Inside Out, or Outside In?

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on January 27, 2013 called, "On the Inside, Out or On the Outside, In." Luke 4:15-30.

Can you actually think you are inside and actually be outside the family of God? 

As we continue in Luke 4, we find Jesus has been invited to speak at the synagogue to the inside crowd — people he had attended synagogue with every Sabbath for all his life.  He knew these people.

With the Spirit, he knew them even more than they realized. 

After the normal recitation of the Shema, the prayers, and reading from both the Law and Prophets, Jesus was invited to give the instruction. 

Turning the scroll, he arrives at what we would know as Isaiah 61, verses 1-2.  Yet, Jesus only reads part of what we would call, verse 2.  There is also an insertion of a line from chapter 58, in the flow of this text (the last line of Luke 4:18). 

This leads us to believe that Jesus didn't just read the verses, and made the famous statement “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” and then sat down.  It is more likely he had a short homily that fused the theme of Isaiah 58 with that of 61.

Isaiah 58 rebukes Israel for not exhibiting justice toward those in their nation who were in need.  In that chapter, God uses fasting as an example of Israel’s lack of mercy to those in need.  Quite frankly, Israel was not listening to the voice of God through his word to show mercy.

And since Israel was not willing to be merciful, God was going to send his Servant, to proclaim liberty in Isaiah 61, and usher in a new age.  And so as Jesus’ audience considers Isaiah 61, they are overcome with the graciousness of the words Jesus is speaking. 

At this point, jaws were beginning to drop.  Were they actually hearing Jesus right?  This prophecy was a vision of the types of things God’s chosen servant would be saying and doing.  Could it be?  Is the son of Joseph, the Anointed One? 

In verse 22 we read, “And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.”  And then the wheels fall off.  They are listening and then they stop, because what they see, does not match what they hear, and so they stop listening.  They look at Jesus and they see Joseph’s son. 

And Jesus perceives their refusal to listen to the Word of God and believe so, Jesus changes his tact — he outs them.

In verse 23 we read that they will say something similar to this “What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.”  The jealousy is exacerbated because they begin to hear, but still have not the ears to believe. 

Jesus tells them it is because of their lack of faith.  As they will begin to recognize that they are no longer insiders for their jealously will expose them.  If they do not have faith, it is because they are not listening, and if they are not listening, their ears have been seared shut.  And the people who think they are on the inside are exposed for who they really are — people without faith — without a believing heart.   

And the result of what they hear only serves to demonstrate what is in their hearts.  Those who thought they were inside are actually outside.

You don’t want to ever be in a position where you start aborting what you know is truth.  At the moment you begin to close your ears, you run the risk of an unbelieving heart.

Those who are on the outside will reap the blessings of grace, even if those who are on the inside close their ears.  Yet those who recognize that they are not on the inside as they once thought, rather on the outside, are those who are listening with ears of faith, and will to their delight discover they are no longer on the outside, they are in fact, on the inside. 

Affirmation, Adoption, and Assurance

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on January 20, 2013 called "Oh To Be a Son or Daughter with Whom God is Well-pleased."

In Luke's genealogy of Jesus back to Adam (3:23-38), you recognize some people who were not very good. You find a drunk, a blasphemer, idolaters, liars, swindlers, murders, adulterers, and sexual perverts.  Some believed in God’s promise of a coming savior and found favor and the forgiveness of God.  But you will never find perfection — except for Jesus.

Adam is the adopted son of God through creation.  Jesus was the adopted son of Joseph through the virgin birth.  Even though he was a son of Joseph, he was still the Son of God.  He was fully man and fully God. 

Notice what the Father says of him in verse 23, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  

In contrast to Adam, Jesus is to be the Son who does not disappoint. 

Affirmation is something we all long for, and can be ours. But we need to leave things that we wrongly believe will bring affirmation, like sex, finances, clothing,  jobs, or other people. We must turn to God to be forgiven and become the sons of God.  

Perhaps you’ve not thought of it this way before.  But it is true.  All who have come to Christ are his adopted children — and what affirmation and confidence it is to know that God loves us enough to call us his sons and daughters. 

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:14-15).

I want you to notice a very important phrase in Romans 8:14.  All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  This is an important verse because it implies that only those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.   In other words, if the Spirit of God is not leading you, then you are not one of his adopted sons and daughters.

Jesus had the affirmation of God, and now, Satan was going to see just how much he was a true son of God. As He faced the fiery darts of the tempter, Jesus demonstrated how Spirit-filled people resist the voice of Satan, and follow the voice of their Father.

