The Nativity - Part 1: Setting the Stage

The Nativity

Part 1 - Setting the Stage

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 2:1-21

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

INTRODUCTION

As we place each of the pieces to the Nativity scene in its proper place, we will examine why it is there, and what the significance of each piece is.

We will also discuss things that were taking place we cannot see by looking at a nativity scene.

Today we will look at the setting of the nativity.  We will examine the when, where and who.  Finally, we will introduce the first characters of the nativity, the Angel of the Lord and the Shepherds.

I.                   SETTING

a.      (When) In Those Days

                                                             i.      Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (63BC - 14AD)

1.      Considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire

2.      He ruled from 27BC (36 y/o) 14AD at the time of his death. (77/78 y/o)

3.      In 27BC the senate gave him the honorific name Augustus, which is Greek for “the reverend one”

4.      Because of the various names he bore, being born Gaius Octavius Thuribnus, and officially names Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, it is common to call him;

a.      Octavius  events between 63BC - 44BC

b.     Octavian for events between 44BC - 27BC

c.      Augustus for events after 27BC

                                                          ii.      He demanded a census be taken

1.      This was so he could tax

2.      Citizens of Rome and Italy paid indirect tax, while provinces paid a direct fixed tax, 4% on the price of slaves, 1% on all goods sold at auctions, and 5% inheritance tax.

                                                       iii.      The month of August is named after him

1.      Until then it was called sextilis because it was the sixth month of the Roman calendar.

b.     (Where) Bethlehem, Judea Town of David

                                                             i.      Belt Lehem (Hebrew) means “House of Bread”

                                                          ii.      “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4

                                                       iii.      “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” - Matthew 26:26

                                                         iv.      “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.” - John 6:32

                                                            v.      The Manna from heaven in the Old Testament, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, that rained down from heaven to sustain them was a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ.  Jesus is the true bread from heaven, the Word of God.  That word is also written for us in the Bible, from God’s mouth through the Holy Spirit.

c.      (Who) Joseph, Mary and Jesus

                                                             i.      We read that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where Jesus ended up being born, in the House of Bread, the town of David, of which prophecy foretold that the savior would come from the line of David, and take seat on the throne of David as the King of the Jews.

                                                          ii.      One of the reasons King Herod wanted Jesus killed was because;

1.      Herod was an Edomite (A descendant of Ishmael)  The long struggle between Esau and Jacob came to a head as the serpents brood of the Edomite Herod set themselves on the Throne of David illegitimately.

2.      That seat belongs to Christ alone.

3.      Herod heard that there was born a King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1 - 18) Not a prince, but a King!

4.      No man or woman was safe while Herod reigned. One by one he murdered his rivals. He murdered his wife’s brother because he was popular with the Jews.

He murdered Mariamne, the beautiful Maccabean princess he had married, because he was suspicious of her, and he murdered both her sons. He murdered his own son and heir.

Herod hacked his way through life, slaughtering six to eight thousand of the best people in his realm. Caesar Augustus is reported to have cynically said, “I’d sooner be Herod’s swine than Herod’s son.”

5.      Herod = Edomite = Esau

Jesus = Israelite = Jacob

Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

A person is identified not only by his friends, but also by his enemies. Herod pretended that he wanted to worship the newborn King (Verse 8) when in reality he wanted to destroy Him.

II.               OUTSIDE IN THE FIELDS

a.      Shepherds

                                                             i.       And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. - Luke 2:8

b.     Angel of the Lord

                                                             i.      An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. - Luke 2:9

                                                          ii.      But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” - Luke 2:10-12

c.      Heavenly Host

                                                             i.       Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 13-14

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. - Luke 2:15-18

III.            THE SAVIOR IS COMING

a.      Foreshadowed & Prophesied in the Old Testament

                                                             i.      From Genesis, and God performing the first sacrifice and covering Adam and Eve’s nakedness after they sinned against God, through Malachi where God promised that a messenger (John the Baptist) would prepare the way for Jesus’ arrival.  (confirmed in Mark 1:1-9 & Matthew 11:13-14)

                                                          ii.      God has shown us from the beginning of our time, that there is sin against Him and His perfection in our lives.

1.      “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23

                                                       iii.      God has also told us what the penalty for sinning against Him is.

