BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 20DEC09

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"JESUS CAME TO SAVE US FROM SIN, 
TO ENABLE US TO SERVE, 
AND TO BRING US PEACE"
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From: LifeTruths & LifeWords (KJV)

Go Tell It On The Mountain
Luke 1:67-79

God Saves Us From Sin
	God Saves Us To Serve
God Saves Us For Peace

From: Explore The Bible

Why Did Jesus Come?
Mark 2:1-35 (esp. 2:8-15, 25-35)

Seek Verification
Hear Testimony
Make Your Choice
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﻿
We seem to once-again find ourselves back in the Garden.  Adam and Eve acted in rebellion against the Law of God and God sovereignly decided to temper His response with Grace.

We will begin with John 1:1-18 because it is always important to understand the larger context of anything we are reading.

JOHN 1:1-18

“1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 1:2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 1:3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 1:5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.
”

In verses 1:1-5 John inexorably links Jesus the Christ, the Word, to Creation and parallels 
 the first physical and spiritual Creation to the new physical Creation (new Heaven and new Earth and new bodies) as well as the redemption of man from the condemnation of 
sin through the work of Christ.

Verses 1:4-5 is the post-Fall promise of God in Eden that there would be a Redeemer “the light of mankind”, a reminder that “the light” never died or disappeared merely because man chose darkness in his rebellion.

“1:6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 1:7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 1:8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 1:9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. 1:11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him.”

Verses 6-8 introduce the ministry of John “the Baptist/Baptizer”, a truly humble man who 
would proclaim the coming of The Christ.

Verse. 9 is a reminder that The Christ was the light and He was bringing the light and He was on His way.

Verses. 10-11 note that while He Created the Earth and everything in it -  man failed to recognize Him.

“1:12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children 1:13 – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.
”

Verses 12-13 note that the provision of redemption-salvation by accepting the Lordship of Christ is the sovereign provision of God irrespective to whom one was related, what man wants or does not 
want, nor any mandate of ones spouse.  Salvation is a purely individual choice, may not be 
coerced, and provided for only by the sovereign grace of God.

“1:14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. 1:15 John testified about him and shouted out, “This one was the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’” 1:16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.
”

John concludes in verse 1:14-17 by linking back to 1:1 to remind his readers that the “Logos”, 
the “Word”, who was The Creator had humbled Himself to flesh, demonstrated His glory, and was an absolutely unique being sent by God the Father.

Let's consider a couple of popular errors associated with CHRISTmas:

The first contains a message which is offensive to CHRIST.

The song is “Let It Snow”.

1.	The song mentions winter but not CHRISTmas.
The characters in the song are not married to each other (unless they live in different “homes”.
The character at the door is making an excuse to stay rather than go home.
The characters are “still good-bye'ing” until the fire dies in the fireplace.
Remember that this was written in a time when such things had to be subtle to avoid being censored as immoral.

Here is another example of carelessness:

A new book, authored by a former minister and governor, makes some assertions about the events and people surrounding the birth of Jesus. One 
is that Mary was a terrfied little girl giving birth, the other that this occurred  in a filthy and smelly stable.

While this may make for interesting reading, and perhaps helps to sell the book, there is little-to-nothing in the text to support the fanciful claims.

It is very important that we never read-into the sovereign Word of God what He has not caused to be written.

Mary, as we read last week, was a young girl of amazing faith and courage.  After making a promise to God in the presence of the angel Gabriel, she set out to confidently see things through, no matter what.  There is no evidence that she ever doubted, ever feared, or ever sought an easy way out.

If one accepts the traditional teaching that the “manger” was located close to the “inn”, it would have been kept very neat and clean else potential customers of the inn would have gone elsewhere.  The “discomfort” of the manger would thus have been that it was intended for animals and not humans -- it would have been a humbling place to rest and to give birth even though neat and clean.

Anyother fascinating teaching holds that Bible prophesy specified “Migdal Edar” [mig-dawl ay-der] as the birthplace of Jesus.

