Sunday Message December 20, 2009
4th Advent Sunday
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14 ; Romans 1:1-7 ; Matthew 1:18-25
Isaiah 7:10-14 (New International Version)
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Pastor Comments
Isaiah was a man of God used by God to point people in the right direction- to follow Gods direction.
He spoke up for God and challenged Kings and political leaders about the direction of the nation and their personal life.
He tells the king God will give a sign to you a sign that reveals himself to you and points the direction for you- this sign will show you what lies ahead.
Most often prophecies had two perspective an immediate short term implications for the nation and more significantly a long term perspective- looking to the unfolding plan of God.
One individual he had conflict with on more than one occasion was the King Ahaz- He was a wicked King
Ahaz liked to think that he was in control- he was the King his word was final he was the greatest most powerful man around.
Isaiah tells him to ask God for a sign for direction to reveal his way Ahaz sounds very spiritual very humble far it be for me to ask God for a sign It was false humility he already had his plan in place he had no desire to know Gods plan and for God to take his place and power. 1 Kings we have the record how he had already made an alliance with Assyria to go to battle. ( 2 Kings `6: 7-9)
How often do people fall into this same mindset I have it all figured out I have my plan at work I do not have to consult God seek his direction I do not have to consider Jesus Christ I have my own ideas of how I will get to heaven my rituals traditions superstitions I have aligned myself with this group.
WE have here a prophetic reference to a greater sign for us the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
God directing us leading us pointing the way for us. This passage is referred to in Matthews account as a sign from God revealed to us in the Christ child.
Signs are valuable = possible more so today then ever before-
Just driving here this morning you saw more signs than you could count and obeyed many signs without thinking about it. Which way to turn not turn when to go when to stop.
If we choose to disobey some signs we find ourselves in trouble or even a disaster- going the wrong way on a one way street may cause some conflict along the way.
Signs tell us what is to come how far we have to go- danger do not enter detour wrong way this way to your destination- take a wrong turn and you might be headed down the wrong raod going away from your ultimate destination.
What is the sign this baby is Gods ultimate direction for us. If we choose not to follow his direction we will get off course we will go the wrong way we will be headed for danger and destruction.
A sign was given to reveal God is at work among us his plan will be accomplished- he is in control- everything is unfolding as it should.
One thing I have been challenged with as we have looked at the various passages during this advent season looking at the prophecies of Isaiah - is that God is not troubled by time we get all bent out of shape when things do not happen immediately but God has an eternal perspective on things.
WE get so caught up in the finite temporal temporary things we have only so many years to live so we try and squeeze as much out of it as we can and we miss the eternal perspective- God has some long term plans and we can find comfort and our place in that plan as we look to the signs he gives to us.
Look to this child look at what he brought to this world listen to his message and promise of peace hope and eternal life which are found in him.
If we miss this sign we will miss the greater picture of life and all God has for us at the end of journey- we will take a road that leads away from all he has for us.
He revealed which way they should go and what would happen if they did not choose to follow God direction.
Reflection Questions:
What situation are you facing that frightens you now? What forces are involved? How trusting of God are you in this situation? What makes it difficult for you to trust God in such fearful times?
When have you found that following your solution to a problem, rather than Gods, only made the problem worse?
Ahaz masked his lack of trust in God with false humility. What examples have you seen of people covering up their sin with a veneer of virtue? When was the last time you did this?
Matthew 1:23 shows that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in verse 14 far more than any child in Ahaz day could have. When facing a challenging crisis, how have you seen Jesus as Immanuel God with us?
How has Jesus been a sign to you giving you direction in your life purpose in your life promise in your life? How willing and able are you at following the direction signs God gives to you? Are you headed in the direction he has revealed to you?
Romans 1:1-7 (New International Version
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The in between time is not just for waiting putting in time- getting all we can out of this life God still has a big picture eternal perspective and we are part of the picture he is painting.
Saint set apart for the gospel the good news to live out this news and point others to the way.
Prophets pointed to this day Immanuel God with us Human nature line of David Son of God the God man the sign to us resurrection from the dead- Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is Lord as Lord he has the right to rule and reign in our lives.
Our number one calling is so many ask what does God want from me where is he leading me show me a sign give me direction in life
If you are among those who have responded to the good news heard the message of the prophets and seen the sign his coming this is God in the flesh born to set me free forgiveness is mine I have received his mercy and grace- called to belong to Jesus Christ
We are saints set apart to call others to reveal Christ to those among the Gentiles the truth has gone out through us into the world.
Our number one calling is to proclaim him reveal him share the message of his love truth and grace.
If this is not our passion desire concern- we may very well have missed his greatest sign- we may very well be walking down a path taking a hike traveling a road that leads to no where- no lasting significance and eternal benefits.
Reflection question:
When did you first feel Jesus call in your life?
How has that call changed your life goals? Your sense of need to share Christ with others?
How is this reflected in your prayers and actions?
How would you compare your commitment to the Gospel to Pauls in verse 16? - Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles.
Matthew 1:18-25 (New International Version)
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But 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. 21She 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: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The fulfillment of a long awaited promise and also the hope for the future when the promise will be reality.
The supernatural work of God virgin birth- God among us.
- the angels, created by God to help carry out his work among us- protect deliver messages from God encourage us give guidance- patrol the earth- fight the forces of evil.
Our salvation is a supernatural work of God we cannot bring it about by our own efforts he draws us to himself reveals himself to us and ultimately forgives us by paying the price taking our place.
What reason does Matthew give for Jesus birth? Vs. 21 to save us from our sin our estrangement form God.
I have come to seek and save the lost who are lost have you ever stopped to wonder what is this life all about where does it all end up what is to come at the end of my life and you find that it is just to complicated there are so many conflicting views so many roads to take- that you just decide not to take any road sounds like you are lost- need direction.
Jesus said I have come to reveal the way and lead you down the path, show you the way you are to go.
Salvation is a supernatural work of God we cannot achieve it on our own - in our own efforts.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is Gods gift to us.
Reflection Questions:
If you were Joseph in this situation what would be the first thing to come to your mind?
Would you be willing to follow Gods plan for your life if it meant loosing your reputation?
In all honesty, what difference does following Jesus make in your everyday life?
--- a great deal
--- quite a lot
--- some
--- not a whole lot
--- none at all
What difference does it make or would it make for you to know that God is with you every moment of every day?
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