Christ's mission on earth; the means by which Jesus saves and the miracle

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2020

MATTHEW 1 VERSES 18 - 25

This is the account where Joseph is pondering over what to do in the situation he found himself in.  Mary his espoused wife is expecting a child.  His first thought was she had been unfaithful.  While he thought on these things God sent the clarity he needed by way of an angel.  The Lord knows what is heavy on our hearts today.  Here he sent an angel to where Joseph was.  Do we need God's word clarified today?  Sometimes the gospel message goes over our heads.  Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch "do you understand what you are reading?"  The eunuch replied "how can I understand except someone explain it to me?"  The angel came to Joseph to help him understand what was happening in his life.

Christ's mission on earth.  "As Joseph pondered all these things" then he sees the angel and is told to call the baby Jesus "for he shall save his people from their sins".  He came for no other reason but to save, to restore us back into a relationship with God.  God was in the world reconciling the world unto himself.  Consider the God who made the heaven and the earth, he hung the stars in the sky and filled the seas with great fishes.   Then he made man in his own image and finally a woman from man's ribs.  As he looked at his creation he sealed it with the words "now everything was really good."  How can it be good when we experience sickness or pain, sorrow or death?  It all came as a result of man's sin.  That is why Jesus came into the world, to make amends.  Satan came into the Garden of Eden and directed Adam and Eve to believe a lie.  To eat of the tree in the middle of the Garden would result in death, not physically but spiritually.  All of creation groans in anticipation.  Christ came into the world to reconcile the world to himself.  "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19 verse 10) Paul himself said "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst."  (1 Timothy 1 verse 15) The greatest need we have today is a Saviour.

The means by which Jesus saves - his atoning death.  If Jesus had never entered into the world and died for mans sin there could never be atonement.  He satisfied the demands of a holy God in heaven.  We can make the cross of no effect.  Man is a sinful being and the cross was God's way of reconciling the world.  Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Messiah said in chapter 53 verse 12 "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbered with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors."  He was pointing to the death of Jesus, how he would be crucified.

There is also a miracle here.  Every time a man comes to Christ it takes a miracle of grace.  In Acts 13 notice Barnabas' reaction to the people getting saved in Antioch.  When he came he realised he had seen the grace of God.  It is nothing of us but all of the Lord.  His grace, mercy and love - that he ever looked on us to save us from sin.  Barnabas could see something of the miracle of grace.  The blind man in John's gospel  - the people looked on him but couldn't understand the miracle that had happened in his life.  It is impossible to explain the miracle of grace in people's lives.  When we hear the message of the gospel something dramatic happens.   God comes in and saves us once and for all. 

The impact of Jesus' birth on Simeon

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2020 am

LUKE 2 VERSE 22 - 35

Over the Christmas time we have been looking at the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and how it affected so many people.  Think of Mary when the announcement was made to her.  Also think of Joseph, that word brought a great challenge to his heart, he thought Mary had been unfaithful and he would have to divorce her.  God brought clarification to both Mary and Joseph.  Think of the impact on the shepherds who were brought in from the hillsides minding their sheep.  They left the scene in the manger praising God for what had been revealed to them.  Think of the people of Bethlehem who were full of joy at what God had done in their town.  Think of the wise men a couple of years later who came knocking on Herod's door.  When Herod heard the news he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.  Think today of the impact on the life of Simeon.  What impact has it had on your life?  Maybe even over Christmas as you have pondered the birth of Christ what does it mean to you today?  Simeon was a man of God and the news of the birth of Christ brought great joy and meaning to him.  Joseph and Mary were bringing the baby Jesus 40 days after his birth to be circumcised.

