Emory Baptist Church

How Do You Respond to God's Word?

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 19:45.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “How Do You Respond to God’s Word?”

 

That may seem like an innocent enough question.  However, this morning, I am going to ask you to be painfully honest with yourself and the Lord in answering it.

 

Think back to last Sunday, and we saw the beginning of Passion Week.  That is the last week of Jesus life on earth before His crucifixion.

 

It was Palm Sunday, and we saw Jesus demonstrate His deity with His omniscient regarding colt.  We also saw Jesus accomplish victory, but through peace and not war, and we see Him weep over the city of Jerusalem.

 

In today’s text, it is Monday.  Remember that Jesus had come to Jerusalem to die, but He and His disciples had come to Jerusalem for the Passover.

 

 

Exposition

In verse 45, we see what is commonly known as Jesus cleansing the temple.  However, it is important for us to understand some of the back story.

 

Commentators tell us that Jerusalem could have ballon in population for this week to in excess of two million people.  Why were all these folks here? 

 

They were there for Passover Week.  That meant that these Jews would be in need of doves and other animals to sacrifice. 

 

However, the money changers required a certain Temple Currency that was different from Roman or Greek Currency.  Therefore, when the Jews would exchange their money to buy these animals, the money changers would charge significant fees or transaction costs.

 

So, they were making money on the money being exchanged for taxes and sacrifices.  However, there was also large profits being made the animals to be sacrificed were bought.

 

After all, would you rather travel multiple miles with your animals?  Or, would just rather purchase one when you got there?  This was a convenience purchase for sure.

 

So why did Jesus do this?  Because He was one with God the Father and God the Spriit, Jesus knew what the Temple was for.  See 2 Chronicles 7:1-3.

 

2 Chronicles 7:1-3, When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”

 

In addition to being the presence of God, the temple should have also been a house prayer.  Jesus said that in verse 46 quoting Isaiah 56:7.

 

Instead, the money changers and animal sellers had made it a den of thieves by charging exorbitant amounts of money for their services and products.  In His rebuke, Jesus also quoted Jeremiah 7:11.

 

Verses 47-48 are summary verses for what also happened Monday through Thursday of Passion Week with Jesus in the Temple.  He went daily to teach God’s Word to God’s people.

 

However, notice the responses to God’s Word as we return to our sermon title and question for the day.  Verse 47 speaks of the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people.

 

These were Jewish religious leaders.  When they heard God’s Word, they rejected it, and consequently, they wanted to destroy Jesus.

 

However, look at verse 48.  Their efforts were momentarily thwarted by all the people who were attentive to Jesus.

 

The implication is that they not only were attentive, but they were listening.  However, they were not only attentive and listening, but they were also receiving.

 

 

Conclusion

So now, I want you to answer the question that began our time together this morning.  How do you respond to God’s Word?

 

When God’s Word says you are sinner and the only way to be saved is to call on Jesus to save you, how do you respond?  Do you deny your need or do you repent and believe?

 

When God’s Word says you are sinning and you need to repent, do you repent or do you say it isn’t applicable to you and you ignore it?

 

Today, I invite you to receive God’s Word and obey rather than reject it.  Today, I invite you to be saved and or to repent.

The Beginning of the End

Introduction

Please take your Bibles, and find Luke 19:28.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Beginning of the End.”

 

In the recent Sundays in our study of Luke’s Gospel, I have made the point that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.  This is central to Luke’s Gospel as the name Jerusalem is recorded 33 times compared to 36 in the other three Gospels combined.

 

Notice 9:51, 9:53, 13:22, 18:31, 19:11, and then 19:28.  Don’t forget this is not a pleasure trip.  Jesus is on His way to die.

 

That is why I said the beginning of the end.  How is this the beginning?  It starts the last week of Jesus’ earthly life before His resurrection.

 

The end of Luke 19 is Passion Week.  Passion Week begins with Palm Sunday.

 

In today’s text, let’s spotlight Jesus.  First, He is God.  Second, He originally accomplished victory through peace not war.  Third, Jesus invites everyone to follow Him as Lord and Savior.

 

 

1. Jesus is God.

 

In verse 28, we see a time marker.  Remember from last week that Jesus corrected a misunderstanding about the Messiah with the parable of the minas.

 

Before the Messiah would establish His earthly kingdom, He had to go away for a while.  His kingdom would be established on His return.

 

Jesus was headed to Jerusalem.  However, it wasn’t to reign.  It was to die.

 

Beginning in verse 29, we see proof of Jesus being God through His omniscience. What does that mean? 

 

It means that He knows all.  He doesn’t just know some or most.  He knows all.

 

As He was passing through the suburbs of Bethphage and Bethany, He gave an assignment to two of His disciples. They were to go into Bethphage to get a colt.

 

Bear in mind that Jesus hadn’t spoken with the owners previously.  He simply knew it would be there, and sent the two disciples for it.

 

If they were asked why it was need, they were given instructions.  Tell the owners that the Lord needs it.

 

You know what?  Look at verse 32.  It happened just as Jesus said.

 

Jesus would then ride this colt into Jerusalem with some clothes serving as a saddle.  Other clothes were thrown on the ground for a path. 

 

The second proof of Jesus being God is found in the fulfilled prophecy.  In today’s text, there are multiple Old Testament prophecies that could only be fulfilled by the Messiah. 

 

In verse 29, He sent His two disciples from the Mount of Olives.  See Zechariah 14:4.

