December 24th 10:00 AM Service
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14
Message: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Sermon Title: Prince of Peace
Context:
Roman Empire at the time of Augustus
The path that Joseph & Mary travelled to Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-7 (LSB)
1 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, [and] was with child. 6 Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room.
Luke 2:1 (NET)
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (LSB)
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
Numbers 3:13 (LSB)
13 “For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am Yahweh.”
Biblical Manger
A possible “inn” in the Christmas narrative in Luke 2
1. The great example of
.
Luke 2:8-14 (LSB)
8 In the same region there were [some] shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “And this [will be] the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased.”
Proverbs 11:2 (LSB)
2 When arrogance comes, then comes disgrace, But with the meek is wisdom.
2. The right
to God’s
brings peace.
Luke 2:15-20 (LSB)
15 And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds [began] saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them.
Philippians 3:7-8 (LSB)
7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.
3. We need to
the Gift of the Messiah.
The Teeter Totter of faith:
Luke 2:14 (LSB)
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
The Glory of God:
Peace: