Christmas 2022 – Part 3 (The Encounter of God)

Christmas 2022

(Part 3 – The Encounter of God)

Luke 1:5-14

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Jesus’ birth was supernatural… but so was John the Baptist birth

• John is the cousin of Jesus (born 6 month before Jesus)
  • Fast forward to v.46
  • Mary also knows her brith will be supernatural (15 years old)
  • Now she is going to visit Elizabeth (cousin)
• Says when Mary shows up w/ Jesus in belly
  • John does a backflip… Elizabeth definitely felt that one

Luke 2:1-14

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 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.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

• Last week
  • What it means that Jesus is God with us
  • This happens when God meets us

[PRAY]

Story – Ever been wowed by a movie

And I don’t know how much it happens in much movies today

• Back in 80/90’s when special effect were still new
  • Now we know its computers
  • Now effects are somewhat normalized
• Back in the 80’s I remember watching a movies
  • Like ET blew me away
  • Starwars was totally unbelievable
  • A fish called Wanda
    • End up saying “How’d they do that”

One that stays w/ me – At the house (8) and this movie comes on

• Fred Astaire movie called “Royal Wedding”
  • He gets alone in room
  • Did what men do when excited: Spontaneously starts dancing
    • Then all the sudden dancing on the walls
    • Then he’s dancing on the ceiling
• As a little kid – Now got my attention
  • Remember thinking: How’d he do that (this is amazing)
  • Didn’t know about special effects
  • Just thought this must be spiderman
• Start looking at TV like this (Look upside down)
  • Only thought was – Amazing… How’d he do that

Think Christmas Story should make us

Look upside down – Say how’d He do that!?!

• 1 of major themes of Gospels: Idea of reversal
  • Christmas Song: A BABY changes everything
  • Jesus birth really did change everything
• Luke’s Gospel: Points to beginning of a new era
  • Where: Human evaluation is reversed
  • Where: Social definition is turned upside down

At times: Think Christmas story as: God came to Earth

• Of course that alone is enough
  • BUT Story of Christmas isn’t only God came to Earth
  • It’s also THE WAY HE CAME to Earth
  • That’s what makes you go “How’d he do that”
• If I was God I’d come is such an amazing way
  • No one could deny my deity
    • I wouldn’t come with a teenage mom
    • I wouldn’t be born in a feeding trough
• Why not let the stork bring you
  • And when you touch down on Earth
  • Change instantly to a man’s peak years (42)
    • Ironically that’s my age
  • Do something to demand respect/worship of people

But God in sovereignty comes a baby

To a insignificant 14 year old girl

• As the story unfolds it leaves the reader puzzled
  • How did you do that
  • Why would you do that
• Sometimes in holidays with all the fun stuff
  • Presents/Food/Family
  • Michael Boobley/Christmas lights

Sometimes we lose how amazing the Christmas story is

• Read: Wrapped swaddling clothes/lying in a manger
  • Manger: Sounds so cute, warm and soft
  • Swaddling Clothes: Gotta get some of those
• Reality of the situation
  • Swaddling cloths: Rags
  • Manger: Dingy, dirty, smelly food dispenser
• This scene is kinda weird… different… odd
  • Makes you wonder – God why would you come this way
  • You could have came anyway you wanted
    • Why this way
    • Reason: This is a story about reversals

Jesus birth opens brand new era

• Human expectations are reversed
  • Major theme of Luke’s Gospel
    • The least, last and lost
    • Become the first, found and foremost
      • The last shall be first
• Just a few examples
  • Just to consider from the Christmas story

Consider the town where Jesus Born

Bethlehem – Really?!?!

• We sing songs: Oh little town of Bethlehem
  • Think of sweet, quaint cozy destination point
    • That is not Bethlehem
    • It’s the town with no press
    • Nothing good ever comes out of Bethlehem
• Bethlehem is the little/least
  • Barely mentioned in NT b/c its a forgettable place
  • It’s not even worth mentioning
    • No major roadways
    • No significant commerce
    • No booming economy

Jesus could be born anywhere: God said Bethlehem

• Important b/c Jesus born into a culture
  • Many would say the place you were born – Determines destiny
  • You see lineage/heritage of people in the Bible
    • This all speaks of destiny
• Where you were born… spoke of who you COULD become
  • Also who you could NEVER be
    • If you were born on wrong side of tracks
    • Would never make it to right side of tracks
• This was your lot in life
  • God says send my son to Bethlehem
  • I will flip everything upside down

Which is to say: When u put your faith in Jesus

• It doesn’t matters about
  • Your past
  • Your pedigree
  • Who your dad/mom was
  • If you were born into money
• When faith is in Jesus
  • He reverses all social definitions/expectations
  • Jesus was born in Bethlehem!