This is the root of all temptation that we encounter.  Whose voice do we listen to? Do we listen to God’s voice, our own, or Satan’s? 

Satan launches into his first temptation in verse 4:3 with “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”  And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.”  Jesus trusted in God's wisdom.

We see the pride and self-love of the Devil in the second temptation in verse 6: “I will give all this…it has been delivered to me…I give it to whom I will.”

Jesus says, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” 

Jesus demonstrates that we need to worship the Father exclusively. 

Lastly, Satan takes Jesus high atop the temple and tells Him to jump because, citing Psalm 91, God will protect those that are His.

But Jesus replies with Scripture that we are not to test the Lord to prove that he is good. 

So, how do we know if we are children of God?  We know when the Spirit leads us, because only those who are led by the Spirit are in fact the children of God.  Over our lives, we should see a trend toward attachment, and that it is the Spirit of God who is leading us.  We see the Spirit of God leading us, as we trust, worship, and rest in God.

Is Repentance Good News?

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon called "How Can Repentance Be Good News?" on January 6, 2013.

Between our exit from Luke 2 and entry into Luke 3, nearly 30 years have passed.  It is about 27 A.D. Amid the recap of that gap and the Who's Who of the time, we meet Jesus' second cousin, John, who is making a name for himself as a prophet speaking out in the wilderness near the Jordan River.

  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God’” (Isaiah 40:3-5 quoted in Luke 3:4-6)

In verse 3, we read that John was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Forgiveness is good news, but is repentance?  People were being baptized demonstrating their repentance in anticipation of the forgiveness of sins coming at Calvary.  This was all good news, including the need for repentance.

Everyone knew that when the Messiah came, judgment was coming.  It is much like today as we anticipate the return of the Lord. But most Jews thought that judgment was coming for the gentiles.  So, when John says in verses 8-9, that you can’t depend upon any genes or family name to spare you from the wrath to come, the judgment becomes personal and without discrimination.

In verse 8, John says, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.”  So, what does it mean to Repent and what are these fruits?  Repentance is the reorientation of one’s perspective.  Repentance is a turning to look at God as Lord of your life, and see your rebellion and self-rule as he see it.  He calls it sin. When you see God in these terms, it produces a life that lives with a sense of responsibility.

Now the message was not lost on this crowd, so they are smitten, and they are concerned that they bear fruit. 

In verses 10-13, we have three groups (Crowds, Tax Collectors, and Soldiers) asking the same question, “What then shall we do?” Feeling the great conviction of their sin and the living of life away from God, they ask, “What does this fruit look like?”

A.  Giving to others as God has Graced you (vv. 10-11).  If God has blessed you with more, give to those who are in real need.  This demonstrates that you are concerned with others.  It demonstrates that you don’t really own wealth; it is so you can be an instrument in the hands of God.

B.  Serving others without robbing (vv. 12-13). The Greek word for the public tax official literally means, “Farmer of Revenue.”  The collecting of taxes was a very lucrative job at the expense of the peasants in the fields. There were many taxes for Rome in John's day and some we viewed as robbery.  Were tax collectors to give up their professions?  No, but they were not to abuse their authority, and only take the limit of their responsibility. 

C.  Protecting others without oppression (vv. 14-15).
Solders were sensitive, too.  Corruption was rife in the military, and they would often ‘shake down’ people through by threatening false accusation or charging fees for protection.  John tells them, don’t oppress people unnecessarily, for personal gain. 

There is a common thread through these three — it is love, justice, equality, and peace. 

But social reform is not enough, something more supernatural working within us is required.   

In verse 16, John points to the way, the truth, and the life.  When Christ comes he will not just baptize with water, he will give you what really matters.  He will bring the Holy Spirit.  He will bring real heart change.

As great as John was, even he knew, that fruits of repentance would not come, if the Spirit did not come down and create new hearts. Speaking as a prophet, John looks out into the horizon, and sees the final judgment of God, where he examines the hearts of all man.   Those who have repented and are forgiven have nothing to fear, they are like the sparrows, and will not be forgotten.  Those who give the ‘appearance’ of Christianity, but do not produce the fruits will be burnt up with unquenchable fire (v. 17)

This is the good news: forgiveness of sins is available to all who repent, believing that Jesus is Lord and that he died and rose again for them, so that they do not have to perish in hell. Instead, they will have eternal life.

If one does not repent, then they will not be forgiven, and if they repent, then they have nothing to fear.

