A senior angel is showing a very young angel around the splendors of the universe. They view whirling galaxies and blazing suns, and then flit across the infinite distances of space until at last they enter one particular galaxy of 500 billion stars.

As the two of them draw near to the star which we call our sun and to its circling planets, the senior angel pointed to a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis ball to the angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen.
“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger.
“Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What’s special about that one?”

To the little angel, earth did not seem so impressive. He listened in stunned disbelief as the senior angel told him that this planet, small and insignificant and not overly clean, was the renowned Visited Planet.

“Do you mean that our great and glorious Prince … went down in Person to this fifth-rate little ball? Why should He do a thing like that?” …
The little angel’s face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?”
“I do, and I don’t think He would like you to call them ‘creeping, crawling creatures’ in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”
The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.[1]

In a minute, we are going to talk about the significance of God dwelling with us, Immanuel. I grew up creating many memories during the Christmas season. I remember the excitement of being off school for two weeks. I remember a few Christmas Eve worship services. Notice I said just a few. I remember many wonderful gatherings at my grandparents’ house. I remember my excitement to go downstairs on Christmas morning to see what “Santa” brought us for Christmas.  I remember a joyful time with family opening Christmas gifts, sometimes with the fireplace lit in the other room. I remember a few family gatherings on Christmas Eve, but I was afraid we were going to be up too late, and Santa was going to pass our house.

Christmas is about God’s presence with us.

You know God lives in us.

Immanuel means God with us.

I want to start by explaining this idea of Emmanuel, but then I intend to talk about God being with us and what significance that has for us today.

1. Jesus will be Immanuel.
   1. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
   2. ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
   3. Do you realize that Isaiah was writing about 700 years prior to Christ.
   4. This is being fulfilled in Jesus’ birth. This is from the Lord. This is the prophesy.
   5. Matthew 1:23 (ESV) “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
   6. But now, notice that He, Jesus, is to be called Emmanuel, and this means “God with us.” Think about the awesome ramifications in this passage. God came down to be one of us. I know that we have talked about this for several weeks now, but that is because that is the crux of Christmas, and this is the crux of the Christian life. The creator became part of His creation.
   7. This is what sets us apart as Christ followers! What sets us apart as Christians is that God became one of us, but I would even go further than that. God didn’t only become one of us. God is still one of us and God was not only with us for a time, God is still with us. Do we realize this? Think about it, God is with you. He lives with you. Remember the song we sing at Easter time? “You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart!” God lives with you.
   8. Now, we must all know for certain that this does not mean that you are God. No, God is set apart from His creation, yet He is still with us.
   9. I once heard I heard Pastor Tony Evans share an amazing story about this idea of God with us. You see he was on a cruise ship. It was a cruise for those that listen to his radio program. The cruise was in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Alaska, and the cruise ship ran into some heavy seas. The seas were really rough, 35-40 foot waves. This was really bad. People were vomiting, things were moving around, and so on. After so long a time of dealing with this Pastor Evans’ wife got unhappy about it and decided to call the captain. She was unhappy as the captain knew they were heading into a storm and still decided to do so. He couldn’t stall or reroute as the captain had a schedule to meet. He had to be at a certain dock in order to pick up customers for another cruise. But Pastor Evens’ wife felt somewhat responsible as those on the cruise were there for Pastor Evans’ ministry. So, she calls the captain and the second to the captain calls her back. He says, “The captain wants you to do two things: First, the captain wants you to go to sleep. Second, you can go to sleep because I will be staying awake. I, the captain, will be staying awake to pilot the ship through the storm.” Psalm 121 says that our God never sleeps or slumbers. This passage is saying that God is with us. That is great. Like the captain, He is with us, and He is awake guiding us through the storms of life.
   10. So, do you realize the very special significance of that? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that there will not be any storms in life. But you know what God is with us. God is with us in the storms.
   11. Now, I don’t want to miss the initial importance in this passage, Jesus came and lived a life as God with us. Jesus died for our sins and then rose again. So, Jesus is still alive, and He sent His Holy Spirit to live with us now and that is why He is still with us today.
   12. Close:

Think about these applications:

1. God with us means that He cares about us.
2. God with us means that we are never alone.
3. God with us means that we don’t have to worry about the future, He is with us.
4. God with us means that the creator of all can also be with His creation.
5. God with us means that we have the architect of creation with us.
6. God with us means that if He is with us, He can support and guide us.
7. God with us means that He can and has communicated to us.
8. We must live with an understanding of this awesome Truth that God is with us.
9. We must live with an application of this awesome truth that God is with us.

