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Title: "The Spirit of Christ's Birth" Subject: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Christ's birth. Intro: The Bible says, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever" John 14:16 I think all of us realizes that the season of Christmas brings a different spirit into the world, even if only for the 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. People seem a little more tolerant, more helpful, and even friendlier. Just last week at the mall I heard a mugger say, "Thank you," when the little old lady handed over her purse! Unfortunately for the mugger she was packing heat, but she did say, "Excuse me," as she blew a hole in him! Truly, it is a special season!! Unfortunately that seasonal spirit is just that--seasonal! It is based on the vapor of a pagan holiday that had been Christianized by the Roman Catholic Church centuries ago, and is now commercialized by everyone who can, and in every manner possible. Hallmark even has Christmas cards for your pets!! But the Bible says, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever" There is much wrong with Christ's Mass beyond the commercialization. It is very unlikely that Christ was born in Dec. There were not just 3 Wise men, but three gifts. The Wise men did not visit Jesus in the manger. Gifts were not exchanged, but were presented to Christ. Mary is not the mother of God. A Christmas tree does not represent the Cross of Christ, nor do lights represent Him as the Light of the World. In fact, no where in Scripture are we taught to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We are to understand it, we are to appreciate it, we are to proclaim it, but we are not taught to celebrate it. And so it is the spirit of the season that propels us to follow the traditions built on pagan celebrations incorporated into Christianity centuries ago. The Bible says, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever" But there is a Spirit of Christ's Birth. And it is a Spirit that is totally separate from the spirit of the season. I am speaking of the Holy Spirit, who is the third member of the blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son, and who is fully God. It was the Holy Spirit who was intimately involved in the birth of our Lord and Saviour. It was the Holy Spirit who recorded and preserved the details of the birth of Jesus Christ. Do what you will with the spirit of the season--the spirit of Christ's Mass--but tonight I would like to share with you the Spirit of Christ's Birth. Text: Lk. 1:1-4 -- "The Spirit of Christ's Birth" -- prayer I. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS RECORDER OF JESUS CHRIST'S BIRTH (Lk 1:4) A. The Holy Spirit Prompted the Sources (v1-2a) 1. To set forth in order (God of order) 2. To declare that which is believed (truth we trust in) a) Good news can't be kept inside! 3. To deliver them to the inspired writers (v2a) B. The Holy Spirit Picked the Writers (v2b) 1. Eyewitnesses ("from 'autopsy'; a personal, firsthand investigation") from the beginning of Christ's ministry 2. Ministers (servants/under-rowers) of the Word. (Here this is a medical term for doctors that served under a Chief Physician) a. Those who had seen and those who had served Christ Note: The term 'word' here has the same meaning as in Jn. 1:1,14. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Since Luke wrote this preface last, we see that though he began to write of Christ as the perfect man, he ended up seeing Jesus Christ as the Word made flesh, or perfect God. This is his final name for Christ. C. The Holy Spirit Protected the Writers (v3) 1. Had perfect ("accurate") understanding ("from thorough investigation") 2. Had complete recollection ("of all things") 3. Had heavenly direction ("from the very first" = from above) 4. Had organized presentation ("in order" = research & present) "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26) D. The Holy Spirit Provided The Document (v4) 1. We might know with certainty ("safety, security") 2. Things we have been instructed ("by word of mouth") Note: Theophilus had heard by word of mouth, but Luke was sending him a written revelation of the facts upon which he could depend. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God". (1 John 5:13) II. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS ACTIVE IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST'S MESSENGER (Lk. 1:15) A. Filled John in Womb (1:15c) 1. We are indwelt at the new birth "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1 Cor. 6:19 2. And we are filled at will "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (filled with the world); but be filled with the Spirit" Ephes. 5:18 Because John was filled with the Holy Spirit B. John Brought Joy and Gladness (1:14) 1. To his parents 2. To many others C. John Was Great in the Sight of the Lord (1:15a) D. John Was Separated From the Lusts of This World (1:15b) E. John Turned Many To Christ (1:16) F. John Lived a Life of Purpose and Power (1:17a) G. John Turned Fathers hearts & Children's Hearts to the Lord & Thus to One Another (Mal 4:6) (restored families) (1:17b) H. John Turned the Disobedient to the Wisdom of the Just (1:17c) a. Instruction and accountability (to gain the victory) I. John Made Ready a People to Serve a King in a Kingdom (1:17d) J. John Leap at the Presence of Christ (1:43-44) III. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE CONCEIVER OF JESUS CHRIST (Matt. 1:18,20) A. What Kind of Holy Spirit Conception Occurred? 1. First, a prophesied conception (some 700 yrs before birth) "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel" Isaiah 7:14 2. A supernatural conception (Matt. 1:16,18) a. Involved a virgin 1) A fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 1:22-23) a) "The" virgin 2) A consolation to Joseph (Matt. 1:20) a) The source was not immorality, but the Holy Spirit 3) The testimony of Mary "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" Luke 1:34 (present tense, she knew not a man at any time) a) How can this be since I am a virgin? b) How can this be without a man involved? b. A different conception (Matt. 1:16,18) 1) "Begat" = line of descent to "Born" = makes a change from begat 2) "Birth...on this wise" = different from normal 3. A Divine conception (Matt. 1:16-18) a. Did not involve a man 1) The testimony of Joseph (Matt. 1:19) 2) The testimony of Mary (Lk. 1:34) b. Only Mary was involved as a willing instrument of God 1) "Of whom" (fem., sing.) (Matt. 1:16) 2) "Before they came together" (Matt. 1:18), and "Joseph knew her not" (Matt. 1:25) B. What Was The Holy Spirit's Work In Conception? 1. The Agent/source of Conception a. An overview/summation of the conception. (Matt. 1:18) ("found with child of the Holy Ghost.") b. The fact of the conception (Matt. 1:20) ("for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost") c. The result of the conception (Matt. 1:23) 1) A virgin shall be with child (humanity) 2) A virgin shall bring forth a Son (deity) 3) The combination of humanity and deity shall be called "God with us." 2. The Activity of the Holy Spirit in Conception (Lk. 1:35) a. Shall come upon thee = shall be at hand & superintend, be in charge of b. By the power (strength/ability) of the Highest (the omnipotence that resides in God, the ability do to what God determines to do.) c. Shall overshadow thee = 1) The figure of a cloud casting a shadow or obscuring. 2) To envelope in darkness 3) And/or to be enveloped in the Shekinah Glory of God, representing the presence and power of God Note: This was the closest the medical mind of Luke could come to explaining the conception of Jesus Christ in Mary. This was the answer the angel gave to Mary. As the presence and power of the Holy Spirit enveloped Mary, a miracle took place which is answered by the angel. d. Shall conceive in thee 1) That holy (separate, distinct, unique) thing 2) Who shall be born (complete humanity) 3) Who shall be called the Son ("same as") of God (full deity) Note: G. Campbell Morgan says it best, "The angel answered the biological question, saying, 'The thing shall be done by the direct act of God, the power of the Most High, the Holy Spirit, wrapping thee round, overshadowing thee, producing in thy womb the Man-child; and also, by that same act, by that same energy, by that same force, the Holy Spirit overshadowing , that which is begotten shall be held from contamination with the sin of thy nature, and in human nature. It shall be holy. It shall have being in thy womb by the act of God; and it shall be held from contamination with the sinfulness of thy nature, by the same act of God'." IV. AND MARY PONDERED ALL THIS IN HER HEART & Said... A. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord (Lk. 1:38) B. Be it Unto Me According to Thy Word. (Lk. 1:38) C. My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord (1:46) D. My Spirit Hath Rejoiced in God My Saviour (1:47) Note: It is not recorded when this conception took place. It is not recorded how or in what manner this was directly accomplished. Mary makes no mention of any divine "experience" accompanying this event. She only makes a one sentence summation of what came to pass, "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things..." Concl: The birth of Jesus and the incarnation of Christ, was totally the work and wonder of the Holy Spirit of God. But this act made it possible for God to come in human flesh to die for the sins of sinful flesh. This one time the Holy Spirit did something which will never be repeated, when He conceived a Son without the contamination of sin. When He brought together humanity and deity in the same person, the Lord Jesus Christ. But the Holy Spirit does do daily work in the hearts and lives of men, "...as He will reproves the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8) How are you and the Holy Spirit getting along this season? Has He been shut out of your plans and purposes, cause He might put a crimp into your celebrations? Are you running on empty in regards to the filling of the Spirit? Have you ever been obedient to Rms. 12:1-2 (turn). You need to give yourself over to the Holy Spirit's control tonight. And don't worry about the consequences for He is the Comforter who walks beside. |