Expect THE Messiah (Luke 1:26-38)
Gary McManus, 12/06/2020Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
December 6, 2020 Luke 1:26-38
The Second Sunday in Advent
Christmas anticipation/preparation began earlier.
The usual anticipation/ Christmas preparation
began early to help lighten the national mood.
But was it enough. . .in a pandemic?!
This has become a personal question for Pastor.
Time for Christmas on steroids in order to counteract the effects of a pandemic?
Many topics were covered last Sunday.
Remember: The theme for this year’s Advent/Christmas
Season at DCC is “expectation”: expectation,
anticipation, promise and fulfillment.
What has been promised us by God that we celebrate at Christmas? What do we expect?
There is much in God’s Word to explore this season.
Last time we learned
--others beside Jesus claimed to be Messiah
(Acts 5:36-37, Theudas and Judas)
Jesus wasn’t the only person that others said,
“Here is the Messiah.”
What did Herod expect? (Matthew 2:13)
What were people in Jesus’ day expecting?
Notice the obvious:
The faith of the Christian is based on the
Jewish God of the Bible and what the Bible
promises that were fulfilled in Jesus of
Nazareth whom we call Christ (Greek=Messiah).
Are your expectations for the Messiah Bible based?
Example:
The prophecy in Malachi 3:1: “the Lord whom you
seek shall suddenly come to His temple in the
messenger of the covenant.”
Then 2 Corinthians 5:19
“that God was (in Christ) reconciling the world to
himself // in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”
It is still a stretch for lots of people to say and believe “God was in Christ”.
Even John the Baptizer had moments of doubt.
(Matthew 11:3, Luke 7:20)
Matthew GIVES the answer to the question.
In Luke, Jesus answers with those deeds of the
Messiah adding Luke 7:23: and then Jesus adds to that. . .
Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
. . .because some didn’t expect a Messiah like Jesus?
[Still, there is John 1:29. And we claim Phil 4:7;
“beyond understanding.”]
Should we expect someone else or celebrate Jesus birth?
What did Gabriel say? How did Zechariah respond?
How did Mary respond(Luke 1:31-38)? How do you respond?
What is your present situation?
Has the Messiah come for you? (See Luke 2:11)
Troubles in life? (See Luke 2: 7)
(See also Luke 4:1-13, Hebrews 2:18, 4:15.)
Have you known sickness, disability, illness that
cuts you off from others? (See Luke 4:17-20.)
Is Jesus’ birth a reason for YOU to celebrate?
Gabriel’s words: Jesus was --the Son of the Most
High, the Son of God Himself. . .
his kingdom will never end.
Jesus is and was not temporary.(Luke 1:32-33)
Celebrate the birth of Jesus Messiah. Amen
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