God forgives all sinners who come.  

The Light and Glory

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 30, 2012 called "A Light for All and the Glory of Israel."

We are barely into the second chapter of the gospel of Luke, yet the analogy of light and darkness has appeared three times:

1.  A Glorious Light In Bethlehem’s Night Sky (Luke 2:8-10): the light penetrating the darkness of the Bethlehem night sky with the good news of great joy that will be for all people is a visual reminder of Zechariah’s prophecy.

2.  Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1:76-79): The coming Messiah would be like “a sunrise visiting us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”  Key here is the positive aspect of light — “to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

3.  Simeon’s Prophecy (Luke 2:29-32):  Notice the description of this little baby of Bethlehem (v. 32).  Jesus is described as a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. 

The Jews were OK with the glory for Israel part of the prophecy, but not with the light for the Gentiles part.  In fact, very early on in the ministry of Jesus, in his home town of Nazareth Jesus sits down in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah 61.  And he says that he is to proclaim liberty to the captives and give sight to the blind.  And as he does, the crowd admires his gracious words, until he talks about God’s grace for the Gentiles. 

When he talked about God’s dealings with the Widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian in the days of Elijah and Elisha, they were “filled with wrath.  And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built” (Luke 4:28b-29). 

As Mary and Joseph have the baby Jesus in the Temple, they encounter Simeon. He  was an uncommon believer in those days.  He had the Holy Spirit upon him. At some point, the Spirit had told him that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Christ (v. 26) — the Messiah — the Anointed One.

In verse 28, as he is looking at the child, he recognizes that this child is the One —the Light of the World.

Simeon later warns Mary about the coming pain that the Light will bring as it exposes and forces people to make decisions about their son, Jesus. 

The persecution would intensify as the thoughts from many hearts are revealed (v. 35).  While many will be lifted in Israel, many will fall when faced with the decision regarding Jesus.  Many wanted a political leader, not a forgiver of sins.

When the light exposed the sin and idolatry of their hearts, many chose to crucify him — guaranteeing the forgiveness of sins, and the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. 

God is light and his Word to us shows a not too pretty picture of what our hearts are really like.  The light exposes the darkness of our hearts. We simply cannot atone for all our sin in our 80 or so years. 

And yet there is a positive side to the light.  The same light that exposes, can also guide us.  It can “guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The path of peace is the way of forgiveness.  You must come to Christ and ask forgiveness. 

To give us the forgiveness we don’t deserve is real grace.  If we repent, believing that he is Lord of All and that he forgives us when we ask him, then he will forgive us.  And when we do sin, we can come to him again, knowing that he has plenty of grace for us.

Has the light of God exposed who you are?  If he has, don’t run away; instead, come. 

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:30). 

What's Child is This?

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 23, 2012 called "What Child is This?"

So, what's in a name?  In the first few verses of Luke 2, we read about two people with powerful names.

The first person we encounter was given his name later in life, while the second major character is given his name well before he was even born.  Both names are powerful. However, it is the second name which will eventually cause every knee to bow. 

In verses 1-2 we read about “a decree that went out from Caesar Augustus.” Caesar Augustus started out as Octavian, a nephew of Julius Caesar. After the death of Julius Caesar, Octavian was adopted as Caesar's son and sole heir as per the leader's will —  thus gaining the surname.

Twenty years before the birth of Jesus, the Roman Senate conferred upon him the name Augustus Imperium.

Imperium is not a word that you or I frequently see.  It means supreme power or absolute dominion. It is the authority to which all other authorities must answer. That’s the one who has imperium. 

When a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered —  a census for the purpose of taxation — it was done without any argument.  He had absolute dominion and he was the supreme power.

At this time, Judea was under control of Herod. He adverted a Jewish uprising by orchestrating the census to be according to hometown rather than current residence home: playing to Jewish sensibilities about lineage, genealogy and tribal affiliation.

 

So, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they were from the house and lineage of David (v. 4).  We read in verse 6, that while they were there in Bethlehem, the time came, and she gave birth.

The next few verses of the story give a rare view of the splendor of God, as he breaks through the silent rule of the shadows. The eternal God speaks to a few shepherds in a field at night, revealing his glorious purposes.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

While these words are repeated later in the New Testament, they are never used in this configuration.

It is these three titles — Savior, Christ, Lord — which, in an instant pull together all the mystery of the prophets into one person.

