Archives: Messages

GOD’S GLORY:

• Foretold centuries before Jesus’ birth
• Conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit
• Sustained in Joseph who was obedient
• Proclaimed by angels and shepherds

Glory: (latin gloria)- something marked with great beauty, 
splendor, power, magnificence

Glory Revealed: the manifestation or visible sign of 
God’s beauty, splendor, power, 
and magnificence made available to us.

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, 
torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, 
for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, 
but the Lord was not in the wind. 
After the wind there was an earthquake, 
but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, 
he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 
Then a voice said to him, 
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:9b-13 New International Version (NIV)

NOTHING is impossible for GOD

And the angel said to them, 
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news 
of great joy that will be for all the people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 
and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

Why did God choose to enter the world this way?

The irony of the census 
called for by Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus

Jesus came into the world 
in a whisper…

…that whisper is God’s saving grace that changes everything!

Where do you need for God’s glory to be revealed 
in your life?

“I have told you these things, 
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. 
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

Glory Revealed: God’s Grace in a Manger

Proclamation- The public or official announcement of an important matter. An official message.

B.C. – before Christ
A.D. (Anno Domini) – in the year of our Lord

B.C.E. – before the common era
C.E. – common era

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant 
for everybody, worldwide:
A Savior has just been born in David’s town, 
a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 
This is what you’re to look for: 
a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 The Message (MSG)

Shepherds play an
important role
in God’s story
with God’s people.

Jesus came for everyone!

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running,
and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in
the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Luke 2:13-18 (MSG)

The shepherds became proclaimers

Mary kept all these things to herself, 
holding them dear, deep within herself. 
The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told.

Luke 2:12-20 (MSG)

Let’s Proclaim Jesus’ Birth!

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah 
the son of David, the son of Abraham: 
Abraham was the father of Isaac, 
Isaac the father of Jacob, 
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Matthew 1:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

Thus there were fourteen generations in all 
from Abraham to David, fourteen from 
David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1:17 (NIV)

Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 
and Jacob the father of Joseph, 
the husband of Mary, and Mary was 
the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Matthew 1:15-16 (NIV)

GOD IS AWESOME!

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah 
came about: His mother Mary was pledged 
to be married to Joseph, 
but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 
Because Joseph her husband was faithful 
to the law, and yet did not want to expose 
her to public disgrace, 
he had in mind to divorce her quickly.

Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV)

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet [Isaiah]: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us.”)

Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV)

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took Mary home as his wife. 
But he did not consummate their marriage until 
she gave birth to a son. 
And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)

GOD’S GLORY WAS SUSTAINED THROUGH JESUS

Gloria- [Latin] something marked by great beauty, splendor, power, magnificence

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Exodus 33:18-23 New International Version (NIV)

Conceive – Concipere 
[Latin] : to take in

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, 
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. 
The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are 
highly favored! The Lord is with you!” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Luke 1: 26-29 (NIV)

But the angel said to her, 
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to 
a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom 
will never end.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 
But the angel said to her, 
“Do not be afraid, Mary; 
you have found favor with God. 
You will conceive and give birth to a son, 
and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1: 30-33 (NIV)

“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, 
“since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, 
“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 
For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:34-37 (NIV)

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. 
“May your word to me be fulfilled.” 
Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38 (NIV)

JESUS- Fully Human ; Fully Divine

Why is there pain and suffering?

Because of God’s Glory Conceived 

we have HOPE.

Advent- The season of waiting with expectation and anticipation.
Four weeks to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ birth.

The Old Testament is full of prophecies  – Messages of things to come, spoken by someone on behalf of God.

Over 300 prophecies fulfilled through Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection:

• 1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 chance in 10^18
• 1 Person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10^157
• 1 Person fulfilling 300+ prophecies
GOD ONLY KNOWS!

But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter – from you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, 
no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel.

He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength, centered in the majesty of God-Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect – Peacemaker of the world!

Micah 5:2-4 The Message (MSG)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 New International Version (NIV)

Immanuel – GOD WITH US

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

so what… Why are these prophecies so important?

As you wait for the birth of Jesus, what are your expectations?

What is it in your life 
that needs saving?