[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”“Christ, the Ladder who won’t Leave Us, Justifies Jacob” Genesis 28: 10-22 January 14 2018″ _builder_version=”3.0.92″ background_layout=”light”]
(1) Isaiah 9: 2 – 3 (ESV)
(The people in darkness have seen a great light of joy)
2c The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
(2) Isaiah 9: 4 – 5 (ESV)
(God Unburdens Us by Breaking Oppressive Yokes)
4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
(3) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Isaiah 9: 6 (ESV)
(God’s Child Will Make A Wonderful Government of Peace)
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(4) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Isaiah 9: 7 (ESV)
(His Righteous Government of Peace Will Ever Increase)
7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.[bctt tweet=”Lk 12:8 — “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, So what is our response to Christ? Do we confess and declare? Let’s ask God to work on our hearts and make us the kind of people in whom He continues to work….” username=”LibertyCF3″]
(5) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Luke 2: 1 – 7 (ESV)
(God Fulfills His Prophecy That Christ Is Born in Bethlehem!)
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration whena Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,b who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.c
(6) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Luke 2: 8 – 14 (ESV)
(God Fulfills His Prophecy That Christ Is Born in Bethlehem!)
8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
(7) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Luke 2: 15 – 20 (ESV)
(Shepherds Seek, See & Share That Christ Is Born!)
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(8) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Matthew 2: 1-3 & 7-8 (ESV)
(The Magi Are Moved To Worship. Herod Plans To Hassle)
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. …
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
(9) Walk Thru The Word for Today:
Matthew 2: 9 – 12 (ESV)
(The Magi Worship Christ & Honor Him with Gifts)
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
(10) Message map:
Is. 9: 2 – 7 Matt. 2: 1-3 & 7-12, Luke 2: 1-20
“The Questions Christmas Answers”
- God Asks The First Question In The Bible
- The Magi Ask The First Question in the New Testament
- Christ Answers the Question of what our personal & civic government should Be
- Christmas comes into the lives of those who personally answer Christ’s call
- We each must personally answer to god for how we responded to Christ’s call on our lives
- Blessed are those who answer god’s call to respond to christ
(11) Genesis 3: 9 (ESV)
“Adam Where Are You” Is The First Question In The Bible
In Gen 3:9, God ask Adam, “Where are you?” because …
- Adam & Eve fell, so man is in a lost position
- man is disconnected from God’s plan for our lives
- man is deceived and thinks he can hide from God’s omniscient providence over our situation
- man is separated from the privilege of serving God
Man needs answers to:
- what is my position in life?
- what is God’s plan in life?
- how do I participate in the privilege of serving Providence?
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says “Providence” is …
In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence but deny a particular providence not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself.
Because God is “Everywhere Always Present” and Knows All That Is — All That Has Been — and All That Will Be, He Providentially acts to provide and prepare for the future fulfillment and application of His Will — in All Matters pertaining to us.
So by Divine Foresight God acts to provide His timely care, accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation. How many of the troubles and perplexities of life proceed from want of providence!
(12) Matthew 2: 2 (ESV)
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” Is The First Question In The New Testament
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews
The Magi expect those in Jerusalem — the headquarters and epic-center of Judaism — to know exactly where to find Christ Jesus who was born King of the Jews.
So Christmas Answers the question: What must be done about our sinful lost state?
The Answer is: God sends Christ!
- Christ is the answer to our sin, which separates us from God, our Creator. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.
- Christ is the answer to our sense of alienation. John 3;16 for God so loved the world….
- Christ is the answer to our sense of isolation. 11:30 Come unto me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!
- Christ is the answer to our feelings of insecurity — as we are accepted in the beloved, Eph 1:3/13.
Salvation is Of The Jews (Explained this last week)
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? (Salvation is of the Jews, and Jesus is the King of Salvation & god’s Kingdom of Saved Souls. Jn 4:22, Acts 28:28 Rom 1:16, 1 Cor 1:24)
John 4:22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Acts 28:28 “Therefore “You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well. It is the power of God unto salvation to every one…
1 Corinthians 1:24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(13) Luke 2: 1 – 5 (ESV)
God Providentially Arranges for the Fulfillment of His Word For Our Salvation!
Luke 2: 1-5 demonstrates, The Heart of the King Is In The Hand of The Lord (Prov. 21: 1, Deut. 2:30, Exodus 14:8, 2 Chron, 30:12)
From Luke 2: 1-5 we see God’s providence in working through rulers to fulfill His prophecy.
Luke 2:1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration whena Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,b who was with child.
Proverbs 21:1
ESV The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
KVV The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
NAS The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Deut. 2:30 But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day.
Exodus 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh King of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly (NAS&NIV “boldly”, KJV “with a high hand”).
2 Chronicles 30:12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.
(14) Luke 1: 2: 13 – 14 (ESV)
The Angels Answer The Question:
How Do I Find Personal Peace?