Simeon was a man who was faithful in his duty.  We are responsible to those in God's family today - to be encouragers and supporters of one another.  In verse 25 Simeon is described as "just".  That speaks of his standing before God.  He was righteous.  We read earlier of Elisabeth and Zechariah who were described as righteous.  They had a right relationship with God, born again of the Spirit of God, to know the Lord as personal Saviour.  To bow our knees, confess our sins to the one who is able to forgive us our sins.  The Shunamite woman recognised in Elisha that he was a man of God.  There was something consistent about that man.  Elisha had an impact on her life.  Simeon is also described as a devout man.  It showed in his life.  He had a good reputation, was well respected in the community.  In verse 25 we read he was waiting for "the consolation of Israel."  He was waiting for the promised Messiah.  He was believing in God's word.  Sometimes we can read God's word and we pass over it.  God wants us to hold onto that promise, to not let it go.  "The Holy Ghost was upon him" verse 25, "and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost" verse 26 and "he came by the spirit into the temple" verse 27.  We need to be faithful, bearing a testimony, waiting on the Lord's coming again.  Paul talked about "turning from their idols and to wait for his son." (1 Thessalonians 1 verse 9)  Are you prepared for the Lord's coming again, are you prepared for that event?

Simeon was fruitful in his direction (verse 27).  Simeon was led by the Spirit.  He was in a right relationship with God and led by the Spirit to the temple.  Mary and Joseph were faithful in bringing the Lord into the temple.  As they were faithful God too was faithful in what he was doing bringing Simeon by his Spirit into the temple.  Only God can do that.  The Holy Spirit is the only one who can reveal to you your need of God.  Do we know anything of the promptings of the Holy Spirit?  Are we being filled by the Spirit of God every day?  Are we obeying God's word every day?  It is good to be led by the Spirit of God.  For Philip the Holy Spirit prompted him to go into the desert and there he was shown one chariot and told to go and speak to the person in it.  Philip obeyed and led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ.  Do we know the promptings of the Spirit of God, to speak when we need to speak or to be quiet when necessary?  Whenever we are committed to the Lord he leads us and we follow him.

Simeon was focused on his devotion.  He took the Lord in his arms and blessed God.  He recognised this was the one promised to himself and all Israel.  He blessed the God of heaven as a result.  Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in.  He had everything he needed for time and for eternity.  Are you content today?  Can you say you are content with your lot because you have Christ as Saviour?  Are you focused today?  Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed the God of heaven for what he now had seen.  Simeon got his eyes on the Lord and that was enough for him.  Jesus spoke of a man who held a great supper.  He sent out invitations.  One had bought a piece of ground and therefore could not come because he wanted to go and see it.  The next man excused himself because he had a yoke of oxen he wanted to go and test out.  He was more interested in possessions.  The third man had relationship problems, he had just got married and he couldn't leave his wife.  They all had a focus on other things.  What are you focused on today?  The woman who came with her alabaster box of ointment into Simon's house broke it open and poured the ointment on Jesus' feet.  She was prepared to give the most expensive thing she had.  She was focused on him and wanted to serve him.  Are we focused on Christ today?

Simeon's faith was deepened.  He had received a promise from God - he would not see death until he had seen the Lord.  His mind went back to the word of God, when God gave him that promise his faith was deepened as a result of this day.  He proved that God cannot lie.  When God says he will do something he will do it.  Are we seeking to be guided by the Holy Spirit today?  When we get before his word do we pray "Lord open up your word today, help me to hear what you are saying today."  Are we looking for him, searching for him in the scriptures?  Are we believing in him today?  Simeon proved God's word was true.

Simeon had a fixed destination.  This meeting settled the issue for Simeon.  Here was a man who had seen the Lord's Christ and was ready for death.  Not one of us is prepared for that great step into eternity without first gazing unto the Lord himself, seeing him dieing on the cross for you and I.  He was paying the price for your sin and mine.  Jesus said "except a man be born again he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3 verse 3)  Jesus told the Pharisees "die in your sin and when you die you cannot come to where I am." (John 8 verse 21)  The thief on the cross took one look at the Saviour and was prepared for a life time in eternity.