He has names that surpass those of Augustus Caesar: (1) He is Savior, (2) Christ, (3) Lord. This is an amazing statement about this little Jewish boy lying in a feed trough. 

1.  Savior: many were casually called a savior or a deliver in Israel’s history.  Even in the first century, people referred to doctors, rulers and philosophers as “savior.”  The title Savior of the World was bestowed on Caesar Augustus because of the peace he brought to the empire.

Do you remember what the friends of the woman at the well in Samaria would say of Jesus, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). 

2. Christ: the title Savior becomes even more significant when it is used with the word Christ, which is the Greek translation of the word “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”  Typically, God is called a Savior because he sends an Anointed One.  Now, the Anointed One is the one who does the saving. 

3.  Lord: the title typically reserved for Deity is now being used of this little child.

If anyone had imperium, it was this little boy, wrapped tightly with clothes, lying in a  trough.

Notice the personal nature of God’s plan.  “For unto you” is born.  The shepherds were lowly people and God spoke to them. The child is born for them.  What was his name?  In verse 21 we read that he was named Jesus: Jehovah is Salvation.

This is not just any child; it is the birth of a Savior, Messiah, and Lord.  His birth was lowly and so was his death.  But his resurrection was unlike anyone in history.  He is the firstborn from the dead, and all who repent and trust in him will rise again, just as he did.

Jesus is Lord of life and Lord over death.  He was born for you, he died for you, and he arose for you.  It was his decree from the foundation of the earth and you can guarantee that he will come again.

My Soul Magnifies

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 9, 2012 called "The Magnificat: My Soul Magnifies."

Mary sings a remarkable song in Luke 1:46-55.

She sings with joy — even though she has lost everything and founding her greatest joy.  In previously looking at the Virgin Birth, we remember that Mary was betrothed and a virgin, but ran the very risk of loosing a husband because of misunderstanding.  She traveled south to be with her older cousin, Elizabeth, and found her to be six months pregnant. 

Her stay with extended family would be marked by changes in her emotions as a baby grows in her womb. As the pregnancy wore on, there would be excitement — but also the weight of anxiety and apprehension.  Mary was being reduced and absorbed into something bigger than herself.

Yet, through 10 verses of song, Mary is full of joy.

The song of Mary has traditionally been called the Magnificat, which is just the Latin translation of the first few words, “My Soul Magnifies.”  In other words, Mary’s soul, her spirit, is bursting with the impulse to make much of God.

In verse 46, we read these words: “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Because Mary is making much of God, she is not only glorifying God, she is also enjoying him.

Is not the opposite of this making much of ourselves?  We have a name for that activity, don’t we? It is called pride.  In verse 48, she recognizes her lowly position, in comparison to God.  She repeats this theme of humility through verses 51-53. 

When we stop making ourselves the center of our world, and see God as the center, the enjoyment of Him can only grow.   

As you look at this song, the temptation will be to look at it from the outside with a cold casualness.  However, consider this truth: the miracle of conception in the womb of a young girl without the aid of natural processes is actually no different than the miracle of a new birth.

You need to see this truth.  It makes the difference between a self-centered Christianity and God-Centered Christianity. When we see the works of God in this way, we make much of God.

Let’s notice three ways Mary makes much of God.

1.  The Mercy of God (vv. 48-50): Please take a look at how Mary describes the Most High in verse 49.  She describes him as holy.  Don’t let the commonness of this word fool you.  While God was pleased to save you, the distance between you and God is greater than you think.  There is a Grand Canyon between God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness.  Mary is overcome with the greatness of God’s mercy.  And as she makes much of it, meditates on it, she is filled with Joy.  Mary recognizes that her selection is merciful, and that this mercy is not just for her.  God is merciful from generation to generation to all who fear him (v. 50).  

2.  The Grace of God (vv. 51-53): In this section of Mary’s song the themes of mercy and kindness continue, as she reflects on her personal life snd the power of God that lifted her.  But there is a change in emphasis now.  In verse 52, at the heart of this section is Mary’s amazement that God would choose someone like her.  The proud (v. 51), the mighty (v. 52), and the rich (v. 53) God sends away empty (v. 53), but the humble, God exalts. 

3.  The Loyalty of God (vv. 54-55):  Mary picks up the mercy theme again, but with a new twist.  She recognizes that God is faithful, or another way of putting it, God is loyal.  The loyalty of God is seen in the remembrance of his promises to Abraham (v. 55).  Mary makes much of the loyalty of God, that is, she finds joy in it. 