 

4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,

From east to west,

Making a very large valley;

Half of the mountain shall move toward the north

And half of it toward the south.

 

You will find the word colt four times in verses 30-35.  Jesus riding into Jerusalem on this colt was the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.

 

9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.

 

Even what the multitude of disciples said of Him in verse 38 is fulfilled prophecy.  See Psalm 118:26.

 

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

 

Jesus wasn’t just some great moral teacher.  He was and is God!

 

 

2. Jesus originally accomplished victory through peace not war.

 

What do I mean when I say Jesus accomplished victory?  When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of world and satisfied the wrath of God and then was resurrected on the third day, Jesus won!

 

Let me say it again.  Jesus won!

 

And He won not by warfare.  Not with His military and army.  He won through peace!

 

That is the symbolism behind the donkey.  He will come again on white horse and with a sword, but this is a donkey.

 

Notice also verse 38 again.  In that quote of Psalm 118:26, the Messiah’s message is one of peace.

 

The Prince of peace is bringing the opportunity to have peace in heaven with God.  That happens when we surrender our lives to Him.

 

BTW…Brothers and sisters, if Jesus accomplished victory in His first coming with peace and not war, we ought to follow His lead.  However, that isn’t my first instinct.

 

I won’t to win by force.  I want to win with forceful words and forceful Facebook posts and a forceful attitude.  That isn’t Jesus.

 

Jesus accomplished victory in His first coming through peace not war.  We should follow His example.

 

 

3. Jesus invites everyone to follow Him as Lord and Savior.

 

In verse 39, the Pharisees didn’t like what they were hearing.  They told Jesus to tell His disciples to quieten down.

 

Jesus responded with verse 40 and alludes to His mission and invitation. When He returns, their will eventually be a new heaven and a new earth that He has redeemed.

 

When He got to Jerusalem, He wept over the city with compassion for them.  This is the second of three times that we know of that Jesus wept.

 

He wept in John 11:35 when Lazarus had died.  He hurt for His friends, Mary  and Martha, who were hurting.

 

Hebrews 5:7 says that Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed.

 

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

 

Why did He weep for Jerusalem?  He came for them, but they rejected Him.

 

Consequently, they would be left without God’s protection.  Jesus’ prophecy in verses 43-44 were at least fulfilled in AD 70 when Rome destroyed Jerusalem.

 

 

Conclusion

My invitation for you this morning is to put your faith in Jesus.  He is God, and He has secured spiritual and eternal victory for you through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  He wants you to be saved today!

The Parable of the Minas

Please take your Bibles, and find Luke 19:11.  I want to share a message with you this morning on the parable of the minas, and this parable is not about bait fish.

 

In our study of Luke’s Gospel, we have seen the story of the rich, young ruler.  We have seen the story of Blind Bartimaeus, and last Sunday, we saw the story of Zachaeus, the wee, little man.

 

The parable of the minas or pounds is unique to Luke.  However, it is similar to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

 

Remember, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning or spiritual meaning.  Also, parables revealed mysteries to those who received Jesus, concealed realities to those who rejected Him, and fulfilled prophecies for both.

 

One last reminder regarding parables is to not press the parable in finding symbolism in every object or act.  That would lead to the Bible contradicting itself, which we know it never does.

 

 

1. The Parable

 

In verse 11, they heard these things.  They includes Jews and Gentiles.  They also included the crowd and Jesus’ disciples.

 

These things refers to the story of  Zacaheus. That story is told in verses 1-10, and was fresh in their minds.

 

Jesus was about to tell a parable as they continued on their journey to Jerusalem.  However, in telling this parable, He needed to correct a misunderstanding.

 

The crowd believed that the Messiah would establish His earthly kingdom in Jerusalem and through force militarily.  Therefore, they believed it was immanent since they believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and they were on their way to Jerusalem. 

 

Jesus needed to correct that.  It would happen, but not on their timeline.

 

BTW…In our study of Luke, we have seen multiple different definitions of the kingdom of God.  In this instance, it means His earthly kingdom. 

 

The parable begins in verse 12 with a certain nobleman.  He left his home and went into a far country to receive his kingdom, and he would eventually return.

 

While he was gone, he had work for his servants to do.  They were to invest this money which was three months’ of wages.

 

The NKJV uses the word mina.  The KJV uses the word pound.  Therefore, your Bible may say the parable of the minas or the parable of the pounds.

 

However, notice the mindset of the citizens in verse 14.  They hated this nobleman and didn’t want his ruling over them.

 

So, he left and returned in verse 15.  When he did, he called three of ten servants to him to give an account.  Keep in mind that he gave them all the same amount of money.

 

The first had a return of 10 minas.  The second had return of 5 minas, and they third didn’t invest the minas at all.

 

The nobleman was pleased with the first and second servant, and he rewarded their faithfulness. However, he was greatly displeased with the third and punished him along with the citizens who didn’t want him to rule over them and were his enemies.

 

 

1. The Participants or Parts

 

The nobleman is Jesus Christ.

 

The nobleman’s servants are followers of Jesus Christ.  However, the third seems to be a follower in name only. 

 

In verse 20, the third servant had unbelieving actions.  He didn’t do what his master said.

 

In verse 21, his unbelieving actions were fueled by his unbelieving attitude.  He didn’t like his master.

 

In verse 22, the third servant had an unbelieving alias.  His master called him a wicked servant.

 

This third servant was a servant in name only.  I think this was true of Judas. You might be able to fool those around you, but you can’t and won’ fool the Lord.