The response of the shepherds to the message

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020 pm

LUKE 2 VERSES 15 - 21

The shepherds on the hillside had been confronted by the angels.  They were told that a Saviour had been born.  It was the greatest message ever heard.  The shepherds left their sheep and came down into Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus in a manger.  When we come to the foot of the old rugged cross we realise and recognise that we come short of God's glory.  We can look to the Saviour of the world to have our sins forgiven.  As the shepherds gazed on the baby  they pondered the message.  When the angels first appeared they were afraid but the angels comforted them with the words "fear not".  Maybe over the past number of days and weeks God has been speaking to you.  You realise that you are not saved and there is a fear in your heart.  "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly."  The shepherds immediate reaction was "come now let us go to Bethlehem".  They didn't want it to pass them by.  They considered the message to the last detail.  Think of Nicodemus in John 3.  He came to Jesus by night.  He said to Jesus "we know that thou art a teacher come from God for no man can do these things except God be with him."  He had pondered the things of God.  He had listened to the Lord and pondered everything.  Remember the Bereans in Acts 17 after they had heard the message - "they searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so."   Will you ponder over what Jesus came to do for you?  He left the splendour of heaven to step into the world.  He was rejected and placed on the cross of Calvary.  He died there for you and me that we might not be lost.  These were men who proved the message for themselves.  Luke 2 verse 20 "and the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God."  The people of Berea proved the message to be so - they searched the scriptures, they wanted to see if these things were true.  In John 4 the Samaritan woman spoke to the Lord.  She proved who he was and told those in the cities around her "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"  They turned to her and said "Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4 verse 42)  Will you prove the Lord for yourself?  In John 1 we are introduced to Philip, a man that had seached the scriptures to find the Saviour.  When he found Christ for himself he went and searched for Nathaniel "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."  Nathaniel replied "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth" to which Philip said "come and see".  Will you prove the Lord today?  Prove him to take away your sins?  They praised the message - verse 20 "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."  When the Lord met the 10 lepers and they asked for his help, he told them "go and show yourself to the priests".  Only the priest could pronounce them clean,  As they turned they were healed but only one returned to give thanks and praise to God.  In Luke 7 we read the story of a woman who came into where the Lord was sitting at the Pharisees table.  She began to kiss and wash Jesus' feet.  The Pharisee was angry at this and said "this man if he were a prophet would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."  The Lord knew his heart.  The Lord knows all about you today, what sin is in your heart.  He wants you to come to him and give him your life and he will give you peace.  They published the message - their message was about the child who was born.  A Saviour who had come into the world.  The Lord fills our heart with joy and peace.  He fills our mouth with the story to tell others about what he has done for us.  Will you accept Jesus for yourself today?  If you accept Jesus today will you publish it to others?

A life changing experience for Mary and Elisabeth

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020

LUKE 1 VERSES 36 - 45

The angel had just appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.  He had also revealed to Elisabeth her cousin that she too would give birth to a child.  When the angel had departed from Mary she went to visit Elisabeth.  A life-changing experience would take place in both their lives.  They shared their news together.  Isn't it wonderful when the people of God come together to share what God has done in their lives?

The course of their lives.  2 lives whose course was very dramatically changed.  Our lives can be changed very quickly and dramatically too.  Perhaps through sickness, unemployment, a hospital stay, maybe a relationship in our lives.  Elisabeth would give birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord himself.  He would prepare the way of the Lord.  Mary would give birth to the Saviour of the world.  What a position to be in.  Both these lives were changed by reason of a miracle.  What the angel said would happen to Mary and Elisabeth would have naturally been impossible.  Zacharias and Elisabeth were both elderly.  Elisabeth was past the age of child bearing and she was in fact barren (verse 7).  In verse 18 Zacharias admitted to the angel that he was old.  "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (verse 37)  How could Mary have a child - verse 34 "seeing I know not a man?"  The angel told her "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."  Immaculate conception, conceived of the Holy Ghost.  He would come into the world as the sin bearer, a sacrifice for our sins.  There is a miracle that can take place today for you.  A miracle of grace.  That we can be saved.  It is a work of God in our hearts.  God can reveal the depths of our hearts and then reveal the middle cross of Calvary.  On the middle cross Jesus died for a lost mankind.  If you are not saved today it will take a miracle of grace to change the course you are on.  The bible speaks of 2 ways - the narrow and broad way.  One leads to heaven and home.  We are also told that few find the correct road.  Don't rest on a false profession but trust him afresh.  There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  Turn from your sin and come to the Lord.  

