The Unbreakable Chain: How Old Testament Prophecy Proves the Miracle of Christmas

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
O High King of Heaven, we come before You, praising You and worshiping You.
[00:00:05] We thank You, Lord God, that You are who You are, the Great I AM, that You never change.
[00:00:12] You're the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha, the Omega, and Lord, that Your ear is open to our prayer.
[00:00:20] Whether verbal or silent, day or night, you never slumber nor sleep, your arm never grows weak, and you are mighty to save.
[00:00:32] We do give you praise and worship and glory and honor this day.
[00:00:36] Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as we are privileged to enter into your presence in prayer, Lord God, help us to be impressed upon by your Spirit and by your Word that this privilege of prayer is the highest privilege of mankind to come before the throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords anytime, anyplace where we might find ourselves.
[00:01:01] To commune the created dust of the earth with the infinite omnipotent creator who also came and took part of this dust in the person Jesus Christ that you might redeem us and fill us with your spirit that we might be called the very sons and daughters of God.
[00:01:23] We give you praise and glory and honor and worship and marvel, Lord, at the miracle and the wonder of what you have done.
[00:01:31] In this idea of Christmas, the Incarnation, we do praise you and thank you that you so loved the world, that you gave your only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in you should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[00:01:45] And so we who have been born again are in that life even now, worshiping and praising you and thanking you, Lord, that as you reign in heaven,
[00:01:55] Even evil dictators and leaders and nations and states and provinces and municipalities must one day bow the knee to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, your Son, Jesus Christ.
[00:02:11] We do pray for our own leaders, especially from the White House, Lord, down, that you would be pleased to work in their hearts, that salvation might come, Lord God, in our Congress, in our Senate, in our Supreme Court.
[00:02:27] In the White House, in the Governor's Mansion, we pray for Josh Stein that he might, as a traditional or as a Jew from his family and birth and culture, that he might have a Christmas, a first Christmas, and learn that the Messiah has come.
[00:02:45] And that he might bow the knee to Jesus Christ.
[00:02:48] That we might see wonderful things in the governor's mansion in the state of North Carolina.
[00:02:53] Lord, nothing is too difficult for you.
[00:02:56] We give you praise and thanks for saving us.
[00:02:58] And Lord, as we look forward to celebrating Christmas with our families, we pray, Lord, as we'll be preaching today and looking in your word,
[00:03:07] that the wonder and miracle of Christmas and the marvel of what you have done through your son Jesus may not make us weary or grow dull but might shine brighter and brighter as we look forward to your second coming for us, your church, your bride and that we might encourage and exhort one another all the more as we see that glorious day approaching.
[00:03:32] but in the meantime Lord we do pray for one another we pray for our brother Larry for your healing grace and for our sister Peggy for your continued healing and strength in her body in her lungs that she might be well they might be able to be in your house praising you we pray for David Jones and for your healing Lord and comfort in this great pain of arthritis in the hip area and
[00:03:58] Others in our church family who are suffering with infirmity, Lord, we thank you for your grace.
[00:04:05] We thank you that nothing is too difficult for you.
[00:04:08] Lord, we do pray for our church that in all things we might do that which pleases and glorifies and honors you.
[00:04:16] Lord, that those who are usually here that are not here today, whether traveling, the many visitors that you've brought as of recent, Lord, that they may all be pointed to you
[00:04:27] that wherever they may be they might understand that you are of prime importance you come first and that they might be in your house we pray for pastor andy and melanie as they visit the church that you have allowed roger to attend in wilmington help them to help him to discern if that's where you would have our brother to worship on a regular basis and lord we thank you that you've called these here today and so lord we do ask now
[00:04:56] that you would help us to discern from your word these wonderful truths and especially the way the truth and the life your son jesus christ some two thousand years ago that came in our midst and took part of flesh that he might redeem us and save us and bring us here in this church this day gathered around your holy word
[00:05:19] to listen in awe and wonder and for faith to grow as it grows by hearing and hearing of the preaching of your word may your preaching of your word be faithful may these lips of clay not go astray either to the right nor to the left but may they speak straight truth from your holy spirit your holy word to edify your body and to glorify you our triune god our lord and our savior
[00:05:47] Our Redeemer, King Jesus, in your name we pray, and thank you.
[00:05:52] Amen.
[00:05:54] We turn to Isaiah chapter 7.
[00:05:59] We are in the midst of a three-part series leading up to Christmas.
[00:06:06] Last week we started the series with the absolute necessity of Christmas.
[00:06:11] This week, our title, The Miracle and Wonder of Christmas, and we go back to Isaiah.
[00:06:18] Now, somebody might say, well, I don't know, that's before Jesus showed up.
[00:06:23] Well, Isaiah chapter 7.
[00:06:26] When you get Christmas cards or you see verses that have to do with Christmas, we're going to end our text, our reading, with one of the most famous, Isaiah 7.14.
[00:06:38] But in order to get there, why don't we look at the first 14 verses here of Isaiah.
[00:06:44] Just very briefly, this is about 600 years before Christ was born, and what we have is
[00:06:52] Judah, King Ahaz, and Isaiah the prophet of Judah.
[00:06:56] Judah is under pressure from the regional powers.
[00:07:00] An invasion is coming from Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel.
[00:07:05] And Ahaz, who is a wicked king, is trying to figure out how he's going to survive this invasion.
[00:07:12] So he's looking, all roads lead to Iraq.
[00:07:15] He's looking to the Iraqis.
[00:07:16] He's looking to the Assyrians to come.
[00:07:18] He's going to try to make a deal with the Assyrians to come and save him.
[00:07:22] Ahaz is coming to remind him, hey, isn't there this guy, God, Jehovah, remember him?
[00:07:28] You think he might be able to do something?
[00:07:30] Well, that's not the words he uses, but essentially that's what he's saying.
[00:07:34] And he is challenging King Ahaz to trust God for deliverance.
[00:07:39] and he's going to even say by the way God says he'll give you a sign a sign to show that he is going to deliver you and guess what you can name the sign whatever you want to see you want to see this church fly up in the air 10 000 feet flip around go upside down and fly around and come back i'll do it whatever you want wow what would you say if God said what sign you want and i'm talking what do you want well
[00:08:09] This is what Ahaz had.
[00:08:11] So what do you think Ahaz chose as a sign?
[00:08:14] Let's take a look.
