God Is Doing Great Things (Part 4)

Dec. 25, 2005
Text: Luke 1:37

Intro: Merry Christmas!As we examine the scriptures and look into that first Christmas night we find the Lord calling some very unusual people to fulfill the evangel prophecy mentioned in Gen. 3:15.

-First there is Elizabeth: Mary’s cousin- she was past childbearing age. She and her husband Zacharias had no children. It seemed impossible. Yet, as she would tell the world “With God nothing shall be impossible”.

-Then we find the angel moving over to a young nobody. Because of the age women marry in those days, many place her age around 13,14; but she could have been as old as 17. She Wondered how she could possibly have a child, and the angel said in vs. 35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon thee…” Mary would learn with God nothing shall be impossible.

-Next is Joseph. A carpenter. What could He possibly do as a carpenter? How could this simple man provide the comforts a King was accustomed to.



Illus: Ever hear of a child coming home and saying something like this “Mom I gotta have..everybody at school has one.” She doesn’t want to be the odd ball. Imagine what Jesus was accustomed to in Heaven.
-Joseph, have you got a cloud where I can rest my feet?... or
-Joseph have you got an angelic hymn or someone to worship me?
Joseph could have worried himself into a psych hospital, but he didn’t. Matt. 1:24 “Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bid him.” That’s why Joseph was chosen, he would believe God and do as was instructed. This was the reason he is called “Just” or “Righteous” in Matt. 1:19

-Next the shepherds are invited (Luke 2:8): One of the lowest Jewish professions. They weren’t even allowed in the temple to worship. They stayed with those nasty, smelly sheep all the time. Yet the angels from Heaven would sing to them “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Then they would “of all people” be invited to see the King of Kings Son being born.

-Let’s not forget Simeon. Who had been waiting years for the consolation of Israel to show up at the Temple. But after the 40 days Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord. Simeon Upon seeing the God/child Jesus said “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation”.

-Then the wise men would come and offer Jesus Gifts of frankincense and Myrh. But more than the gifts, the Bible tells us in verse 2:11 that they worshipped Immanuel.

-THIS FAR we have seen an unusual group of people involved in welcoming God’s Son.

- 2 teenagers

- 4 senior saints

- Smelly shepherds

- And foreigners following a star

Is that the company you would have chosen to attend and attest to the King of Kings only son being born? -Yet God did great things through these simple people and today we still read their recorded story each Christmas. God did great things through each group. THEY EACH LEARNED “WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE”. This morning I want to finish the series "God is Doing Something Great" by sharing this simple truth:

Just as God used the unknown 2000 years ago to do great things; He wants to work through us to accomplish even greater things.

Illus:Watching a halftime show and a man was trying to throw a football in a big hole. Each throw was worth 10,000 dollars (ten throws). Now any quarterback could have easily made the throws, but for this guy….. Well, he made all ten and then would try for 1,000,000 dollars. Again for the QB it would be easy, but for this guy to do. I found myself really wishing he would win the money. But He missed. I felt for him, but he was able to keep the hundred thousand.
-Point is: we love it when the normal guy does something great.
-God loves for normal people to do supernormal things.
John 14;12 “Verily verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do.” Do you believe Jesus? If you do, then He said you shall do great things. Let me remind you this morning of some great things available for every true believer:


a)Prayer: Not just any prayer. Prayer that is filled with promise. John 14:13 “And whatsoever ye ask in my name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it” -In the O.T. only the priest had access to the Holy of Holies. The place where God dwelt. But praise God when Jesus was born he was born to tear down the curtain and open the door to the throne for all who believe.

Illus: George Mueller and Accomplishments by Faith "Every time you pray, you do something great given by the birth of God’s Son."

b)Peace: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”
Phil.4:7 “Peace of God passes all understanding”
-The World can’t understand how cancer patients can have peace,
-How during major surgery on a child, the parents can give it to God.
-How Christians can have Mountains of problems and be at peace.
Its because Jesus said He would give us peace!

c)Joy: I thought I knew joy until I became a Christian. I see men and women struggle with problems: bad medical news, strained finances, uncertain future, wayward children, addictions. They try to find the answer everywhere else, but then are compelled to ask God to help. Then they find gift wrapped for them to open: Joy they have been looking for: John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy may remain in you (Jesus joy), and that your joy might be full.”


