ANGELS OF CHRISTMAS EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series 4) December 23,24

ANGELS ARE ALL ABOUT JESUS

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Intro:

There have been some people, who, the minute they were born, everyone knew that they were destined for greatness. In 1500 A.D. a baby boy was born that all expected great things from. His name was Charles, and his father was Duke Philip, the Duke of Burgundy, and Charles’ mother was Joanna, the Daughter of the famous king and queen Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. On top of all this, Charles belonged to the famous Hapsburg family, which was the family that ruled the German states. So when Charles was only a day old, he already was a powerful person, being the future ruler of part of France, much of Germany, some of Italy, and all of Spain. This Charles became Charles V, one of the most powerful rulers ever in Europe. But this didn’t surprise anyone, because ever since Charles’ royal birth, everyone expected him to become great.

But that’s more the exception than the norm. I mean, Abraham Lincoln’s parents looked at little Abe when he was a newborn out on the frontier and think, “this baby is destined for greatness! He’s going to be president of the US.” They couldn’t have thought that. Albert Einstein was so slow as a child that his parents were told by his teachers that he’d never amount to anything. And as I look at my own children, I don’t know what the future will hold for them. It’s fun to look at them and imagine where they will be in 25-30 years from now, what they’ll be doing.

But there was another baby who was destined for greatness the moment he was born. When Jesus was born of Mary, not only did the world know that he was going to be great, but the world also knew many of the details of Jesus’ life.

The angels were awaiting this day for many, many years and now it was finally here. This was the best day the world has ever experienced from the beginning of time.

• This was a focused day and this day was all about Jesus.
• These angels were there to send a message to tell those who were listening what this day was all about.
• Maybe He wasn’t the next king of Israel, but He was the King of our hearts.

Let’s look at the message the angels were bring this day:

1. They revealed the deity of Jesus.

• In Matthew 1:19-24, the Angel of the Lord gave Joseph confidence that Mary’s baby really was a miracle, convincing him that he should continue the plan set in place for their betrothal instead of divorcing her because of the suppose disgrace.
• In Luke 1:11-19 Zecharius didn’t believe that he could have a baby, his manhood was disgraced according to the culture, I mean, he was supposedly a priest hearing form God, but God had not blessed him with a child? It called spirituality to questions.
• Luke 1:28 the Angel of the Lord not only informed Mary of the supernatural event of Christ’s birth, but also gave her confidence and peace, enough to make her say “May it be as you have said”, fully realizing the ramifications of the situation culturally.
• The point: In order for us to go ahead with a plan that is so totally against culture, we would have to know that we know that we know it is God’s plan.
• In order for us to believe that something completely supernatural is going occur, we would have to know that we know that we know it is God who said it would come to pass.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

2. They deposited the Joy of Jesus.

• Most of you I am sure have heard about Charlie Brown and his friend Linus. I would like to quote an article that I read on Charlie Brown. "Charlie Brown’s Christmas had gotten off to a bad start. He’d been told to pick out the best Christmas tree he could find. Instead he managed to find the scrawniest tree imaginable. His friends were furious and left him standing alone with his pathetic little tree. While standing there he asked, "Isn’t there anybody who can tell me the true meaning of Christmas? At that moment his friend Linus said, "I’ll tell you the meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown." And with that Linus began reciting from Luke 2 where the angel says to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great JOY..."

This is good news for you, good news for me, good news for all people regardless of our circumstances! No matter how scrawny our tree, no matter what has been happening in our lives, in spite of that empty place, that incurable disease, that broken relationship, 
here’s the good news: Jesus Christ the Savior, has been born! The Lord of heaven and earth has come into our lives, our misery, and our suffering to offer hope. God offers the hope of forgiveness and a blessed new beginning because of Jesus’ presence. 


This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Neh. 8:10

• The joy of Christmas is found in the baby Jesus. He is the only source that can produce lasting joy in our lives. Joy is therefore a choice and it centers on our willingness to choose to surrender ourselves to Jesus or not.

• This is the great gift exchange program of John 3:16. 



“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 



• Dr. Wilt from The Joyful Noise Letter Dec. 2003 edition stated: “What is joy? It is one of the most important things in the whole universe.

C.S. Lewis called it “The serious business of Heaven.” Joy marks the difference between existence and life. Its presence upgrades survival to being. Joy is our enjoyment of God and the good things that come from God…”
"Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."--Mother Teresa
Joy is found by looking at its letters J.O.Y. -- Jesus Offers You the gift of eternal life which therefore brings joy to your hearts and lives. Your part is to accept His gift and then give Him a gift back, which is your life. This is the great gift exchange program of John 3:16. Jesus freely gives to us and we in exchange freely give back to Him. 


“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28

• Joy comes from heaven above, but Joy came through Jesus at his birth. We now can be complete, because nothing separates us from the love of God.

3. They expressed the Love of Jesus.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

The love of Christ is so absolute and so powerful that there is absolutely nothing in the entire universe that can separate you from that love. When Paul tells the Roman church nothing he means nothing. 



• Not death: When you confront the reality of death understand that it cannot and will not ever be able to separate you from the love of Christ. 


• Not life: There is no difficulty, no trial, no pressure, no threat than can separate you from the love that Christ has for you


• Not angels, nor demons: There is no heavenly or spiritual being that has the power to take the love of Jesus away from you. It cannot be done. 


• Not the present or future: There is no event that will happen today or any other day that can separate you from the love of Christ


• Not height or depth: There is no distance that can ever be achieved that can ever separate you from the love of Christ. 


• Not anything else: There is absolutely nothing in all of creation that can ever separate you from the love of Christ. 


Special Song: “The Christmas Song” by Josh Pinkston

Conclusion:

• Bethlehem is located in the West Bank. Today it is under Palestinian (Hamas) Authority. Just outside the city is the traditional site of Rachel's tomb. It is called the City of David. In 330 A.D., Constantine the Great built the Church of The Nativity, perhaps the oldest surviving Christian Church, to honor the birthplace of Yeshua, the Messiah, and God’s only begotten Son! The Gospel of Luke records after Mary gave birth to Jesus, angels declared and sang in the fields nearby in the presence of shepherds, "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you...Glory to God in the highest!"

• This great city was also the birthplace of David, second King of Israel. He was anointed there by Samuel. It's where the well is located that the three heroes risked their life for David to get him water when he was in the cave of Adullam! Since Joseph was from the lineage of David, it's why he came here to pay his taxes and thus fulfill God's prophetic word about Bethlehem.

• David could rescue a city and a nation, but only Jesus could rescue mankind. David could sing, play beautiful music, slay giants and chase evil spirits away, but only Jesus could reach into hell and hold court! David was gifted, anointed and an incredible leader, but Jesus was God. While it is right to acknowledge the contributions of great men, only one deserves to be worshipped. His name is Jesus!

"Oh Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my king who is alive from everlasting ages past!" Micah 5:2

Christmas is all about Jesus and His Love for you!