[00:08:15] Isaiah 7, verses 1-14, And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz,
[00:08:21] The son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, the son of Judah, that rezzed the king of Syria and Pekah, the son of Ramaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
[00:08:35] And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim.
[00:08:40] And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
[00:08:46] Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shirar, Jashub, thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool and the highway of the fuller's field.
[00:08:58] And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet.
[00:09:00] Fear not, neither be faint-hearted, for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria and of the son of Remaliah, because Syria
[00:09:13] Ephraim and the son Ramaliah have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, Let us go up against Jerusalem and vex it.
[00:09:23] Let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeo.
[00:09:29] Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
[00:09:33] For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin.
[00:09:37] And within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
[00:09:43] And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Ramalia's son.
[00:09:47] If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
[00:09:52] Now here comes the sign.
[00:09:54] Moreover, the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God.
[00:10:00] Ask it either in the depth or in the height above.
[00:10:04] Carte blanche.
[00:10:06] What sign do you want God to show you that he's speaking with you?
[00:10:09] What comes to your mind?
[00:10:11] Well, anything.
[00:10:12] Whatever you want.
[00:10:14] Well, that's, you know, I just wish God would show me a sign.
[00:10:19] What sign do you want?
[00:10:20] God said, here it is.
[00:10:21] Carte blanche.
[00:10:21] What do you want?
[00:10:22] Anything you say, I'll do it as a sign to show you that I'm speaking with you.
[00:10:27] And look what Ahaz does.
[00:10:30] But Ahaz said, I'll not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
[00:10:36] And then Isaiah says, Hear ye now, O house of David, is it a small thing for you to weary men?
[00:10:42] But will you weary my God also?
[00:10:44] Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign.
[00:10:48] Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
[00:10:58] Which means God with us.
[00:11:01] Amen.
[00:11:02] May God add his blessing and understanding to the reading of this, his holy word.
[00:11:07] What would you have asked for?
[00:11:08] Well, I thank God that Ahaz tried to be a good religious person, even though he was wicked.
[00:11:16] Why didn't he ask for a sign?
[00:11:18] Wouldn't you ask for a sign?
[00:11:19] You ask whatever you want.
[00:11:21] Isaiah told him to ask a sign.
[00:11:23] He didn't ask a sign.
[00:11:24] Why?
[00:11:25] Because he didn't want a sign.
[00:11:26] Because he's already made up in his mind, I'm going to do it my way.
[00:11:30] I'm going to hook up with Assyria and they're going to save me.
[00:11:32] I don't want to believe in this, you know, God that I'm not so sure about in Isaiah.
[00:11:36] No, no, I'll not tempt the Lord.
[00:11:38] I'll not ask for a sign.
[00:11:40] He didn't want a sign.
[00:11:42] Well, interestingly enough, and thankfully, he didn't ask for a sign, because here's the opportunity for God to say, I'm going to give you a sign.
[00:11:50] A virgin will conceive and have a son, and his name shall be called Immanuel.
[00:11:54] It's only happened one time in history.
[00:11:56] Only once.
[00:11:57] Never been a virgin birth except once, Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, God with us.
[00:12:04] If you turn to Matthew chapter 1, you will see not only that fulfilled, but you'll even see the Holy Spirit instructing Matthew to remind the reader that this is the fulfillment of that particular verse.
[00:12:19] If you look at Matthew 1 beginning in verse 18, Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise, when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
[00:12:30] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
[00:12:38] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[00:12:50] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.
[00:12:56] Now all of this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.
[00:13:16] And so, the miracle and wonder of Christmas, the whole thing is a miracle and wonder.
[00:13:23] Isaiah prophesied this 600 years before Jesus was born.
[00:13:27] And then we see that this is exactly what takes place.
[00:13:30] The manner of Jesus' birth, the supernatural manner of Jesus' birth has been prophesied some 600 years before it took place.
[00:13:39] And remember, the virgin birth is a singularity in human history.
[00:13:44] And as we mentioned last week, it has great importance.
[00:13:48] Listen to this quote by Thomas Watson.
[00:13:50] Brother Emilio, he's one of your favorites, some of you others.
[00:13:53] Thomas Watson.
[00:13:54] That Christ should clothe himself with our flesh.
[00:13:58] a piece of earth which we tread upon oh infinite humility christ taking our flesh was one of the lowest steps of his humiliation he humbled himself more in lying in the virgin's womb than in hanging on the cross
[00:14:17] It was not so much for man to die, but for God to become man was the wonder of humility.
[00:14:26] He was made in the likeness of men.
[00:14:29] Thomas Watson
[00:14:30] And so the miracle and sign, the whole thing is a miracle and sign.
[00:14:35] Christ coming, the manner of his birth is prophesied.
[00:14:39] Remember, there is something special about this because way back in Genesis, the proto-euangelion or the first announcement of the gospel is there in Genesis chapter 3.
[00:14:51] We always come back to this verse, verse 15, right?
[00:14:53] Genesis 3, 15.
[00:14:55] After the man has fallen, Eve has eaten of the fruit, man has eaten, now the curse comes.
[00:15:00] But there is hope, and the hope is in Genesis 3.15.
[00:15:04] I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
[00:15:07] He's talking now to Satan, the serpent.
[00:15:09] I'll put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and between her seed.
[00:15:15] He shall bruise your head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
[00:15:20] Now, this is talking about the cross.
[00:15:22] Ultimately, Jesus destroying the head, a fatal death blow against the serpent.
[00:15:27] But here's a question for you.
[00:15:28] How can a woman have seed?
[00:15:33] Now, this is where having a good translation is important.
[00:15:36] If your Bible says offspring or descendants there instead of seed, it's wrong.
[00:15:41] The word seed is the accurate definition of the translation because that word seed coming from the Hebrew Zerah has several different English translations, one of them being sperm or semen.
[00:15:58] Women don't have that.
[00:16:00] Not real women, okay?
[00:16:06] So then how can a woman have seed?
[00:16:14] There's only one in history that had birth without seed coming from the man.
[00:16:22] It comes from the Holy Spirit of God.
[00:16:24] The seed of the woman.
[00:16:25] The only one in history who could fulfill that prophecy was Jesus.
[00:16:29] The virgin birth.
[00:16:30] The miracle.
[00:16:31] The miracle of the virgin birth.
[00:16:34] The miracle
[00:16:35] God becoming man taking on human flesh so that he might become our Savior not only was the manner of birth prophesied of course the very place of his birth was prophesied some 700 years before he was born you know the verse many of you as a matter of fact the wise let's see the Pharisees and scribes
[00:16:57] Quote this as an answer to Herod when the wise men show up and say, we've come to worship the king.