• We must live, allowing God through Jesus to soothe our needs as He is with us.

So, Jesus came, God came and lived among us, He died for us, in our place, but He rose again, and He is still with us. Praise God.

World War I was characterized by trench warfare. Often the trenches of the two enemies were only a few yards apart.

I read a story in which the officers on both sides in one trench sector agreed that on Christmas Day they would permit the soldiers to come out of the trenches for Christmas fellowship. The troops gladly did so.

After a short time, the officers ordered them back into their trenches. They realized that the soldiers could not fellowship together one day and then suddenly be enemies again.

The story reminded me of some words written many years ago. “Thus we can always know that men could live with goodwill and understanding for each other, because one day in each year the little Divine Prince of Peace still compels them to do it.”^[2]

Are you excited about presents? Here are some gifts that you can give in honor of Jesus:

Let me give you some ideas. Here are thirty-two suggestions; take your choice: Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion. Write a long overdue love note. Hug someone tightly and whisper, “I love you.” Forgive an enemy. Be gentle and patient with an angry person. Express appreciation. Gladden the heart of a child. Find the time to keep a promise. Make or bake something for someone else—anonymously. Release a grudge. Listen. Speak kindly to a stranger. Enter into another’s sorrow. Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Take a walk with a friend. Kneel down and stroke a dog. Read a poem to your mate or friend. Lessen your demands on others. Play some beautiful music during supper. Apologize if you were wrong. Talk together with the television and cell phone off. Treat someone to an ice cream cone (frozen yogurt would be fine). Do the dishes for the family. Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. Encourage an older person. Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. Offer to babysit for a weary mother. Give your teacher a break—be especially cooperative.

Let’s make this season one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy. That is Christianity, isn’t it?[4]

Do you have Jesus’ presence with you?

GOSPEL

God created us to be with Him (Gen. 1-2)

Our sins separate us from God (Gen. 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good works (Gen. 4- Mal. 4)

Paying the price for our sin, Jesus died and rose again (Matthew-Luke)

Everyone who trust in Jesus alone shall inherit eternal life (John- Jude)

Life eternal means being with Jesus forever (Rev. 22:5)

[1] SOURCE: From Phillip Yancey, “The Jesus I Never Knew,” p. 43-44, quoting JB Phillips.

^[2] Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 48.

^[3] Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 49–50.

[4] Adapted from Hear Me When I Call. Copyright © 2013 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Worthy Publishing). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Title: Jesus’ Birth is Foretold to Mary

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on December 24, 2023

As I think about the Christmas story, I wonder, “What if Mary said, ‘No?’” I wonder, “Could Mary say no?”

But again, I ask, “What if Mary said ‘No!”’

If Mary said, “No,” would there be a Savior? If Mary said, “No,” what would have happened in Bethlehem?  As you know, Mary was the mother of Jesus, and this event didn’t just happen. It was God’s foreordained plan (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Gal. 4:4). In today’s passage, Mary was told that she was to give birth to the Christ child. You know what? She didn’t even argue. You ask, “Why would she argue?” Well, though it was an honor for her, Mary did face a lot of shame and a lot of trouble for the virgin birth. We are going to look at Luke 1:26-38 and in this passage, we will see that Mary is told about Jesus’ birth. I want you to notice Mary’s obedience.

My theme today:

Theme: Mary is told about the man Who she is to give birth, notice her obedience.

1. Mary is greeted by Gabriel.
   1. Luke 1:26–29 (ESV)
   2. ²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
   3. Notice the passage begins saying “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy…” This is connecting this narrative with the previous narrative. In the previous verses the story is told of how John the Baptist came to be born to elderly parents.
   4. Now, the text says that Gabriel was sent to Nazareth in Galilee. Nazareth was the city, a very small city, Galilee was the greater area. Nazareth had 1600-2000 people at this time.
   5. Now, take note that an angel is involved in this event. The word for angel means messenger and here we see the angel being a messenger.
   6. Gabriel and Michael are the only angels in the New Testament; these are the most popular angels in Jewish lures.
   7. Now, the angel comes to a virgin who was engaged or pledged to be married to Joseph. The Bible says that Joseph was a descendant of David. Because Joseph was of David’s line and Jesus would be his legal son, Jesus could qualify as belonging to David’s royal house. The New American Commentary tells us that in Judaism, “virgins” were young maidens, usually fourteen or younger.
   8. Gabriel greets Mary by saying that she is highly favored and the Lord is with her.
   9. How often do you greet someone like that? Not often, and that apparently was the same for Mary because she didn’t understand the greeting.