 

In verse 14, the citizens were the Jewish religious leaders.  They hated Jesus and didn’t believe He was the Messiah.

 

What do the minas or pounds symbolize?  I believe it is our faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, or  you might call it our relationship with Christ.

 

 

• The Point

 

First, like the nobleman, Jesus will go to distant land in heaven between His ascension and return.

 

Second, when He does return, it will be with His kingdom to establish on earth.

 

Third, while He is away, like the servants in the parable, the followers of Jesus are to be faithful in fulfilling their responsibilities.  I will come back to that in just a moment.

 

Fourth, when Jesus returns, He will reward the faithful who received Him and obeyed Him.

 

However, and fifthly, when Jesus returns, He will punish those who have reject Him by disobeying Him.

 

So, while Jesus is away, what is our responsibility?  Verse 13 says do business until I come.

 

What is our business?  What is the business of every Christian while He is gone?

 

1. Every Christian should read his or her bible daily to know God more and better through His word.
2. Every Christian should pray daily.
3. Every Christian should make disciples. That includes evangelizing, baptizing, and teaching.
4. Every Christian should be connected with a local church. The local church is God’s earthly picture of heaven.
5. Every Christian should serve that local church with his or her spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and financial resources.

 

Are you doing your business for the Lord while He is gone and until He returns?  I pray so. 

The Hound of Heaven

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 19:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Hound of Heaven.”

 

In 1890, English poet Francis Thompson published his poem with the same title as my sermon.  It was 182 lines, and its subject was the pursuit of the human soul by God’s love.

 

In Luke 19:1-10, we find a very familiar story of Zacchaeus, the wee little man.  Believe it or not, the main point of Zacchaeus’ story is the same.  God’s love is pursuing your human soul.

 

In three scenes of this story, we will focus on three individuals or groups of people.  Those include: Zacchaeus, us, and Jesus.

 

 

1. A Controversy with a Rich Man, Luke 19:1-6

1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

 

Today’s story and controversy with a rich man stands in sharp contrast in how it ends with the rich, young ruler.  He left saddened, but Zacchaeus leaves saved.

 

Jesus and His disciples were passing through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem.  In verse 2, we are introduced to Zacchaeus.

 

He was a chief tax collector.  This is the only time we ever see this title as chief tax collector. 

 

Zacchaeus worked for the Roman government collecting taxes, but he was the one of the head guys.  That means he had tax collectors working under him. 

 

BTW…We also know that Zacchaeus was a Jew because of verse 9.  Therefore, he was considered a traitor because he worked for the Romans extorted massive amounts of money from his own countrymen.

 

These men were notoriously dishonest and thieves.  Consequently, Zacchaeus was rich because not only did he collect what was paid to the Roman government, but he also collected some for himself, and he received a commission from those tax collectors under him.

 

Ironically, he must have heard about Jesus and was curious so he sought to see who Jesus was.  However, he couldn’t see over the crowd because he was short in stature.  He wasn’t very tall.

 

Therefore, undeterred, he ran ahead of Jesus and the crowd, and found a tree that he climbed to get a view.  The song says, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.  He climbed up in the sycamore tree to see what he could see.”

 

When Jesus passed by, He looked up and told Zacchaeus that He was coming to his house.  Zacchaeus was fired up, came down, and welcome Jesus joyfully.

 

BTW…Verse 5 reminds us, contrary to what our English translations may indicate, long before Zacchaeus sought Jesus, Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus.  The words place, today, and must demonstrate divine sovereignty in the salvation process.

 

Jesus went to the exact place where Zacchaeus was because He knew in advance. That day had been planned before the foundation of the world, and the word “must” means that He had to do it according to God’s sovereign plan.

 

How do you think this meeting at Zacchaeus’ house was received?

 

 

2. Criticism from the Religious Leaders, Luke 19:7

7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 

 

Verse seven says when they saw Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus and what was happening, they complained. 

 

 First of all, who was they?  They was the religious leaders of scribes and Pharisees.  They looked righteous on the outside, but were self-righteous on the inside.

 

They complained or grumbled.  They griped and whispered underneath their breath expecting Jesus to want to come their house.

 

The couldn’t believe that Jesus, who claimed to be the Messiah, wanted to go to Zacchaeus’ house, a rotten, stealing, traitor and tax collector.

 

The verse ends with them calling Zacchaeus a sinner.  Isn’t that ironic?

 

It was ironic because they were sinners too.  We are all sinners.

 

Did you know that every single person in this room and who has ever lived is a sinner?  There is only one exception, and that is the Jesus Christ the Son of God.

 

Because we are all sinners, we are separated from God, and we need a savior.  The good news is that Jesus Christ is seeking us like the hound of heaven.

 

 

3. A Conversion to Righteousness, Luke 19:8-10

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”  9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

After Zacchaeus received Jesus, and that was his salvation experience, his life changed forever. Verse 8 says he stood up publicly and said he was giving half of his good to the poor, and his way paying back all that he had stolen and more. 

 

Keep in mind, this acts weren’t saving him.  He was already saved, and these acts were proof of his conversion.

 

Jesus recognized such in verse 9.  He affirmed Zacchaeus’ conversion to Christ and righteousness and a changed life. 

 

Our story ends with the theme verse of Luke’s gospel, and it tells us all we need to know about Jesus’ mission.  HE is the Savior, the Son of man.

 

He is seeking you to save you because you are lost without Him.  Today’s invitation invites you to respond.