[00:17:03] And Herod turns to the wise men, where's the Messiah to be born?
[00:17:08] They quote this verse and say, oh, he's supposed to be born in Bethlehem.
[00:17:10] How do they know?
[00:17:11] The Bible says so.
[00:17:12] Micah chapter 5, verse 2.
[00:17:15] 700 years before Jesus is born.
[00:17:20] We find Micah prophesying this, Micah 5.2, But thou Bethlehem, Ephrath, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come he forth unto me, that is to be the ruler in Israel,
[00:17:37] But not just any ruler, look, whose goings forth have been of old, even from everlasting.
[00:17:44] A king is coming who's been around forever.
[00:17:47] Who is it?
[00:17:47] The Messiah.
[00:17:48] Where's it going to be born?
[00:17:50] Bethlehem.
[00:17:51] How do we know?
[00:17:51] Micah 5.2.
[00:17:52] 700 years before it was manifest.
[00:17:56] Praise the Lord.
[00:17:58] And you find that very thing in Matthew, as we mentioned, in the Gospel, where Herod asked the scribes.
[00:18:07] But there's a problem, you see, the miracle, the wonder.
[00:18:11] God, there's no problem for God, but it might be a problem for us, because guess what?
[00:18:15] Jesus' parents, of course, Mary's the true parent, Joseph is just legal, he's not physically involved in this.
[00:18:22] The parents don't live in Bethlehem.
[00:18:25] So how is Jesus going to be born in Bethlehem?
[00:18:27] Well, look at Luke.
[00:18:29] Chapter 2.
[00:18:29] It just so happens, just so happens that about the time Jesus was to be born, Caesar Augustus in Rome gets an idea.
[00:18:45] Luke Chapter 2.
[00:18:47] He thought he needed more taxes.
[00:18:49] Actually, God wanted his son in Bethlehem.
[00:18:52] And it came to pass in those days, Luke 2 verse 1, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
[00:19:00] And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
[00:19:04] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
[00:19:07] And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, where he and Mary were living,
[00:19:14] unto Judea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child and so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn
[00:19:43] Caesar Augustus thought he needed more money.
[00:19:48] He thought he needed some taxes.
[00:19:50] But the Lord wanted Jesus in Bethlehem.
[00:19:53] He can move in a multitude of ways, far past our finding out.
[00:19:58] The most powerful monarch on earth is used, who is thousands of miles away, is used without his knowing it to move Mary and Joseph 70 miles to Bethlehem.
[00:20:13] Praise God.
[00:20:15] And then we know not only is the manner of his birth prophesied clearly by a prophet Isaiah, the place of his birth by the prophet Micah, but also the time of his birth.
[00:20:26] Turn to Daniel chapter 9.
[00:20:27] Now, we are not going to go through all of the calculations.
[00:20:32] It is more than what we really need to do in a sermon, but if you're interested,
[00:20:38] I am prepared to show you how in Daniel chapter 9 the Bible prophesies the exact year that Jesus dies on the cross.
[00:20:49] Daniel, and this prophecy is 500 some years before Christ is born.
[00:20:54] And it accurately prophesies the very year, some would say the very day, of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
[00:21:04] So it doesn't prophesy his birth, but it prophesies the day that he dies, in Daniel chapter 9,
[00:21:10] and so there is a great expectation of the messiah among some bible observing jews because of this understanding of daniel 9. now daniel chapter 9 the last what you'll find is there's a part of it where a lot of different views in christianity exist what's the last week is this the end of time is this the time of christ we don't know but the first part of it
[00:21:38] Almost all Christian scholars who believe the Bible agree that it prophesies exactly the time that Christ was on the cross, 536 B.C., 500 years before Christ is even born.
[00:21:53] Daniel chapter 9, just look with me in verse 24 to 27.
[00:21:56] I'll give you just a brief overview.
[00:21:58] If you don't understand or you want more, I'll be happy to give you the calculations and you can marvel and wonder at it later.
[00:22:05] Daniel chapter 9 verse 24 70 weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city to finish transgression to make an end of sins to make reconciliation for iniquity to bring an everlasting righteousness to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy
[00:22:25] Know therefore, understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem... You see, Daniel is now in captivity.
[00:22:33] The Jews are in captivity.
[00:22:35] Jerusalem and the temple has not yet been restored and rebuilt.
[00:22:38] From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah, the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks,
[00:22:49] The street shall be built again, and the wall even in troublesome times.
[00:22:54] And notice it says in verse 26, And after threescore and two weeks, that's threescore and two, sixty-two and seven, that's sixty-nine weeks, that's weeks of years, which comes out to be 483 years,
[00:23:07] But it's actually more like 476 years because their years were not 365 days, they were 360 days.
[00:23:14] And so after three score and two weeks, after 476 years, shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself.
[00:23:24] And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city, and it goes on.
[00:23:29] Really, all Bible-believing scholars, virtually all, agree that this tells us the time of his death.
[00:23:37] Well, he dies in 30 AD, or 33, and so Christ is born.
[00:23:43] Essentially, the time of his birth is also prophesied by the Scripture.
[00:23:48] The prophecy was given in 536 BC.
[00:23:52] The decree to rebuild Jerusalem from Artaxerxes we have in the Bible, the date.
[00:23:57] It's 446 BC.
[00:24:00] We can deduce it from the Scriptures.
[00:24:02] And so it's 476 years from 446 BC.
[00:24:06] Ends up being what?
[00:24:07] 30 AD the very year that Christ was on the cross so the time of his death is clearly prophesied in the Bible and so from that you can deduce somewhat close to when he was to be born and this is of course what takes place remember a Jew a Jewish priest was to become a priest at what age so it would make sense for you to be looking around the time of
[00:24:36] 0 or 1 AD 1 BC for Christ to be born
[00:24:42] Well, the manner of his birth, the place of his birth, the time of his birth, all prophesied in the Bible.
[00:24:47] Amazing.
[00:24:48] But not just that.
[00:24:49] Even the tribe and the family that the Messiah is going to come from.
[00:24:53] Thousands of years before Christ was born.
[00:24:55] Turn back to Genesis chapter 49.
[00:24:58] Some 1500 years before Jesus comes to earth, it was prophesied what tribe he's going to come from.
[00:25:06] And what tribe is that?