1. Now, we see Gabriel explain why she is favored.
   1. Luke 1:30–33 (ESV)
   2. ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
   3. Notice that the angel starts by saying, “Do not be afraid.” I like this because this verse shows that angels were warriors; they were an image that we usually don’t see. They were not fair-skinned feminine creatures that looked maternal. This angel appeared out of thin air and was something she likely had never seen before.
   4. The angel tells her that she has found favor with God.
   5. Now, let’s stop there. Now, I realize that my questions at the beginning of the sermon were not fair; obviously, God wouldn’t have chosen Mary if she had resisted. But why did God choose her? She was favored by God. I wonder, was she such a respectful, pious young lady that she was favored? Or, does favor simply mean that God will bestow on her this blessing of being the mother to the Christ child? This could be either or both.
   6. Then the angel tells her that she will conceive and give birth to a son and call Him Jesus. Look at that.
   7. She is told that she will become pregnant. That is prophetic; in verse 34 she says that she is still a virgin.
   8. She is told that the baby will be a boy. Again, this is prophetic; she doesn’t even know she is pregnant. Besides, you cannot even know the sex of a baby until about 16 weeks. Yet, the angel knows.
   9. She is told what to name the baby.
   10. Now, this is not unusual in the Scriptures. In the Bible we learn that God controls the womb. In Genesis 17:17 and 18:12 both Abraham and Sarah laugh when they are told they are going to have a baby in their old age. But, God controls the womb. In Genesis 17:19 an angel tells Abraham what to name his son.
   11. In Luke 1:8-25 John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias was told that he will have a son in his old age, and he is told the name for the son will be John.
   12. Now, Mary likely knew that God controls the womb, but she is still a woman around 14 years old who is engaged to be married. If she is pregnant, how? Then, if she is pregnant and not by Joseph, it will look like adultery, and she could be stoned (Lev 20).
   13. Mary had to be thinking: What will I tell my fiancé? Now, some of you are thinking, “Who cares? She is not married, but engaged.”
   14. The New American Commentary says the following about Jewish marriage and engagement:
   15. Marriage consisted of two distinct stages: engagement followed by the marriage itself. Engagement involved a formal agreement initiated by a father seeking a wife for his son. The next most important person involved was the father of the bride. A son’s opinion would be sought more often in the process than a daughter’s. Upon payment of a purchase price to the bride’s father (for he lost a daughter and helper whereas the son’s family gained one) and a written agreement and/or oath by the son, the couple was engaged. Although during this stage the couple in some instances cohabited, this was the exception. An engagement was legally binding, and any sexual contact by the daughter with another person was considered adultery. The engagement could not be broken save through divorce (Matt 1:19), and the parties during this period were considered husband and wife (Matt 1:19–20, 24). At this time Mary likely was no more than fifteen years old, probably closer to thirteen, which was the normal age for betrothal.^[1]
   16. Mary also must have been thinking, “What will I tell my parents?”

1. 1. In the next few verses, she is told that she will be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. I am a pastor, but if my wife or daughter told me, “I am pregnant by the Holy Spirit.” I would be suspicious.
   2. Mary must have been thinking, “What will the neighbors think? I will be the talk of the town. What does it feel like to die by stoning?”
   3. We don’t know Mary’s thoughts, but we do know that she doesn’t argue. She is obedient.
   4. Gabriel does tell Mary, ^“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
   5. That is a major verse. He will grow up to have the throne of Israel. Now, Mary likely interpreted this to mean that He will physically be the king just as David was in the Old Testament and David was the greatest king of Israel.
   6. But David died and his son Solomon ruled Israel, then Solomon died, and Israel was split into a divided monarchy by Solomon’s children, David’s grandchildren.
   7. David and Solomon were mortal kings.
   8. Mary is told that her son will reign forever.
   9. That is a lot of responsibility. She is to be the mother of the future, eternal king of Israel. Wow!