God’s mercy, God’s grace, and God’s loyalty are worth celebrating!  Why don’t we?  

Here is our struggle: As much as I enjoy ______________, do I enjoy God more? 

God has given us all things to enjoy, but do we enjoy them more than God?  Do we turn the gifts of God, into substitute gods? 

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

This is where real joy is found!  Let’s trade back the fading treasures of this world, in exchange for Our Greatest Treasure — our greatest joy!

The Bloodline of Faith

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 2, 2012 called "The Bouncing Blessings of Belief."

This portion of Luke's Gospel transitions us from Galilee to the hill country of Judea.  The recounting of the meeting between Elizabeth and Mary is more than a cute story of two new moms getting together. This very short segment in the birth story is intended to demonstrate the beauty, the blessedness and the joy of simply trusting the promises of God. 

In his e-book, Touching Wonder, John Blasé highlights the contrast that Luke wants us to see in the characters of Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, and Mary.  Both received messages of the coming birth of a child.  Zechariah responds with doubt in a “normal” conception, and Mary responds in a sweetness of faith in a “paranormal” conception — doubt in a conception that was long hoped for, and faith in one not sought for.

In verse 39, we read that that Mary arose and went with haste to see Elizabeth.  In her going south, there are a several benefits. 

First, Mary is protection from unintended criticism of her pregnancy. Second, her being away from her husband in the care of an older family, the miracle of the virgin birth is reinforced. Thirdly, Mary demonstrates the simple faith of a child that obeys in simple faith — she put feet to her faith and traveled south. 

In verse 39-41, Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth. As she does, Elizabeth's baby of six months leaps in her womb.  Little John becomes active, and starts banging around, swimming, dancing in being in the presence of the yet-to-be-born Messiah.

At the end of verse 41 we read that Elizabeth, under the power of the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary.

Elizabeth’s blessing in verses 42-45 demonstrates two marks of someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit: humility and joy.

In verse 43, Elizabeth has no jealousy that Mary might “steal” the show as a younger women being pregnant. Like her son, John the Baptist, she is demonstrating her desire to decrease, and that Mary increase.  This is a true mark of the Spirit-humility— many will claim to have gifts of the Spirit—but watch for this mark, to see if they really do have the Spirit.

In verse 44, Elizabeth tells Mary the reason for her exclamation, and she describes John’s movement as joy — another mark of the Spirit.  Those who are filled with the Spirit have a joy that finds its center in Jesus. 

In verse 42 and 45 we also are given two reasons why Mary is a Blessed. 

Mary is blessed among women, and the child in her womb is blessed as well.  Mary is not blessed because of any merit of her own, but because she is a special vessel, chosen by God’s grace.  It is not that Mary is more blessed than any other woman ever — it is that the child she is bearing is going to be a great deliver.  

Mary is also blessed because she has faith in God’s promise.  She went to see Elizabeth because she believed that God had caused Elizabeth to become pregnant, and she was anticipating it to be the case for her too.  It was a simple faith to take God at his Word, and she was obedient. 

She had said to the angel Gabriel, “Let it be to me according to your word.” And so, Elizabeth, through the Holy Spirit, was letting her know that she would have personal blessing because she believed the words of Gabriel, which were delivered to her from the throne room of God. 

A young girl, demonstrating a simple faith, to take God at His Word, which was something that an older man with great privilege standing at the altar of incense in the great temple, struggled to do.  This story is intended to demonstrate the beauty, the blessedness, and the joy of simply trusting the promises of God.  Yes, there is joy, in the birth of children, but even more in a birth by the Holy Spirit.  When one comes to faith in God, they are reborn, and there is great joy.

You many not have earthly children, but those with whom you share a common faith, a common Spirit, these are your family — these are your great joy. 

The greatest relationships you may ever have may never be through blood ties.  How many children grow up to disappoint, and yet, we find children of faith all around us.  Where is true blessedness found?

Those who follow in the footsteps of faith in the New Covenant blessings of forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ will be blessed.  Our greatest blessing comes within the bloodline of Jesus Christ — the bloodline of faith.

Nothing Will Be Impossible With God

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 2, 2012 called "The Virgin Birth and Monday Morning."

Women find out they are pregnant through a variety of means — the color of a bar on a home pregnancy test, a visit to the doctor, or even the advent of morning sickness.

As we look at Luke 1:26-38, we find a young woman in Nazareth named Mary who is told by the angel Gabriel that she is going to be pregnant. Oh, she is also told to “call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-34)

Now, I don't know how most people would react to a visit from an angel, muchless being told about their role in the arrival of the promised Messiah. But her first words to Gabriel are very human and practical.

