By Pastor J.D. Link

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Over the next three weeks, I will be teaching on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. We will be looking at the lives of the three main characters in this story: Mary, Joseph, and Emmanuel (Jesus). While some Christians debate on the date of the birth of Jesus, and others argue whether we should celebrate Christmas at all, one thing remains clear: No less than four chapters of the Bible are dedicated to the story of Christ’s birth. Therefore, December 25^th or not, the story is Biblical and relevant; so let’s look into the story and see what we can learn from it. After all, the first Thanksgiving was not the fourth Thursday of November; but that’s when we happen to celebrate it. God made all the days of the week anyway, so they are all His.

Let’s start off by examining the role of Mary. In Luke 1:28-30, we see clearly that Mary is blessed among all women, and highly favored of God. In verse 48, Mary humbly said, “From this generation forward, all shall call me blessed.” We should call Mary blessed. Of every woman in the entire world, she was chosen by God Himself to carry, nurture, and raise The Son of God. What an honor! What a responsibility! You think you got stress? Try being picked for this role! We need to say about Mary what the Bible says about Mary. We should not add to it, nor take away from it. God makes this very clear (Prov 30:6, Dt 4:2, Rev 22:18-19). It’s o.k. to honor Mary in her role as the mother of Jesus. We should call her blessed among women. However, we should never take that honor to the extreme and make it worship or reverence. God’s name alone is excellent and His name alone should be praised (Ps 148:13).

The next thing we learn about Mary, is that she was a willing servant. In verse 38, she says, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to God’s word.” More Christians need to respond to God like this young Jewish girl did. Like the prophet Isaiah 800 years before her, she said, “Here I am, send me” (Isa 6:8). Mary gave herself to God; spirit (vs. 47), soul (vs. 46), and body (vs. 38) {see Ps 116:16, 119:38, 1Thess 5:23}. We need to have a heart like Mary’s. We need to be fully surrendered to God’s will for our life.

God will also confirm His word to His willing servant. In vs. 41-45, Mary’s cousin Elisabeth, full of the Holy Spirit, prophesied to Mary. She called her the mother of her Lord. She called her blessed among women, just as Gabriel had said a few days before. She called her blessed for believing God’s word. Even John the Baptist was jumping around in Elisabeth’s belly, itching to preach! God was confirming His word to Mary, His willing servant; and He’ll confirm His word to you as well - if you are His servant.

The next thing we learn from Mary is that she recognized her low estate (vs. 46-55). In other words, she was humble. She recognized her need for a savior, and said her savior was God (vs. 47). We must do the same to be saved. There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned. Through Adam’s fall, death and sin came upon all (Rom 3:10, 23, 5:12). We must first and foremost acknowledge our low estate before we can ever call upon Jesus to be saved from eternal damnation. Mary walked in humility, which is precious in God’s sight (1Pt 3:4). See also Ps 138:6, Isa 66:2, 1Cor 1:26-28, Jam 2:5. Mary gave glory to God (vs. 49), and we should do the same.

Finally, we see that Mary was wise. She didn’t blurt out whatever was on her mind. She pondered things. She meditated on things. She was quick to listen, and slow to speak (Lk 2:19, 51). Proverbs 29:11 says a fool utters all of his mind, but a wise man holds it in until afterwards. See also Prv 14:33. In the multitude of words there is foolishness ad sin. Be wise like Mary. Of course, Mary’s ultimate wise saying was not at the birth of Jesus, but at the birth of His ministry. In John 2:5, Mary utters our ultimate responsibility to Christ, “Whatever He says to do - do it.” What wisdom! What truth! What blessing! Whatever He (Jesus) says, do it! Mary lived these words. She went on to become one of Jesus’ most dedicated disciples. She was at the cross, as well as the upper room on the day of Pentecost. May we learn from and imitate this young Jewish-Christian woman, Mary: the mother of Emmanuel, God with us. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!

Mary, Joseph, & Emmanuel Part 2

By Pastor J.D. Link

agf-blanco.com

Last week I began a three part series on Mary, Joseph, & Emmanuel. As stated last week, the Bible dedicates no less than four chapters (Mt & Lk 1-2) to the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Since all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2Tim 3:16) and is profitable for doctrine, instruction, correction, & reproof; It behooves us to know this story and take what lessons we can from it. Last week we began with Mary, and several characteristics that we can emulate from this Godly woman. This week we will examine the qualities of Joseph, and hopefully put the things into practice that we learn. Let’s get into the Word of God.

In Mt 1:19, we see first of all that Joseph was a just man. Heb 10:38 tells us the just shall live by faith: faith in God and in His Word. The Greek definition for just is: innocent, holy, righteous - conformed to God’s will. Joseph was hand picked by God, just a Mary was. In fact, one of the common characteristics of both Mary and Joseph, was that they were both conformed to God’s will. May we strive to be the same in our generation.

Joseph was in a good company of men called just in the Bible, including: Noah, who was perfect and walked with God (Gen 6:9); John the Baptist, who was just and holy (Mk 6:20); Simeon, who was devout and had the Holy Ghost upon him (Lk 2:25); and Cornelius, a man who feared God, and had a good report (Act 10:22).

Joseph, being just, had to do what he felt was right in this situation in accordance with Jewish law. When Mary came back after three months at her cousin Elisabeth’s house, and was “showing”, what else could Joseph believe, but that his wife had been unfaithful to him? So he had two choices: he could make a public example of her, which meant he would accuse her of adultery and have her stoned (Dt 22:13-24). Or, he could divorce her (Dt 24:1). Joseph decided to divorce her quietly, and send her away. This brings us to Joseph’s next quality.