[00:25:09] The tribe of Judah.
[00:25:11] Jacob's about to die.
[00:25:13] He's prophesying over his sons, their future.
[00:25:16] And we find in Genesis chapter 49, verse 8 through 10,
[00:25:20] Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies thy father's children shall bow down before thee judah is a lion's whelp from the prey my son thou art gone up he stooped down he couched as a lion as an old lion who shall rouse him up look at verse 10 the scepter what's the scepter the sign of royal authority the scepter the scepter shall not depart from judah
[00:25:48] Nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
[00:25:56] Who's Shiloh?
[00:25:57] That's a title for the Messiah.
[00:25:59] Messiah has to come from Judah.
[00:26:01] Now we already know from earlier in the book of Genesis that the seed is going to be through Abraham, and then through Isaac, and then through Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel, and then from which tribe?
[00:26:12] The tribe of Judah.
[00:26:13] Then the Bible makes it even more narrow in that if you look in 2 Samuel, there's other places too, but in 2 Samuel chapter 7, we've been to this verse recently, he narrows it down to David.
[00:26:27] And he says in 2 Samuel 7, verse 12, And when thy days be fulfilled, David, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, David, your seed.
[00:26:43] your descendants but not just your descendants the seed as paul makes the argument in galatians the ultimate fulfillment of that seed prophecy is christ paul says christ is the seed and whoever is in christ and so i will set up your seed after you which shall proceed out of thy bowels i will establish his kingdom he shall build a house for my name verse 13 i will establish the throne of his kingdom forever
[00:27:11] Boy, that's not Solomon.
[00:27:13] His kingdom is going to be forever.
[00:27:15] Solomon didn't last forever.
[00:27:16] He's not still around.
[00:27:18] I will be his father.
[00:27:19] He shall be my son.
[00:27:20] Now this does have a temporal reference to Solomon and those following, but an ultimate reference to Christ.
[00:27:27] If you see in verse 16, Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee.
[00:27:35] Thy throne shall be established forever.
[00:27:39] It's pretty emphatic, isn't it?
[00:27:42] And so, the Messiah has to come from Abraham.
[00:27:44] The Messiah has to come from Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David.
[00:27:49] And that's why the Gospel of Matthew begins the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of...
[00:27:57] Abraham.
[00:27:58] That's how the book of Matthew begins in 1.1.
[00:28:02] And that's because Jesus has to be the seed of a woman.
[00:28:06] He's the only one in the world that could really be the seed of a woman.
[00:28:08] The only virgin birth.
[00:28:09] He has to be a descendant of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, and of Judah, and of David.
[00:28:17] So far so good, right?
[00:28:18] Praise God.
[00:28:19] The Bible said that, and guess what?
[00:28:21] Jesus fulfills it.
[00:28:23] Now, the devil is not sitting idly by.
[00:28:27] He's continuing to attack that line of the Messiah.
[00:28:31] And if you remember in 2 Chronicles, also you find it in 2 Kings, in 2 Chronicles 22, there's a wicked grandmother.
[00:28:42] Yes!
[00:28:43] Sounds like some kind of old fable or children's tale.
[00:28:47] But this is history.
[00:28:49] 2 Chronicles chapter 22.
[00:28:51] There's a wicked grandmother, and she got her wickedness honest, because who was Athaliah's mama?
[00:29:01] Jezebel.
[00:29:02] And her father was Ahab.
[00:29:07] Ahab and Jezebel, boy, quite a pair.
[00:29:10] What did they produce?
[00:29:12] Athaliah.
[00:29:14] Athaliah is even worse.
[00:29:17] So her son, the king, dies.
[00:29:21] So instead of it passing to her grandson, she says, I know what I'll do.
[00:29:25] I'll kill all my grandchildren and I'll be the queen.
[00:29:30] Talk about a wicked grandma.
[00:29:33] What you giving your kids for Christmas?
[00:29:34] The sword.
[00:29:35] Watch this.
[00:29:38] 2 Chronicles 22.10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all of the seed royal in the house of Judah.
[00:29:54] Well, what tribe is the Messiah to come from?
[00:29:58] If she's destroyed all of the seed of the tribe of Judah, then how can the line continue to the Messiah?
[00:30:05] The answer is it can't.
[00:30:08] But praise God for Jehoshabah.
[00:30:11] Somebody needs to name their daughter Jehoshabah.
[00:30:14] If you have a granddaughter, please...
[00:30:16] When I have a... Where is... My children are helping with the children.
[00:30:21] Jehoshabah.
[00:30:22] Jehoshabah.
[00:30:23] All right.
[00:30:24] Why?
[00:30:24] Because look what happens.
[00:30:26] But Jehoshabah, or Jehoshabeth, the daughter of the king, took Joash, the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons.
[00:30:35] A little baby.
[00:30:36] that were slain and put him in his nurse in a bed chamber hid them so Jehoshabeth the daughter of king Jehoram the wife of Jehoiada the priest for she was the sister of Ahaziah hid him from Athaliah so that she slew him not and he was with them hid in the house of God six years and Athaliah reigned over the land the whole promise of God came down to just one little baby boy
[00:31:03] and Jehoshabah, a faithful nurse to take care of this little baby that continued the messianic line.
[00:31:12] Yes, Satan fights, but God will win the victory.
[00:31:16] Praise the Lord.
[00:31:17] My daughter Julia just came back.
[00:31:19] Jehoshabah!
[00:31:20] Jehoshabah!
[00:31:21] When you have children, remember my daughter.
[00:31:23] All right.
[00:31:24] Praise the Lord.
[00:31:26] You see what God does.
[00:31:27] He is wonderful.
[00:31:28] He is glorious.
[00:31:29] Yes, the devil tries to kill the Messiah, the Messianic line with Athaliah.
[00:31:36] Remember, he tried to eliminate the Messiah through killing the Jews with Pharaoh.
[00:31:42] You remember that, of course.
[00:31:44] And then, in the book of Esther, he tries to annihilate and kill all the Jews with Haman.
[00:31:50] It's interesting.
[00:31:51] There's some liberals and college graduates of elite colleges today that want to kill the Jews again.
[00:31:57] Wonder where that comes from.
[00:32:00] How about the devil, folks?
[00:32:02] It's the same thing.
[00:32:04] Why do Muslims have a special hatred for Jews?
[00:32:07] I've studied Islam for many years because Islam tells them to.
[00:32:10] Well, what's the spirit of Islam?