The company Mary sought.  "And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah.  And entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth." (verses 39 and 40)  They were related by blood, cousins but also spiritually related because God touched and changed their lives.  Now they wanted to come together, to communicate with one another in fellowship.  Isn't that wonderful - the change that takes place in our lives.  God gives us a bond with other Christians.  Is there a longing in your heart for fellowship with others?  The journey Mary went on was some 70 miles.  It was not a comfortable journey particularly on foot.  It was fraught with many changes.  Remember the story of the Good Samaritan and how there were thieves and robbers waiting to attack those walking along the road.  Many today are living under great persecution, would love to be sitting in fellowship with other Christians.  Rejoice this morning that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  The 2 men on the road to Emmaeus from Jerusalem experienced something that day, they met with Jesus personally.  As a result they wanted to be with people of the same company so they rushed back to Jerusalem.  The disciples in Acts 4 went to their own company.  Solomon when he came to the throne tried to sort out the taxes.  The elderly advisors told him to reduce the taxes and the people would follow him but when Solomon turned to those of his own age he was advised to increase the taxes.  Solomon divided a nation because he chose to follow his friends.  He also took wives who turned his heart against God.

The conversation they had.  Their conversation was all about spiritual matters.  Elisabeth said "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For lo; as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."  (verses 42 to 45)  Elisabeth told of the role Mary would play and the blessing she brought into her home that day.  Our conversation should be about Christ, always to uplift one another.  Paul said in Colossians 3 verse 6  "let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt."  Malachi 3 verse 16 "Then they that feared the Lord they spake often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it."  We need to be careful with our conversations as the Lord listens to them.  James 4 speaks of the tongue "Speak not evil one of another" and earlier "the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire of hell ... But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."  The 2 on the Emmaeus road, their conversation was all about what had happened in Jerusalem.  They were so disappointed that Jesus had died.  They thought he had come to relieve them of the Roman authority.  On the Mount of Transfiguration the conversation was about the coming death of the Lord.

The comfort this meeting brought.  Mary burst into song - verses 46 - 55.  Mary needed a sympathetic ear at this stage in her life.  She needed that encouragement from Elisabeth.  In the days ahead she would face finger pointing, criticism and even her family would turn against her.  For these 2 women their lives would change forever.  Has the miracle of new birth taken place in your life today?

The shepherds belief

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER 2020 am

LUKE 2 VERSES 8 - 14

In verse 14 we read one of the songs of Christmas by the angels.  Notice the verse before it "and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God."  In verses 10 to 12 we read of a revelation about the coming of the Lord.  It is as if God is showing to us that this great messenger came from heaven to pronounce the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Somehow he drifts back into the background and it becomes a time of celebration.  Let us join with the angels today to worship God and say "glory to God in the highest".  

This angel song in verse 14 shows the greatness of God.  Maybe like the angels to the shepherds we should direct our eyes to the God of heaven today.  Perhaps burdens are weighing us down today.  We are shown here the great domain and realm of God.  God over rules in our lives, takes the troubles and difficulties and stresses to reveal his great plan and purpose.  Joseph had a problem when he found his wife was going to bear a child.  "While he was thinking on those things", recognising that she had to be put away, God comes and speaks to him.  The heavens declare the glory of God.  Psalm 8 "when I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers the moon and stars which thou hast ordained.  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"  Paul tells us something of the realms of the glory of God when he describes an incident of being caught up in the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12 verse 2)  God's throne is above every earthly throne.  Paul calls it "paradise".  First we have the sky which is the first heaven, then the stars and moon the second heaven and finally where Jesus is the third heaven.  To the thief on the cross Jesus said "today thou shalt be with me in paradise."  Remember the plagues in Egypt and Pharoah asked for God to stop them and he did - God has control over all of nature.  Caesar was the Roman Governor through whom God brought about the birth of Christ.  In Micah 5 verse 2 500 years before the birth of Christ God recorded that the fulfilment of his plan would come about.  He is the mighty God today.  Isaiah the prophet said in chapter 1 verse 2 "hear O heavens and give ear O earth".  He called the angels in heaven and every living person on earth because the Lord has dominion over them all.  The Lord knows all about this pandemic - praise God for his greatness!