 

 

Conclusion

1. F. O’Conor said about the Hound of Heaven:

 

“The name is strange.  It startles one at first.  It is so bold, so new, so fearless.  It does not attract, rather the reverse.  But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears.  The meaning is understood.  As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace.  And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit.”

 

If you are lost today, Jesus Christ is seeing you.  Like Zacchaeus, will you receive Him?

Believing is Seeing!

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 18:31.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Believing is Seeing!”

 

Normally, we say, “Seeing is believing.”  That’s because we want to see first before we believe.

 

However, in today’s text, and our study of Luke, a familiar man believes first, and then he sees.  It's the story of Blind Bartimaeus.

 

Last week, we saw the rich, young ruler.  I hope you had a chance to watch that if you didn’t watch it live.

 

Today’s story is also found in Matthew 20 and Mark 10.  Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover.

 

 

1. A Reminder about the Future, Luke 18:31-34

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be [a]accomplished. 32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”  34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

 

In verse 18, Jesus was talking to the Twelve on their way to Jerusalem.  Keep in mind that yes, they were going for the Passover, but Jesus knew it wasn’t a pleasure trip.  He was on His way to die.

 

We also see that what Jesus experienced was prophesied about hundreds of years earlier.  Three major things happened: He was delivered, killed, and will be raised.  See Isaiah 53:3-12.

 

3 He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

 

4 Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He opened not His mouth;

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,

And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,

And who will declare His generation?

For He was cut off from the land of the living;

For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

9 And they made His grave with the wicked—

But with the rich at His death,

Because He had done no violence,

Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

 

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;

He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin,

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

For He shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

Because He poured out His soul unto death,

And He was numbered with the transgressors,

And He bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.

 

This is now the third time that Jesus explicitly warned the Twelve about this in Luke.  See 9:22 and 9:44.

 

22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

 

44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

 

BTW...Notice, in verse 32, He would be delivered to the Gentiles.  We also know that it was the Jews that demanded Pilate crucify Him. 

 

That reminds us that Jesus died for the sins of the world, and all our sin put Him on the cross.  However, the Twelve didn’t get it.  They didn't understand.

 

As for me and you, let me remind you about our future.  We will also die apart from the rapture or the return of Christ.

 

Therefore, let us be prepared spiritually, physically, and emotionally as much as possible.  Are you saved?  Have you written a last will and testament?  Have you planned your funeral service?

 

 

2. A Request from a Far, Luke 18:35-39

35 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

As they neared Jericho, Jesus and the Twelve encountered two blind men.  However, only one of them spoke.  His name was Bartimaeus.

 

These two men were desperate because they were blind.  Not sure if they were born this way, or an event blinded them.

 

They were dependent as they were beggars.  They couldn’t work because they were blind so they depended on what others gave them when they begged. 

 

Bartimaeus heard all of the commotion, and asked what was happening.  He was told that Jesus was coming through town. 

 

Evidently, he had heard about Jesus, and evidently, he was a Jew waiting for the promised Messiah.  Therefore, he called out to Jesus using a messianic title and requested to be healed. 

 

Not only were these two disparate and dependent, but they were also determined.  Even though the crowds told him to be quiet, Bartimaeus called out again.  He wouldn’t be silenced.

 

 

3. The Reason for Faith, Luke 18:40-43

40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” 42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 

After the second time that Bartimaeus cried out, Jesus stopped demonstrating His concern.  However, He didn’t treat the blind men like the others.

 

With conviction, instead of telling them to be quiet or ignoring them, He called them over to Him.  It seems they were some distance away.

 

He then asked what they wanted.  Bartimaeus requested to see.

 

In verse 42, Jesus healed him demonstrating His compassion, and notice why He healed.  It was Bartiemaeus’ faith.

 

Because he believed, he saw.  His faith made him well physically, and the text implies that he was also saved spiritually.

 

As a result, he followed Him.  Furthermore, the crowd also glorified God for what they had witnessed. 

 

 

Conclusion

Do you have faith this morning?  I hope so because Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith.

 

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

We need faith to be saved.  See Ephesians 2:8-9.

 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

We need faith to be sanctified and follow Christ every day.  See 2 Corinthians 5:7.

 

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The Key to Heaven is Grammar!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 18:18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Key to Heaven is Grammar!”

 

For some of you, that might scare you today.  However, it is actually not as complicated as you might think grammar to be.

 

Today’s text is composed of three conversations involving Jesus and others.  The first is a man who was depending on his own morality to get into heaven.  This is often called the story of the rich, young ruler.

 

 

1. A Request from a Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-23

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”  21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”  22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

 

This story is found not only in Luke 18, but it also in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.  When we harmonize all three accounts, we find out that this man was a ruler who was young and rich.

 

In verse 18, we see his request.  He came to Jesus and asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

 

In this verse, notice the word do. As it relates to grammar?  This verb is in the present tense.  Remember that for later. 

 

As the conversation unfolds, we see that this rich ruler know the Old Testament and was obedient to the Old Testament. 

 

As it relates to answer his question, Jesus pointed him to the Ten Commandments.  In summary, they were what we think of as commandments 5-9 that relate to our behavior toward others.   

 

BTW…After Jesus made a veiled declaration of His own deity, was He advocating works righteousness?  No, He was using the Law to show this man where he fell short. 

 

Again, verse 20 says he knew the Old Testament.  Verse 21 says he obeyed the Old Testament. 

 

After the young man said he had obeyed all those, Jesus had one more answer for him.  On the outside, the rich young ruler appeared to be righteous, and if anyone could have earned their way to heaven, it would have been him.