• Now, we see how this will happen.
  1. Luke 1:34–35 (ESV)
  2. ³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
  3. ³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
  4. Mary does ask how this can be because she is a virgin. The angel then explains that “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.^[2]
• In verses 36-37 we see a miracle has already been performed.
  1. Luke 1:36–38 (ESV)
  2. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
  3. In these two verses we see that her cousin, who was elderly, was pregnant.
  4. Then, I love verse 37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
  5. Do you doubt God?
  6. Do you find it hard to believe in the virgin birth?
  7. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus later would turn water into wine (John chapter 2)?
  8. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus would heal many people (Luke 4:38-44; 7:22; etc)?
  9. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus fed 5000 (Luke 9:12ff)?
  10. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus raised a dead man to life (John 11:43)?
  11. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus was resurrected and still lives (Luke 24 and other passages)?
  12. Nothing is impossible with God. God can do all things. I am convinced that we all struggle with faith sometimes, even pastors. But why do we want to believe in such a little God? If He is God, He must be greater than we are.
• In verse 38, we see Mary’s great obedience
  1. Mary doesn’t say, “Well, Gabriel, I really, really, really thank you for considering me for this task. I mean, like, I know that I am a true and godly young lady, and that is likely why you chose me, but, you know, I, like, I’m not up for this. I mean, I am still young, and I don’t want the public humiliation, and well, just ask someone else.”
  2. No, Mary accepts. Now, could Mary say no? We can’t answer that. But we do know what she says, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
  3. How is your obedience?
  4. At a certain children’s hospital, a boy gained a reputation for wreaking havoc with the nurses and staff. One day a visitor who knew about his terrorizing nature made him a deal: “If you are good for a week,” she said, “I’ll give you a dime when I come again.” A week later she stood before his bed. “I’ll tell you what,” she said, “I won’t ask the nurses if you behaved. You must tell me yourself. Do you deserve the dime?”
  5. After a moment’s pause, a small voice from among the sheets said: “Gimme a penny.” [3]
  6. God may not be calling you to give birth to His son (which is good if you are a man because that would be a bigger miracle than the virgin birth), but maybe God is calling you to buy Christmas presents for a neighbor’s children.
  7. Are you resisting something that God is telling you to do?
  8. Maybe God wants you to apologize to someone you offended this past week.
  9. Be obedient. Be God’s servant as Mary was.

So, I know, my questions were unfair. God knew what type of person Mary would be when He chose her to be the mother of the Christ. Still, we as Protestants must recognize that Mary was a blessed woman who must have been godly to be the mother of God.

Mary was obedient when she was told that she will be the mother of Jesus. Praise God! Mary did not know what we know now.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

^[1] Stein, R. H. (2001). Vol. 24: Luke (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (82). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[2] The New International Version. 2011 (Lk 1:35). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[3] Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 413. Exerted from Lewis and Faye Copeland, 10,000 Jokes, Toasts, and Stories.

Title: Who Is Jesus Part III

Scripture: Heb 1:8

Theme: Jesus is reigning with God in Heaven, making intercession for us.

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on December 17, 2023

I want to begin the sermon with the background to a beloved Christmas carol:

O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

Latin hymn, 18th century

English translation by Frederick Oakeley, 1802–1880

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!” … (Luke 2:15, 20)

The songs of the Christmas season comprise some of the finest music known to man, and this hymn is certainly one of our universal favorites. It was used in Catholic churches before it became known to Protestants. Today it is sung by church groups around the world since it has been translated from its original Latin into more than 100 other languages. The vivid imagery of the carol seems to have meaning and appeal for all ages in every culture.

The original Latin text consisted of four stanzas. The first calls us to visualize anew the infant Jesus in Bethlehem’s stable. The second stanza is usually omitted in most hymnals, but it reminds us that the Christ-child is very God Himself:

God of God and Light of Light begotten, Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten, not created—O come, let us adore Him.

The next stanza pictures for us the exalted song of the angelic choir heard by the lowly shepherds. Then the final verse offers praise and adoration to the Word, our Lord, who was with the Father from the beginning of time.

For many years this hymn was known as an anonymous Latin hymn. Recent research, however, has revealed manuscripts that indicate that it was written in 1744 by an English layman named John Wade and set to music by him in much the same style as used today. The hymn first appeared in his collection, Cantus Diversi, published in England in 1751. One hundred years later the carol was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minister, Frederick Oakeley, who desired to use it for his congregation. The tune name, “Adeste Fideles,” is taken from the first words of the original Latin text, and translated literally means “be present or near, ye faithful.”

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold Him, born the King of angels:

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; sing all ye bright hosts of heav’n above; glory to God, all glory in the highest:

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:

Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Ask God to help you and your family make this Christmas season the most spiritual one you have yet known. Worship Him—Christ, the Lord!^[1]

Jesus did come down to our level. We needed help, we needed a Savior. Jesus became one of us.

I want to show you that Jesus is the ruler. I want to show you that Jesus is now reigning as King of Kings. Lastly, I want to ask you if He is your King. First, we will return to Colossians 1:15-20, and then we will turn to Hebrews 1:8 and a few others.