TAG: God sending us a message in THE WAY he sent son

Also consider the Shepherds

B/C modern culture & beautiful nativity scenes

• We have a love for shepherds
  • We respect shepherds
  • Even Jesus likened to the “Good Shepherd”
    • To be shepherd to us is
      • Nobel
      • Reputable
      • Nice people
• That’s not what a shepherd was know as in day
  • In social hierarchy
    • Shepherds aren’t even mentioned
    • They were completely unclean (religiously)
    • They were totally untrustworthy

Shepherds couldn’t even give testimony in court

• Because no one trusted them
  • Even if they were with you
  • You could have them verify your story
• Shepherds were
  • Liars… cheaters… manipulators
  • Probably a bit crazy… They were with sheep all day

Yet 1^st outside group notified by heaven: Shepherds

• It wasn’t the wise guys… Heaven picks shepherds as witnesses
  • Can’t we notify someone with honor
  • Can’t we notify someone with reputation
    • The princes
    • The millionaires
    • The Powerful Politian’s
      • Shepherds!??!?!
• They can’t even verify the event!!!

Love instruction angels give on identifying Messiah

• Here’s how u will identify Savior of the world
  • He will be covered in rags
  • Lying in a cows feeding trough
    • Great thing about shepherds
    • They’re like… OK whatever
      • Got nothing better to do

Please don’t miss this… God included the Shepherds

• This story is hinting at something
  • It’s not just the fact Jesus came
  • It’s the way He came.
• He first comes to Bethlehem
  • Then includes shepherds as eye witnesses
    • To the greatest event of all eternity
    • Shepherds are invited to meet God
• God is telling that Christmas story is about
  • Reversing human expectation
  • Reversing human evaluation
  • Reversing social definition

Last: Consider Elizabeth

Not usually included in Christmas story (but is in Bible)

• Luke starts w/ Elizabeth and her Husband
  • Clearly points out they are blameless & righteous
  • They follow all the commandments of God
    • But Luke throws detail into the story
    • Would drop a cultural bomb
• It says that this couple is barren
  • In honor/shame society the lived in
    • Bareness – clear sign of spiritual punishment
    • Meant God was punishing u for wrong doing
  • Sadly there people think same thing today
    • Their cancer is a punishment
    • Their sickness is a punishment
  • This is inconsistent
    • One with the whole of scripture
    • Two even with the Christmas story

Elizabeth and Zacharias righteous but barren

• Maybe you are here today felling barren
  • You can fake it/put on a good smile
  • But truth is this is most barren season of your life
    • You’re in hurt
    • You’re in pain
    • You’re emotional/physically/spiritually barren
• Maybe your just holding it all in
  • Too awkward to talk about during Christmas
  • After 1^st of the year
    • Let them know you’re fighting for your life
• Maybe u have done everything you know to do
  • Trying to be a good person
  • Reasonably blameless & righteous
    • But I’m just barren… just hurting
    • Is this God punishing me
    • Is this God judging me

This story brings some major Christmas confusion

• Aren’t we taught blameless = blessing???
  • This family did it all right
  • Yet they are still barren
• Listen: Bad things happen to good people.
  • I don’t have an answer
  • I can’t explain it all

What Bible says: Elizabeth has a supernatural birth

• WHICH TELLS ME… GOD CAN REVERSE EVERYTHING
  • No matter how bleak ur bareness seems
  • Christmas story speaks testimony of God’s power
    • God reversed EVERYTHING!!!
• Pray u leave today looking (look upside down)

Christmas tells us: Must look w/ new eyes

This Christmas don’t let ur mindset stay the same

• Don’t allow
  • Social definition define ur future
  • Limited expectation determine God purpose for u
  • Cultural standards limit your impact in ife
    • God can reverse everything
• Believers must line up our faith w/ Chrstimas story
  • We must be people who believe for miracles
  • We must be people who believe for supernatural
    • That God can reverse any barreness
    • That God can reverse any curse
    • That God can reverse anything oppressing u
      • God can do ANYTHING!!!
• He sent His son to Bethlehem
  • He included Shepherds
  • He included a 14 year old virgin
    • Jesus was covered in rags
    • Jesus was born in a barn
      • God can reverse anything

This is the message of Jesus

• Don’t leave here today w/ old expectations
  • W/ old social definitions
    • Those don’t control you
    • That’s not who you are
      • You aren’t your dad’s mistakes
      • You aren’t you mom’s mistakes
      • You aren’t yesterdays news
        • You are who God says you are!!!
        • God still has a plan for your life!!!
• If put faith in Jesus: You are a new creation
  • Jesus changes everything
  • His birth transforms our world