1.      “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23

                                                         iv.      God then promised to all who will receive, the answer for their sin, the payment which is required for sin, a perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ’s atoning death, and the free gift of eternal life for those who submit to the Lord, making Him their master.

1.      “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” - I John 2:2

2.      “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” - I John 4:10

b.     The Scriptures fulfilled in His birth, The Debt of sin satisfied with His death.

CONCLUSION

The setting is in the time of Caesar Augustus, “the reverend one” who will soon see the one whom should be revered.

The King of the Jews, the Messiah and Savior is arriving to take His rightful place upon the Throne of David.

The shepherds told of His arrival in Bethlehem, Judea by the Angel of the Lord.  Bethlehem, House of Bread in Hebrew. 

The heavenly host of angels sings praise, honor and glory for the coming of Christ, the one who died as atonement for the required payment for sin, so that we, who accept Jesus as our Lord, may receive the gift of eternal life with the Lord.

If you cannot serve the Lord today in life, what makes you think you will serve Him eternally after death?

Godly Marriage - Part 4 : God Hates Divorce

GODLY MARRIAGE

Part 4 - God Hates Divorce

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SLIDE 1

SCRIPTURE READING

Malachi 2:13-16

 ¹³ ...You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.

¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

 ¹⁵ Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.  So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

 ¹⁶ “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”  says the LORD Almighty.  So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

INTRODUCTION

Some bibles have translated this scripture to say God “hates” divorce.  However, the literal translation states that the MAN who hates and divorces his wife is acting in unrighteousness and unfaithfulness against her.

Although Jesus tells us that divorce was not part of God’s plan in the beginning, there are times in which He allows it because of man’s sin to protect the others involved.

We will look at biblical examples of divorce from the scriptures, as well as look at the literal translation of the Greek words to gain a more educated look at the true meaning of the scriptures surrounding divorce.

God does not want divorce to be a part of our lives.  He does not want sin to be part of our lives, or disobedience, or husbands to mistreat their wives.

A few Hebrew and Greek words are very important here. We must understand them if we are to understand the scriptures.

The Commandment (Exodus 20:14) Thou shalt not commit adultery

            Hebrew Word (H5003) Naw-af

            To break wedlock, literally sexually commit adultery

The Greek equivalent is moicheuo

            (G3432) Moy-khoo’-o (figuratively or literally commit)

Example: Matthew 5:27-28 “ ²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. “

Another Greek word we need to know is Porneia

            (G4202) Por-ni’-ah

Example: Matthew 5:32 “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

So we have the Hebrew and Greek words meaning literal sexual adultery, Naw-af & Moy-khoo’-o, and the Greek word for immorality, porneia.

Understanding the difference between these will clarify the scriptures, which have been translated from the original languages into the less descript English language, which sometimes causes confusion when trying to understand the scriptures.

How can we know from scripture that there was a difference between these two meanings?

Simply by looking at scripture!  Scripture will always clarify scripture!

I.                   POTATO POTAHTO, TOMATO TOMAHTO

a.      The difference between the Greek words Moy-khoo’-o and porneia is more than pronunciation.  They have different definitions and meanings.  We can see evidence of this in scripture.

                                                             i.      Jesus tells us Himself in scripture, using both Greek words in the same verses.

                                                          ii.      Matthew 5:27-32 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery (Moy-khoo’-o).’ ²⁸ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery (Moy-khoo’-o) with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³² But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality (porneia), makes her the victim of adultery (Moy-khoo’-o), and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Moy-khoo’-o).

1.      We see Jesus use both words, giving us better understanding of their meanings.  In some translations, the word adultery has replaced porneia, which is an incorrect translation of the word.

b.      There are other scriptures showing the difference between the two words all through the New Testament. 

                                                             i.      Matthew 15:19 shows both usages

                                                          ii.      Mark 7:21 shows both Greek words as well

                                                       iii.      John 8:41 examples porneia

                                                         iv.      Acts 15:20 & 29 explain porneia

                                                            v.      Romans 1:28-32 “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness (porneia), evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

1.      This chapter in Romans is not dealing with husbands and wives alone, but with immorality in people’s hearts, and their unwillingness to stop living immoral lives.

                                                         vi.      I Corinthians 5:1

                                                      vii.      I Corinthians 6:18

                                                   viii.      2 Corinthians 12:21

                                                         ix.      Revelation uses porneia many times in reference to the immorality brought about by the whore of babylon.

c.      Therefore, we can clearly see the two words and their proper uses in the scripture.