 

In verse 22, this first conversation ended in sorrow as Jesus challenged this rich ruler at his weakest point.  He indirectly challenged him with the first four commandments and then the last.

 

How was he challenged with first four?  It seemed that wealth was his God.

 

How was he challenged with the last?  He didn’t want to give up any and most likely wanted to acquire more. 

 

When Jesus asked him to turn from those sins and follow Him by leaving his money behind, he decided Jesus wasn’t worth it.  He left the conversation sorrowful for he was rich.

 

 

1. Clarification for a Confused Crowd, Luke 18:24-27

24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”  27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

 

When the rich ruler came to Jesus, evidently some of His disciples were close by.  They saw and heard all that transpired.  As a result, they were confused by what they had witnessed and now heard.

 

In verse 24, Jesus said it was hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God.  In today’s story, the kingdom of God means heaven. 

 

He even compared it to a camel going through the eye of a needle.  As the camel was the largest animal they knew, it was more plausible for it to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man entering heaven. 

 

 

However, Jesus wasn’t saying that the wealthy couldn’t be saved, but it was going to be hard or difficult.  The crowd was confused.    

 

In the Jewish culture, the wealthy and rich were seen as having the blessings of God on their lives.  If God had blessed them in this life, why would it be hard for them to go to heaven? 

 

This crowd then asked if the wealthy can’t be saved, then who can be saved.  They needed clarification, and Jesus responded with the most important verse in today’s story.

 

In verse 27, He said with men it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.  He was saying that it is impossible for any man or woman to earn salvation. 

 

It can’t be done.  It is impossible.  However, it is certainly possible to receive salvation from the author of salvation, and that is God.

 

The great thing about his verse is that not only does it apply to salvation, but it applies to all of life.  That is why I chose it for our verse of the year.

 

You may not be able to save your marriage, but God can.  You may not be able to bring your wayward child back, but God can.  You may not be able to reconcile your finances, but God can.

 

 

• Direction for a Discouraged Disciple, Luke 18:28-30

28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”  29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

 

Included in this confused crowd, was Peter, a discouraged disciple.  Notice what he said in 18:28, “We have left all and followed you.” 

 

Let me translate.  “We thought we were following you to be saved, but if the rich aren’t saved, then surely we aren’t saved, and now I have nothing.” 

 

Jesus reassured Peter with the direction found in verses 29-30.  He said you have left everything, and you will get back everything + when we get to heaven.

 

 

Conclusion

As I began, the key to heaven is grammar.  The rich ruler wanted to get to heaven by what he could do, present tense. 

 

You can only get to heaven by what Jesus did on the cross.  That is past tense. 

 

Receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior and putting your trust in Him is the only way to be saved.  Morality can’t save.  Prosperity can’t save.  Sincerity can’t save. 

Generosity can’t save, and genealogy can’t save. 

 

For those who are truly saved, you will never regret following Jesus.  I have never one Christian who regretted giving his or her life to Jesus. 

 

I don’t think I have ever had a genuine follower of Christ say to me, “I’ve obeyed too many times,” or “I’ve attended church too much,” or “I’ve given too much money,” or “I’ve shared the gospel one too many times.” 

 

Jesus was absolutely right when He said to Peter that following Him is the greatest and most rewarding decision that you will ever make.  I agree and invite you today to do the same.

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, take them and find Luke 18:15.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World.”

 

Were you taught that song in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School?  I was at FBC Venus, Texas.

 

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white…they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world.

 

This morning in Luke’s gospel, we are continuing in chapter 18. Last Sunday, we heard a parable about salvation and the truth that no one has always been saved.  Before you are saved, you must realize that you are lost. 

 

This account in Luke 18 is also found in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.  It also has been used throughout 2,000 years of church history to justify infant baptism even though there is absolutely zero reference to baptism in this passage.

 

I want to make three observations with you this morning.  Then I will make three applications of this text thinking about Jesus loves the little children of the world.

 

 

1. The Request from the Parents about Children, Luke 17:15a

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them.

The “they” in this verse seems to refer to parents and others who were bringing their children to Jesus for Him to bless them.  Verse 15 uses the word infants, but could range in age from newborns all the way up to twelve years of age. 

 

The NASB and the NIV uses the word babies.  The NLT uses the phrase little children.

 

Why were they doing this?  These Jewish parents probably wanted God’s blessing on their children from a “holy man.” 

 

This was a long-standing Jewish tradition that can be seen as far back as Genesis in the OT.  See Genesis 48:14. 

 

14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

 

The Patriarch Israel or Jacob laid his hands on the heads of his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blessed them. 

 

Do we see anything like this today?  This practice closely resembles our parent/child dedication.  It is not a requirement, but simply an opportunity for the church and the pastor to pray for parents and their children, and to commit them to the Lord.

 

Some have pointed to this passage of Scripture to justify infant baptism.  However, I personally think this is a stretch since there is no mention of baptism, sprinkling, or pouring found anywhere in this text.

 

 

1. The Rebuke from the Twelve about Children, Luke 15b

15…but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

 

The Twelve saw all these people and all these snotty-nosed kids, and they got real protective of their Jesus.  They didn’t want to share. 

 

More than likely, they thought Jesus was too busy to deal with children.  Apparently, they saw children as unimportant and insignificant as was common in first-century Judaism. 

 

After all, in their eyes, children couldn’t contribute much to culture and society.  The disciples simply wanted to send these people and their children on their way so Jesus could get back to more urgent matters.

