1. Finding conflicts / The birth of Jesus is God's (providence).
Let's greet each other with blessings!
"Merry Christmas!"
"I wish the grace of the baby Jesus, our Savior, to be with all of you."
Before the sermon, I'll ask the children a few questions.
Even if the answers are wrong, I'll give small gifts for participating. ^^
1) When and where was Jesus born?
2) Who first heard and announced the news of Jesus's birth?
3) How did Jesus become the Savior?
I'll talk about the answers to these questions in today's sermon, so listen carefully.
When Jesus came to this world as our Savior, it happened within God's providence. God's providence combines 'God's sovereignty' with 'God's goodness.'
God's sovereignty means that God has complete authority and oversees human history, accompanied by God's goodness and mercy.
Baby Jesus didn't come to us coincidentally as our Savior; it was a deliberate act within God's providence.
I spoke last week about three contexts for interpreting the Bible correctly - historical, cultural, and redemptive context. Today, I want to explain how Jesus came as the Savior to this land by the providence of God.
2. Conflict Analysis / Historical Context
The first context is the historical context. It's easy to understand if you recall the question I asked you initially. Remember?
*When and where was Jesus born?
1) Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as the Bible tells us.
If you look at Micah 5:2, it was already prophesied around 500 BC that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
(Micah 5:2) "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
2) There were significant challenges in being born in Bethlehem.
a) Mary, who was pregnant, lived in Nazareth.
Where were Joseph and Mary, Jesus' parents, living at that time? In Nazareth. However, Mary wasn't alone; she was already pregnant with Jesus.
The journey of pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy in the Bible was not an easy task.
(Luke 2:4-5) "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
b) The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem was 90 miles.
The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is approximately 90 miles, so it was quite a long journey for the pregnant Mary to walk.
3) Mary went to Bethlehem because of the Roman Emperor's (command).
However, at that time, there was a historical event that Joseph and Mary could not avoid. It was the decree issued by the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, commanding all citizens of Roman colonies to return to their hometowns for a census registration.
(Luke 2:1-3) "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world... So everyone went to their own town to register."
Why was the census registration required? There were two purposes: first, for tax collection, and second, to find men who could be forced to join the army.
Considering the distance, Mary's physical condition, and the biblical prophecy, it might seem impossible. However, the decree of the Roman Emperor played a 'historical role' in fulfilling God's providence.
We might find ourselves in situations where we can't understand God's sovereignty. There are times when the distance is far, our condition is not ideal, and we need to live according to the words of the Bible. What would you do in such moments?
Would you complain and disobey God's overwhelming authority?
Or would you trust in the 'character of God,' specifically His goodness and mercy, and obediently live a life that fulfills 'God's providence'?
3. Clue / Cultural Context
The second context is the cultural context.
1) The angel first delivered the good news to the (shepherds).
Who did the angel announce the birth of baby Jesus to first?
It was the shepherds.
(Luke 2:10) "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people (to you, the shepherds)'"
2) In David's town, (shepherds) lived.
Why did angels announce the great joyous news first to the shepherds?
In David's town, shepherds lived.
What was David's occupation?
He was a shepherd.
Bethlehem was a town where sheep were raised for use in Jerusalem.
God chose to entrust the news of the birth of baby Jesus in Bethlehem to the shepherds of David's town.
(Luke 2:11) "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
3) The shepherds lived their (everyday lives) diligently.
The shepherds in David's town were people who lived their everyday lives diligently. Their sincerity made them suitable individuals to bear witness not only to their own joy but to spread the good news to all the world.
a) The shepherds watched over their flocks at (night).
The shepherds faithfully watched over their flocks at night.
They, like the lyrics of the hymn "While shepherds watched their flocks by night," loved their flocks. They felt a strong sense of duty, caring for their sheep even in the cold of the night. God chose to deliver the gospel to such loyal individuals.
(Luke 2:8-10) "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'"
a) The shepherds, upon hearing the good news, went to share it (quickly).
The shepherds wasted no time after hearing the angels' great joyous news. They hurriedly went to verify the scene of the gospel as the angels departed. After confirming, they shared the news with those present at the gospel scene.
(Luke 2:15-17) "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."
Dear brothers and sisters from ANC, are we eagerly awaiting the good news of great joy?
To whom will the gospel be shared?
Certainly to those who, like the shepherds, diligently watch over their flocks at night. Let's remain faithful in our everyday workplaces.
Soon, we will hear the good news of great joy.
4. Gospel Presentation / Redemptive-Historical Context
The third context is the redemptive-historical context.
1) The sign that Jesus is the Savior was a baby lying in a (manger).
In the historical and cultural contexts, the central figure is Jesus Christ in the redemptive-historical context.
The angel told the shepherds about the sign of the birth of the 'Savior.' "This will be a sign to you!"
(Luke 2:11-12) "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Jesus was lying in a manger in the form of a baby.
What does it mean for Jesus to be lying in a manger?
a) Jesus emptied Himself to become like (humans).
It signifies that Jesus, originally God, came down in human form. When He came as a human, He followed the entire process of being born as a baby, growing up gradually, and ultimately fulfilling the role of the Savior.
(Philippians 2:7-8) "rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
a) Jesus became the Savior for (believing) individuals.
This sign may seem quite humble. Describing being born as a baby and lying in a manger as a sign might seem a bit lacking.
However, those who believe in this sign undoubtedly receive the grace of salvation, while those who do not believe are excluded from the grace of salvation.
Mary cherished the fact that Jesus is Immanuel in her heart. We need this kind of attitude.
(Luke 2:18-19) "And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
2) Jesus was wrapped in (swaddling cloths) and lying in a manger.
Another sign of Jesus is the 'baby wrapped in swaddling cloths.'
(Luke 2:11-12) "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
a) The (swaddling cloths) are not blankets but simply (clothes).
What are swaddling cloths?
In English, it means strips of fabric used to wrap infants.
The newborn baby is wrapped in clothes without any blankets.
This is considered a sign.
(Luke 2:12) "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
b) Jesus (liberated us from the law of sin and death) while being wrapped.
What does it mean to be wrapped?
It signifies that God, in Jesus, 'took on human flesh.'
It foreshadows being 'wrapped' in the future, in a 'grave.'
Furthermore, Jesus being unwrapped from the swaddling cloths signifies His liberation, breaking free from death, and freeing us humans from the law of sin and death.
(Romans 8:1-2) "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Dear brothers and sisters of ANC, I wish the blessings of 'freedom' to come upon you this Christmas. May you be liberated in the name of Jesus Christ from all 'entangled swaddling cloths' such as financial worries, emotional pain, and relational discomfort.
I pray for the blessing of freedom through the truth, which is Jesus Christ.
(John 8:32) "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
5. Conclusion/ The birth of Jesus occurred within the Providence of God. The Providence of God is the result of 'God's Sovereignty' and 'God's Goodness.'
What is God's Sovereignty?
Even though people make plans, it is ultimately God who brings them to complete.
(Proverbs 16:33) "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."
What is God's goodness?
It is God's character.
God is good and compassionate.
(Psalm 136:1) "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever."
As the sermon title today suggests, Trusting God’s Providence—trust in God's plan!
Please understand the meaning and blessings of Christmas in the 'Historical,' 'Cultural,' and 'Redemptive-Historical Context.' Please believe in God's Providence towards us, our families, our church, and our nation. Grasp the 'small signs' and the 'incomprehensible signs,' and faithfully live in the everyday workplace, hoping for God's kingdom.
Surely, I believe that not only will you bring great joy and good news through Jesus but also present us with daily good news as a delightful gift.
