Ken Lovelace Ministries


F a i t h M a t t e r s with Dr. Ken Lovelace Emphasis: Christmas Good News of Great Joy - Matthew 21:1-17 I wonder what difference it might have made if Jesus had been born when Elizabeth II was Queen of England or George W. Bush was President of the United States, rather than when Caesar Augustus was Emperor in Rome. One thing is sure -- it still would not have made headlines. News bulletins are for world events, and our Lord's birth was in obscurity. The first people to hear were shepherds. There were senators in Rome, princes in Jerusalem, & philosophers in Athens. But it was to the shepherds living out in the fields to whom the wonderful news was given. The good news of great joy that came to them first is indicative of how God works, even today. Notice three characteristics: 1. An Unexpected Surprise (v. 8). They were minding their own business, or, rather, their own sheep -- just another day in their lives, another night in their shepherding. Probably the most exciting thing that happened was a visit from a prowling wolf, which is why they kept watch. And then suddenly an angel appeared, and a bright light, and the glory of the Lord, filled the sky. The creation story in Genesis begins in a similar way, with God speaking into the darkness. Throughout history, God has spoken into the darkness; He has brought light into human darkness. The prophets looked forward to the day when the people walking in darkness would see a great light. For the shepherds, it was an unexpected surprise. My friend, please be assured that nothing's changed: God still breaks into human history in unexpected ways to bring light into the darkness, into our darkness. He comes to those not expecting or even seeking Him. He comes to those going about the ordinary business (and busyness) of living. Shepherds were not highly esteemed people in those days. The very nature of their work even precluded regular observance at the temple and synagogue. Their honesty was not rated highly, either, for they weren't even allowed to stand as witnesses in court; God still surprises people like that today. A quick read of 1 Cor. 1:26-29 reminds us that this is true. "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him." Some of you may think back to last Christmas and are surprised to find yourselves believers today. Who would have dreamt that God would meet you and bring you into His family? Others of you here are perhaps still in the dark, going about your business with little thought of angels and glory and God, much less a Savior. He longs to break into the darkness of your life. This Christmas could be a great surprise for you, as you understand for the first time what it all means. 2. An Unusual Sign (v. 12). Bethlehem may have been a "little town," but finding the right baby wasn't easy, so the shepherds were given an identifying sign -- not just a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, for more than one baby could have been met that criteria. The identifying sign would be a baby lying in a manger. This baby's first bed was an animal's feeding-trough. The New Testament word "sign" means not just an identifying mark, but something that has significance in itself. So what is the "significance" of the manger? It is a beautiful illustration of the depths to which the Son was willing to stoop in love (2 Cor. 8:9). It marks the beginning of the life of one who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. It marked the kind of lifestyle He would adopt in His earthly ministry (Luke 9:58). He was born a Savior in a manger, and He died a Savior on a cross. The manger also meant the shepherds could visit Him freely. Spurgeon says: "We might tremble to approach a throne, but we cannot fear to approach a manger." 3. An Unbelievable Story (vv. 17-18). These shepherds were the first Christian missionaries. They had seen the Christ, and they told everyone what had happened to them. The good news about Jesus is something to be shared, and the best people to share it are ordinary folk who have had a personal experience with Him. You may not know everything, but if God has unexpectedly broken into your life, you have something to share. We have someone to share -- a baby in the manager, a man on the Cross, a returning King! There was a man who was dying of an incurable disease. One day, he received an urgent telegram from a far off town. It was from a physician who wired, "Come at once. Cure discovered." The man scarcely took time to pack. He jumped in his wagon and traveled as hard as he could, finally reaching the town where the physician resided. But it was Christmas Eve, and he arrived just as the town's people had gathered in the square for the singing of carols and to await the arrival of Santa. He got stuck in the parade. People were clogging the streets, children were everywhere, bands were playing, candy was flying through the air. As the man stopped to unwrap a piece, he watched the commotion. In the center of the square was the biggest tree he had ever seen: the brightest lights, the biggest gifts, the loveliest decorations, and the fattest Santa. Fireworks were exploding, and the whole world seemed to be celebrating. He tarried and watched, and in the hustle and bustle of that night, the man became so caught up in the crowd that he was herded into the grand hotel for Christmas cheer before going to bed. That night, drained by the crowds and stricken by his illness, he perished in his sleep. He had been so caught up in the festivities that he had forgotten about the physician. He had been so involved in the celebration that He had forgotten the Savior. May we remember Jesus this Christmas and may our hearts burst forth in song: O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel. Copyright © 2009. Faith Matters by Dr. Ken Lovelace. All rights reserved. KDT122209

F a i t h M a t t e r s
with Dr. Ken Lovelace
Emphasis: Christmas

Good News of Great Joy - Matthew 21:1-17

I wonder what difference it might have made if Jesus had been born when Elizabeth II was Queen of England or George W. Bush was President of the United States, rather than when Caesar Augustus was Emperor in Rome.

