Immanuel God with us

  23.12.2012               Christmas

Isaiah 9: 2               NKJV

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 9: 1                Schlachter 2000

1 Das Volk, das in der Finsternis wandelt, hat ein großes Licht gesehen; über den Bewohnern des Landes der Todesschatten ist ein Licht aufgeleuchtet.

......those who live in a land of deep darkness,

 a light will shine.... The Light of the World….

Isaiah 9: 6,7                NKJV
6For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father Prince of Peace.7Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Isaiah 9: 5, 6                Schlachter 2000

5 Denn ein Kind ist uns geboren, ein Sohn ist uns gegeben; und die Herrschaft ruht auf seiner Schulter; und man nennt seinen Namen: Wunderbarer, Ratgeber, starker Gott, Ewig-Vater, Friedefürst.

6 Die Mehrung der Herrschaft und der Friede werden kein Ende haben auf dem Thron Davids und über seinem Königreich, daß er es gründe und festige mit Recht und Gerechtigkeit von nun an bis in Ewigkeit. Der Eifer des Herrn der Heerscharen wird dies tun!

What a fantastic prophesy……… It reminds us of a very important truth…… God is by nature a Savior…..

God´s plan of redemption continues perfectly…… A long promised Savior is born…..v6 In his names we come to understand that this baby boy is the very incarnation of God….. God in the flesh come down to live here with us…… That´s the meaning of the word Immanuel….. God with us…..

Luke 2: 8-12                NLT

 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2: 8-12        Neues Leben

8 In jener Nacht hatten ein paar Hirten auf den Feldern vor dem Dorf ihr Lager aufgeschlagen, um ihre Schafe zu hüten.

9 Plötzlich erschien ein Engel des Herrn in ihrer Mitte. Der Glanz des Herrn umstrahlte sie. Die Hirten erschraken,

10 aber der Engel beruhigte sie. Habt keine Angst!, sagte er. Ich bringe eine gute Botschaft für alle Menschen!

11 Der Retter - ja, Christus, der Herr - ist heute Nacht in Bethlehem, der Stadt Davids, geboren worden!

12 Und daran könnt ihr ihn erkennen: Ihr werdet ein Kind finden, das in Windeln gewickelt in einer Futterkrippe liegt!

Matt 12: 21   NLT

And his name will be the hope of all the world."

Matt 12: 21   Neues Leben

 21 Und auf seinem Namen wird die Hoffnung der ganzen Welt ruhen.

Good Morning and a Blessed Advent to all of you….... We want you to know that we thank the LORD for everyone of you…..

 We spend Heilige Abend with Uli´s Family ....We have been coming to Germany for the holidays for many years.....and it is a wonderful time of good food and remembering God´s great mercy and unfailing Love.....

On the 19rd of December ... I spent the day teaching English at Amadeus..... There were 9 of us... and I turned the talk to Christmas.....Usually I get a favorable response from students when they retell Christmas memories..... but last year... it was very painful... I asked each person a question and I got 9 very negative answers...... At best there was a little bit of nostalga as they remembered Christmas´s from the past ..... Not one of them was looking forward to the Holidays as a celebration of the birth of Jesus...... Sure some were looking forward to free food and alcohol..... Some were looking forward to Skiing but nothing really spiritual or substantial…..

They had rejected the Babe in a manger.... He wasn´t a Savior to them..... there was no Bright hope...... no feelings of joy or anticipation.... nothing…. They are   living in the land of the shadow of death.... It was a powerful reminder of the Biblical truth......  there are many who have rejected the LORD JESUS......

They will not have a blessed Christmas.....because they do not know anything of the Peace and joy that one finds at the foot of the Cross.....

This year as we have continued our study in Luke.... we have met many of the ordinary people that God revealed the Messiah to..... at his birth and during his earthly ministry as the son of man……

We met Simeon..... led to the Temple by the Holy Spirit……  at exactly the right time to see His long awaited Deliverer... the Baby Jesus.... tradition says that he was very old...... about 110 years old....