Joseph was a kind and compassionate man. Many men would have been enraged at this infidelity, and had her stoned. However, Joseph didn’t stop loving Mary. Even with this shameful incident (he thought), he still cared deeply for Mary, and sought to guard her dignity. We, as Christian men, need to guard our wives dignity. Making foolish jokes, calling our wives “the ol’ lady” or “the ol’ ball and chain”, and repeating to others when our wives fail is not Godly or honorable. Love covers a multitude of sins. We need not repeat matters of our family. We need to guard their dignity. It is our duty as the protector of our homes. It is honorable and righteous. It is what real men do.

The desire of a man is his kindness (Prv 19:22). It was a trait of the prodigal son’s father (Lk 15:20); it is a trait of God (Eph 2:7); it is a trait of Agape love (1Cor 13:4); and It was certainly a trait of Joseph. He proves that a man can be both just and compassionate. Just, in that he seeks to do what is right; and compassionate, in that he also seeks to be as merciful as possible. The Bible speaks little of Joseph in quantity; but it speaks volumes of him in quality.

Of course, in vs. 20, an angel comforts Joseph, and assures him that Mary was not unfaithful, but had conceived by the Holy Ghost. This brings us to Joseph’s next quality, which is being quick to obey God. As soon as he was told to take Mary as his wife (into his house), that’s exactly what he did (vs. 24). As soon as the angel told him to flee into Egypt, that’s what he did (Mt 2:13-14). As soon as the angel told him to go back to Israel, that’s what he did (Mt 2:19-21). No argument. No “Doing his own thing”. Simply obeying God.

Joseph not only obeyed, but was quick to obey. Had Joseph not been quick to obey, it could have cost his family their lives. We need to be the same way. God delights in our obedience (1Sam 15:22). It causes us to eat the good of the land (Isa 1:19). We should walk as obedient children of God in this land, and be holy (1Pt 1:13-17). If God has spoken something to you, either by His written Word, or by His Spirit; then be quick to obey. It matters not what anyone thinks or says about you. It matters only that you obey God. He’ll take care of the rest. May we walk in the footsteps of this Godly man, chosen by God to be the earthly father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!

Mary, Joseph, & Emmanuel, Part 3

By Pastor J.D. Link

agf-blanco.com

This will be the third and final part in my series on Mary, Joseph, & Emmanuel. I pray you have gleaned some wisdom from the lives of Mary & Joseph; and that you will seek to imitate them as they imitate Christ (1Cor 11:1). This godly couple, chosen to raise the Son of God here on earth, should cause us to want to raise the bar in our own relationship with God and our spouse. We don’t have to settle for mediocrity; we can strive for the best! Let’s take a look at the third (and most important) person of the three: Emmanuel.

Isa. 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy was given over 700 years before the birth of Christ! Our nation is only 230 something years old. This is awesome, not only in that it came to pass; but that it was even preserved for that length of time! The Bible is filled with perfectly fulfilled prophecies, just like this one. God WILL preserve His Word (Ps 12:6-7), and God WILL bring it to pass (55:11).

Too many Christians have orphan mentalities. They feel like God has forsaken them. Perhaps they have suffered a tragedy in their life. Perhaps their earthly fathers abandoned them literally; or perhaps emotionally, in not showing love or leadership. Whatever the case may be, they have written something on their heart that is not true. It needs to be rewritten with the truth of God’s Word. Jesus is God with us (Ps 46:7, Mt 1:23). He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). He is with us always (Mt 28:20). Christian, never doubt God’s presence in your life. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God dwells within you, and is always with you.

Some Christians will acknowledge that they are the Lords; but did you know that the Lord is yours? SoS 6:3 says, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” When Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 5 about the roles of husband and wife in marriage, he said at the end that he was writing concerning Christ and the church. We are the bride of Christ, and He is our groom. I cannot say I possess my wife, and yet she does not possess me. No, she is mine, and I am hers. In 1Cor 7:4, Paul makes it clear that the body of the wife is the husband’s; and that the body of the husband is the wife’s. Yes, we are the Lord’s; and the Lord is ours.

This is confirmed in Isa 9:6 - “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The child (Jesus) was born for us. The son (Jesus) was given to us. What a glorious truth!

From this passage, we also see that the Child, the Son, is called “The Mighty God” and “The Everlasting Father”. This leaves no doubt that Jesus is God. God with us! Here are just a few New Testament passages of Scripture that confirm this truth: Jn 1;1, 14, Act 20:28, 1Cor 15:47, Heb 1:8, 1Jn 5:7, 1Tim 3:16. This is why Jesus is the only way to salvation (Act 4:12). You can’t avoid Jesus in your quest for God, because He is God. God with us. In Jn 10:30-32, they wanted to stone Jesus because He said He was God. Should we say any less about Him, than what He said about Himself? Of course not.

1Jn 4:8 says that God is love. Therefore, Jesus is God’s love with us. God so loved the world, that He gave Jesus (1Jn 3:16). God gave us His perfect love, when he gave us Jesus Christ. Calvary is God’s perfect testimony of His love toward us. He loves us so much He gave us the greatest gift of all. Never doubt that God’s love is with you. If you have Jesus, you have God’s love. It is with you, and dwells in you.

I pray that this Christmas, if you have not received God’s greatest gift - Jesus Christ - that you would. I pray you would humble yourself like a little child and joyfully receive God’s best. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you would center your thoughts on what this season is all about. If it wasn’t for Jesus, none of this holiday stuff would amount to a hill of beans. Jesus is the only reason for the season. Have a blessed and merry Christmas, and until next time, rejoice in The Lord!