 

 

• The Response from Jesus about Children, Luke 18:16-17

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

 

In verse 16, I think we have good reason to believe that God has a special grace that He provides for infants or children or mentally handicapped individuals who die before they reach an age where they recognize their need for a Savior and exercise such faith.  Jesus said for such is the kingdom of God.

 

Remember, the kingdom of God has meant Jesus.  It has meant when Jesus’ returns.  It has meant God’s will playing out on earth in the lives of Christians. 

 

It can also mean heaven.  I think what Jesus means here is both this third and fourth definition. 

 

Children are welcome into the kingdom of God on earth.  They will also be welcomed into the kingdom of God in heaven.

 

In verse 17, we see Jesus welcoming any who receive the kingdom of God as a little child.  What does that mean? 

 

Does it mean that teenagers and adults must come to Jesus humbly?  I think it can meant that although all children aren’t humble. 

 

Does it mean that teenagers and adults must come to Jesus with simple trust?  Again, I think it can mean that.  However, all children aren’t trusting. 

 

More than anything else, I think Jesus means that any who comes to Jesus must come to Him for salvation with empty hands.  In other words, with a helpless dependence. 

 

You must realize that your morality does not impress God.  Your genealogy or family tree does not impress God.  Your spirituality or church attendance or baptism or membership or tithing record does not impress God. 

 

God receives those that acknowledge that they have nothing to offer to Him.  All you can do is trust in the grace and mercy of God to save you by receiving Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Savior.

 

 

Applications/Conclusions

I think there at least three applications from this text.  I have one for three different groups of people.

 

First and for parents, bring your children to Jesus.  Bring them to church and Sunday School and VBS and camp, and teach them about Jesus at home

 

Also, trust that, God forbid, should anything happen to them and their life is cut short on earth, trust they will have a home in heaven because of God’s special grace for them.

 

Second and for our church, this text shows us the importance of ministering to and evangelizing children. 

 

If you were saved at age 12 or younger, please stand.  Brothers and sisters, this simple illustration should remind us that Children’s Sunday School is vital as are ministries like Sonbeam, VBS, Preteen Camp, and Fall Festival as attempt to bring children Jesus.

 

Furthermore, don’t get mad when children are loud in church or disruptive in church or disrespectful in church.  Be patient and grateful for them being in church!

 

Finally, regardless of your age, if you have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life like a child with helpless dependence, this morning, I invite you to call on Him to save you for the very first time.

Lost and Found

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 18:9.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Lost and Found.”

 

I suspect most of you are familiar with a “Lost and Found.”  It is a place at school or church where lost items and kept and hopefully, eventually found by their owners.  We’ll come back to that idea in just a moment.

 

Last week, Jesus told us the parable of the unjust judge or the persistent widow.  We are to keep praying and don’t give up.  Don’t get discouraged.  Don’t lost heart.  Don’t get tired.

 

Today, we are continuing in Luke 18 with the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and it is unique to Luke.  Even though it speaks about prayer, it is not primarily a parable teaching about prayer.

 

In today’s message, I am going to outline our text into 8 parts.  They all begin with the letter P.

 

 

Exposition

First, this is parable about a proud Pharisee and a publican.  That is the KJV word for tax collector.

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  According to verse 9, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.

 

More than likely, this was directed at the proud Pharisees, and they were close by.  See Luke 17:20.

 

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation.

 

Second, verses 10-11 introduce us to the proud Pharisee and the publican or tax collector.  They both went to the temple to pray, which was generally at 9 AM and 3 PM.

 

In verse 11, we are reminded of their positions.  The Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders known for their knowledge of the Old Testament and their spiritually.

 

The publican or tax collector was also Jewish, but he worked for the Roman government.  Therefore, he was considered to be a traitor.

 

He was generally dishonest.  He collected the tax that he turn paid to the government.  However, he also collected some for himself, and he was despised by his countrymen for his position.

 

Third, verse 11 speaks not only of their positions, but also of their posture.  The proud Pharisee stood and seemed to pray loudly so that others could hear.

 

When the text says that he “prayed thus with himself,” that literally means that he prayed to himself.  His posture was also one of pride as he prayed listing his resume.

 

However, the publican or tax collector’s posture was just the opposite in verse 13.  He stood far off away from others.  He didn’t feel worthy.

 

He also beat his chest.  This was a sign of contrition and deep sorrow. 

 

Fourth, notice their prayers.  The proud Pharisee listed his resume of how he kept the OT laws of fasting and tithing. 

 

The OT required fasting once a week, and he fasted twice.  He also tithed of all that he possessed.

 

There is no debate.  He had been obedient. 

 

BTW…Brothers and sisters, as follower of Christ, we should be obedient to God’s word. 

 

In John’s gospel, Jesus said that if we love Him, we ought to be obedient.  See John 14:15.

 

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 

Then John said in 1 John 2:3 that obedience can assure us of our knowing Christ.  

 

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

 

Not only did the proud Pharisee list his resume, but he also spoke negatively of others including the publican or tax collector.  He thanked God that he wasn’t like extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, and this tax collector. 

 

On the other hand, the publican or tax collector’s prayer was seven words.  He called out to God for mercy as he was a sinner. 

 

The proud Pharisee’s prayer was self-righteous and judgmental.  The publican’s prayer acknowledged his need and stayed in his own lane.

 

Fifth, what was the problem with the proud Pharisee’s prayer?  His standard for living was other people.

