Sunday, December 4, 2016 - The Birth of Jesus
Pastor Roger C. Marcos
December 4, 2016
A Newsweek magazine poll from December 2004 found that if Jesus had never been born
63% believe there would be less charity in the world.
61% believe there would be less kindness.
59% believe there would be less personal happiness.
58% believe there would be less tolerance.
47% believe there would be more war.
TEXT: 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7
The History behind the Birth of Jesus:
The census that was ordered by Caesar Augustus was the first of its kind. It was done because the Roman government wanted to make sure that everyone in the Empire was paying their taxes correctly. The census was carried out all over Empire (most of Europe): but in Palestine, it was carried out in a Jewish way rather than a Roman way. This meant that families had to register in their historical tribal town rather than where they lived. This also meant that Joseph and the very pregnant Mary would have had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as this was town that Joseph's family (the royal family of David) originally came from - a journey of about 70 miles (112 kilometres).
The journey would have taken about three days and they might well have arrived in the evening, because if they had arrived earlier in the day, it is more likely that they would have found somewhere to stay.
Proposition: Some wonderful things happened on that grandest night resulted in three things.
I. The Birth of JESUS Resulted in “Praise”
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth Luke 1: 26 unto Judea, to the city of David [after the lapse of ten centuries the name of David still cast its fragrance over the place of his birth-- 1 Samuel 17:12, which is called Bethlehem Meaning "house of bread." It was the later or Jewish name for the old Canaanitish village of Ephrath, the Ephrath near which Rachel died Genesis 35:19. It was marked by Micah as the birthplace of Messiah-- Micah 5:2 ; Matthew 2:5 Matthew 2:6, because he was of the house and family of David
A. Look at the two Groups that Participated in the Events of that Night.
- The Shepherds. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
- he Angels.-
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
II. The Birth of JESUS Resulted in Great News.
The Angels.- 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
III. The Birth of Christ Resulted in Glory.
- Jesus birth was glorious in its fulfillment.
- Christ’s birth is glorious in its wonder.
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”Luke 2:20
Conclusion:
- He is worthy of your praise today.
- His birth is the greatest News in the World!
- Everything about His birth ends in the glory of God.
God has given us a Savior; how will you receive him: “No room” (hard heart, pride, worldly cares) or with humble heart and obedient life of faith?
The joy of God’s gift must be remembered every day, translating into hopeful service to God.
Come today and catch a glimpse of that glory!