taught Jesus skills of the carpentry trade. Quick learner” yes, but “Almighty God”, oh my. Jesus was 100% human. He had a human mind and matured over the years from a baby into adulthood. Being God with all the knowledge of the universe, yet, He limited Himself to His human nature and experience. 

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (NIV)

Jesus came as a baby, but He also came as the Lamb of God to be an unblemished sacrifice for our sins. 

John 1:29 The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God , who takes away the sin of the world! (NIV)

The primary reason Jesus was born was to be a blemish-free sacrifice to atone for our sins. During the O.T. temple sacrifices the lamb was totally innocent and without defect, making restitution for the sinful believer. Jesus is either our Savior (the innocent lamb who paid for our sins) or our judge. There is no alternative to those two. That is also the Christmas message, that we can be saved by Jesus Christ, who was born in a manger two thousand years ago. Not just a sweet, innocent baby lying in a crib, but as Savior OR as Judge—in His own words in John 9, Jesus tells us that He came into this world for judgment…

John 1:35-36 – 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God !"  (NIV)

John 9:39-41 – 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.  (NIV)

If your name isn’t written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it’s not too late to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and avoid eternal separation from God. 

Rev 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it [heaven], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.  (NIV)

Dr. Charles Stanley – 27-minute sermon: “Our Savior Who is Christ the Lord”. Like he said, we don’t have to understand everything about God, but it’s the Holy Spirit that opens our mind and heart to God. Just ask Him and He won’t disappoint you. 

https://youtu.be/QjjOFlKLBiQ

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A Christmas bonus: Mary did You Know?

https://youtu.be/-Uki0dkthzI

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America may not be perfect, no place is or ever was, but it’s better than every alternative. Our country is certainly in need of prayer, including our president. Also, pray that voter fraud doesn’t prevail in this election and that the truth may be revealed openly and without question. Pray for our church, our pastor and his family.

Join us for Christmas Eve (12/24) worship at 7:00 PM. https://covp.org 

Warning!!! Proceed at your own risk. 

Dear heavenly Father, I come to you with my plea for our Nation and our President, that this election fraud may not prevail and that our Nation may not be stolen by the far Left. That Christians may understand the importance of this election and what’s at stake. If America is lost by fraud, it seems obvious that Satan, with the decline of America, is using election fraud to establish the basis and groundwork for the Antichrist’s emerging on the world scene, only possible without America standing tall and free. Nevertheless, Thy will be done in Jesus name. Amen. 

America is a stumbling block for the Antichrist’s entry onto the world stage, but only by the grace of God. If the U.S. president loses power and prestige, the Nation will also loses all influence and gets sucked into globalization with Communist China at the helm. America is the only barrier to Satan’s taking total control of the world system. A personal message—with political overtones: If you follow the real news, not CNN or MSNBC or many of the local news programs, you will see that all of these concerns are legitimate and a threat to out Nation’s future and that of our children and grandchildren. These are the potential lifestyle changes under a Biden Administration, based on who he is appointing to his Administration. China would be the big winner with America’s loss of influence and decline on the world stage. 

A Christmas bonus: Mary did You Know?

https://youtu.be/ii0bcAmwYwk

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End of God's Word #3

(#1 & 2 are posted below)