 

Sixth, what was the positive with the publican’s prayer?  His standard for living was God, and he knew that he fell woefully short.

 

Seventh, this parable contains a major paradox.  Look what Jesus said in verse 14. 

 

He was pointing to the publican when He said, “This man went down to his house justified.”  For the first century listener, this blew their mind!

 

Justified means to be made right or even saved.  Jesus just said that this good man was not saved even though he had done all of this stuff.  On the other hand, this dishonest publican was saved.  This didn’t make sense.

 

Eighth, so what is the point of the parable?  Again, it isn’t primarily about prayer.  However, it can teach us to pray with humility like the publican instead of self-righteous pride like the proud Pharisee.

 

The main point of this parable is about salvation and that no individual can be found by God until he or she realizes he is lost without God.  In other words, no one can be saved until they realize they need to be saved.  Finally, you can’t have personal saving relationship with God until you realize that you need one and don’t have one unless you make that conscious, personal decision.

 

Paul affirms this key theological truth and reality in Ephesians 2.

 

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

 

Conclusion

Listen to that again.  If you have never made a conscious decision to recognize your need for a savior and call on Jesus, you are spiritually dead in your sins.  The devil is your boss, and he is the one who is calling the shots.  You are by nature a child of God’s wrath.

 

You must understand that you are lost.  You must understand that you need to be saved.  Today, I invite you to be saved and found by God. 

Do You Nag God?

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 18:1.  I want to share a message with you that has a question for its title, “Do You Nag God?”

 

Generally speaking, when we think of “nagging,” we don’t think positively.  As a matter of fact, we probably had some husbands answering in their minds a moment ago about their wife.

 

In the book of Proverbs, this idea is seen multiple times with the word, “contentious.”  BTW…Let me encourage you in the new year to read through the book Proverbs each month by reading the chapter that corresponds with the date.

 

Proverbs 21:9 9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 21:19 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

 

Proverbs 25:24 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 26:21 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

 

Proverbs 27:15 15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day

And a contentious woman are alike;

 

However, in today’s text, we are going to see a parable from the Lord Jesus in which His encourage for us is to nag God.  We do this in a positive way with our persistent prayers.

 

Depending on your translation of the Bible, this parable goes by multiple names.  It has been titled a parable on prayer. It has been entitled the Parable of the Persistent Widow, and it has been entitled the Parable of the Unjust or Unrighteous Judge.

 

Don’t forget what is a parable.  It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning or a spiritual meaning. 

 

In verse 1, we see that Jesus spoke this parable to them.  There doesn’t seem to be a reason that we should change contexts.  Therefore, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples.

 

Remember, this is not a special class of Christians.  These are Jesus’ followers.  If you are a Christian, you are a disciple of Jesus.

 

Fortunately for us, we don’t have to wonder or guess what this parable means.  Jesus told us in verse 1.  We ought to pray and not lose heart.

 

We are to pray and keep in praying and be persistent in praying.  Consequently, don’t become discouraged.  Don’t faint or tire.  Don’t give up.

 

 

1. The Unjust Judge

The first character we are introduced to in this parable is a judge in a certain city in verse 2.  We also see something about his character.

 

He did not fear God, and he didn’t regard man.  In other words, he didn’t respect people.

 

Look what Jesus called him in verse 6.  He is called an unjust judge or an unrighteous judge.  That is where some get the title for this parable.

 

 

2. The Persistent Widow

The second character is a widow in the same city.  She is introduced in verse 3. 

 

BTW…In this day and age, widows were considered outcasts.  They didn’t have anyone to care for them.  That is why Luke highlights them regularly in his gospel demonstrating the gospel is for everyone.

 

The reason this widow came to the judge is because he was only one who could defend her or fight for her.  Therefore, she came to him and requested that he get justice for her from her adversary. 

 

Your bible may say opponent or enemy.  Even though we don’t know the specifics, someone had taken advantage of her.

 

However, she didn’t just come to the judge with this request once.  She can EVERY single time he held court.  She came again and again and again.

 

The judge thought she would give up.  He thought he could wait her out.  However, he couldn’t.

 

Finally, he decided to give in.  Even though he didn’t fear God and didn’t care what others thought of him, he got tired of her nagging him.

 

Verse 5 says he didn’t want her to trouble him and make him weary.  She was wearing him out by her continual coming. 

 

 

Conclusion

Verses 6-7 contain the point or conclusion of this parable.  Again, we don’t have to wonder or guess because Jesus told us.

 

It is somewhat odd, but we learn a good lesson from a bad example.  If the unjust judge acts this way, how much more will God our heavenly father do.

 

Therefore, yes, the unjust judge is God the Father.  However, this is a great time to remind you not to press the parable too much.

 

For example, first, is God an unjust or unrighteous judge?  No, He is not.

 

Second, do my prayers bother God or make Him tired? No, they do not.

 

Third, does God care about us unlike the unjust judge?  Yes, He not only cares for you, but He loves you.

 

If the unjust judge answered the plea, how much more will God answer ours?  Notice in verse 7, we are called the elect.

 

Don’t forget that reality in 2026.  Long before you chose God, God chose you! 

 

As His elect, we ought to be crying out to Him night and day with our prayers, and yes, He will answer.  Therefore, keep doing good.  See Galatians 6:9.

 

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

 

Also, don’t forget that God’s timing is not our timing.  See 2 Peter 3:8-9.

 

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

Finally, look at the end of verse 7.  Will Jesus find us faithful in our persistent praying when He returns?