“How can this be. Since I do not know a man,” she asks (Luke 1:34)  Mary is betrothed to Joseph. She is still a virgin. So, naturally, Mary wonders how she can be pregnant.

In verse 35 she is told that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her.   The word picture that Gabriel uses is fascinating.  As the sun casts its rays upon the earth, plants grow and flourish — that is a normal way things work.   

And when something comes between the sun and earth like a shadow, it interrupts the rays of the sun.  Rays being interrupted is the image that Gabriel uses as the visual for how this conception will occur.  God is going to step into —overshadow — the natural world and interrupts the normal rules of nature with the power of the Most High God.  In other words, God will create outside the laws of nature.  This is not natural it is supernatural.

Gabriel gives Mary a sign of God’s power to do the impossible.  Likely this is the first time Mary hears of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, which is by this point, Elizabeth is 6 months big.  Then in verse 37, we read the intended point of the miracle of the virgin conception: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Mary submits her emotions, her will, and her fears to God.  In verse 38 she says, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”  Mary is like that little boy in the temple, who hears the voice of God calling his name.  Like young Samuel, who said, “Speak, for your servant hears,” Mary is a willing servant of the Lord.

The vigin birth is not simply a story that has to be explained away; rather it is a story of how the Almighty God entered His creation through a miracle of grand proportions.

We considered last week the firm foundation that Luke set out to accomplish for future generations that we could have certainty.  Luke presents the virgin birth as a fact, and if that fact is rejected, then the witness of these writers — and hence the witness of the whole Bible — is not true. 

If Jesus was not born of a virgin, then why should we believe that he arose from the dead, to bring you life, and to answer your prayers?  If Jesus was born by normal means, then your faith is no different than any other.   At which point, we might ask ourselves, what is the point of all this doing good, all this trusting?

If something is impossible for God, then nothing is possible for God.  Why a Virgin Birth? To demonstrate that “nothing will be impossible with God”— that God is completely trustworthy. 

How Firm a Foundation

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on November 25, 2012 called "How Firm a Foundation."

The first sentence of Luke’s account of the life of Christ is broken up into four verses.  As you read this long sentence, it isn’t until the last phrase that you discover Luke’s burning purpose. 

“In asmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke1:1-4).

Luke is concerned for people like Theophilus, people like you and me, who have to relive the moment through the telling and retelling of the story.

It was the first generation of the Christian Church, that is, the apostles, as well as others who had seen, and known Jesus personally.  The next generation, to which Luke and others like him belonged, was in a different position.  In a sense such people could say, “The words and deeds of Jesus were “accomplished among us.”

That first generation had no need for books, movies, blogs, or Facebook for people to tell them about what he was like.  Their memories, hearts and minds were full of Him.  Can you imagine what that must have been like?

Luke took great care to ensure that subsequent generations have a firm foundation. Luke wants us to be able to have certainty about what we have been taught.  Sadly, many people who are confronted with truth would rather eat their arm than admit their need to reconcile with the God who made them.  With no desire to know the truth, they settle for the adjustable scale of worldly right and wrong.

Why people reject the truth, pushes us toward the inevitable conclusion of the Apostle John, when he wrote, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light” (John 3:19).

Thankfully God has preserved for us an accurate record of the greatest moment in time, which is summarized for us by Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

As we consider Luke’s introduction, we will consider how important it is that for our faith that Luke did write early on in the history of the church, and that he did so carefully.  If he didn’t, we would not have the stability that we have today.

Luke wants us to have certainty.  He says so in verse 4.  

There are many, many competitors out there claiming to have the truth—many of them on shifting sand. Many of these documents have come to light in recent years claiming to be authentic gospel accounts, but none of them, have the internal and external evidence that can compete with the 4 gospels we have in the New Testament. 

You have in your hands, regardless of the translation, the very word of God that was delivered accurately for the purpose of bringing people to a saving knowledge of God and his witness, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God who died, was buried, and rose again demonstrating his victory over sin and death. 

Did you know that the Bible you hold in your hand was diligently compared against the backdrop of more than 6,000 manuscripts, some of them dating back to within 25 years of the longest living apostle John? The 66 books of the Bible share a common theme from start to finish that covers a period of 1400 years between 40 different authors.  The Luke's theme is summarized in this one verse,

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

We can be thankful that we have in the Word of God, a Firm Foundation.