In our text…. We see the Saviors birth announced to Shepherds……

The great King David was a shepherd…… but normally shepherds were not highly valued…… they smelled………. They had a bad reputation…..they were thought to be untrustworthy…….. they were not allowed to testify in court….. they were defiled by their work….. They were not allowed in the temple…..The angels could have announced the birth of the Messiah…..The Savior of the world to the High priest….. or to Herod and the religious leaders of the land….. But no……

Jesus came to redeem all people……even the lowest……… even people like me….. and you….. ordinary people……

Shepherds were necessary……. Sheep and goats were the main source of food and clothing for the Children of Israel…..

But there was something special about these shepherds…….. You see this is Bethlehem……the City of David and the place……. Very near Jerusalem that was also called the tower of the Flock….. it´s called Migdal Eder……

Migdal Eder is where the Prophet Micah said that the Messiah would be revealed…. Turn with me to Micah 4…..

Micah 4: 6-8     ESV

6 In that day, declares the LORD,

I will assemble the lame

and gather those who have been driven away

and those whom I have afflicted;

7 and the lame I will make the remnant,

and those who were cast off, a strong nation;

and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion

from this time forth and forevermore.

8 And you, O tower of the flock,     ( Midgal Eder)

hill of the daughter of Zion,

to you shall it come,

the former dominion shall come,

kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.

Micah 4: 6-8    Neues Leben

6 Der Herr verspricht: »Der Tag wird kommen, an dem ich alle, die zerschunden sind, und alle, die ich in meinem Zorn verstoßen habe, sammeln werde. Und ich werde alle, denen ich Böses zugefügt habe, zusammenholen.

7 Ich will dafür sorgen, dass die Zerschundenen als heiliger Rest erhalten bleiben und die, die sich weit verlaufen haben, werde ich zu einem starken Volk machen. Dann wird der Herr vom Berg Zion als König über sie herrschen bis in Ewigkeit.

8 Und du, Wachturm auf dem Hügel von Jerusalem, wirst deine frühere Herrschaft wieder erlangen.

These shepherds were in the right place at the right time………to be the first to hear the Good News……… The Savoir…… The Messiah….. The hope……. The Light of the World……. they saw it with their own eyes they heard the Good News from the mouths of Angels……

There´s even more to this story…….You see these shepherds worked for the Temple……. The flocks that they cared for were special….. They were set apart…… destined for the temple as sacrifices…… sacrifices for sin and for thanksgiving to the LORD GOD……

At the base of the tower was a special place for the ewes that were about to give birth were taken to protect them and their new babies….. they must be protected from any injury………lambs for sacrifice had to be perfect…. Spotless……

What a fantastic place for the Lamb of God to be Born…….. The spotless lamb of God…… seen first by the shepherds whose entire life was to care for the lambs to be sacrificed…..

Luke 2: 12-20   NLT

12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,

      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2: 12-20   Neues Leben

12 Und daran könnt ihr ihn erkennen: Ihr werdet ein Kind finden, das in Windeln gewickelt in einer Futterkrippe liegt!«

13 Auf einmal war der Engel von den himmlischen Heerscharen umgeben, und sie alle priesen Gott mit den Worten:

14 »Ehre sei Gott im höchsten Himmel und Frieden auf Erden für alle Menschen, an denen Gott Gefallen hat2.«

15 Als die Engel in den Himmel zurückgekehrt waren, sagten die Hirten zueinander: »Kommt, gehen wir nach Bethlehem! Wir wollen das Wunder, von dem der Herr uns erzählen ließ, mit eigenen Augen sehen.«

16 Sie liefen so schnell sie konnten ins Dorf und fanden Maria und Josef und das Kind in der Futterkrippe.

17 Da erzählten die Hirten allen, was geschehen war und was der Engel ihnen über dieses Kind gesagt hatte.

18 Alle Leute, die den Bericht der Hirten hörten, waren voller Staunen.

19 Maria aber bewahrte alle diese Dinge in ihrem Herzen und dachte oft darüber nach.

20 Die Hirten kehrten zu ihren Herden auf den Feldern zurück; sie priesen und lobten Gott für das, was der Engel ihnen gesagt hatte und was sie gesehen hatten. Alles war so, wie es ihnen angekündigt worden war.