 

Think about this.  What if God is ready to answer your prayers with one more prayer from you?

 

What if God will save that family member or friend with one more prayer?  What if God will save that marriage with one more prayer?  What if God will reconcile that relationship with one more prayer?  What if God will take away that cancer with more prayer?  What if God will provide that money with one more prayer?

 

Will we be faithful in persistent praying?  God wants you to nag Him in 2026!

The First Christmas

Statisticians tell us that our world’s current population is approximately 8.3 billion people.  That is an 8, a 3, and 8 zeros (8,300,000,000).

 

Those same statisticians tell us that in all of human history, approximately 117 billion people have lived.  That is 117 with nine zeros.

 

Of that 117 billion people who have ever lived, some have been male.  Some have been female. 

 

Some have been red.  Some have been yellow.  Some have been black, and some have been white, but they have all been precious in God’s sight!

 

Some have gone on to be doctors.  Some have been lawyers.  Some have been Indian chiefs.

 

However, there is no more significant birth or child in all of human history than the one we celebrate this Christmas season, and that is the birth of Jesus Christ.  Today, let’s remember the first Christmas in the gospel of Luke and chapter 2.

 

 

1. The Incarnation of God, Luke 2:1-7

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.

 

The word incarnation means became flesh.  The Christmas story is about God becoming a man.

 

In the first three verses of this chapter, we see the context for Joseph and Mary getting to Bethlehem.  A census was being taken, and we can conclude that Joseph owned property in Bethlehem. 

 

Therefore, he had to go there to register his family.  Rather than leave Mary behind and be absent at the birth of his son, Mary went with him to Bethlehem.

 

First, as it relates to the incarnation of God, I want you to see is that it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

 

By leaving Nazareth, but unbeknownst to Joseph, he was following the predetermined plan of God revealed in the Old Testament.  See Micah 5:2.

 

Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

 

Second, I want to remind you that the incarnation of God was conceived by the Spirit. 

 

Verse 5 tells us that Mary was with child on this trip.  It is very difficult for us to even imagine this young, teenage mother walking and or riding on a donkey for any prolonged period of time at nine months pregnant. 

 

However, that is what we have here, but don’t forget how this happened.  It was miraculous!

 

Had she been with another man and unfaithful to Joseph?  No. 

 

Had Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage? No.

 

Even though they were legally married, they were still in the betrothal period, and were sexually pure.  See Luke 1:35.

 

Luke 1:35, And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

 

Third, in the simplicity of two verses (6-7), Jesus was born.  God became flesh. God was incarnated.

 

Verse 7 says Mary gave birth to her firstborn son.  In other words, she would have more. 

 

 

2. The Proclamation by the Angels, Luke 2:8-14

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!” 

 

Beginning in verse 8, we are introduced to a group of shepherds.  They were herding their sheep which is what shepherds did, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them and scared them. 

 

In verse 10, the angel began to speak.  He tried to calm the shepherds down and let them know that he had good news or good tidings for them and for us.

 

The first part of the good news is that the Savior was born. 

 

Jesus was born, and He is the Savior for all people.  He isn’t just the Savior for a few or for a certain denomination or a certain race or a certain social-economic class.  Regardless of who you are and where you’re from and what you’ve done, Jesus came to be your Savior.

 

The second part of the good news is that God offers salvation to those who believe.

 

He is a Savior sent for you, but you have to make the personal decision to receive Him into your life or trust in Him as Lord and Savior or call on Him to be saved from your sins. 

 

I can’t do it for you.  It isn’t applied to you just because of what your parents have done or who your grandfather was. 

 

God didn’t just create you for 70 or 80 or 90 years of living on earth.  He created you to live with Him for eternity. 

 

The third part of the good news is that we can be at peace with Him by receiving His Son as our Savior.  Salvation only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

Suddenly, in verse 13, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the original angel.  Was this fifty more?  Was this one hundred more?  Was this one thousand more? 

 

Probably, it was the latter.  Thousands and thousands of angels began to exalt the Lord in song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

 

Every human being since Adam has been at odds with God because of sin.  No man has been at peace with God on his own. 

 

However, God has provided a way.  The way is Jesus.

 

The angels exalted God in heaven as they proclaimed Jesus as the only way to be saved.  See Romans 5:1.

 

Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Today, on this Sunday before Christmas, I extend an invitation to you to be saved.  Jesus came to save you, but you have to receive Him. 

 

You have to accept His invitation. 

 

The salvation that Jesus offers is only applied to your life when you personally believe in Him.  Will you do that today?

 

 

3. The Exaltation from the Shepherds, Luke 2:15-20

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. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

 

In verse 15, the shepherds went on their way after the angels left.  They headed to Bethlehem.

 

Verse 16 says they came to Joseph and Mary and the baby, and they told them all that the angels had said.  Therefore, the shepherds experienced Jesus personally.  

 

In verses 17-18, they told others about this Savior.  In other words, they shared their experience. 

 

Isn’t that all that evangelism or witnessing is…sharing your experience with Jesus? 

 

In verse 20, the shepherds then left, and they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.  Ultimately, they exalted God for He what He had done in providing for them a Savior. 

 

 

Conclusion

So my question for you this morning is simple.  How will you respond to the story of the most significant birth in all of human history?

 

Will you accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior and the only way to be at peace with God?  Will you share your experience and point others to Jesus who may not know?

 

Jesus’ birth is the most significant of one hundred and five billion.  What will it mean for you?