O Great God by Sovereign Grace Music

Here is another song that I  recommend to those of you who are looking to incorporate Christ-centered, Gospel-proclaiming modern  hymns into your personal worship. We sing this song at Anchor with just a piano accompaniment and it is truly soul-stirring. The great truths of the Gospel proclaimed in a simple, reflective prayer.

The Birth of God's Redemptive Plan

 Meditations on Luke 2    

      Have you been in a store this year that refused to say “Merry Christmas”? I did a bit of shopping recently in Toys R Us to purchase some things for Landon and Karis. Not only was it a madhouse, but people were rude and completely self-absorbed in what they were doing. When we checked out the very nice lady at the front completed her business with us by saying, “Happy Holidays”. While the fact that she was very nice and clearly genuine in her motives, I was captured by what she said, not how she said it. It is concerning to see the calculated exclusion of God from our holidays. Thanksgiving, which requires people to do something that they inherently don't like to do- to be thankful, has almost become nonexistent in our culture. It's simply a day off of work to watch football, eat food, and take a tryptophan- induced nap. Society, dictated by media and market relevance, moves from Halloween,being completely devoid of God, right to the “Holiday Season”. People are not even comfortable saying Christmas any more. We don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. It is alarming as to what we will do for the sake of being politically correct and inclusive of all religions- except if you are a follower of Christ.  Political correctness and Biblical Christianity will never see eye to eye, because Jesus Christ Himself was not politically correct.

Many of us have seen and may even display the phrase, Jesus IS the reason for the season. He is exactly the purpose of this season. Luke, the Greek Physician- both of the physical and spiritual- vividly accounts this miraculous event for us, and the significance of this event is earth shattering. While the world was busy dealing with its complexities and priorities, a teenage girl, without a mother’s loving care and with a man she hardly knew, was giving birth to a child in a place designed to house animals. It was dirty; it was most likely filled with the pungent stench of animal excrement. Frankly it was unsanitary and uncomfortable. But in a single moment, God provided a source of redemption for all generations of mankind. Without His incarnation into this world, salvation from sin is not possible. So much has distracted mankind from the true purpose for the Christmas season. Now, I am certainly not saying that we are not to have a Christmas tree or give gifts to one another. All I am saying is those things have become what Christmas is all about and not about God's redemptive plan.  

I want to focus our attention on God’s redemptive plan for us. How did God provide deliverance from the penalty and power of sin?

I.  God used secular means to accomplish his redemptive plan v.1-6

              He used a Roman ruler

 During the time of Christ, the Roman Empire had spread though most of the known world. When Christ was born, Palestine was under Roman jurisdiction. For 100 years Rome had been engaged in a bloody civil war and finally the fighting had ceased with the crowning of a new Caesar. Caesar Augustus, better known as Octavian, had ushered in a period of Roman Peace known as the Pax Romana- a period that would last from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180. While peace was declared in Rome, Palestinian Jews saw things in a different light. They wanted nothing to do with the occupation of the Romans.

      In all this, God had a plan for Augustus Caesar. He was to prepare the circumstances for the Messiah, the true King of Israel to be declared to the world. We read in Proverbs 21:1:

 The king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord; and as the rivers of water, He turns them wherever He wills.

Make no mistake this morning: No President, Prime Minister, Tyrant, or Dictator has ever had ultimate authority over anything. God has always been and will always be sovereign, even when you and I do not understand or agree. Romans 13:1 reminds us of this glorious truth:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

He transcendantly dictates what happens in the affairs of men; He did with Augustus Caesar and He still does with our leaders today.

  He used a Roman registration

Luke is historically specific in this passage. Not only do we know that Octavian was Caesar and Quirinius was governor of Syria, we are told that all under Roman rule were to return to their homes of ancestry to be registered. This was an ancient census; a numbering of the people. This census was primarily for the purpose that the King James Version translates this word…to be taxed. 

     Look at verse 4: “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” In this again we see God’s sovereign providence working through Augustus and his decree to move Mary and Joseph out of Nazareth and down to Bethlehem. This move to the city of Bethlehem was significant because of its fulfillment of prophecy. Micah 5:2:

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.

God uses even those things, which we tend to see as mundane or evil, for His glory. Do you remember the circumstances which led to your salvation? How God orchestrated even the simple things to bring you to Himself? With all that is going on in our country and our world, we can find comfort that a just, sovereign God is actively taking part in His creation to accomplish His perfect will.   