[00:32:12] Go study.
[00:32:13] It's the spirit of Satan.
[00:32:14] Now, notice this continues.
[00:32:18] What happens when Jesus is born?
[00:32:20] Well, Herod tries to kill the baby.
[00:32:23] And guess what happens?
[00:32:25] All of the little baby boys in Bethlehem must be slaughtered just because of Satan's rage against the Messiah.
[00:32:32] But we know, praise God, that Satan does not succeed.
[00:32:37] Turn to Matthew chapter 2 to see this brief account, which involves the wise men.
[00:32:43] Some more Iraqis.
[00:32:45] It's amazing how Iraqis are all over the Bible.
[00:32:49] Matthew chapter 2.
[00:32:51] I tell you what, to be a Rockian Christian must be something special.
[00:32:56] Matthew chapter 2 verse 1.
[00:32:58] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
[00:33:10] For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.
[00:33:13] Talk about the miracles and wonder of Christmas.
[00:33:16] The heavens declare the glory of God.
[00:33:18] The heavens themselves shine forth the fact that the King has been born.
[00:33:24] And not just Israel knew, but different people throughout the world knew.
[00:33:29] But Herod is dull.
[00:33:31] He's not born again.
[00:33:32] He doesn't know the Lord.
[00:33:33] And Herod the king heard these things.
[00:33:35] He was troubled in all of unbelieving Jerusalem, I'm sure, with him.
[00:33:39] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
[00:33:45] Well, how would they know?
[00:33:46] because they know what you know now the Bible Micah 5 2 they answer and they say unto him in Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written of the prophet and they quote the first part of Micah 5 2 and thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not the least among the princes of Judah for out of thee shall come my governor that shall rule my people Israel it's interesting they didn't quote the rest of it which says whose goings forth have been of old even from everlasting
[00:34:14] Well, anyways, Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared, and he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child.
[00:34:26] When you have found him, bring me word again that I may come and worship him also.
[00:34:31] When they had heard the king, they departed, and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
[00:34:39] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[00:34:43] And when they were come unto the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him.
[00:34:49] And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod,
[00:34:58] They departed into their own country another way.
[00:35:02] When they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word.
[00:35:12] For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
[00:35:16] You could just take that word Herod and fill in Satan.
[00:35:20] Because that's the spirit that's there.
[00:35:22] And when he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
[00:35:35] Notice verse 16.
[00:35:36] Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired.
[00:35:50] Choir of the Wise Men.
[00:35:53] What is this about?
[00:35:54] It's not just about Herod and Jesus.
[00:35:57] It's about Satan and God and his Messiah and his people.
[00:36:02] Turn briefly, quickly, to Revelation chapter 12.
[00:36:06] What you just saw as a historical account now is brought forth in its true colors of the spiritual war taking place in heaven
[00:36:15] Chapter 12, verse 1, There appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun and moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
[00:36:26] And she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and pain to be delivered.
[00:36:30] Who's the woman?
[00:36:31] Well, Israel, the church, put them together.
[00:36:34] Who's the child getting ready to be born?
[00:36:37] The Messiah, Jesus.
[00:36:38] And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold, a great red dragon.
[00:36:42] Who's that?
[00:36:44] Having seven heads and ten hoards and seven crowns upon his heads and a tail, he drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth.
[00:36:52] And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
[00:37:00] There's the picture of Herod right there.
[00:37:02] Herod the dragon is moving through Herod Satan he's just ready for that child to be born but that's the same picture of wicked queen Athaliah it's the same picture of Haman trying to kill the Jews under Esther it's the same picture of of Pharaoh trying to kill the Jews under Moses it's the same picture if you really want to get down to it to the brethren uh trying to kill Joseph because he seemed to be the favorite one and maybe the devil at that point thought it was going to come to the tribe of Joseph because Judah hadn't yet been singled out as the line of the Messiah
[00:37:32] And you can take it back further than that and go all the way back to Cain and Abel.
[00:37:36] Cain who kills Abel.
[00:37:37] Why?
[00:37:38] Because Abel's works were righteous and his were not.
[00:37:41] And this is the devil all the way through.
[00:37:45] But praise God, it continues and it says, But when she brought forth a man-child, verse 5, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up unto God and to his throne.
[00:37:57] Satan thought he won.
[00:37:59] Satan lost.
[00:38:02] Because Jesus came out of that grave on the 40th day and ascended up to the very right hand of the throne of God.
[00:38:09] Praise the Lord!
[00:38:09] The miracle and wonder of Christmas.
[00:38:11] We have the manner of Jesus' birth prophesied 600 years before he was born.
[00:38:15] The place of his birth prophesied some 700 years before he was born.
[00:38:18] The time of his birth prophesied some 500 years before he was born.
[00:38:22] His tribe prophesied some 1500 years before he was born.
[00:38:26] His family, family of David, prophesied some 1000 years before he was born.
[00:38:31] Praise God!
[00:38:32] And even wise men coming from Iraq, how do they know?
[00:38:36] They don't have the Word of God, or do they?
[00:38:38] By the way, there was, how do they know?
[00:38:40] All they know, there's a star.
[00:38:42] Isn't this amazing?
[00:38:43] Herod is clueless.
[00:38:44] And it seems like most of Jerusalem is clueless, but these wise men show up, wanting to worship the king.
[00:38:53] And Herod's like, hey, I'm the king, what do you want?
[00:38:56] Look, in Matthew chapter 2, the wise men come, verse 2, it says, Where is he that is born King of Jews?
[00:39:03] How do they know that there's somebody born King of the Jews?
[00:39:07] For we have seen his star in the east, the miracle and wonder of Christmas, and are come to worship him.
[00:39:13] How do they know that there's a king born of the Jews?
[00:39:16] How do they know that that star has anything to do with it?
[00:39:18] And how do they know that it's a king that's worthy of worship, who's more than a king, but God himself?
[00:39:26] Well, they came from the East.
[00:39:29] My guess is Babylon.
[00:39:30] It could have been Persia, it could have been Babylon.
[00:39:32] I had an Indian Christian friend.
[00:39:34] Well, we know that it is not Babylon, or neither is it Persia, but most likely they came from India.
[00:39:44] Well, it's certainly possible.
[00:39:46] But I think they came from Babylon, most likely, because there was a school of wise men there.
[00:39:51] The Bible tells us so, right?
[00:39:53] You remember Daniel?