II.               SO WHAT IS IMMORALITY?

a.      Defined: the quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct, Contrary to established moral principles

b.     G4202 - Porneia: harlotry (prostitution, sleeping with someone while not married, sleeping with someone who is married), adultery (cheating on spouse), and idolatry.

c.      Idolatry - Colossians 3:1-6 “ ¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

                                                             i.      Ephesians 5:5 “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

                                                          ii.      Someone who is a follower of Christ, will not behave in this manner!

III.            OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF DIVORCE

a.      Genesis 21:8-14 - works of flesh and God’s Spirit

                                                             i.      Abraham took a bondservant for a wife (not by God’s word)

                                                          ii.      Abraham had a child with her (not a work of God’s Spirit)

                                                       iii.      Abraham was later blessed as God promised by His Spirit.

                                                         iv.      Abraham divorced the works of his flesh, leaving her and the offspring and told in verse 12 by God NOT to grieve!

                                                            v.      AFTER Abraham divorced the work of the flesh, from that point on nothing but strength and victory was found for Abraham.

b.     Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Divorce for uncleanness

                                                             i.      uncleanness (er-vah) literally means nakedness, figuratively means shame or disgrace.

                                                          ii.      Once you divorce, you are NOT to take them back!

c.      Judges 14:20 Betrayal

                                                             i.      Samson was betrayed by his wife, and divorced her

d.     Ezra 10:2 Marriage to a non-believer annulled

                                                             i.      We see God tells Ezra that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin sinned against God by marrying non-believers

                                                          ii.      God tells them to divorce them all!

                                                       iii.      It took 3 months for all the men to divorce the non-believing wives.

                                                         iv.      After that, God blessed them.

e.      Jeremiah 5:27-30 God divorced Israelites

                                                             i.      Because of Immorality (spiritual adultery)

IV.            SO WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT DIVORCE?

a.      Jesus says it was not part of God’s plan in the beginning

                                                             i.      Neither is sin, adultery, fornication, pornography, immorality, abandonment, mistreatment of wives.

                                                          ii.      Because of a sinners unwillingness to repent (hardening of their hearts) divorce was permitted.

1.      Matthew 19:7-8 “ ⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

                                                       iii.      But not for any reason one chooses!

b.     Jesus tells us the conditions under which it’s allowed

                                                             i.      Matthew 5:31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ ³² But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

                                                          ii.      Jesus targets morality when the Pharisees tried to trick him

c.      Acts of Immorality are works of the flesh

                                                             i.      People who live in sin, or works of the flesh, and refuse to REPENT, have hardened their heats, and are considered non-believers.

d.     What if I am already married, and they are (or have become) a non-believer?

                                                             i.      I Corinthians 7:12-15 “If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

 ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. ¹⁶ How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

1.      If there is no immorality taking place, you may stay married if you choose in hopes they will become a believer, but you are not bound to a non-believer!

2.      If you are NOT married yet, you SHOULD NOT marry a non-believer.  As we saw in scripture, this is a sin against God.

3.      If you are married and your spouse is acting immorally, or has abandoned you, you may divorce.

e.      ABANDONMENT

                                                             i.      I Timothy 5:8 “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

                                                          ii.      Luke 9:62 “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

CONCLUSION

·        Divorce is not God’s plan for anyone

o   God must choose our mate

o   our mate MUST be a believer

o   We must do all we can to avoid divorce

·        There are certain times when divorce is allowed

o   If your spouse hardened their heart and refuses to stop sinning (living in sin)

o   If our spouse is committing Adultery

o   If our spouse is living Immorally

o   If our spouse abandons us

If we find the Lord after our marriage, and our spouse is a non-believer, scripture shows that if we stay, we make our children holy.  We may even win our spouse to the Lord.

If they wish to leave us, they may because the Word of God says you are not bound to them!  And you are FREE to marry a BELIEVER!

Jesus says, if you divorce for any reason other than your spouse’s immorality, you are causing them to commit adultery with the next person they are with, as well as causing the other person to commit adultery.

If your spouse claims to be a follower of Christ, but is caught in sin, they MUST STOP SINNING and REPENT of that sin if they plan to stay married!

You cannot live in sin, and have a marriage covenant that will be honored by God.