Praise God for his goodness in sending his son.  What did it mean to send his son?  We see his greatness throughout the Old Testament.  We see that when God opened up the Red Sea and the children of Israel walked on dry ground and when they were brought into the land of promise.  God has sent his only begotten son into this sin cursed world.  Think of Jacob in the Old Testament when he had to flee from his father's house.  He was away for 20 years then the Lord told him to return.  Now he would return with his wives, family, flocks and herds.  The great problem on his mind was meeting with his brother Esau.  Genesis 32 verse 10 "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servants for with my staff I passed over this Jordan and now I am become two bands."  Maybe we should take time to dwell on that today when we think of how the Lord came at Christmas time.  God looked on the world that had rejected and rebelled against him.  We see the birth of the Lord, God's own son.  What is the plan - that he would come into the world and die on the cross.  Just like Jacob undeserving of his divine goodness.  He sent his son to die in our stead.  Consider what God has done for you, the richness you have in the Lord.  Peter in his book is taking the scoffers to task.  They were saying "where is the promise of his coming?"  In other words - we have heard so much about the Lord's coming but where is its fulfilment? Peter takes the scoffers to hand.  2 Peter 3 verse 9 "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."  God's plan for you today is that you might seek repentance when you view the goodness of God - Romans 2 "or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" That is what God is looking for.  We wonder at the goodness of God.  The Lord brought forth by the virgin Mary to be the Saviour of the world.  Consider that.  The goodness of God.  God doesn't want to see you lost.  Will you come and see the goodness of God in dying for you?  Is there something greater in your life, greater than that?  "O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is that man that trusteth in him." (Psalm 34 verse 8) 2 Corinthians 4 verse 4 "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them."  Ephesians 2 verse 4 "But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us.  Even when we were dead in sin, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."  We are thinking of the greatness of God, that he would bring his son to redeem our souls.

We can praise God for his grace - "and on earth peace and good will toward men."  Christ was coming to make peace through the blood he shed on Calvary.  It is all about relationship.  God sent his son to be the mediator between God and men.  We have a broken relationship with God today.  There is no other mediator but Christ himself.  If we come any other way we have failed miserably.  In John 14 Jesus said "my peace I give unto you not as the world gives unto you."  We can read about many problems we have and the philosophers can tell us many ways to find peace but it is only found in Christ.  "My peace I give you not as the world gives you."  Only God can give peace.  When we see the Lord being born in Bethlehem we see the greatness of God, we see his goodness in giving his Son on Calvary and the grace of God "that bringeth salvation for all men."  "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5 verse 1)  "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16 verse 7)  Jesus came to mend the relationship between you and God.  What a tremendous celebration we have today.  Do you know anything of the greatness or goodness or grace of God in your life today?  You can prove it by realising you have sinned, come short of his glory, confess that to him today and ask him to come into your life and save you today.

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER 2020 pm

LUKE 2 VERSES 8 - 14

Tonight we look at the revelation that the angels brought to the shepherds on the hillside.  The one born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes was to be the Saviour of the world.  He came to seek and to save that which was lost.  To save even you today.

Think of how they heard the news.  The shepherds were sitting around the hills.  Can you visualise the scene?  It was just like any other night for them, they were oblivious to what God was doing.  Mary had brought forth her firstborn son and laid him in the manger for there was no room for them.  Have you any room for him tonight?  The one who came into the world to save your soul?  The shepherds were so caught up with the days activity, they talked about what they had come through to get to this point.  They were oblivious to things around them.  The god of this world blinds our minds to the things of God because we believe not and so he has control over us. (2 Corinthians 4 verse 4)  Remember the story of the king who had a son getting married.  He held a great supper and sent out invitations but then came the excuses,  They had no time to attend this great supper - one had bought a piece of ground and couldn't come because he needed to go and see it.  Another had bought a yoke of oxen and he needed to try them out.  A third had just got married and could not leave his new wife.  When confronted with the gospel message, that Jesus has shown his great love for us through his son we say we have no time.  When Jesus stood before Pilate, 2 choices were made to him - either release him or crucify him.  The crowd told him that if he released Jesus he would not be a friend of Caesar's.  Verse 15 "which the Lord hath made known unto us."

Think of how the shepherds hungered - "let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  They wanted to see for themselves if what they had heard was true.  "O taste and see that the Lord is good."  You have to taste the word of God for yourself.  In Acts 13 Paul took the people right through the history of Israel, right to where Jesus came into the world.  He was rejected, suffered, bled and died on Calvary.  We then read "And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God."  There was a hungering that was evident.  Is there a hunger in your heart for the things of God?  On the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached the word God the people asked "what then must we do?"  On that day the Holy Spirit convicted 3000 people of their sin.