[00:39:54] Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had a school of wise men in Babylon.
[00:39:59] And Daniel and Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego were brought into that school of wise men.
[00:40:03] And that continued on even until the kings of Persia.
[00:40:07] When Persia took over Iraq, still Babylon was the center of this school of wise men.
[00:40:14] And there is a prophecy in the Bible that associates a star with the coming of the Messiah.
[00:40:21] And it was given by who?
[00:40:23] and Iraqi.
[00:40:24] Let's take a look.
[00:40:26] These people who don't know me, why does he keep talking about Iraq?
[00:40:29] Numbers, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, chapter 24.
[00:40:35] You ever heard of the donkey they preached?
[00:40:38] No, not me.
[00:40:39] There was a real donkey that preached and it's found in the book of Numbers and Balaam had this donkey that he was beaten on and God opened his mouth to rebuke him.
[00:40:50] But Balaam was a real prophet.
[00:40:53] He was not a godly prophet.
[00:40:55] It's a very strange thing.
[00:40:56] And he was from Mesopotamia, which is Iraq.
[00:40:59] But this king of Moab, Balak, Israel is coming out of Egypt, and they're a threat, and he calls this famous prophet to come, I'll give you money, come over here and curse these Israelites for me.
[00:41:16] It's a long story, but Balaam ends up coming, and instead of cursing, every time he blesses them.
[00:41:23] And Balak gets angry.
[00:41:24] Well, come over here and try again.
[00:41:25] Well, there's another blessing.
[00:41:27] And the last thing that Balaam says in this prophecy, look at Numbers chapter 24, verse 17 through 19.
[00:41:37] I shall see him but not now.
[00:41:42] I shall behold him but not nigh.
[00:41:45] There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.
[00:41:55] and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth.
[00:42:02] Notice verse 19.
[00:42:03] Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion.
[00:42:11] Praise the Lord.
[00:42:13] Balaam was an Iraqi.
[00:42:15] Babylon is in Iraq.
[00:42:18] Balaam prophesied this.
[00:42:19] He went back to Iraq and I bet he shared it with people.
[00:42:22] and by the way I would imagine and this was done some 1400 years before Christ.
[00:42:31] Daniel shows up in Iraq 700 years later and I think the wise men had heard about this prophecy from Iraqi Balaam and they're looking and they see this star and from here they know that this star has to do with one who is born king
[00:42:47] and who is going to have dominion and they and then of course Daniel shares his prophecies look at all that's in Daniel and what we've already read about Daniel chapter 9 the very time that the Messiah is going to be born they have all this information by the time of Christ that has been built up in Babylon about Jesus and his coming associated with this star and they are looking at the Bible and they are desiring to worship this king and here they come the Bible believing Iraqis
[00:43:17] God used to rebuke the pagan Jewish people, and I say pagan, those who are religious outward, but are missing the truth of the miracle and wonder of Christmas right in their midst.
[00:43:33] Praise the Lord.
[00:43:34] You know, you would think Jesus, the Messiah, is born in Bethlehem, the whole town should come out to see this.
[00:43:40] Nobody except the shepherds, best we can tell.
[00:43:43] Wise men come later.
[00:43:45] And that was only because the angels told them.
[00:43:47] But here comes wise men from 1500 miles away because they had been looking at the Word of God.
[00:43:56] The miracle, the wonder of Christmas.
[00:43:59] How wonderful, how miraculous, all of God's creations testifying to Christmas.
[00:44:05] Ambrose, the early churchman, said, The Lord's generation, his birth, received testimony not only from the angels and the prophets, from shepherds and parents, but also from the aged and the righteous.
[00:44:18] Every age and both sexes, as well as the miraculous occurrences, build up faith.
[00:44:24] A virgin bears him.
[00:44:26] A barren woman gives birth.
[00:44:28] Who's that?
[00:44:30] Elizabeth to John the Baptist.
[00:44:32] A dumb man speaks.
[00:44:33] Who's that?
[00:44:34] Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.
[00:44:37] Elizabeth prophesies.
[00:44:39] The Magi adore him.
[00:44:42] One enclosed in the womb leaped for joy.
[00:44:46] Who's that?
[00:44:48] A widow confesses him and the righteous awaits him.
[00:44:53] Ambrose.
[00:44:54] Praise the Lord.
[00:44:55] The Miracle and Wonder of Christmas Now, Satan's not ready to give up.
[00:45:01] You know, people say, how can Satan keep fighting?
[00:45:04] He knows he's going to lose, but he just keeps fighting.
[00:45:08] I say, well, that's like some people that are out in the community today.
[00:45:11] Everything they do is irrational.
[00:45:13] Why?
[00:45:14] Satan is their leader and he is irrational.
[00:45:17] What should you expect?
[00:45:18] So Satan attacks.
[00:45:20] Satan attacks the line, as we said, trying to kill the messiah, the messianic line, but he also attacks the line in trying, I believe, to push the people that are in that messianic line of descent into wickedness and sin.
[00:45:37] And this came to a climax
[00:45:39] In one of the grandson or nephew of King Josiah, who was a righteous king, it came to a climax of wickedness in King Jeconiah.
[00:45:51] And there's a problem here, because if you look at the Gospel of Matthew, there's a genealogy of Jesus.
[00:45:57] In the genealogy of Jesus, you will find in Matthew 1, verse 11, that Jesus is a descendant of King Jeconiah.
[00:46:06] Well, that's a problem.
[00:46:08] Because look what the Bible says about Jeconiah and his descendants.
[00:46:12] Turn with me to Jeremiah, the book of Jeremiah, chapter 22, verse 28.
[00:46:23] Jeconiah was so wicked that they took away the Jeh part, because that Jeh part is the first part of the divine name Jehovah, and he's just calling him Coniah.
[00:46:35] Says there's no Jehovah in you.
[00:46:37] And so here we find in Jeremiah chapter 22 verse 28, Is this man Coniah, a despised broken idol?
[00:46:47] Is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure?
[00:46:50] Wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed?
[00:46:53] and are cast into a land which they know not.
[00:46:56] O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.
[00:47:00] Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man who, Jeconiah, childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper sitting upon the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah.
[00:47:16] There's a curse on his line.
[00:47:18] And he, Jesus, descends from Jeconiah.
[00:47:22] Ah, the devil said it.
[00:47:23] I won this one.
[00:47:25] He can't rightfully be the king and the royal heir of the messianic line because he's now a descendant of Jeconiah.
