New Life Bible Fellowship Church
12-24-24 Christmas Eve Service

      • Luke 2:1–20ESV

      • Luke 2:1–7ESV

      • Luke 2:8–14ESV

  • Angels We Have Heard On High
  • Good Christian Men Rejoice
  • O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

      • Luke 2:15–20ESV

  • Introduction

    As we come to the end of this years advent series entitled Call His Name Jesus, we have been exploring various characteristics that make up that name which essentially means, “the Lord is salvation”. We saw in our first message in the series, the nature of that name, as Jesus is both God and man.
    In our second message, we realized that because Jesus took on the nature of humanity, he therefore could function as one who glorifies his heavenly father in his humanity by fulfilling his purpose of condemning the world system and casting down Satan by means of allowing himself to be lifted up on the cross, and as a result, would draw all kinds of people unto him to become children of light.
    In our third message, we unpacked the next characteristic in progression from human nature, to the function accomplished in his humanity, to what we called his offices as Prophet, Priest, and King. This idea of the office or offices of Jesus takes into account all that we have talked about so far and involved a number of passages from both the Old and New Testaments in which we learned that Jesus is the final prophet, bringing God to man, and the final high priest offering before his Father the payment for our sins with his own blood, thus bringing man to God, and that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords in direct fulfillment of the Davidic covenant that God would provide David a son who would reign eternally.
    Then this past Sunday morning, we looked at in our fourth message, the culmination of all that was unpacked in the numerous characteristics contained within the name of Jesus. For, not only is his nature both God and Man, and not only was his function to be lifted up on the cross in order to judge the world system and draw is elect to himself, and not only does he fulfill the offices of prophet, priest, and king, but all these characteristics pointed ultimately to his position as one who is preeminent over all, seeing that he was before all things and that all things were created by him and for him.
    Therefore, with all of that being said, surely, the one they call Jesus would be heralded as the preeminent one and King of Kings and Lord of Lords when he stepped into time and humanity; surely there would be those of prominence who would be there with pomp and fanfare; surely that is so, right? Let’s look at our final message in the series and see the Presentation of Jesus from Luke 2:1-20.

    Text: Luke 2:1-20

    Luke 2:1–20 ESV
    1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

    Main Idea: Since His name is Jesus, His Presentation was Humble and Exclusive.

    I. Humble Beginnings, Mighty Savior (1-7)

    (1) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
    In those days - an imprecise date
    a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered - this decree was a census taken for taxation purposes and was done every 14 years.
    (2) This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
    Quirinius was governor of Syria - scholars believe that Quirinius was the overseer of this registration, and that this registration took place before (when can also be translated before) he became governor of Syria, since Quirinius’ first registration was in 6 AD. Whatever the meaning, the point is that the registration happened.
    The main reason for this registration was God’s superintending where His Son would be born.
    (3) And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
    This was a direct fulfillment of the prophet Micah’s prophecy of the place where the Messiah would be born:
    Micah 5:2 ESV
    2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
    The point is, that this small, insignificant ancient city, as compared to the other cities in Judea, was the city of King David, and was to be the birth place of the Messiah, for which we are shown very clearly that the Messiah was of the line of David, and therefore qualified to be King over His people!
    (6) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
    the time came for her to give birth - it was time for the virgin Mary, whose baby was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, to begin her birth pains at the very moment that God had ordained, and by the very means that the preincarnate Christ created, the process of physical human birth.
    (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
    she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger - Jesus, God the Son added to his Divine Nature, a Human Nature, and became the one and only God/Man.
    A human baby every bit as feeble, frail, and dependent upon his mother to keep him warm, fed, and comfortable, even if it meant sleeping in a feeding trough.
    because there was no place for them in the inn - though there was no room for them in the inn (because of the registration), more then likely, right behind or beneath the inn there was this stable (kind of like a parking garage), a place for feeding and bedding down the inn traveler’s animals (which meant that it was probably anything but a silent night).
    Isn’t it ironic that the King of all Kings was not born in a palace in Jerusalem, but in a feeding trough for animals. This humble beginning was reminiscent of what his life would be like, humble, subservient, and without fanfare. Jesus said this himself in Matt 20:28,
    Matthew 20:28 ESV
    28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
    However, there were those who did know who he was and they were anything but quiet in their,

