The Promised Child
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WELCOME
WELCOME
Welcome to CrossPointe
Eve of Christmas Eve - or as my wife likes to joke, “Christmas Adam”
Who says that Dads are the only one who get to bad jokes
Final Week of our Advent Series
Waiting, Longing, Expectation
Today is a time to remember God’s faithfulness to his promises.
Big Idea: Together we will paint a fresh picture of God’s ‘unusual’ faithfulness
“Fresh” picture because
Sentimentalized picture of the nativity.
I want to re-paint how we see Nativity. Not so much the cultural picture of the time but the spiritual picture that was prophesied 700 years before the events of that Holy Night began to unfold. This is from a vision given to Isaiah, the prophet. We may miss the extraordinary power and force of Jesus’ birth if we over simplify the picture surrounding Jesus birth.
The world’s sentimentalized picture of the nativity
There is typical scene and Mary and Joseph hovering above a wooden manger of filled with straw as baby Jesus lay atop.
There are camels and fluffy lambs with Angels hovering above the scene
The shepherds and wise men are kneeling before the manger.
“Unusual” because
As we’ll see in the passage today from , description of the problem and the promise of his solution is jarringly strong initially
Though some may be familiar with the passage, I pray we see the uniqueness of God’s plan that defies human wisdom and turns the world upside down.
Open in Prayer
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Sentimentalized picture of the nativity.
I want to re-paint how we see Nativity. Not so much the cultural picture of the time but the spiritual picture that was prophesied 700 years before the events of that Holy Night began to unfold. This is from a vision given to Isaiah, the prophet. We may miss the extraordinary power and force of Jesus’ birth if we over simplify the picture surrounding Jesus birth.
The world’s sentimentalized picture of the nativity
There is typical scene and Mary and Joseph hovering above a wooden manger of filled with straw as baby Jesus lay atop.
There are camels and fluffy lambs with Angels hovering above the scene
The shepherds and wise men are kneeling before the manger.
The picture God paints for us in is a bit different and shocking really.
Read
Let’s start with a Blank canvas
Blank canvas
Some may not know that I like to draw and paint. I almost went to an art college out of high school but I wanted to play basketball in college so I chose a different path.
So today, I want to paint a mental picture for us from Isaiah 9
BACKDROP
BACKDROP
Imagine we are standing before a white, empty canvas - with a brush in hand and endless colors to chose from
We need to begin with the backdrop, the color tones that will shape our picture this morning.
The feelings we will try to paint are Gloom, Anguish, Contempt
These were cities in the north of Israel.
When foreign armies marched to invade Israel, these were among the first to come under attack.
Walked in darkness, deep darkness
What colors would you use? Black, browns, grey
ILLUSTRATION
How do you paint a tangible darkness?
This past week I watched a report on the 33 Chilean Miners who were trapped for 70 days back in 2010
They were trapped a half mile under the surface (2,070 feet)
It was 100 degrees with 100% humidity
One miner said, “I lived with death, I slept with death because ever time the drill missed our location I would lose hope.”
Another miner wrote, “There’s no way I’m going to lie to you… how things are going down here… it’s very bad.. This hell is killing me, I try to be strong but it’s difficult. Sometimes when I sleep, I dream I’m at a barbecue… when I wake up I find myself a prisoner in this darkness.”
CONNECTION
These 33 miners were buried deep beneath the earth for almost 2.5 months. It is impossible to know what they experienced this passage speaks of another darkness - a deeper darkness.
A darkness that greater than 2,000 feet of earth rock separately loved ones.
The darkness spoken of in is a darkness caused by sin
The top definition of “sin” on Urban Dictionary defines sin as “harm.” Sin is harming someone and sinless is equal to harmless.
The Bible however defines sin as “missing the mark” but more than that it is an inward driving force that is in rebellion against God.
Our sin leads to an infinite darkness and separation between God and man. There is no rescue mission possible apart from God directly intervening to save us.
The Christmas story loses all its power when we can only see the darkness out there but fail to see the darkness inside of us.
SETTING
SETTING
The Darkness begins to take shape and we see what it produces: WORLD AT WAR WITH GOD & EACH OTHER
Our of the darkness comes destruction / Wars
Nations at War (1): Zebulun and Naphtali
These were cities in the north of Israel.
When foreign armies marched to invade Israel, these were among the first to come under attack.
Result of War (5) :
“For every boot of the trampling warrior in battle tumult”
I had to look up this word tumult - it means the thundering noise of battle approaching. The ground shaking. there’s a fierceness to the setting.