II.          God used humble servants to achieve his redemptive plan v. 4-21

Joseph was greatly used of God.

Certain religions want to place unwarranted focus only on Mary and her favor with God. Joseph, on the other hand, is many times forgotten simply because the Bible does not tell us much about this man. We know from the study of the Greek language that he was most likely a carpenter, but that is about it. Much of what we know about Joseph we find in parallel gospel accounts of the birth of Christ.  When we read these accounts of the birth of Christ, we do see observe one thing: Joseph was about to be put in a very unenviable position. Let’s look at Matthew’s parallel account of Christ’s birth and the moments before His birth to better understand what God had in store for this man Joseph:

Matthew 1:18-25   Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Then

Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was  minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” ²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”  which is translated, “God with us.” ²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵ and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name JESUS.

    

     According to Torah law, marriage is a two-step process. The first stage is called "kiddushin," and the second step is known as "nisu'in." Kiddushin is commonly translated as betrothal, but actually renders the bride and groom full-fledged husband and wife. After this point, if, God forbid, they decided to part ways, a "get" (Jewish divorce) would be required. However, the bride and groom are not permitted to live together as husband and wife until the second stage, the nisu'in, is completed. Under no circumstances are the couple to consummate their relationship during the first stage. The second stage, known as nisu'in is accomplished through "hupah" -- the husband uniting with the wife under one roof for the sake of marriage. It is the decisive act that formally permits the couple's new status of marriage to be actualized, and it is the legal conclusion of the marriage process that began with betrothal.

            Joseph and Mary were in the 6-12 month betrothal stage of kiddushin when Mary gave birth to Jesus. Because he was a just man and did not want to bring shame on himself or on Mary, Joseph, in verse 19, was prepared to “get” or divorce (put her away secretly)Mary. He was the betrothed husband to a woman already pregnant. We see the humility of Joseph after the visit from the angel in verses 20-23. Read verse 24: He obeyed God and did as he was commanded, even in the midst of uncertain times.

     What a lesson we can learn from this man Joseph. A man who was faithful in the midst of such uncertainty. May we always be faithful to God when He allows us to be tried and tempted. Knowing that He is working patience in us and growing us to be more like His Son.

  Mary was used by God as no other woman to ever exist before or after her.

     Let’s consider Luke 1:26-38 and examine the encounter that Mary has with the angel Gabriel. This teenage girl had found favor with God. No greater privilege has ever been bestowed on a woman than that which Mary was asked to do. After all that she had heard, she could have protested or rebelled against God’s command as so many of her ancestors had done before her. Her response was simply this: Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. And she did exactly what God has commanded her. In verse 21, we see that according to Jewish law that a child was to be circumcised and at that point Mary gave her Son the name that God had chosen. She simply obeyed the voice of her God.

     What is our response when God asks us to do the seemingly impossible? What is our response when God’s Word desires faithfulness in us, compassion with others, or calls us to turn from our sin? Do we respond in humility and obedience as Mary did or do we stubbornly choose to live outside of God’s will? God uses those who humble themselves and live in the realization that life is about God and His redemptive plan for mankind.

III.        God used messengers to announce his redemptive plan v.9-17

     If God uses messengers, what exactly is the message being given? The message is found in verses 10-11: ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  It is important to understand the significance of the angel’s proclamation; “there is born to you…a Savior”. This phrase shows the intimate importance to ALL men the birth. This wasn’t directed at the mother of Jesus or even to Joseph; this birth wasn’t just significant to Mary and Joseph; it wasn’t significant just to the Jewish people; this miraculous birth meant something to all men.

     Jesus Christ came to this earth for one reason- and one reason only: TO DIE. You see, He is the Messiah; the Christ; the Anointed One of God. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The word used for good tidings proclaimed by the angel is the same word used to describe the good news that John the Baptist preached in the wilderness. They are the same- it’s the GOSPEL- the good news that there is a Savior that has come to deliver this world from sin.

God used the Angels to proclaim His good tidings.

     It is interesting to note that the Greek word for angel is the word messenger. We find much of God’s commands in the Old Testament being given by angels. There are cases, such as the case with John the Baptist, where the word angelos is used to describe him as the messenger preparing the way of the Lord.

God used the Shepherds to proclaim His good news.

     Look at verses 17-20:  ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they (the shepherds) made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  

      We can almost think of the shepherds as the first evangelists of the gospel. The experience had such a deep impact on these men that the only thing they could do was to glorify God and proclaim the glorious things they had seen. The Messiah had come; the One they had anticipated for so many years was finally here. They had to tell others.

