Part 4 - Jesus (landscape)

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Heaven & Earth Collide Part 4 - Jesus Christmas Story Luke 2:1-20

Intro As Christmas comes into view, we begin focusing our attention toward the historical moment when Heaven reached down at touched Earth, as the Messiah came to mankind. Over the course of this Advent season, we will look at the coming of Christ from different viewpoints and perspective – from that of Heaven and that of Earth. In our opening week, we watched Mary receive the news that she would be the one through whom the One would come to save the world. Out of all people in history, she was tasked with giving birth to the Son of God. She was, at once, both terrified and thrilled that God had found favor on her. In week 2, we saw Mary’s partner Joseph receive similar news. However, it was not as easy for Joseph. While he and Mary were betrothed to one another, they had not yet consummated their marriage fully. So, when Joseph’s hears that Mary is pregnant, he naturally assumes that she has been with another man. After justly and compassionately deciding he would divorce Mary quietly – well within his rights during that time – an angel appeared to reveal to Joseph that Mary was carrying the Son of God, the Messiah [born of the Holy Spirit], that the world had been waiting to receive. Joseph, in one of the greatest statements of courage and humility, chose to adopt and raise Jesus as his own son. Joseph’s family heritage gave Jesus the royal [kingly] lineage that had been promised by God.

Last week, we made the transition from Earth to Heaven. We looked at the coming of Christ through the eyes and lens of God. What we discovered was that God loved His Creation [mankind] so much that He sent His Son into the world so that He might save and rescue us from the curse of sin. Today, we finish our series with the viewpoint of the Son of God, as He was asked [sent] by the Heavenly Father to become flesh, and ultimately die for the rebellious creation of God.

Pronouncement of the Coming Messiah Listen to the announcement of His coming – years before His arrival. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. Isaiah 9:4-7

Foretelling of the coming King. The one who would control governments, command armies, and free His people from Roman oppression, as well as their sins. A Mighty Warrior. A Beloved King. The Promised Son. Yet, He entered the world as a small helpless child. He would live His life on Earth as a Suffering Servant. And He would die a brutal death on a wooden cross like a common criminal, cursed by sin, forsaken by God. Jesus knew all of this before He came for us. Yet, He came anyway. Willingly. Obediently.

Watch, in awe, how Jesus responded to being sent from Heaven to Earth. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 We celebrate His coming. We are justified by His perfect, obedient life. We are rescued from the curse of sin by His death on our behalf. So, we end right where we began.

Purpose for Coming This is what He said about the purpose for which He came. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life… John 6:38 & 40 Heaven collided with Earth, in the person of Jesus Christ, so that God could destroy the curse of sin that held His Creation under oppression. The fact that Jesus came is why we celebrate this Christmas season. Yet how Jesus came is absolutely stunning. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the single act of Joseph adopting Jesus as probably the greatest act of courage and humility that a human male has ever displayed. Joseph’s display was simply a foreshadow of the greatest moment of courage and humility the world has ever known.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:19-20

Communion Explanation. Families come together.