[00:47:38] You think God is defeated with this?
[00:47:41] It just so happens in the New Testament there are two genealogies of Jesus.
[00:47:46] One in Matthew chapter 1 in which Jeconiah is in the ancestry of Jesus.
[00:47:53] The other in Luke chapter 3 where Jeconiah is not in the ancestry of Jesus.
[00:47:59] Why different?
[00:48:01] Is that a contradiction Pastor Joseph?
[00:48:03] Not at all.
[00:48:04] All of you have two family trees.
[00:48:06] One through your father and one through your mother.
[00:48:10] Jesus' legal right to the throne of Judah comes from his legal but not physical father Joseph who descended from Jeconiah.
[00:48:21] Jesus does not receive the curse of Jeconiah because there is no bloodline relationship.
[00:48:29] But the genealogy in Luke, which also goes through Abraham and through David, does not go through Jeconiah, but comes down to Mary another way.
[00:48:41] You can go trace it out.
[00:48:43] And Jesus receives the bloodline right to the throne of David through Mary without that curse on King Jeconiah.
[00:48:55] People say, all these skeptics.
[00:48:57] Well, obviously the Bible's wrong.
[00:48:59] Matthew and Luke couldn't figure it out.
[00:49:01] Why are the genealogies different?
[00:49:03] Just for such a time as this to silence the fools and to give glory to God.
[00:49:10] Praise the Lord.
[00:49:13] How much more do you want?
[00:49:15] I can give you more.
[00:49:16] Say, Pastor, that's enough.
[00:49:18] Can we end now?
[00:49:19] There's a lot more.
[00:49:21] And God has so much more.
[00:49:24] Remember Ahaz?
[00:49:27] How much did he want?
[00:49:29] God offered him a sign.
[00:49:31] Anything you want.
[00:49:34] He wouldn't even take one.
[00:49:36] Why?
[00:49:37] Because his heart wasn't right.
[00:49:39] It doesn't matter what you do.
[00:49:41] You can fly around the room.
[00:49:42] But if your heart's not right, I don't want any part of it.
[00:49:46] This was Ahaz.
[00:49:48] I don't want a sign.
[00:49:51] I'm so glad he didn't want a sign.
[00:49:55] So that we could have the sign of Emmanuel, born of a virgin, Jesus Christ.
[00:50:03] You ever heard people say, Well, if I had a sign, I'd do this and that other thing.
[00:50:08] What did Jesus say about these people?
[00:50:10] I wish God would just show me a sign.
[00:50:12] How many signs do you want?
[00:50:16] And more than likely, if that's your attitude, you're probably like Ahaz, because it still shows it to you, and you still won't do what's right.
[00:50:26] As a matter of fact, Jesus had people asking him for a sign, remember?
[00:50:31] Show us a sign!
[00:50:32] Show us a sign!
[00:50:35] How many signs has he already done?
[00:50:37] If you show us a sign, we'll believe what Jesus said.
[00:50:41] An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and no sign shall be given unto it save the sign of the prophet Jonah.
[00:50:51] For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so too shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
[00:51:03] Well, for people whose heart is not right,
[00:51:08] Signs do nothing but create further burden of guilt, further conviction, further condemnation.
[00:51:17] But for us who believe, these signs bring wonder, praise, thanksgiving, and glory to our King.
[00:51:28] In Jeremiah, if you're still there, turn over to chapter 31.
[00:51:31] A virgin is mentioned there in verse 21.
[00:51:37] Jeremiah 31, 21, Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps, set thine heart toward the highway.
[00:51:45] If you were in Sunday school, you remember talking about the highway of holiness.
[00:51:49] This is really a call to revival to the nation of Israel.
[00:51:53] But true revival is not going to come by our good efforts.
[00:51:57] True revival can only come from the one who can give vival.
[00:52:02] You want revival?
[00:52:03] First you got to have vival.
[00:52:04] What's vival?
[00:52:05] Life.
[00:52:06] Revival is coming back to life.
[00:52:09] And the only way you can have life is from the author of life.
[00:52:13] Notice it says here in verse 21, Set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest.
[00:52:19] Turn again, O virgin of Israel.
[00:52:23] Turn again to these thy cities.
[00:52:25] How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter?
[00:52:28] For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth.
[00:52:32] A woman shall compass a man.
[00:52:36] For many years I couldn't understand that.
[00:52:38] I just couldn't.
[00:52:39] What does this mean?
[00:52:40] A woman shall compass a man.
[00:52:42] Is this like Big Bertha?
[00:52:43] Gonna come around a man, you know, and do something like that?
[00:52:47] I don't understand.
[00:52:48] A woman shall compass a man.
[00:52:49] What is it?
[00:52:50] What is it?
[00:52:51] A woman's going to go dancing around a man and compass him?
[00:52:55] What is it?
[00:52:56] No, no.
[00:52:58] A woman shall compass a man.
[00:53:03] The virgin birth.
[00:53:05] But not of him be a virgin birth.
[00:53:07] There had to be a virgin conception.
[00:53:11] God in the womb of a woman for nine months?
[00:53:17] Amazing.
[00:53:18] Amazing.
[00:53:21] How many signs do you want?
[00:53:22] Oh, there's a lot more.
[00:53:25] The miracle and wonder of Christmas.
[00:53:27] Do you see it?
[00:53:28] Ahaz refused to even look.
[00:53:32] Let's look at one more passage, narrative, of the miracle and wonder of Christmas.
[00:53:37] Luke, Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2.
[00:53:47] Joseph and Mary were good, observant Jews, and so was Jesus, of course.
[00:53:54] And after the child was born, eight days later they had something to do.
[00:54:00] Do you know what was on their schedule eight days after Jesus was born?
[00:54:05] Let's go get him circumcised, because the Bible says, right?
[00:54:08] Circumcise the child on the eighth day, okay?
[00:54:11] And so, verse 21 of Luke chapter 2, And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the woman, in the woman, in the womb.
[00:54:24] It is in the woman, but in the womb.
[00:54:26] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished,
[00:54:33] They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
[00:54:37] As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.
[00:54:42] That's the firstborn.
[00:54:44] And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.
[00:54:51] And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem.
[00:54:53] Notice, it doesn't say everybody, oh, here comes the Messiah, everybody get ready to see.
[00:54:57] There was a man.
[00:54:59] A man in Jerusalem, there's lots of men, no, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon and the same man was just and devout.