Clothing / uniforms are rolled in blood
They are used to fuel the fire.
On our painting we begin to see things taking shape
We see shadows from the outcome of battle
I picture broke down buildings, blown out vehicles, destroyed roads
I picture all of this coming around the edges of our painting toward the very center - pulling us in
Foreshadowing
There is promise that light will shine in the darkness
There is hope that there will be no more gloom
There is the promise of increased joy and rejoicing
The promise of a hero who will step into our scene and bring salvation (4)
“you have broken as on the day of Midian”
Here we see that God’s solution will not fit with human reason.
“Midian” is a reference to Gideon’s army as “all the Midianites and the Amelekites and the people of the East came together, and the crossed the Jordan River” ready to attack. The number totaled over 120,000 men.
Gideon had only 32,000 men. Outnumbered 4 to 1 God told Gideon he had too many men. God brought Gideon down to 300 men. Now the battle was 400:1. Even with 300, God instructed Gideon to surround the Midian army to watch as God brought them victory.
God saved Gideon in this strange and unusual way
How will God save mankind
The earth is saturated in darkness
The only light in our painting is the light of fire fueled by clothing drenched in blood and this illuminates the destruction
FOCAL POINT
FOCAL POINT
Take a step back from our mental picture
We have this dark backdrop and setting of destruction.
The focal point in promised to bring light but isn’t seen yet. Who will be this hero that steps into the scene...
(6) “FOR TO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US A SON IS GIVEN”
An infant - let this image settle in - God’s solution to this terrifying backdrop is an infant. His answer to a would at war breaking down into destruction is a child.
This is contrary to everything the world tells us
US President, Theodore Roosevelt said concerning foreign policy, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”
Tony Stark in the Marvel Universe said, “Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.”
God says, “It’s a baby boy!”
God’s answer to the world greatest devastation and terror is a child.
Consider - the power of God is so far superior to all the greatest nations of the earth throughout history that he can bring them to their knees by the birth of a child.
God answers the darkness with light and his name is Jesus
The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, (Luke 2)
“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Jesus said of himself in “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
But this isn’t just any baby boy (4 Names)
“and the government shall be upon his shoulder”
“Wonderful Counselor”
He gives the best ideas, comfort, counsel
You don’t just make an appointment to see him once a week but he is always available
He sees you at your worst and still chooses to love, comfort, and correct.
You don’t have to pretend or perform.
“Mighty God”
Worthy
He defeats his enemies
His power is shown through humility - to the point of dying on the cross.
This is good news trapped in the darkness of their own sin.
His light breaks the deepest darkness. There is no depth to which we can fall
He is mighty to save. His grace is sufficient
“Everlasting Father”
He loves us endlessly
The care, comfort, compassion.
The light is not cold and detached but warm and personal. It is safety and refuge
it means we are not orphans but sons and daughters with a Father who will never leave, never abandon, never abuse.
He is a good, good Father
Prince of Peace”
He reconciles us to himself while we were still sinners. Still lost.
He brings about peace through his perfect mercy and justice.
He brings about peace through his perfect mercy and justice.
he is a Prince and we submit to his dominion.
Eternal Kingdom - ”this time forth and forever more”
”The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this”
”Zeal” - jealousy, envy, passionate pursuit
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
Humble Yourself Before the Infant King
God wrapped in humanity
God entered our dark and broken world - he know our pains, our temptations - yet he never failed, never faltered, never sinned.
He rescues us by taking the punishment we deserved when Jesus died on the cross.
Jesus said of himself in “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Don’t Lose Hope
Ray Ortlund writes, “This child is the King to end all kings, saving us from our failure, lifting us into his own justice and righteousness. He is Jesus Christ the Lord, our crucified, risen, reigning, and coming Savior. And he will not come back to tweak this problem and that. He will return with a massive correction of all systemic evil forever.”
Favorite Christmas Albums this year is called, “The Light Came Down” by Josh Garrels
All of our fears, hopes and prayers, he has heard and answered us. The light came down, cast darkness away. He appeared a helpless child, the light of God came down. There is a light, a new day dawning, old things pass, all things made new. Prophets have spoken, all he would accomplish when the ligh of God would dwell with Men.
This child is the King to end all kings, saving us from our failure, lifting us into his own justice and righteousness. He is Jesus Christ the Lord, our crucified, risen, reigning, and coming Savior. And he will not come back to tweak this problem and that. He will return with a massive correction of all systemic evil forever.”
Worship - O Holy Night
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn