THE BIRTH OF JESUS

This morning, it is all iced in with six inches of snow underneath.  You have to break the ice and then your foot falls through the snow up over your ankles.  So, we will not have many for church.  Today, I've decided to give you a Christmas message!  Hope you enjoy. Luke 2:1-20   THE BIRTH OF JESUS   Intro.- The birth of Jesus is a great joy to all believers.  I would like to point out a few things concerning the wonderful birth of our Savior:   1. A PROPHECIED BIRTH Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. *Here are but a few verses that show us that the birth of Jesus was prophecied and as far away as Gen. 3:15.  No other birth has been so anticipated as that of the Messiah.    2. A POWERFUL BIRTH Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Act 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; The Powerful birth is such that it changes the eternal destiny of all those who trust in this Child of Bethlehem and what he did in His life and death for us.  He died for our sins!  It was powerful in that it was the only event in History that held hope to a lost world!  He came to save us from our sins!   3. A PERFECT BIRTH Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. *Imagine a child that never cries to get its way.  Never fights with a brother or sister.  Never talks back.  Never disobeys.    4. A PRECIOUS BIRTH Luke 2:12   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. *Shepherds as guest. *Angels singing the birth announcement. *Simeon and Anna holding up baby Jesus!! Deity laying in a manger.  Imagine that!  How sweet to hold in your arms the creator in flesh.  The sovereign God of the Universe in your hands.  He holds the whole world in His hands and now you can hold Him!!  Precious, precious!!   5. A PURPOSED BIRTH Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  He came to save us!  Are you saved?  He came for a purpose and that was to offer eternity with Him!  I'm so glad that I trusted Christ as my Savior and settled that long ago. **May God bless you on this winter day!   Pastor Mike Mutchler