The shepherds also hurried - "let us now go".  They hurried to do something after hearing the word of God.  Sometimes we can put off finding Christ.  When Jesus found Matthew he was sitting at the table of custom.  When Jesus said "follow me" he arose and followed.  He left his task to follow after Christ.  Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus passing by that day but Jesus did not pass by, he stopped at the very tree he was hiding in.  Somehow Jesus is showing you your great need of savlation.  Jesus wants to be your Saviour today.  The Lord stopped at Zacchaeus' tree.  He had to make haste and come down to where the Lord was.  Paul said "behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.  The shepherds abandoned their sheep, left them behind and went to find the Saviour.  Maybe God is asking you to leave something behind, to come and find Christ for yourself.  Remember the rich young ruler who came to the Lord.  He came with haste but he wasn't prepared to leave his riches, his wealth, his friends, his position, his standing in society.  Is it possible for a person to leave in a sorrowful state because they turned from the Lord?  There is one who stands at your hearts door - will you come to the Saviour today?

They had a hope in their hearts.  In our unsaved state we are without hope and without Christ.  The wise men asked "where is he that is born king of the Jews?"  Will you come and find that Saviour today?

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020 pm

LUKE 2 VERSES 16 - 21

The shepherds glance - they came with haste then they glanced and saw the baby, the Saviour of the world lying on the bed of straw.  This was a glance centred on the manger.  They listened to what the angel had to say on the hillside.  Look at verse 11 of chapter 2 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord."  I am sure as they left the hillside they wondered what this message was all about.  Perhaps they asked others they met in Bethlehem if they had heard anything about this baby.  Their interest was piqued as they came in to the stable.  They could see Mary, chosen to carry the Lord in her womb.  The shepherds were not interested in Mary though.  She wasn't the Saviour of the world.  They could see Joseph the earthly father figure but it was not to him that their eyes glanced but into the manger and a baby lying on the bed of straw.  It was not a royal bed, it was not attended by maids.  The place where Jesus was brought forth was a stable.  The very purpose he came into the world - to be our Savour.  He came to seek and to save that which was lost.  The glance was not to Mary or Joseph but to the Saviour himself.  Remember when Moses was told to make the brazen altar in the camp because the people had rebelled against God.  This brazen serpent meant the death sentencce was reversed.  As they looked  to the serpent they were healed.  The shepherds gaze was directed toward the manger.  Our gaze is not to the manger but to the cross of calvary.  It was a gaze to who was in the manger.  We are not looking to that wooden structure but rather the man on the middle cross.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2 verse 5 "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Many are standing in the faith of their church, all the various sacraments - baptism, communion but these do not save.

The clarity that came to the shepherds.  When they came their eyes were focused on that child lying in the manger.  How many times have you glanced at Calvary?  The shepherds did not come to a great palace or servants.  They bowed their knees and accepted this baby as the Saviour of the world just as the angels had told them.  Each of us must come to that very same place where we bow the knee at the foot of the cross, accept him for who he is and what he has done.  The Philippian jailer came to the apostles and asked "what must I do to be saved?"  We must realise that if we were to close our eyes in death we would be lost for all eternity.  The jailer had heard about Jesus and was now being told "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."  That is the answer - getting before the Lord on the cross of Calvary and acknowledging he was dying there for your sin.  Isaiah the prophet describes that scene on the cross when he said "he was numbered with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53 verse 12)

The shepherds were convinced in their minds.  They took in the scene, they could see the poverty but were looking at it spiritually not with the natural eye.  They were now convicted to the reality of what the angels said.  It took one glance from the thief on the cross to Jesus and said to the other thief "we deserve this punishment but he doesn't."  The Roman Centurion said "truly this was the son of God."  Will you glance today to Calvary?  As they made their way back to the hillside they told others what they had found.  Their purpose in life was to tell others what they had found.  We hear nothing more of the shepherds and one day people will hear nothing more of us either.  What witness will you leave behind?  That you witnessed to others about Christ?