Illus: Knew a man who drank everyday. Had a stable marriage, but not a full marriage. But when He came to Jesus, opened the complete package of salvation…He has known no greater joy and his wife is right by his side.” -When you come to worship Him in the manger “Nothing is impossible”.

d)Power: There was driving power at work that first Christmas -A virgin giving birth -Angels singing to shepherds -Shepherds leaving flock *and that is just a few of the displays of power. Fast forward a few thousand years. -The Bible says in Acts 1:8 “Ye shall receive power” -You say..."Preacher I can’t move any bowls or cast any spells". No that is magic. Jesus said with the faith of a mustard seed we could move a mountain. But let me ask you, who wants to move a mountain when they can move the eternal home of a person? -Jesus didn’t come with omnipotent power to move mountains; he “came to seek and to save that which was lost”. Is there any greater power in the world then the power to lead someone to Jesus Christ? Luke 15:7 ..joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth...”
-Not over mountains being moved, or some other huge physical feat, but helping someone find their way to Heaven. -*At the Crib “nothing shall be impossible”

e)Paradise: Can’t unwrap this present yet. Jesus is still preparing the place for us. But He has promised us that “as we saw Him leave, He shall doubtless come again to us unto himself that where He is we shall be also.”
-No sin.....No Smog....No Sorrow....
-Jesus tells us that at anytime we can open this gift:
*Paul said “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,….we shall be changed.” 1 Cor.15:51
-With Christ nothing is impossible. As we close let us know this Christmas that Christ wants give us great prayer...great joy...great peace...great power; But the greatest thing God wants to do through us is give us a GREAT PARADISE!

-Jesus will in a moment change us into something immortal and move us to something magnificent. All because of baby in a manger who is Immanuel. Tragic things are happening this Christmas. Not everyone will have a merry time. For some it's jail....Others are lonely....and Some have had recent bad news, etc.. But another tragic truth is that not everyone will get into Heaven. Only those who have come to Jesus.

I Want to close my December sermon series in review:
Topic: God is Doing something great:
-Started with God did something great through Mary:
-Then God did something great through Esther.
-Then Rahab.
-Then we Looked at Christ and His birth.
-Today we close with “God wants to do something great through you”

Notice how the first letters of each name spell a word: that word is mercy. The only reason God has not taken all his children home is His wonderful mercy. The gift that really keeps giving. It is that gift which allows people more time to come to Christ and experience what Mary heard, Elizabeth experienced, Shepherds saw, Wise men worshipped…...and ”The Gift of the Impossible”


**God wants to do something great through you this morning!”

-Will you come to Christ?

-Some here need to come for the gift of salvation
-Some here need power of circumstances (feel chained)
-Some here need better prayer life
-some here need joy restored
-Some need peace (forgiveness to or from someone, a situation in life)

This Christmas God wants to give you your desires if you ask in his name.

Illus: John Wesley preached his last sermon Feb 17, 1791 on the text “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isa 55:6). The following day, a very sick man, he was put to bed in his home on City Road. During the days of his illness, he often repeated the words from one of his brother’s hymns: “I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me!” His last words were, “The best of all is, God is with us!” He died March 2, 1791. Thursday, December 21, 1899, after cutting short a Kansas City crusade and returning home in ill health, D. L. Moody told his family, “I’m not discouraged. I want to live as long as I am useful, but when my work is done I want to be up and off.” The next day Moody awakened after a restless night. In careful, measured words he said, “Earth recedes, Heaven opens before me!” His son, Will, concluded his father was dreaming. “No, this is no dream, Will. It is beautiful. It is like a trance. If this is death, it is sweet. There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.”

Prayer:


home ~ Return to Sermons Page