Look at verse 17 and 18…..

Luke 2: 17,18 NLT Neues Leben

17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,

17 Da erzählten die Hirten allen, was geschehen war und was der Engel ihnen über dieses Kind gesagt hatte.

18 Alle Leute, die den Bericht der Hirten hörten, waren voller Staunen.

When they saw Jesus…… they went and told everyone……. The first missionaries…… all who heard were astonished…..

 Now look at verse 20

Luke 2: 20  NLT Neues Leben  

20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

20 Die Hirten kehrten zu ihren Herden auf den Feldern zurück; sie priesen und lobten Gott für das, was der Engel ihnen gesagt hatte und was sie gesehen hatten. Alles war so, wie es ihnen angekündigt worden war.

These simple shepherds worshipped and praised God!

Ordinary people with a special assignment…….. Just like us……we are ordinary people with a special assignment….

Jesus´first visitors were ordinary people…. Really the least in all of Israel….. look at v 15….

Luke 2: 15    NLT   Neues Leben

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

15 Als die Engel in den Himmel zurückgekehrt waren, sagten die Hirten zueinander: »Kommt, gehen wir nach Bethlehem! Wir wollen das Wunder, von dem der Herr uns erzählen ließ, mit eigenen Augen sehen.«

Bethlehem was no ordinary place…..……

Let´s talk about Bethlehem…..  

1. Bethlehem´s History

The little village of Bethlehem was dear to every Israelite…... Jerusalem might outshine it in splendor….. because of it´s size and the Temple….. yet in and around Bethlehem there were a number of incidents which always made it beautiful to every Jewish mind….. and even today Christians cannot help loving Bethlehem……

The first mention, I think, that we have of Bethlehem is a sorrowful one…… It is where Rachel died…..   turn to the 35th chapter of Genesis beginning in the  16th verse—

Genesis 35: 16- 20   NKJV

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.  19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day."

Genesis 35: 16- 20   Schlachter 2000

16 Danach brachen sie von Bethel auf; und als sie nur noch ein Stück Weg bis Ephrata zu gehen hatten, da gebar Rahel; und sie hatte eine schwere Geburt.

17 Als ihr aber die Geburt so schwer wurde, sprach die Hebamme zu ihr: Fürchte dich nicht; du hast auch diesmal einen Sohn!

18 Und es geschah, als ihr die Seele entschwand, weil sie am Sterben war, da gab sie ihm den Namen Benoni; sein Vater aber nannte ihn Benjamin.4

19 Und Rahel starb und wurde begraben am Weg nach Ephrata, das ist Bethlehem.

20 Und Jakob stellte einen Gedenkstein auf über ihrem Grab; das ist Rahels Grabmal geblieben bis zu diesem Tag.

Ben-oni…. The son of my sorrow and Benjamin….. the Son of my right hand…

Rachel called him Ben-oni…..  Mary could have called her own son Jesus….. her Ben-oni…. The son of her sorrows…. Simeon told her that she would have a sword pierced thru her own soul….

Ben-oni = "son of my sorrow"….. Isaiah also wrote in Is 53…..

Isaiah 53: 3-4   NKJV

3 He is despised and rejected by men,

​​A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

​​And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

​​He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

​

4 ​​Surely He has borne our griefs

​​And carried our sorrows;

​​Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

​​Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53: 3-4   Schlachter 2000

3 Verachtet war er und verlassen von den Menschen, ein Mann der Schmerzen und mit Leiden2 vertraut; wie einer, vor dem man das Angesicht verbirgt, so verachtet war er, und wir achteten ihn nicht.

4 Fürwahr, er hat unsere Krankheit3 getragen und unsere Schmerzen auf sich geladen; wir aber hielten ihn für bestraft, von Gott geschlagen und niedergebeugt.

