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Living Hope SDA Church

Christian Martin

The Incomparable Birth


That's why he came. Thank you for that beautiful message. Let's bow our heads together as we acknowledge our Lord. Thank you for coming. Thank you for revealing the reason why you came.

And Lord, thank you that it was for us, for me, for each 1 of us here. And Father, as we open the Word of God, which is your voice, speaking to hearts today, we ask Lord that you would do that this morning, that we would tune our ears to hear your voice. May the Holy Spirit do that for us and may we discover the incomparable Jesus who wants to make the greatest difference in our life. Thank you Lord in Jesus name, Amen. Ever since the fall of man, God's presence has made humanity tremble.

Consider this, Adam hid from God's voice. Abram fell into deep terror. Moses, when he turned to God, he feared what he looked upon. Sinai thundered, and when it did, Israel shook to its core. Job confessed, I am terrified of Him.

Even nature trembles before His majesty. And there's many other instances recorded in Scripture where humanity trembles in the presence of a living God. And the greatest story ever told is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, is no different. The glory of the Lord shines with the splendor coming from multitude of angels. As their glory appears, the Bible tells us that again, fear rises.

But this time, the good tidings drive fear away. Come with me to the Gospel of Luke. Open your Bibles with me to the Gospel of Luke. We're going to be taking a look at the greatest story ever told and the greatest news ever given to mankind. And it's found in the book of Luke.

Luke, beginning with verse 8, Luke chapter 2 and verse 8. Now there was in the same country shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. Verse 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Verse 10, then the angel said to them, say those next 4 words together with me. Shall we say it?

Do not be afraid. Let's say it again. Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. We've read this passage before.

We've heard it during this time of the year again and again and again. But make no mistake about it, this is The first gospel sermon in the New Testament, preached by a heavenly messenger, an angel of glory, announcing good news of great joy that God has come near in peace. And ever since this message is given, if you look at the life of Jesus and every time that he spoke both to multitudes and to individuals, throughout his life these words echo. You hear them again and again and again. Jesus said, Simon, fear not.

Women at the tomb, fear not. Disciples on the stormy sea, fear not. Fear not. Do not be afraid. And so it was, the angelic evangelist, if we could name him that, the first gospel preacher of the New Testament proclaimed, I bring good tidings.

But not good tidings of joy only. That's not what the text says exactly. The text says bring good tidings of what kind of joy? What kind of joy? Great joy.

Great joy. Great joy. Not a fragile, earthly happiness that's based on circumstances. When things go well, we're happy. When things are not so well, we're not so happy.

We're not talking about that kind of happiness. We're talking about joy. Joy is something that goes much deeper. Heaven's own joy. A joy that is lasting, that is pure, that is holy and eternal.

Great joy. And why now at this time in earth's history? Why now? Why now, millenniums before? Why is it that this very moment is ushering great joy?

Why joy? Why great joy? Why would the birth of Jesus usher in great joy? Number 1, because the separation between God and man is bridged. Can you say amen to that?

Because of sin, and you understand that too well. Too well. I understand it too well. Why do we understand it too well? Because we all have sin and come short of the glory of God.

So we know about that separation. We know it. We know it. But the birth of Christ, an incomparable birth, well after countless thousands, if not millions of births, and every birth ever since has not been such as this 1, an incomparable birth, a birth which included the incarnation. God takes on flesh, drawing near to us, not to destroy, but to save.

When enters our world, Not in unapproachable fire, which is his natural presence, but this time he comes in swaddling clothes. Why? So we can approach Him. So we can approach Him without fear. Without fear.

Why great joy? Because ancient promises are fulfilled at that very moment in comparable birth. Throughout history, early history, prophets of old had time and time again prophesied it is coming. It is coming. It is coming.

I'll tell you why there's great joy now. Because these promises and these prophecies are being fulfilled on time. Isaiah. Isaiah said he'd be born of a virgin. Check.