We have been talking about Who Jesus Is. Three weeks ago, we talked about Jesus’ eternal past. Our beliefs of Who Jesus is begin in the Old Testament. Two weeks ago, we talked about Jesus as fully man and fully God. Today, I want to show that Jesus is reigning with God in Heaven making an intercession for us.

That is my theme:

Jesus is reigning with God in Heaven making intercession for us.

First, let’s read Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

1. We see that Christ is the creator, sustainer, and ruler.
   1. Though we never see the noun “ruler” used in relation to Christ in this passage, this passage is all about Christ as ruler. Allow me to show you a few amazing statements:
   2. Recall that two weeks ago we talked about verse 16. Verse 16 says:¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
   3. Look at this. The Bible says that “Some things were created by Him,” no, it says, “All things were created by Him.” (See also John 1:3)
   4. The passage says all things were created by Jesus and then it goes into detail about His creation:
   5. Things in Heaven: what does that mean?
   6. In the Bible we can see that Heaven is a term used to describe outer space.
   7. In the Bible Heaven is a term to describe our atmosphere.
   8. In the Bible Heaven is a term to describe the place where God resides.
   9. I believe since the earth is mentioned in the next verse, this use of Heaven is referring to outer space and the location where God resides.
   10. It was by Jesus that the planets and the stars were created.
   11. Jesus created everything on earth: this includes every material.
   12. Then the passage says that this includes the visible and the invisible. What is the invisible? Well, I would guess the passage is talking about the air we breathe, the radiation we don’t see, and even the spiritual realm.
   13. Jesus created the angels.
   14. Lastly, the passage talks about the thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities. These were created through Him, but also for Him.
   15. This is a strong passage. Think about it. Colossians was written around AD 60, who’s in charge? Rome is in charge, Paul is writing this from prison, but He is saying Jesus is in charge. Paul is saying, It may appear as if Rome is in charge, but Jesus is actually in charge. All of these rulers were created by Jesus, and for Jesus. This statement by Paul is a very political statement. But this statement by Paul should be very encouraging for us today just like it was for them.
   16. If Jesus is the creator, He is the King, He is the ruler, He is in charge. Jesus is reigning!
   17. Look at Colossians 2:15 (ESV) ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
   18. Notice again the political imagery. This carries the idea that when Jesus hung on the cross and took God’s wrath on Him for our sins; He conquered the devil. Jesus conquered the spiritual forces of evil. Since the beginning, sin has had its way and its consequences, but Jesus took the punishment, restoring a right relationship between us and God.
   19. We still have secular rulers who are anti-God as they did in the first century. But this gives the image of Jesus going through a battlefield and taking the weapons away. Now, this could be literal in a spiritual way or a prophetic way. Some day in the future, every authority will bow to Jesus, currently Jesus reigns in a spiritual way.
   20. It may appear that certain governments are reigning and, although there are certain spiritual forces, even demonic forces at work, God will make things right, Jesus is in charge.
   21. So, I ask you, who is in charge? That is a question which I want you to answer. So, who is in charge? I think there are still a few asleep, who is in charge? Jesus is in charge.
   22. Now, verse 17 even says that all things hold together by Jesus. Think about that for a second. If Jesus stopped being in control, creation would fall apart. I tried to imagine that and the best image that I could get is this:
   23. This is a glass of water [show the water in the glass]. Currently the water is held together by the glass. But if I pour it out, [pour the water into a bowl] the water is no longer held together by the glass. Now, all analogies fail in one way or another and this one does as well because the water may be held together again, in this case by this other container. But you get the point.
   24. Jesus holds all creation together.
   25. Now, look at verse 18: Jesus is the head of the church. This means that we are His church, we are not my church or anyone’s church but Jesus’ church. We must be following His lead. We seek His lead through prayer and correct understanding of His Word.
   26. So, you can see from Col 1:15-20 that Jesus is in control and if He is in control this means that Jesus is also the ruler and King.
2. Jesus is reigning.
   1. Hebrews 1:8 (ESV)
   2. ⁸ But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