One thing is sure -- it still would not have made headlines. News bulletins are for world events, and our Lord's birth was in obscurity. The first people to hear were shepherds. There were senators in Rome, princes in Jerusalem, & philosophers in Athens. But it was to the shepherds living out in the fields to whom the wonderful news was given. The good news of great joy that came to them first is indicative of how God works, even today. Notice three characteristics:

1. An Unexpected Surprise (v. 8). They were minding their own business, or, rather, their own sheep -- just another day in their lives, another night in their shepherding. Probably the most exciting thing that happened was a visit from a prowling wolf, which is why they kept watch. And then suddenly an angel appeared, and a bright light, and the glory of the Lord, filled the sky.

The creation story in Genesis begins in a similar way, with God speaking into the darkness. Throughout history, God has spoken into the darkness; He has brought light into human darkness. The prophets looked forward to the day when the people walking in darkness would see a great light. For the shepherds, it was an unexpected surprise.

My friend, please be assured that nothing's changed: God still breaks into human history in unexpected ways to bring light into the darkness, into our darkness. He comes to those not expecting or even seeking Him. He comes to those going about the ordinary business (and busyness) of living.

Shepherds were not highly esteemed people in those days. The very nature of their work even precluded regular observance at the temple and synagogue. Their honesty was not rated highly, either, for they weren't even allowed to stand as witnesses in court; God still surprises people like that today. A quick read of 1 Cor. 1:26-29 reminds us that this is true.

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him."

Some of you may think back to last Christmas and are surprised to find yourselves believers today. Who would have dreamt that God would meet you and bring you into His family? Others of you here are perhaps still in the dark, going about your business with little thought of angels and glory and God, much less a Savior. He longs to break into the darkness of your life. This Christmas could be a great surprise for you, as you understand for the first time what it all means.

2. An Unusual Sign (v. 12). Bethlehem may have been a "little town," but finding the right baby wasn't easy, so the shepherds were given an identifying sign -- not just a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, for more than one baby could have been met that criteria. The identifying sign would be a baby lying in a manger. This baby's first bed was an animal's feeding-trough.

The New Testament word "sign" means not just an identifying mark, but something that has significance in itself. So what is the "significance" of the manger? It is a beautiful illustration of the depths to which the Son was willing to stoop in love (2 Cor. 8:9). It marks the beginning of the life of one who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. It marked the kind of lifestyle He would adopt in His earthly ministry (Luke 9:58). He was born a Savior in a manger, and He died a Savior on a cross.

The manger also meant the shepherds could visit Him freely. Spurgeon says: "We might tremble to approach a throne, but we cannot fear to approach a manger."

3. An Unbelievable Story (vv. 17-18). These shepherds were the first Christian missionaries. They had seen the Christ, and they told everyone what had happened to them. The good news about Jesus is something to be shared, and the best people to share it are ordinary folk who have had a personal experience with Him. You may not know everything, but if God has unexpectedly broken into your life, you have something to share. We have someone to share -- a baby in the manager, a man on the Cross, a returning King!

There was a man who was dying of an incurable disease. One day, he received an urgent telegram from a far off town. It was from a physician who wired, "Come at once. Cure discovered." The man scarcely took time to pack. He jumped in his wagon and traveled as hard as he could, finally reaching the town where the physician resided.

But it was Christmas Eve, and he arrived just as the town's people had gathered in the square for the singing of carols and to await the arrival of Santa. He got stuck in the parade. People were clogging the streets, children were everywhere, bands were playing, candy was flying through the air. As the man stopped to unwrap a piece, he watched the commotion.

In the center of the square was the biggest tree he had ever seen: the brightest lights, the biggest gifts, the loveliest decorations, and the fattest Santa. Fireworks were exploding, and the whole world seemed to be celebrating. He tarried and watched, and in the hustle and bustle of that night, the man became so caught up in the crowd that he was herded into the grand hotel for Christmas cheer before going to bed.

That night, drained by the crowds and stricken by his illness, he perished in his sleep. He had been so caught up in the festivities that he had forgotten about the physician. He had been so involved in the celebration that He had forgotten the Savior.

May we remember Jesus this Christmas and may our hearts burst forth in song:

O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray;

cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.

Copyright © 2009. Faith Matters by Dr. Ken Lovelace. All rights reserved.

KDT122209