[00:55:08] We get the picture he's an older man waiting for the consolation of Israel.
[00:55:12] What's the consolation of Israel?
[00:55:14] The Messiah.
[00:55:16] You know, you console a baby because he's crying.
[00:55:19] All of Israel has been crying a long time in their sin and their wickedness, looking for the Messiah.
[00:55:23] The consolation of the nation is Jesus, the Messiah.
[00:55:26] He's waiting for the Messiah.
[00:55:28] The consolation of Israel.
[00:55:31] Verse 25.
[00:55:33] And the Holy Ghost was upon him.
[00:55:36] And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
[00:55:43] Boy, that was an exciting thing to be revealed.
[00:55:46] And he came by the Spirit into the temple.
[00:55:50] He didn't live in the temple, but he showed up just at the right time because the Spirit directed him.
[00:55:56] And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him after the custom of the law, get the picture here, Mary and Joseph bringing their son, eight days old, into the temple, everybody takes no notice.
[00:56:09] This is a common occurrence.
[00:56:10] Oh yeah, there's another baby to get circumcised, whatever.
[00:56:13] What were you saying?
[00:56:15] Nobody has the least bit of interest.
[00:56:18] But there is a couple.
[00:56:19] Simeon.
[00:56:20] And when he sees, he sees the child.
[00:56:25] Verse 28, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
[00:56:36] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
[00:56:49] And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.
[00:56:53] Does that describe your fate?
[00:56:58] All he got to see was the baby.
[00:57:00] He didn't get to see him grow up.
[00:57:02] He didn't hear him speak one word.
[00:57:05] He never heard him teach.
[00:57:06] He never saw him open the blind eyes.
[00:57:08] He never saw him heal the sick or raise the dead.
[00:57:11] He never saw him do anything.
[00:57:13] He never saw him live perfect and righteous and fulfill the law or die on the cross or raise from the dead.
[00:57:21] Just one sight of that little baby, I'm ready to go home.
[00:57:25] Take me home, Lord.
[00:57:28] And how much more do we ask of God day by day?
[00:57:33] We've seen all of that.
[00:57:34] We've heard all of that.
[00:57:36] All of that is given to us and much, much more and we're still not satisfied?
[00:57:42] He was satisfied with just one glimpse at the face of the Savior.
[00:57:52] Simeon.
[00:57:53] That's a miracle, folks.
[00:57:56] And then he says, Simeon blessed, verse 34, them, Joseph and Mary, said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against.
[00:58:11] Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, that the thoughts of many may be revealed.
[00:58:16] And there was one more.
[00:58:17] See, there was only one in all of Jerusalem that wanted to see the Messiah?
[00:58:20] No, there was two.
[00:58:24] Old Simeon and old Anna.
[00:58:26] All these old people, what do they know?
[00:58:28] They're the only ones.
[00:58:29] Everybody else is busy with life.
[00:58:31] You ever get busy with life?
[00:58:33] Jesus doesn't seem to figure in?
[00:58:36] Here's Anna, verse 36, And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher.
[00:58:43] She was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity.
[00:58:48] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
[00:58:57] And she, coming in that instant,
[00:59:01] also led by the Spirit, I'm sure, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of Him, Jesus, this little baby, spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
[00:59:16] Who got to hear the sermon?
[00:59:18] Only those who were looking for redemption.
[00:59:22] All these people driving by, I don't know, maybe they came from church, I can't judge who they are, but are you looking for redemption?
[00:59:30] That redemption came first in the first coming and will be fulfilled in the second.
[00:59:35] It says in the Bible that Jesus will return to all those who love his appearing.
[00:59:41] Are you looking for Jesus?
[00:59:42] Is one look enough?
[00:59:45] It was for Simeon.
[00:59:47] He says, I've seen him, now let me die.
[00:59:51] And how much more are you asking from God and how much has he already given you?
[00:59:55] Let me end with this.
[00:59:57] Gospel of John chapter 1.
[00:59:59] In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[01:00:03] Who's the Word, by the way?
[01:00:06] Good.
[01:00:07] Notice just these first ten or so verses.
[01:00:11] The same was in the beginning with God.
[01:00:12] John 1, 3.
[01:00:14] All things were made by Him.
[01:00:15] Without Him was not anything made that was made.
[01:00:17] That's Jesus making everything.
[01:00:19] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[01:00:22] And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
[01:00:26] There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
[01:00:29] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe.
[01:00:33] He was not the light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.
[01:00:36] That's another prophecy in Isaiah chapter 40 verse 3.
[01:00:40] In Malachi chapter 3 verse 1, Behold, I'll send a messenger to prepare the way before me.
[01:00:44] And this is John the Baptist.
[01:00:46] Of course that was fulfilled.
[01:00:47] Another miracle.
[01:00:48] But he was to bear witness of the true light, verse 9, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
[01:00:53] Jesus.
[01:00:54] He was in the world.
[01:00:55] Jesus.
[01:00:56] And the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
[01:01:02] Quickly listen to this quote from Augustine.
[01:01:04] He, Jesus, through whom time was made, was made in time.
[01:01:11] He, older by eternity than the world itself, was younger in age than many of his servants in the world.
[01:01:20] He who made man was made man.
[01:01:24] He was given existence by a mother whom he had brought into existence.
[01:01:29] He was carried in hands which he formed.
[01:01:34] He nursed at breasts which he filled.
[01:01:38] He cried like a babe in a manger, speechless infancy,
[01:01:45] This word without which human eloquence is speechless.
[01:01:51] Augustine.
[01:01:53] He came unto his own, verse 11, and his own received him not.
[01:01:58] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even them who believe on his name.
[01:02:07] Which are you?
[01:02:09] Are you those who don't recognize him for who he is, receive him not, or have you received him?
[01:02:15] We who have received him, it says, he gives the power to become the sons of God, even those who believe on his name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, being born again.
[01:02:28] And the Word, Jesus,
[01:02:30] was made flesh, Emmanuel, God with us, Christmas, the wonder, the miracle, and he dwelt tabernacled amongst us.
[01:02:40] We beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
[01:02:49] Praise the Lord.
[01:02:51] Hallelujah.
[01:02:52] Which one are you?
[01:02:53] Like Ahaz, I don't need a sign.
[01:02:57] Or like Simeon, just one looks enough, I'm ready to go.
[01:03:04] I pray that each and every one of you are as many as received him.
[01:03:09] To them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name.
[01:03:18] Is that you?