1. 1. Hebrews 1:8 is actually a quote from Psalm 45:6, and Psalm 45:6 says this about God the Father. But you may recall that two weeks ago we showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is God in the flesh. Actually, Col. 1:15 says that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. So, here, the author of Hebrews affirms Christ’s deity and that Jesus is reigning.
   2. How many of you want to serve a king that will be overthrown tomorrow?
   3. There is an ironic story in Daniel chapter 5.
   4. In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar is having this gluttonous feast which was likely a drunken orgy. Note: this is the king of the mighty Babylon. Babylon was pretty much a world empire; the tops of Babylon’s walls were wide enough for several chariots to travel side by side![2] During that feast, there is mysterious handwriting on the wall, which Daniel interprets in verses 25-28. The writing said, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it, you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient, your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians. The English Standard Bible has a study note which says: “Belshazzar’s feast is exposed as the ultimate act of folly: he was feasting on the brink of the grave and either did not know the danger or refused to acknowledge it.” While he is feasting his kingdom is conquered! How ironic, God is the real king, and Jesus is the real king, even with the handwriting on the wall that is declared.
   5. Jesus’ Kingdom will not be conquered!
   6. How many of us want to serve a king who will be overthrown next year?
   7. How many of us want to serve a king who will be overthrown in 10 years? Well, maybe.
   8. But wouldn’t we prefer a King who will never be overthrown?
   9. Jesus will never be overthrown. His Kingdom will not end.
   10. Jesus is interceding. Remember from two weeks ago 1 Timothy 2:5? This passage tells us that Jesus is our mediator. As our mediator that means Jesus is interceding for us. Another passage that supports this is:
   11. Hebrews 7:24–25 (ESV)
   12. ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
   13. How do we feel about that?
   14. Is Jesus our King?
   15. Have you surrendered everything to Him?
   16. You know how sometimes we don’t do a job fully? Maybe you have had children who are supposed to clean their room, so you go up, and the room looks clean until you open the closet, and everything falls on you, or something like that.
   17. Sometimes we do this with our relationship with Christ. We don’t surrender everything to Him. Instead, we hide things. In this case, you are not allowing Him to be the King of your life. This is important for all of us. If you don’t know Christ, you must submit to Him, but also, if you do know Christ, continue to surrender to Him.
   18. Is Jesus your King? Can people tell that you are celebrating Jesus’ birth this Christmas, or does it seem to be more about you and your family alone?
   19. We have made Christmas about everything but Jesus, haven’t we?

Yes, Jesus came as a baby, but He no longer is a baby. Yes, Jesus worked as a carpenter, but He no longer is a carpenter. Yes, Jesus walked with His disciples, but not anymore. Yes, Jesus hung on the cross, but He died and rose again. Jesus is no longer dead; He is reigning with God in Heaven.

I like what Tim Keller wrote:

It’s like that song they sang in the Live Aid concert in 1985.
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
That’s what most people think the meaning of Christmas is. After the Live Aid concert in 1985, Bob Dylan, who was one of all those rock stars who were singing (remember that video?), said to the press he was very uncomfortable singing a song like that. Somebody said to Bob Dylan, “Why were you uncomfortable?” He said, “I’ll tell you why. Because man cannot save himself.”
So we look today unto Bob Dylan for the true meaning of Christmas, because he got it right. The Bible says Jesus Christ came because we cannot save ourselves. There’s a problem. He had to do something about it. The way Christmas is expounded in public anymore is that Christmas means if we work hard we can save ourselves, and Bob Dylan was right.
Peace on earth and mercy mild. God and sinners need to be reconciled.^[1]

Check mate or NOT:

I love this painting:

If you know anything about the game of chess, you know it all comes down to when the King on either side can move no more. Once the king is trapped, the winning side declares “checkmate” and the game is over.

There is a painting that once hung in the Louvre museum in Paris, painted by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch. Today, the painting is popularly known as “Checkmate.” It is now in private hands, having been sold in a Christie’s auction in 1999.

The painting depicts two chess players. One is Satan, who appears arrogantly confident. The other player is a man who looks forlorn. If Satan wins, he wins the man’s soul. You can view more of the creepy details below.

According to legend, and probably fact, the story goes like this. A chess grand master came upon this intriguing painting in the Louvre museum alongside other famous art such as the Mona Lisa.

The grand mastered stared a long time at the chess board in the painting and finally noticed something surprising. The typical interpretation of the painting (that the devil had the man in “checkmate”) was incorrect.

Though the devil seemed to be the obvious victor, he was in fact not winning. The man, who thought he was losing, was actually winning.

According to the arrangement of the pieces left on the chess board, his king had one more move. This fateful move would make him the winner of the game.

The grand master called the curator and determined that the title “Checkmate” did not fit the scene because the forlorn-looking player actually had the ability to defeat his opponent, though he didn’t realize it yet. His king had one more move.

THE SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS

Now think about the spiritual implications of this painting with me about what the grand master discovered.