Micah said he'd be born in Bethlehem. Check. Hosea said he'd be called out of Egypt. Check. Malachi said a forerunner would make the way.

Check. Zechariah said the king would ride a young donkey. Check. A prophet said he'd be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Check.

The psalmist said his hands and feet would be pierced. Check. An ancient scroll said he'd be given vinegar to drink, check. There's well over 300 prophecies pointing to the Messiah. We only went over a few.

And church, know this 1 thing, it was all written right here in this book. It was all written right here in this book. It was all written right here, long before the 1 was born. It was all written. And God fulfilled every word with an incomparable birth.

Why great joy? I tell you why great joy. Because he comes as Savior. As Savior. Notice verse 11.

Let's stay in Luke chapter 2. Notice how verse 11 records the following. And he says, the angel, and this will be the sign to you, that you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Verse 11, for there's born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, a Savior, A Savior who is Christ the Lord. And he comes.

He comes not only to teach or inspire, which he did, but he's coming To rescue, to forgive, to cleanse, to make new. His incomparable birth was heaven's light. Literally breaking through the darkness of this world. And here's where it gets real. I'm going to bring you a little closer to home now.

The joy of his birth becomes ours when his life becomes ours when we are born again. Let that just simple yet significant crucial concept just sink in. The joy, the joy we sing about, The joy we hear about, the joy that evidently others seem to have. Why not with me? Why not me?

Well the joy of his birth becomes the joy, our joy, when his life becomes ours, when we are born again. And the angel begins in a personal note. Notice the words of the angel, right? He says, to you is born this day. To you.

To you. It Began with the shepherds. Who were the shepherds? They were overlooked people, ordinary people. No 1 paid a lot of attention to the shepherds.

But the emphasis is universal. To you! To you! Christ's incomparable birth must become more than a story, more than a nativity scene. It must become a new birth in us.

I mean, let's let's just let's just call it what it is. It profits us little. That Christ was born in Bethlehem, unless Christ is born in our hearts. We can have the most beautiful nativity scenes, those cute little decorations. We have 1 that we got in Peru sitting right on top of our piano.

It's the most, it's my favorite nativity scene. It has Peruvian features. It's beautiful. We can have all those. We can have a massive collection of nativity scenes.

And we can sing about it and talk about it all season long. But again, it makes no difference unless Christ is born himself in our hearts. And the gospel also expands outwardly. It's not the message now, it's not only to you, but it's also outwardly, which will be to All people, all people. So whenever Christ is welcomed, even in small ways, His influence brings peace, hope, compassion, and blessing.

Even his mention of his name. But the fullest joy, the greatest joy, belongs to those who receive him as Savior and Lord. For it's in turning to him in faith that we experience a new birth, The new heart, the new desires, the new spirit, the new identity, the new life. And when Jesus is born in us, he becomes everything life needs. Can I have a witness?

Can you testify of this? Can you say that this is true? Have you come to discover it yourself? Because when Jesus is born in us, he's not just now God who sits on the throne and we worship him from down here below on earth? No, it's far more intimate than that.

In fact, it's very intimate. He's a God who now finds his dwelling place, his very throne, his very birthplace in us, in our lives, and it's everything we need. When your mind is troubled and your spirit is confused, he steps in as a wonderful counselor. When the pressure is heavy and your nerves are tight, he shows up as a prince of peace. And when the ground beneath you feels insecure, He stands as a solid rock that cannot be moved.

When people let you down and promises fall apart, He remains the faithful 1. When you're lonely in a crowded room, He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. When you're standing with no defense and no voice, He speaks up on your behalf as your advocate. When life grows dark and you can't see your way, He shines as the light of the world. When trouble surrounds you On every side, He breaks through as the deliverer.

When sin has left its mark and weights you down, guilt weighs you down, He covers you with His righteousness. When your soul is starving and nothing satisfies, He becomes the bread of life. When you're searching for answers and longing for truth, He is the way, the truth, and the life. When you are helpless and out of options, He shows up as the Savior. Church, hear me.