Migdal Edar is located one mile North of present day Bethlehem and 4 miles from Jerusalem – an area believed to be part of the much larger region known as ancient Bethlehem.  (Genesis 35:16-20; 48:7)

After reviewing evidence from traditional Jewish books, including the Mishnah and Targums, the author writes “... we know that Migdal Edar was the watchtower that guarded the Temple flocks that were being raised to serve as sacrificial animals in the Temple. These were not just any flock and herd. The shepherds who kept them were men who were specifically trained for this royal task. They were educated in what an animal, that was to be sacrificed, had to be and it was their job to make sure that none of the animals were hurt, damaged, or blemished.” These lambs were apparently wrapped in "swaddling cloths" to protect them from injury and also used to wrap the Lord Jesus.
”

“Thus, with the establishment of Temple worship in Jerusalem, the fields outside of Bethlehem became the place where a special group of shepherds raised the lambs that were sacrificed in the Temple. Being themselves under special Rabbinical care, they would strictly maintain a ceremonially clean stable for a birthing place. The Tower of the Flock was used for birthing ewes, and the surround fields were where these shepherds grazed their flocks.“

“These shepherds customarily kept their flocks outdoors twenty-four 
hours a day every day of the year, but brought the ewes in to deliver their lambs where they could be carefully cared for. It was to this place that Joseph took Mary. It was in this special stable at “Migdal Edar” that Christ was born! How do we know?  Micah 4:8 tells us so!”

“Luke 2:8-18 records that there were shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their sheep by night. Who then were these shepherds? Without question these were shepherds who resided near Bethlehem – They were none other but the shepherds from “Migdal Edar” who were well aware that the Targum hinted, and many of the rabbis taught, that Messiah might well be announced from “Migdal Edar” at Bethlehem.” 

“The angels only told the shepherds that they would find the Babe wrapped in "swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." There was no need for the angels to give these shepherds directions to the birth place because they already knew. These were the men who raised sacrificial lambs that were sacrificed in the Temple. When the angelic announcement came, they knew exactly where to go, as Luke 2 indicates, for the sign of a manger could only mean their manger at the tower of the flock! You cannot explain the meaning or direction of the sign they were given or their response unless you have the right manger and the right shepherds!
”

“Typically, “Migdal Edar”, (the tower of the flock) at Bethlehem is the perfect place for Christ to be born. He was born in the very birthplace where tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. God promised it, pictured it and performed it at “Migdal Edar”. It all fits together, for that's the place the place where sacrificial lambs were born! Jesus was not born behind an inn, in a smelly stable where the donkeys of travelers and other animals were kept. He was born in Bethlehem, at the birthing place of the sacrificial lambs that were offered in the Temple in Jerusalem which Micah 4:8 calls the "tower of the flock."
”

“John the Baptist in John 1:29 proclaimed of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus is presented in the Bible as being “in type” as a sacrificial lamb. It was not by chance but by choice that Christ identified His death with the time of the observance of the Passover. Peter spoke of our redemption as wrought by the "precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot"( 1 Pet. 1:19); and Paul told us that "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" ( 1 Cor. 5:7). Even the first fulfilled type by which Christ is to be revealed in Heaven is as the Lamb (Rev. 5:6-13)”

Source:
http://www.bible-truth.org/BirthPlaceofJesus.html

Earlier we sang the spiritual Christmas Carol 'Go tell it to the Mountain ' by John W. Work, Jr. who lived from 1872-1925. 

According to one Web site John Work was famous for his collection titled “Folk Songs of the American Negro”, published in Nashville, Tennessee in 1907.

His song echoes the humble standing of the Christian, the all-important message of the birth of the Messiah, and the Great Commission from Jesus to tell the whole world of His birth (and the rest of His Gospel).

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day,
I asked the Lord to help me,
And he showed me the way.

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

He made me a watchman
Upon a city wall,
And if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
Our Jesus Christ is born.

MATTHEW 1:18-25

“1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 1:19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. 1:20 When he had contemplated this, an 15  angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 1:21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 1:22 This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 1:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” 1:24 When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord told him. He took his wife, 1:25 but did not have marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus.
”

LUKE 2:1-20

“2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2:2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 2:3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 2:5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. 2:6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
”

“2:8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 2:11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 2:12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 2:13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest,
 and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
”

“2:15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.” 2:16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. 2:17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 2:18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. 2:20 So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
”

Matthew 2:1-11

“2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod,  wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2:2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4 After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 2:5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:
2:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
 are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,
 for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’””

“2:7 Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. 2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” 2:9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 2:11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
”

READ:  ”Wise Men Lay Their Treasures Down”

LUKE 2:21
-24

2:21 At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple
.  2:22 Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 2:23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord”), 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

IN CONCLUSION

Why Did Jesus Come?

	To save us from our sin
	To empower us to serve
	To bring us His eternal peace

How are we to respond?

	Go Tell It On The Mountain

Invitation

***Ask Joe and Tammy to come forward***