Moving Beyond the 8 lbs. 6 oz. Baby Jesus
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Intro: Jadon's fascinated with the Baby Jesus => ridiculous redneck race car driver Ricky Bobby
Big Idea: Jesus fulfills all the promises given to Abraham for us.
I. Jesus fulfills long-awaited promises as Son of Abraham.
- Genealogies are important to know someone (religious/political claims). Ill. Napoleon
- The phrase is found only 2 times- Genesis 2 & 5. A ‘new' Genesis? A ‘new' humanity?
- A young, hip heretic looks to the structure for a secret message.
- Matthew proved Jesus was a Jew => able to be Messiah!
- God was not doing a completely new thing- but the fulfillment of centuries-old promises.
- It's a long list (3 groups of 14). God moved at an agonizingly slow pace (futile flesh)!
- The key passage to understand the promises to Abraham is Genesis 12.
- 1st, God would make Abraham into a great nation.
- They became a great nation under David, but after Solomon it decayed thru disobedience.
- Now they were under the authority of Rome, oppressed and irrelevant.
- As The Seed (Gal. 3), Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom that will cover the nations.
- This growth is viewed as being blessed, empowered. Jesus will build His Church.
- 2nd, God promised Abraham a great name. Many seek to make a name for themselves.
- The Seed would be a blessing to the nations: blessed to bless others.
- Salvation flows out of Israel to encompass the nations- all ethnic groups (engrafting)!
- All 4 women mentioned were Gentiles. 3 had dubious pasts. Ill. Mitchell Report
- The Magi (Gentiles) honor Jesus. He heals & preaches to Gentiles. He's the One.
- It culminates in Jesus receiving the name above all names- Lord, or YHWH.
- 3rd, God promised Abraham land. What good is a nation without land? Ill. CavVille
- Jesus doesn't stay in Jerusalem or Judea; traveled beyond the borders (Gal. of Gentiles).
- Jesus receives all power & authority, & with it all land. He claims it thru the Gospel.
- Jesus is the beginning of a ‘new' nation: an "international Israel" that covers the earth.
Transition: Baby Jesus grew up to be the One in whom all the promises were fulfilled. So?
II. All who believe partake in those fulfilled promises.
- Matthew makes it clear; bloodlines don't matter. Faith is necessary to receive blessing!
- Many in the genealogy are virtual unknowns or notorious sinners! God still used them!
- We are often mundane & occasionally wicked. God still uses us redemptively.
- Though our sins discredit us- Jesus' obedience qualifies all who believe in Him.
- All who believe become Abraham's sons & heirs (Gal. 3). Ill. Eli my heir
- 1st, all united to Him by faith belong to a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).
- Faith unites us to Jesus => receive all He earned (Eph 1:3). Ill. Eli's status & benefits
- 2nd, all united to Him by faith bring great blessings to non-believers thru Jesus.
- We have received His name- Christians- like mini-Messiahs, pointing people to Jesus.
- We are to be a blessing to Winter Haven. Not spectacular Ill. Hansens, CPC, Reyeses
- 3rd, all united to Him by faith will inherit the renewed earth (Rev. 21-22)
- We live in anticipation of kingdom consummation- renewal of all things & it's all ours.
- We struggle with fear, doubt & temptation. We are uncertain of our status & selfish.
- We feel weak, powerless to impact our community. Still waiting for Jesus to return.
- All these things rest on Jesus, not us. Continue to trust Him and pray.
Conclusion: The child born in that manger was greater than anyone ever expected. He seemed so ordinary. But He was the promised Seed of Abraham, come to fulfill all God's promises. He did this for His glory & our benefit. When we trust Him, we are spiritually blessed & a blessing to those around us. Are you just admiring a baby, or worshipping the Messiah?
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