He will never forsake you. He will never leave you. He will never mislead you. He will never overlook you. He will not forget you.

When you fall, He lifts you up. When you're weak, He is strong. When you're lost, He is the way. When fear grips your heart, He gives you courage. When you stumble, He steadies your steps.

When you're hurting, He heals. When you're broken, He mends. When you can't see your way, He leads you. When trials come, He stands with you. When persecution rises, He comforts you.

When problems press in around you, He shields you. When loss knocks at your door, He provides. When death itself comes calling, He stands as the resurrection, holding the keys to death and the grave. Yes, church, He is everything for everybody. Everywhere, every time and every way.

He is God, He is faithful, and He is enough. And the angels, they give a sign. They said a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Church, let me ask you a question that I'm sure you've asked yourself. Why?

Why was the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, born in a wooden Jewish manger? Because He came to suffer and die on a wooden Roman cross. The wood that held His infant body was pointing to the wood that would 1 day hold His broken body. A friend of mine and songwriter wrote these lyrics, a baby who from the cradle was already crawling toward the cross. For he is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Before Abraham, or rather before Bethlehem, there was Calvary in the heart of God. God carried the pain of the cross before you and I were even formed and created. This is why John could declare, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So why are we here today? When the presence of the living God, We've come here, the call has gone forth to gather together.

It's a time of worship. And why are we here? Why are we celebrating communion service today? Because receiving Him, the 1 who was born in a manger, receiving the infant child, receiving Christ to be born in us, into our hearts, means surrendering the throne of our lives. Because human nature has taken the throne and sits and rules in our lives.

But there's a choice to be made. Yes, it's a choice. Thankfully, by God's grace, a choice is left to us not to be made alone, apart from Christ. Because without Him, we can do nothing. It is Christ who empowers us, who strengthens us, who makes us willing to be willing.

He gives us the mind and the heart to receive him into our lives. It means letting the Savior rule, not just the baby be admired. And so this becomes our prayer. Lord, make my heart your Bethlehem. Be born in me.

Be born in me. Not just born in history, but born in my heart. An incomparable birth. Not just cradled in a manger, but reigning in my life. Christ was born so that you might be born again.

That is why he was born. He entered this world so that he could enter your heart. He took our nature so he could give us His new nature. There is no name like the name of Jesus. And there is no birth like the birth of Jesus.

That's why He, His, is an incomparable birth. And what a time of the year as culture and society all around us point to the manger, point to the birth of Christ. What a time, what a moment for us, as disciples of Christ, as followers of Christ, as believers of Christ, to come together. And in preparation, in preparation to celebrate his birth in a very focused and beautiful way. What a moment to say, but Christ, the Christ born in Bethlehem, O Christ, my blessed Savior, O Christ, be born in me.

And he waits for the invitation, the open door, to come into our lives and reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords. Is that your desire today? Do you want to make that commitment? Or even recommitment? If you want to say, Jesus, be born in me, would you say it by raising your hand right now?

Saying, Jesus, you see my hand, you read my heart, be born in me. God bless you, because the living Christ has found in you a permanent place where he abides and abides day by day, moment by moment. Let's pray together. Father in heaven, O living Christ, Today we are contemplating both the manger and the cross, recognizing that you were born, yes Lord, to die. That's why you came.

And the reason for your death was me, was us. And here we are, Acknowledging that you did come, you were born in a manger, and testifying, and pleading, and asking, and inviting, that you be born in us, And as the living Christ is welcomed into our lives, oh Father in heaven, take us from here with courage, with confidence in you and you alone, that we will endure until the end because it's the living Christ who reigns in our life. We thank you, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen. This media was brought to you by AudioVerse, a website dedicated to spreading God's word through free sermon audio and much more. If you would like to know more about Audioverse or if you would like to listen to more sermons please visit www.audioverse.org

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