Repeatedly in Scripture, God assures his people that there is always a way of escaping situations that seem hopeless at the time.

• When the people of Judah were deported to Babylon because of their sinfulness, God revealed that a future day of release would come.
• Just as God provided water for the Israelites in the desert, he would also provide for them on their long trek homeward.
• A little boy in John 6 only had two fish and a few loaves of bread to feed thousands of people. It looked like checkmate, but our King had another move left! They collected 12 baskets of leftover food after the meal was served.
• In the Old Testament, Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions. It looked like checkmate, but our King had another move left and Daniel remained safe.
• In John 8, it looked like checkmate for a woman about to be killed by angry men with stones. But Jesus told the woman to go and not sin anymore.
• On Good Friday, the criminal next to Jesus on the cross thought it was the end, yet he still repented.

So often in life, we consider the world to be a mess. With war, violence, a deadly pandemic, unemployment, struggling marriages, depression, isolation, and more … we can easily become disillusioned. People begin to feel lost. We look for direction but often end up on the wrong path. It looks like checkmate, but we need not fear—the game is not over.

Our Creator God still has one move left! Our lives and future are in His hands. The Lord is the only King who can never be defeated..[2]

^[1] Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).

[2] https://haventoday.org/blog/closer-look-checkmate/

^[1] Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996), 367.

[2] English Standard Study Bible. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Wheaton Ill. 2008.  Study note on Jeremiah 51:44; page 1470.

[3] Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 550. Quoted from A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. 

[4] Ibid., Page 313.

^[5] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016), 85.

Title: Who Is Jesus Part II

Scripture: 1 Tim 2:5

Theme: Jesus Came fully man and fully God

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on December 3, 2023

FRIGHTENED SPARROWS
By: Paul Harvey

One raw winter night a man heard an irregular thumping sound against the kitchen storm door. He went to a window and watched as tiny, shivering sparrows, attracted to the evident warmth inside, beat in vain against the glass.

Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged through fresh snow to open the barn for the struggling birds. He turned on the lights, tossed some hay in a corner, and sprinkled a trail of saline crackers to direct them to the barn. But the sparrows, which had been scattered in all directions when he emerged from the house, still hid in the darkness, afraid of him.

He tried various tactics; circling behind the birds to drive them toward the barn, tossing cracker crumbs in the air toward them, retreating into his house to see if they’d flutter into the barn on their own. Nothing worked. He, a huge alien creature, had terrified them; the birds could not understand that he actually desired to help.

He withdrew to his house and watched the doomed sparrows through a window. As he stared, a thought hit him like lightening from a clear blue sky: If only I could become a bird – one of them – just for a moment. Then I wouldn’t frighten them so. I could show them the way to warmth and safety. At the same moment, another thought dawned on him. He had grasped the whole principle of the Incarnation.

A man’s becoming a bird is nothing compared to God’s becoming a man. The concept of a sovereign being as big as the universe He created, confining Himself to a human body was- and is – too much for some people to believe.[1]

Today’s focus is Jesus being our mediator, Jesus being both God and man, and why that is important. I want to show you from Scripture that Jesus was fully human and fully God, and I want to show you the significance.