      My point is this: God desires to use others to proclaim His good tidings. He uses all kinds of people. He wants to use us. You may say, “God can’t use me, I’m not gifted or qualified to share the gospel.” If you have ever read the Gospels and encountered the foolishness and character flaws of the disciples you understand that God will use anyone who will but deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. He asks not for perfection but faithfulness, obedience, and dependence upon Him.

      I finish by asking a simple question: What does Christmas mean to you? Has this season become about material gifts that are given and received, or is it about the eternal gift of Jesus Christ, God’s Son that came to this earth in order to die for our sins? He offers a gift that none of us can personally obtain; that none of us merit on our own. We must not only accept that gift by responding in repentant faith, but live as if what Christ has done for us means something to us. May we, in this season of gift giving, reflect on God’s redemptive gift purchased for us.

The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed, Part 1

Sorry it has taken me so long to post something new. I will try to be more consisten in the future.

Recently, in conjunction with our midweek service here at Anchor,  I thought it profitable to study our Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. I began my examination with the purpose to understand how I, as a Christian, ought to pray. I am of the persuasion that this prayer is to be the model for all of us who claim the name of Christ. It is vastly important that we understand the necessity of prayer in our lives.
     I am persuaded to believe that prayer may be the most neglected aspect of the Christian's life.With that being said, I want the focus of our midweek Bible study to be on the subject of prayer so that when we spend time before the throne, we do so not haphazardly, but with a Christ-centered perspective and a sense of purpose. As I began to immerse myself in the rich truths of Christ's prayer, I noticed myself saying often, "Hm, I rarely say that; I rarely do that." I realized that my prayers had become self-absorbed and less about Him. 
     This kind of reminds me of what takes place when my son accompanies me to Walmart. I go to the store knowing exaclty what I need; and so does Landon. It is imperative that before we leave, we MUST browse the toy aisles in search of elusive superheros and other figurines that interest him. Having no comprehension of income to expenditure ratios, Landon will request that I buy him everything he wants. Let's be honest: Isn't that what our prayers sound like to God?  Isn't it so easy for us to bow our heads, close our eyes, and unload a littany of requests upon God, never giving thought of spending time thanking Him for what He has ALREADY given us?


Spurgeon once said:

Some brethren pray by the yard; but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length.


After contemplating how we should pray, I wanted to begin to understand better why we are to pray. To do so, I immediately went to the greatest prayer ever prayed: the intercessory prayer of Christ in John 17.

What about this prayer makes it great?

1. Comprehend the One who is praying

This is not the prayer of just some Godly saint or hero of the faith. This is Jesus, the Christ; the Son of God. Our Lord lived by faith and depended on prayer during His life and ministry on earth. The simple question that we must ask ourselves as disciples is this: “If the Son of God depended on the power of prayer in His life, shouldn’t we?”

2. Notice the occasion of  the prayer

Jesus, knowing that His time on earth was drawing to a close, spent His remaining hours preparing the disciples for what was about to transpire. He gave them instruction; He gave them direction. Jesus taught His disciples and then prayed for them.

     Many of our churches today are filled with believers who are unbalanced. They diligently study the Word of God yet rarely ever see the power behind it. They receive instruction but fail to ask for the wisdom to apply that instruction. God’s reality for our lives is that we live the truths of Scripture; however, for us to attempt to obey Scripture without relying on the power of God to accomplish His purposes for us is simply futile.  A well known commentator said it best:

Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be a stronger person. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks.

3. Consider the petitions of the prayer

Prayer that asks nothing accomplishes nothing. In his epistle to the Diaspora, James states that the reason why man receives nothing from the Lord is directly linked to the lack of dependency on Him to meet his needs. Man either doesn’t ask at all, or asks already expecting a negative response. James calls it being double-minded or double-souled. We must take God at His Word:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who , if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know ho w to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him. (Matt 6:7-11)

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)

Notice the four main requests that Jesus makes in John 17:

· That God the Father would receive glory in the Son v. 1-5

· That the disciples would be sustained  in their faith v. 6-12

· That the disciples would be sanctified by the truth  v. 13-19  

· That God’s people would experience unity in Him v. 20-26

I will be spending a great deal of time in this chapter in the coming months. I hope that what God is teaching me about Himself will not only be an encouragement to you, but also an opportunity to examine your own motives of prayer. Who better to be our example of prayer than Jesus?