13And 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Note-1: It is those with whom God is pleased who will have peace on earth! (John 14:27, Phil. 4:7)
Note-2: Peace with God is not automatic, but requires obedience and activity on our part. (Prov. 7:14)
Proverbs 7:14 NLT “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows
NAS “I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows.
KJV I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.
(15) Luke 1: 2: 13 – 14 (ESV)
The Shepherds Seek, See & Share the Good News of Christ
The Shepherds participated in God’s process by
- 15 – acknowledging it is “the Lord” who “has made [this] known to [them] us.”
- 15 – actually going to “see [what God said, through the angel] this thing that has happened,”
- 16 find/“found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger”
- 17-18 sharing what they saw and made it known
- 20 returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The shepherds would not have bene able to participate in step 5 had they not obeyed and participated in steps 1-4. So it is with us.
(16) Christmas Answers:
How Do I fulfill god’s plan for my life?
The 4 Spiritual Laws Provide The Process of Answering How That is done – by Putting Christ On The Throne of Our lives.
- Appreciate and desire God’s love to be at the center of your life
- John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world,i that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
- Acknowledge Our Sin separates us from God, undermining and blinding us to God’s plan for our lives.
- Rom 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
- Rom 6:23 “The wages of sin is death”
- Ultimate Death & Separation Results in Us Going To Hell — Christ says in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” [that it might be full and meaningful].
- Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him”.
- Accept Jesus Christ As God’s ONLY provision to bridge the gap between How our sin Has Separated Us from God. (John 14:6, John 1:12, Rev 3:20)
- John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except though me. Through Christ we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives.
- ‘John 1:12 “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”.
- Authorize God To Reign As Lord Of Your Life. Put the governing of your life on Christ’s shoulders. (Is. 9:6, Phil. 2:11, 1 Cor. 1:9)
- 2:11 every tongue will acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- 1 Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of our own stubborn self-will, we chose to go our own independent way breaking fellowship with God. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
(17) The Wisest still seek & worship Christ
Let Lord Jesus Occupy the Throne of Your Life
Circle Throne Diagram: Is Self on the throne of your life, with Christ outside it?
Or — Are you a disciple who has Christ on the throne of your life?
Is Christ Jesus The Lord of Your Life!
Is Christ Informing Your Daily Decisions?
Are Our Daily Decisions Conforming to Christ’s Will for Our Lives?
Graphic is from CRU Website https://crustore.org/fourlawseng.htm
(18) Isaiah 9: 2 – 7 Answers The Question:
What Is Good Personal & Civic Government?
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government (rule, dominion, empire kingdom) shall be upond his shoulder (that which serves by bearing burdens the things that trouble us, including our inner personal doubts and insecurities, our individual moral weaknesses and propensities to sin, which hurts ourselves and others.) and his name shall be callede Wonderful Counselor (an adviser whose extraordinary, dealings with His people are marvelously redemptive).
As mighty God, he has the Divine attributes to advocate and fight for positive outcomes for his people.
As everlasting Father, He has an eternal nature that secures His will in the past, the present and the future.
As Prince of peace. He is the commanding head who secures the safety, welfare and well-being of His people.
(19) Christ is the Lord of life
Christ Is the Lord of Those Who Profess/Declare Him
Christ not only is “King of the Jews” but Lord of all of life.
Christ is the answer to lives of those who live for Him. Christ is not the answer for those who try to treat Him, as Lord means He is, sir; the Lord, who exercises absolute ownership rights.
To maintain his temporal carnal position as Lord of physical territory, Herod sought to attack Christ.
Our challenge is to come to God on His terms, which Romans 10:9 tell us requires: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart (the center of our character and inner self) that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
So Salvation is dependent upon audibly publicly declaring, professing, acknowledging, agreeing with and praising God. (Mt 10:32 & Lk 12:8)
Mt 10:32 — So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
Lk 12:8 — “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,
So what is our response to Christ?
Do we confess and declare?
Let’s ask God to work on our hearts and make us the kind of people in whom He continues to work to bring us to the plan where
(20) Christmas Answers:
How Do I fulfill god’s plan for my life?
You Can Participate in Next Sunday’s Service by Giving a 3 Minute Testimony of How Christ Is the Answer to Your Life…
- What God Has Done In My Life in 2017
And / or
- What I Have Been the Most Thankful For in 2017
And / or
- How God Has Helped Me With What Challenged Me
And / or
- What I Believe God Is Calling Me To In 2018
- I am unsure – but I am growing
- I feel God growing me in these areas
(21) Let’s Answer God Who Is Knocking On The Door of Our Lives!
Let’s Pray Entrusting Ourselves to God’s Grace & Power to Conform Us
to Christ’s Will for Our Lives!
To Christ’s Will For Our Lives! [email-download-link namefield=”YES” id=”231″]
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