1. Let’s begin this discussion with the idea of Jesus being fully human.
   1. Jesus was born just as any other baby is born. We will focus on this later in the month as Christmas comes closer.
   2. We see this in the traditional Christmas passages from Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-7.
   3. I write that He was born just like any other baby, but His birth conception was different. He was conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
   4. One writes: Gabriel gives telltale clues about the metaphysics of the virgin birth, in that the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” (Greek episkiazō) Mary (Luke 1:35). This verb is used elsewhere for the glorious manifestation of God on earth (Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:34; Exodus 40:35), implying that God’s Spirit is the active agent of the special creation of the human body of Jesus in Mary’s womb.[2]
   5. John 1:14 (ESV)
   6. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
   7. Eugene Peterson says, “Jesus came into our neighborhood.” Remember last week’s sermon about Jesus being pre-existent? Jesus was with God and came down and took on flesh. He became a human.
   8. 1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…
   9. Jesus is our mediator to God, and in order to be that mediator, He must be both God and man.
   10. He came fully God and fully man.
   11. Luke 2:52 shows that He grew in knowledge and stature. He went through growing pains as we do. Luke 2:52: And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
   12. Hebrews 5:8 shows He learned: Heb. 5:8: Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
   13. John 11:35 shows He had emotions: John 11:35: Jesus wept.
   14. John 4:6 shows Jesus was tired: John 4:6: Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
   15. John 19:28 shows Jesus was thirsty: John 19:28: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
   16. Matthew 4:2 shows Jesus was hungry: Matthew 4:2: After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
   17. John 8:46 again shows He was sinless: John 8:46: Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
   18. So, Jesus is fully man, fully human. There are many other Scriptures showing His humanity, one of which would be that He died.
   19. Jesus died and was resurrected.
2. Jesus was and is also fully God.
   1. Someone has said: He was the God-Man. Not God indwelling a man. Of such there have been many. Not a man deified. Of such there have been none save in the myths of pagan systems of thought; but God and man, combining in one personality the two natures, a perpetual enigma and mystery, baffling the possibility of explanation.[3]
   2. Let’s look at a few Scriptures about this as well:
   3. In Rev. 22:13 we see Jesus speaking: Rev. 22:13: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
   4. In Rev. 1:8 God the Father is speaking: Rev. 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
   5. In Matthew 8:26-27, His miracles prove His deity. This shows that Jesus is omnipotent, just as God is omnipotent. This means that Jesus is all powerful, just as God is all powerful (Ex. 15:11). Matt. 8:26-27: He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. ²⁷The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
   6. Mark 2:8 Jesus being all knowing shows that He is God. This means that Jesus is omniscient, just as God is omniscient (Psalm 139). See also John 6:64.
   7. In Matthew 18:20, we see Jesus is all present, omnipresent, just as God is omnipresent (present everywhere) (Job 26:6; Psalm 139).
   8. So, you can see from the verses that I have read that Jesus’ life shows that He is God. He showed through His life many of the attributes of the Godhead. Jesus was and still is fully human and fully God. This is a true part of the faith. The Scriptures show this. He didn’t come being fifty percent human and fifty percent God.[4]

• Why does it matter?
  1. It was necessary for Him to be fully God. Only someone infinitely God could bear the burden of the entire human race’s sins. Also, Salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Only God Himself could save man. Only someone truly and fully God could be the one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). This is to bring us back to God and reveal God to us (John 14:9).
  2. If you consider the cults, they usually minimize one aspect of who Christ is.
  3. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote: I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic—– on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg— or else He would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.[6]

Do you believe in Jesus? Who is Jesus to you? I ask that you reflect on your view of Christ as we take communion. Reflect on your relationship with Christ. Are you right with God? Jesus might be speaking to you during this season, He might be saying, “follow me.” Have you made a commitment to Jesus before? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Now is the time. This Jesus who we have talked about today, He is the way the truth and the life. He is the only way to the Father, and we get to the Father by confessing our sins and accepting His free gift of salvation and committing to Jesus.

Someone once said: Like a jewel’s brilliance is displayed on a black cloth, Jesus’ love is displayed against the blackness of sin, and the filth of the flesh.[7]

How can you be encouraged today?

We see enough in Scripture to know that Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus is Lord. I like what Charles R. Swindoll said: “The storm will come, and if you haven’t a rock to stand on, you will plunge. Jesus is that rock.”

Let Jesus be your rock this week. You can trust Him as your Savior and protector.

Helen Mallicoat made a real contribution to your life and mine when she wrote: I was regretting the past And fearing the future . . . Suddenly my Lord was speaking: “MY NAME IS I AM.” He paused. I waited. He continued, “WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST, WITH ITS MISTAKES AND REGRETS, IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WAS. “WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE, WITH ITS PROBLEMS AND FEARS, IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WILL BE. “WHEN YOU LIVE IN THIS MOMENT, IT IS NOT HARD. I AM HERE. MY NAME IS I AM.” 4″

Let Jesus be your Rock, He is with us now.

Prayer

[1]Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 294-295 quoted from Paul Harvey.

[2] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-the-virgin-birth-really-matter?utm_campaign=Daily+Email&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=102976522&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8B6i-EoeTAR60_IsvW2JEK-EK_5gBu09_qv-osFdFNQozaYr1O2qItn0juk6EV3PEvE6ZPuDcnOYkNBxsLA-pH08JJ-Q&utm_content=102976522&utm_source=hs_email

[3] Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 315. (quoted from G. Campbell Morgan, The Crisis of the Christ)

[4] Grudem, Wayne. Bible Doctrine. 1999. Zondervan. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530.

[5] Some information in this section from: Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck, general editors. Understanding Christian Theology. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville, TN. 2003. Pages 340-341. Other information from the ESV Study Bible supplemental information in the back.

[6] Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 315 (quoted from C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.)

[7] Swindoll, Charles R. Read in Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, TN 1998. Page 313.