Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, December 17th, 2006 – 10:30 a.m.

 

LUKE’S BEAUTIFUL TAPISTRY

Luke 2: 1-20

 

1 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. 6 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.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

 

The Three Strands that Luke has Woven into this Beautiful Tapestry

 

I           STRAND #1 – SOVERIGNTY OF GOD

 

            “And it came to pass” – vs.1

 

            Roman citizens actually gave Caesar Augustus the following title:

 

            SAVIOUR of the WORLD

 

            PRESTIGE

 

            PRIDE

 

            POWER

 

 

Caesar Augustus was powerless to stop:

 

  1. BIRTH of Jesus in Bethlehem

 

  1. PROPHECY of Micah

 

  1. FULFILLMENT of Genesis 3:15

 

 

 

II          STRAND #2 – STRANGE FAMILY

 

            Mary and Joseph – BETROTHED

 

            Joseph – not the FATHER

 

 

III        STRAND #3 – SHEPHERDS ADORATION AND WORSHIP

 

            God always had a special PLAN for shepherds

 

·        Abraham

·        Moses

·        David

 

That night God had a special MESSAGE for the shepherds

 

 

What was the hallmark of the family of Jesus?

 

1.      OBEDIENCE  to Almighty God

 

2.      SUBMISSION to the will of God

 

3.      PERSEVERING  in spite of difficulty

 

 

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