But while Mary might have called him Ben-oni…… what did God his Father call him? Jesus….. God is salvation……. That is our Savior and redeemer….He is truly God´s Benjamin…… Benjamin, the son of my right hand…... Jesus our great High priest…. is seated at the right hand of the Father….

Hebrews 8: 1,2    NKJV

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

Hebrews 8: 1,2    Schlachter 2000

1 Die Hauptsache aber bei dem, was wir sagen, ist: Wir haben einen solchen Hohenpriester, der sich gesetzt hat zur Rechten des Thrones der Majestät im Himmel,

2 einen Diener des Heiligtums und der wahrhaftigen Stiftshütte1, die der Herr errichtet hat und nicht ein Mensch.

Jesus…. As a man he was Benoni…. A man of sorrows…… But Jesus is also Benjamin…… God´s anointed….. the Son of His Right Hand….

This little incident….. the birth of Benjamin at Bethlehem…..  seems to be almost a prophecy that Ben-oni—Benjamin…. the Lord Jesus, should be born in Bethlehem……..

But it is another woman makes this place even more celebrated……. That woman's name was Naomi…...

She too was a daughter of joy…..  and yet a daughter of bitterness and sorrow….. Naomi was a woman whom the Lord had loved and blessed….. but she suffered in a strange land…… She could not see the LORD´s purpose in her hard times……. and she said,

Ruth 1: 20       NKJV   Schlachter 2000

20"Call me not Naomi (pleasant) but let my name be called Mara (bitter) for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."

20 Sie aber sprach: Nennt mich nicht Naemi8, sondern nennt mich Mara; denn der Allmächtige hat es mir sehr bitter gemacht!

She felt alone and abandoned by the Lord…… yet was she not alone…… for there cleaved unto her Ruth the Moabites…. The gentile daughter in–law who would become the Great grandmother of the great King David……. Matthew 1…… and the great—great grandmother of Jesus the  Lord our Saviour….  the great king both of Jews and Gentiles…… That very beautiful book of Ruth took place in Bethlehem…… It was at Bethlehem that Ruth went forth to glean in the fields of Boaz….. it was there that Boaz looked upon her…. and she bowed herself before her lord…… it was there her marriage was celebrated….. and in the streets of Bethlehem did Boaz and Ruth receive a blessing which made them fruitful so that Boaz became the father of Obed….. and Obed the father of Jesse…… and Jesse the father of David……

the fact that David was born there— Fills Bethlehem with glory—the mighty hero who smote the Philistine giant…..

Bethlehem was a royal city….  As Little as Bethlehem was, it was beloved…..

It was right, then, from history, that Bethlehem The City of David…. should be the birth-place of Christ…….

2. The Name Bethlehem….. "Bethlehem Ephratah."

Micah 5:2      NKJV

2 ​​“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

​​Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

​​Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

​​The One to be Ruler in Israel,

​​Whose goings forth are from of old,

​​From everlasting.”

Micah 5:1      Schlachter 2000

 1 Und du, Bethlehem-Ephrata, du bist zwar gering unter den Hauptorten von Juda; aber aus dir soll mir hervorkommen, der Herrscher über Israel werden soll, dessen Hervorgehen von Anfang, von den Tagen der Ewigkeit her gewesen ist.

Bethlehem Ephratah

The word Bethlehem   signifies "the house of bread,"

Ephratah….. Means….  "fruitfulness," or "abundance."

  Perfect Jesus was born in the house of fruitfulness…..   It is Jesus that makes us fruitful…….. "If a man abide in me," he says, "and my words abide him, he shall bring forth much fruit."

Wonderful and Glorious!

Bethlehem Ephratah!   Fruitful house of bread…… the house of abundant provision and fruitfulness for the people of God!

3. We notice, next, the position of Bethlehem…… It is called "little among the thousands of Judah." Why is this? Jesus was not born on Hebron's royal mount….. not in Jerusalem's palaces…… but the humble, village of Bethlehem…… In a stable… What humble beginnings for the King of Kings and the LORD of LORDS…..

"Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel."

 Jesus was born in Bethlehem as Micah prophesied…… He fulfilled many prophesies at his birth….. But he grew up in Nazareth……. Turn with me please to Luke 2 again…..

Luke 2: 39 - 40                  NLT

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Luke 2: 39 - 40               Neues Leben

39 Als Maria und Josef alles erfüllt hatten, was nach dem Gesetz des Herrn vorgeschrieben ist, kehrten sie nach Nazareth in Galiläa zurück.

40 Dort wuchs Jesus heran und wurde groß und kräftig. Er war mit Weisheit erfüllt, und Gottes besondere Gnade ruhte auf ihm.

v39…. Galilee of the Gentiles…. Jesus grew up in Nazareth..... That fact is also fulfillment of prophesy….. In the New Testament he is called Jesus of Nazareth…….

Matthew 21:10,11     NKJV

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:10,11     Schlachter 2000

10 Und als er in Jerusalem einzog, kam die ganze Stadt in Bewegung und sprach: Wer ist dieser?

11 Die Menge aber sagte: Das ist Jesus, der Prophet von Nazareth in Galiläa!

This is also One of the Bible names for the Messiah....

The Branch..... The Netzer...... The Nazarene....

Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem...... he fulfilled prophesy by being born there...... it had to be so....

but he also fulfilled prophesy by growing up in Nazareth.....

Isaiah Identified the Messiah by that name in Isaiah 4:2

Zechariah also tells us something wonderful about the LORD JESUS…… THE Nazarene……. It´s in Zech 6: 12- 13..... let´s take a look.....

Zech 6: 12- 13         NLT

12 Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, he will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’

Zech 6: 12- 13         Neues Leben

12 Sag ihm: `So spricht der Herr, der Allmächtige: Da ist ein Mann, der Spross4 genannt wird, denn unter ihm wird es sprießen und er wird den Tempel des Herrn bauen.

13 Ja, er wird den Tempel des Herrn bauen; er wird königliche Ehren empfangen, seinen Thron einnehmen und dort herrschen. An seinem Thron wird ein Priester dienen5, und zwischen beiden wird vollkommene Eintracht sein.´

This is the prophesy that tells us about JESUS role as great High Priest and KING of KINGS.....

The Branch.... the Netzer...the Nazarene.....

our great high priest and King forever.....

Close

We have seen and heard Jesus......we have been redeemed.....

We should tell everyone the Good News.......We should be constantly praising and glorifing God in everything that we say and do......

We are here on Earth for a purpose.....Jesus said all authority in Heaven and Earth is given to me.....Go into all the World..... make disciples......

We are here in the body for a purpose...... we are members of one another...we belong to each other.... we are here in the church so that we can love and encourage each other....pray for each other...... we have the blessing of bearing one anothers burdens...... we can lighten each others load.....Even though we are ordinary people..... sinners saved by Grace..... because of His unfailing LOVE......we have a savior.....

We are celebrating the birth of the Savior....Jesus the Messiah!!!

but we must remember ..... The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the Whole world was born to die.....

To die....... to redeem us.....He came to die so that we could live with Him forever......What unfailing LOVE..... What Mercy......

Matthew 5:14-16    NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16    Schlachter 2000

14 Ihr seid das Licht der Welt. Es kann eine Stadt, die auf einem Berg liegt, nicht verborgen bleiben.

15 Man zündet auch nicht ein Licht an und setzt es unter den Scheffel3, sondern auf den Leuchter; so leuchtet es allen, die im Haus sind.

16 So soll euer Licht leuchten vor den Leuten, daß sie eure guten Werke sehen und euren Vater im Himmel preisen.

David understood this so very well..... He was a real person…. totally ordinary.....not perfect... a sinner saved by grace.... let´s remember this babe in a manger came for us...... to take the punishment for our sins.... to die for our sins.... so that we could be forgiven.... He came to Redeem us and to give us everlasting peace and Joy..... to wash us white as snow....

Let´s pray......