    II. Heavenly Announcement, Earthly Joy (8-14)

    This unassuming scene may have gone unnoticed had it not been for God’s heavenly host declaring to the humblest of men, that His son had come.
    (8) And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
    These weren’t great men in the eyes of the world. They weren’t leaders either political or religious, but shepherds. The one’s whose responsibility it was to provide care and protection for the sheep that would be used as sacrifices each day in the temple for the sins of the people.
    How ironic it is that God’s Son’s birth was declared first to these caretakers of the sacrificial lambs, and I believe its significance was declared when the apostle John tells us of what John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ said in John 1:29
    John 1:29 ESV
    29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
    How was this message declared to these humble shepherds?
    (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (10) 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. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Let’s listen again to the message angels declare this to these humble shepherds:
    Do not fear, why?
    We are bringing Good news for all people
    In the City of David (Bethlehem) there was a birth, unlike any other birth for there was born:
    a Savior - the final sacrifice to save once for all his people from their sins
    who is Christ the Lord - this savior is none other then the Messiah who is God in the flesh
    But how will they find this great Savior/Messiah?
    (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” In other words, look in the humblest of places, in a stable’s manger and he will be wrapped up like every other baby, in swaddling cloths.
    Now the real celebration of Christmas begins:
    (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” - Let’s take note of the elements of this celebration:
    a multitude of the heavenly host praising God - It was a corporate worship service focused on God (13)
    Glory to God in the highest - It recognized the greatness of God and heavenly domain (14)
    Note however, that Worship precedes peace - Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace (14), It recognized the affect that God’s sovereignty has on his physical earth (and on earth) - ultimately, the peace on earth would be brought about through the Messiah’s sacrifice for God’s people, bringing peace with God. Remember, there will never be peace on earth among men, until there is peace individually with God, and this peace with God will always acknowledge him through exclusive worship!
    Romans 5:1 ESV
    1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Note finally the faith of the shepherd’s to believe what the angels had told them, and there reaction of worship showed their belief in God’s plan of redemption through the Messiah.

    III. Joyful Witness, Living Testimony (15-20)

    (15) When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (16) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
    the Lord has made known to us. The shepherds believed that this message was from God, and how we know they believed was seen in their obedience (15-16)
    (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
    The shepherd’s belief was heard in their witness of God’s truth…these humble shepherds became dynamic evangelists! (17-18)
    (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. - Mary stored these truths in her heart to be meditated on throughout her life as she watched he son, the God/Man fulfill all that he was born to do.
    (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
    The shepherd’s belief was declared in their worship (20)

    So What?

    Has the Christmas story become so humdrum, unexciting, or just the backdrop of your own celebration?
    Remember: The coming of Christ was no accident, nor was it some peaceful little Hallmark Christmas special that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy, but it was the pivotal event in all history where the eternal God took on a nature of flesh to redeem His people from their sins.
    Thus our advent series, Call His Name Jesus, comes to a close with this humble celebration as Jesus is presented to the world, yet, in that name we have come to learn that:
    His nature is both God and Man;
    His function is to die in our place;
    His offices are seen as the final prophet, priest, and king;
    His position is preeminent over all things in both heaven and earth.
    Will you promise in your heart and then spring into action, to celebrate in similar fashion the way the angels and shepherds did?
    Do you have peace with God?

      • Luke 2:1–5ESV

      • Luke 2:1–5ESV

      • Luke 2:1–5ESV

      • Luke 2:1–5ESV

      • Micah 5:2ESV

      • Luke 2:6–7ESV

      • Luke 2:6–7ESV

      • Matthew 20:28ESV

      • Luke 2:8ESV

      • John 1:29ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Luke 2:9–14ESV

      • Romans 5:1ESV

      • Luke 2:15–20ESV

  • Silent Night
New Life Bible Fellowship Church
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(302) 945-8145
https://newlifebfcde.org
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