The King Is Born

 Luke 2:1-20 = the most popular christmaw passage n the Bible.  

This passage changed everything.   We count the years like we do because of this event.
AD - Anno Domini.  God Himself took on flesh and dwelt among us. 
Immanuel - God with us.

Luke 2:1-3
Caesar Augustus - emperor of Rome from 27 BC to AD 14.  He set himself up as supreme ruler.  Roman Empire would refer to their dominion as "the world".  He took on name Caesar Augustus - Augustus meaning holy one or exalted one.  Reserved for gods up until then. 
So here was a proclaimed "Holy" and "exalted" one who ruled over the "world" and brought peace on earth. 
Of course, this was self-proclaimed, but widely accepted.  Was just steeped in idolatry.  Issued a decree over all the "world" to be counted, ruled, and taxed. 
This is the scene setting up the birth of Jesus.

 Luke 2:4-6
Mary & Joseph traveling to Bethlehem of Judea.  Joseph was of house and lineage of David.
Important, why?  God made a promise about 1,000 years earlier to a king named David in 2 Sam. 7:16 that his rule and his throne would be established forever. 
Compare:  Luke 1:32-33 - angel Gabriel talking to Mary.  Also, Matthew tells that Joseph was of the lineage of David.  

This Savior, Messiah, new king must be born in Bethlehem of Judea.  Around 700 years earlier, prophet Micah prophesied this.  Micah 5;2 
Jewish people very aware of this prophecy. 
When wise men came, Herod called the chief priests and scribes to tell him where this king was to be born.  They knew right away.   Isa. 7:14
The king would be born of a virgin.
Now, that really narrows it down.  Reference conversation between Gabriel and Mary in Luke 1.  Mary very confused as to how she could be pregnant.  Luke 1:34
Adrian Rogers preached a sermon called His Unequaled Birth as he talks of the significance and importance of just this one thing.

God is in control of history. 
God keeps his promises.  
God's timing is perfect.

He orchestrated all of this and there is a lot more, but He is pulling all things together to bring into this world its King - His very own Son. 
Comes as a little baby to humble parents, 70 or 80 mile journey to reach Bethlehem, pregnant Mary, born in a stable, laid in a manger.   

1 Cor. 1:26-31

Examples of people used by God for great things:  Gideon, David, Galilean fisherman, Mary (Luke 1:48)

God uses humble servants - to bring about major things.

God looks at the heart - Luke 2:8-15
God and shepherds. 
Moses herding sheep when God spoke thru burning bush.
David was watching sheep when prophet Samuel came to anoint him as king of Israel.
John 10:11 - Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd.
Jesus tells Peter to feed His sheep
Here He announces the birth of the king to shepherds nearby ... why?
Probably has something to do with these two point mentioned above.  These shepherds were low on the social ladder.   Possibly were tending some that would be used for temple sacrifices.  Soon would be no need for the lamb sacrifice for Jesus would be the final sacrifice.  

Back in Genesis 3 God killed an animal and used its skin to cover the nakedness and shame of Adam and eve when they sinned.  Not sure what the animal was, but wouldn't it be neat if it was a lamb? 
Later on when God was going to deliver his people out of the slavery and bondage in Egypt, his final plague was death on the first born of every family.  His people told to slaughter a lamb and put its blood on the door posts of their homes.  All who came into that house would be saved.

Later, John the Baptist was announcing Jesus and said, "behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world".  

Here is the deal:  no one can be saved without Jesus' sacrifice.  You are not good enough!  You are marred by sin and separated from God.  Only hope is through the sacrifice of Christ.  Must be "in Christ".  This is not just an intellectual exercise.  Needs to flow in and through us.

Eph. 2:8 - For by grace you ave been saved through faith.  And his is not your own doing.  It si the gift of God.

You must submit to the King of all Kings.  Then, you will be changed. 
2 Cor. 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away, behold the new has come".

You need a new heart

God will instill in you a hope and a purpose and as you walk with the Lord, His Spirit will begin to produce in you, things like love and joy and peace.
You start having those things and you're going to look much different than the world around you.  You'll have a opportunity to do what the shepherds did. 
Luke 2:15-20
They went to see Jesus!  They followed through on what God had revealed to them.  Then went and proclaimed what God had showed them.  They HAD to share the good news!  The scribes and pharisees knew exactly where Jesus was to be born, but they couldn't be bothered to go and seek Him out!

We, as believers, are commanded to share the good news.  Our walk needs to back up our talk!!
The natural overflow of our hearts ought to be for us to glorify and praise God!!

This Christmas time, let us live lives that point people to the King of Kings.  Not just this season, but always.  God help us practice what we preach!!

And, for the non-believer - you must do something with Jesus.  You either receive Him or reject Him.  You can have the peace with God that we have been talking about.  You'll never know that peace without Him.

Whatever God is calling you to do today, do it!

Closing Scripture:  John 1:1-18