Good morning,
Two weeks ago, we learned that God rules over everything, is all knowing, and sees everything. He cares about His creation and His people. Knowing this, we should not be fearful. Last week we studied why God tells us to “fear not”.
Knowing that God is in control and that we need not be fearful, we can begin to enjoy the blessings of God.
We will see how God blessed Israel, the church through the birth of Jesus, and the United States.
God blesses Israel and the Church Luke 1:26-35, 2:1-7
a) Christ’s birth announced 1:26-35
1) Gabriel appears to Mary v 26-30 Key verse 30
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
2) Gabriel announces Jesus birth v 31-33 Key verse 31
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
3) Virgin birth foretold v 34-35 Key verse 35
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
b) Christ’s birth 2:1-7
1) Caesar Augustus decrees all the world to be taxed v 1-5
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
2) Jesus is born v 6-7 Key verse 7
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.7 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.
The birth of Jesus was a miracle. Only God could have orchestrated all the events that to happen to make Jesus birth reality.
This birth was to be a blessing to both Jews and gentiles.
He was the long awaited Messiah of Israel. Jesus met all the requirements to be the Messiah. The religious leaders should have known that Jesus was the Messiah. The Old Testament had many references to the coming Messiah. However, they either knew or rejected Him, or they were ignorant and not worthy of holding a position of leadership. Another option was that they were afraid of losing their positions of authority, if Jesus was the Messiah. So the religious leaders rejected Him!
However, there were many of the common people, Jews, who embraced Christ, His teachings, and that He was the long awaited Messiah. They were the first converts. They were blessed!
The gentiles on the other hand embraced Him. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were saved. They heard of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and they said, “…Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
That is what God requires for all who seek Christ. They must repent of their sins and trust Christ as Lord and Savior. The first act of obedience is to be baptized. The indwelling Holy Spirit comes to each believer in Christ.
The gentiles are blessed.
Would you like to be saved? Call me or send me an email or text.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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