Through Christ
Intro: Have you given any thought how Christmas changes your life? Will next year be any different because of this Christmas?
-If we were really to evaluate what December means and Christmas brings we would realize that after all the fuss we are just more tired and broke.
**No the Christmas season may not change us much; but the person at the center of Christmas does change us. Jesus Christ.
-Today I want to say that when Jesus came into the world
a) He brought great peace for those who want it.
b) He brought great joy to those who will receive it.
c) And He bring a great future to those who expect it.
Text: Matt. 1:18-25
Intro: I have seen a little baby put a smile on the roughest man. See them in work clothes go ogle through a
piece of glass just because their baby squinted or did something no one else saw.
-I’ve even seen a baby who was born with a cone head because the doctors used some salad utensil to deliver the child.
-The baby comes out shaped like something from a movie.
-Then nurses say “He’s beautiful” and a double take is done.
-Then someone says “He looks like his dad” or “we can tell whose dad this baby belongs to”.
*But dad isn’t insulted. What a compliment. What Joy a baby gives mom and dad.
-Maybe even parents start dreaming about what future their son/s’ter will have.
*There a difference between our child and Jesus. God knew His son wouldn’t live long. And He knew His life wouldn’t be
filled with a retirement fund. Yet that is exactly what God wanted from Jesus.
1) He brought great peace to those who want it:
a)The shepherds:
-Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers”. These Shepherds have been the unwanted and the outcast of society. Yet God
sent only one invitation to the world to announce Jesus birth and it was to these lowly group of men. They were social
outcast and they were religious outcast. Because they had to watch the sheep 24/7 they couldn’t participate in the feast
that would lost days.
-The shepherds would watch sheep day and night. They would make sure the enemy of the sheep couldn’t get to them. They would e
ven sleep with the sheep.
- I imagine they got pretty tired. But Jesus would take their eyes off the sheep and put their eyes on the Shepherd.
- Can you imagine the peace they felt when learning the Messiah was born. (Luke 2: 8-20)
-Jesus the Savior was born. And then the angels would sing. Oh how the shepherds knew/felt/saw the peace of God.
Illus: Listening to a fellow who had earpiece in ear listening to music.
-Head banging up and down. Wondered how he didn’t have nervous breakdown or at very least a loss of hearing.
-No I’m sure the music the Shepherds heard glorified God and brought peace into the hearts of men. The angels even mentioned
it in their song “Peace on earth”
b) The Wise Men: (Find them in Matt. 2:10-12)
Finally the long journey was over. They had traveled man miles, encountered many hurdles, and probably many thoughts
of returning home (Just quitting). But the star compelled them.
-Then they finally saw baby Jesus. The Bible says they worshipped Him. It is impossible to worship Christ and not have peace.
-Those who would worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Oh, the truth over the years was true. Jesus is alive. The Savior is born.
c)Mary and Joseph (Matt. 1:25)
Illus: Look at mothers face after giving birth to a child. Mixed with emotions. See relaxation; joy, and rest that comes from knowing baby is healthy. First question: “Is baby alright”
-Imagine if you would that you were chosen to bring a baby into the world that would have cure for cancer. Special serum injected in womb to mix with babies DNA. From the babies DNA/ Serum mix you would save everyone with cancer. Only enough DNA for one child.
When Baby is born the peace of knowing the plan was compete. Oh, how Joseph and Mary must have felt relieved.
2) He brought great joy to those who receive it:
a)The shepherds (Luke 2:20).
Who were the shepherds of all people to be the ones invited to the Kings birth? Listen when they went back to the sheep I
believe every sheep in the flock was still there.
-Whatever we place in God’s hands is safer than in ours.
-The Shepherds glorified God
-The shepherds praised God.
b)The wise men (Matt. 1:10)
The verse tells us they had “exceeding great joy. “ They
were ecstatic. They began to shower Him with gifts.
Illus: Looking at our angel tree I can feel the joy that comes from being able to share with others. Wise
men were moved with a joy that prompted them to the true meaning of Christmas: Giving. They gave their hearts (worship),
gave their gifts (talents), and the gave their lives (went back another way).
c)Mary and Joseph Illus: Cindy and I were watching the TV and a news reporter was sharing how a young baby was left in a dumpster. Cindy said she didn’t know how a mother could do such a thing. I don’t understand how people can treat life so flippantly.
3) And He will bring a great future to this who expect it. ( 1 Peter )
a)The shepherds:
The shepherds knew the future was going to be different. They had received a snapshot of Christ but knew He was going to be
their Savior.
-Probably thought He would defeat the Romans: Just like many today that think receiving Jesus will rid them of all their
enemies and opposition. Listen Jesus doesn’t promise an enemy free future. As a matter of fast when you follow Him He
guarantees mores enemies.
-But Jesus also promises victory “He has overcome the world”.
-No those shepherds just knew the future was brighter because the Child of God was born.
b) The wise men (Matt. 2:12)
The wise men had to take a different road. But it was road that still was going to take them home.
Illus: When we went to Russia in 2004 the people, places will never leave my mind I was moved by the
starvation of the Gospel over there. Yet when it was time to leave, everyone in the group was ready to come home.
And home has never been sweeter then the day I came back. Jack and I both mentioned we could kiss the U.S. soil.
c) Mary and Joseph:
They didn’t know it then but they would have to move to Egypt,
settle in Nazareth, and watch their Son die a thief’s death.
-Yet they wouldn’t change a thing. Why?
Conclusion: Because the hope, the peace, the joy, and the future Christ gave 2000 years ago to the wise men, shepherds and themselves He continues to give. For all who willing to accept Christ-Christ still is doing something Great!