WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:01.439 Let's pray. 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:09.599 May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:10.560 Amen. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:25.359 Dear friends, it is a tremendous privilege to be able to bring a message of joy, certain joy, in the midst of a world which is in such darkness and such need. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:31.039 And I'm talking about Luke 2 that we've just had read, this gospel account. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:38.560 I'm talking about the familiar account of the birth of Jesus who was laid in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:45.600 And I don't know about you, but in fact, I come from a family where these words were familiar. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:52.640 And like lots of our friends, we were all had yearly Christmas pageants that we prepared for. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:57.359 And so, you know, as a would-be shepherd, I had to memorize. 00:00:57.520 --> 00:00:59.439 Of course, this is King James Version. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:06.719 Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:16.480 And that's, but it would be a big mistake, friends, to think that this is just nostalgia that sort of warms your heart in the middle of the winter. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:19.680 But in fact, this is incredible. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.959 This is the only hope for this dark world. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:27.359 And it's wrapped up in this baby who was born in a manger. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:28.959 So let's think about this. 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:34.319 And I have four things that strike me about the God of Luke 2. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:54.799 First of all, aren't you glad that the God that we find in Luke 2 is one who delivers on his promises, who's able to do what he said he was going to do, and even use unwelcome things that invade our lives and use them for good to do what he wants to do and his purposes. 00:01:55.040 --> 00:02:01.840 So it says in Luke 2, in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:09.520 This was the first registration when Quirenius was governor of Syria, and all went to be registered, each to his own home town. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:25.120 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 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:27.439 Very familiar words. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:37.360 But what I want us to notice that in fact, what Luke is pointing out is that God delivered on his Old Testament promises. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:44.639 First of all, the promise that there was one who would come of the line of David, who would have a reign which would go forever. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:58.080 And so it says, When your days are fulfilled, this was to David, and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:02.960 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:06.000 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:12.560 When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:20.159 But my steadfast love will not depart from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:25.199 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:29.039 Your throne shall be established forever. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:30.400 And here it is. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:41.919 More than that, it was in Bethlehem. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:59.199 So Micah 5 says, But you, O Bethlehem, Ephrata, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me, one who is to be the ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days. 00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:03.360 Here it is, that God delivers on his promise. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:12.240 And what's really kind of fun for us now, these many years later, is that God used a registration or a tax. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:26.560 I, in my mind, picture Caesar Augustus chuckling to himself as he thought of the brilliance of this idea of just issuing a decree that everybody has to go to their hometown to be counted, but of course to pay taxes. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:32.240 And he could think ka ching, ka ching, kaching, the money rolling in for him, which of course is what happened. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:42.000 And this wasn't just once, apparently, there was at least another time because he says this was the first registration at the time of then Quirenius was governor of Syria. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.600 Obviously, there was another. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:05:11.920 And so Caesar, in his self-centered, uh looking after Numero Uno and himself, was uh had issued this decree in order to fill his pockets, but the living God used it as a means of moving Mary and Joseph from up in Galilee from Nazareth all the way down to Bethlehem, because it had to be in Bethlehem for this one to be born. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:22.480 Aren't you glad that we have a God who delivers on his promise and is so creative in his capacity to do so, even using unwelcome things if necessary to work for good? 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:33.920 Second, the second thing about this amazing God is uh he's one who sent his son into the world, who humbled himself so completely to be our Savior. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:44.720 Years later, Jesus reminded the disciples that he said, For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:53.920 And so, as we read in these words, it says, Um, who was with child, and while they were there, the time came for her, this is Mary, to give birth. 00:05:54.079 --> 00:06:04.480 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn, no room for them in the inn. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:14.160 What an inauspicious, unfortunate, uh, unceremonious entry for the king of kings to come into this world. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:19.519 And yet it had to be that way, because he came not to be served, but to serve. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:25.199 He who knew no sin was going to become sin that we might become the righteousness of God. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:46.480 And so it is that Paul said in Philippians 2, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:58.560 Jesus had to enter this world where there was no room for him, and for him to be laid in a trough, which was really for animals feeding, because he came as a servant. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:13.600 He emptied himself, and that was going to take him right straight to a cross, because he was obedient, even to death, our death, our judgment, so that we could receive his righteousness, his life. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:25.519 For Hebrews says, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who is in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:33.600 Let us then come with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:36.240 That's Hebrews 4, 15 and 16. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:52.560 Aren't you glad that we have a God who sent his son, who so completely humbled himself, so that he is able to identify with the likes of you and me and to sympathize with our weaknesses and to offer mercy and grace. 00:07:53.279 --> 00:08:06.079 Thirdly, aren't you glad that we have a God who sent a Savior who comes for everybody, but is specifically for you, my friend? 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:08.240 Listen to this. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:19.920 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.040 You bet they were. 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:31.439 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:40.399 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:08:41.679 --> 00:09:01.360 This is the amazing thing about this Jesus is that he's not just for a select few, but in fact, he came, though in such humility, he came as the savior of all time, for all people everywhere, all people everywhere. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:05.039 Good news of great joy, which shall be for all people. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:07.919 This is astounding. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:13.519 But it lest you get lost in the the all people and thinking that sort of overlooks you. 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:26.559 Understand it goes the angel that went on and said, For unto you, and looking at those shepherds, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:29.279 It's absolutely extraordinary. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:33.519 And of course, a sign is given to them so that they can identify this one. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:37.519 You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:40.480 And that's exactly what happened when they went. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.720 Now, what's this swaddling clothes thing? 00:09:42.879 --> 00:10:00.559 Well, apparently in biblical times, when a baby was born, they would tie together bandaged like strips, and after the infant was born, they would cut the umbilical cord and tie it, and then they'd wrap the baby, first rubbed with salt and oil, and then they'd wrap them in strips of cloth. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:04.399 Mary and Joseph faithfully did exactly what was required. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:08.799 But this little one was lying in a manger, which was extraordinary. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:13.360 And so they knew they had a newborn and they knew he was exactly the one. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:17.679 Good news, great joy which shall be for all people. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:22.240 I love that, for unto you is born. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:54.399 And fourthly, aren't you glad that the God who uh is in Luke 2, who sent his son to be born in a manger in Bethlehem, is one who loves to bring ordinary people like shepherds to himself, and then in incredible kindness, actually use their witness to shed the light, because he is the light that all people need, and the light and life. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:57.440 And so that's what happened with these shepherds. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:21.360 I was been thinking about the fact that, you know, in these recent days, as the vaccine uh has been released on this world, uh, and there's this Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old uh British grandmother who ended up being the first one in the whole world to receive uh the uh the vaccination since those who were have gone through the trial. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:31.039 Uh and uh and it was a great delight for this humble, uh dear, otherwise uh just ordinary person. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:36.240 I think that's the way the Lord thought of it when the angel went to the shepherds. 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:44.480 It wasn't the the uh the big-time folk, the obvious ones, it was the inconspicuous, the ordinary. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.000 And so it was the case. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:58.240 And so uh, you know, in BC, more locally, Nisha Eunice, 64, who'd worked in the same long-term home care for 41 years, she got to be the first one in BC to receive the vaccination. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:01.519 In my mind, it's kind of like the shepherds in God's mind. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:09.840 He chose ordinary, otherwise, uh not to be expected to be famous for anything. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:20.799 And yet they got to be the ones to hear the this joyful message, which was good news of great joy for everybody, but also for them, for unto you is born this day in the city of David. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:32.399 And so it is that it says in Luke 2 that they went to uh to Bethlehem and they found this baby, and they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:38.720 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:42.399 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:48.320 But Mary treasured up all these things in her and pondered them in her heart. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:13:02.399 What I like about this is that the shepherds, they were talking to everybody and anybody about this child, and that he, in fact, he was the Christ the Lord, the savior of the whole world. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:08.480 Um, and and yet he all they also spoke to Mary and Joseph. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:18.399 So Mary, who had just given birth to the very Son of God, needed the encouragement in this time of weakness and exhaustion. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:28.799 And she pondered these words in her heart and thank, said, Thank you, God, for sending these shepherds who had had an encounter with angels, who told them. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.879 And what did the angels say? 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:36.000 They said, Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:40.639 You see, that's what this baby brings. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.440 He brings peace with God. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:49.840 He means the enmity, the sin, the thing that otherwise makes us enemies with God. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:14:08.080 He deals with it in such an extraordinary and wonderful way, so that sinful men and women, boys and girls can be actually not only friends, but the beloved children of God, because that's what they are when they come to Jesus by faith. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:15.840 Dear friends, the message of Christmas is absolute joy if you have Jesus in your life. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:23.440 It's certain joy, it's durable joy, it's joy that stands the test, it's joy that cannot be extinguished. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:26.480 It's eternal joy, it's joy in Jesus. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:33.279 If you have Him, you have it all, and you are unspeakably rich and blessed. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:45.200 But if you don't have this one, then no matter whatever else you may have going for you, you are absolutely lost and you are in deep trouble. 00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:53.039 But the good news is this good news of great joy, which is all for all people, is also for unto you, friend. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.519 A Savior has been born. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:15:07.360 And so 2020, Christmas 2020, is the perfect time to run by faith to this Jesus, who is the light of the world, who's the savior, who's the savior of all. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:10.159 Uh, and he works in every case. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:19.759 That's why Paul was not said, I'm not ashamed of the gospel, for it's the power of God for salvation to anyone and everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:25.440 Dear friend, in Christ, we are incredibly blessed. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:32.799 Joy to the world, and more than that, we have what everybody else needs: joy to the world. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.840 Let's pray. 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:36.720 Lord Jesus, we love you. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:44.159 We love you, God, that you found a way to fulfill your promise of old in the birth of Jesus. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:49.679 We love you, God, that Jesus came and humbled himself so completely to be the servant. 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:57.759 We love you, God, that the message of the gospel is for everybody and he is for me, for you. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.279 And we bless you, Lord. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:13.759 And we love you, God, that you shed the light of the gospel, the good news of salvation in Jesus through the likes of ordinary people who have been surprised by this joy of Jesus in their own lives. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.759 We bless you this Christmas. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:24.960 We say glory to God in the highest, and we thank you for that peace which is here on earth for anyone and everyone who has the Lord Jesus. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.480 We bless you, Lord. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.360 Amen.