Introduction: People these days seem to have a fascination with angels. One of Billy Graham’s most popular books was simply entitled “Angels.”[1] We usually associate angels as being perfect and sometimes we like to place attributes we associate with the angels on to people. For example, we might refer to a well mannered child as being “a perfect angel.” What we need to remember and our text for this morning will help us in this, is that angels are called especially to serve and protect the elect of God. The write to the Hebrews writes, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to render service to those who will inherit salvation.”[2] They are divine messengers who bring important communications from God.
Imagine what would have happened to the Christ child had Mary and Joseph not been told about the coming birth from an angelic messenger. Quite possibly Mary and Joseph would have settled on a divorce. The entire Christmas story could have been told under different circumstances. This morning let us consider the significance of what an angel said to Mary.
1. The first message we receive from Gabriel is exactly who is to be born. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name Jesus. (V31) The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (V35)
Who is to be born? He is none other then Jesus, the Son of God. He is the holy one, the one promised in the Scriptures to be God in the flesh. By these words of Gabriel we see that the one being born is God’s only Son. He is the Christ, the Father’s chosen one.
2. Gabriel also tells us how the child is to be born. He is born by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Most High will overshadow this young woman so that the child to be born will be called the Son of God.
He is to be born holy for God is His Father. True, Jesus is born of a human mother, but his Father is God. Jesus is born human. Yet He is without sin. Jesus is like you in every respect except He is without sin. Jesus is the perfect, spotless Son of God who came into this world to take your place under the Law. He comes to be your substitute. He comes to live a perfect life for you. He comes to fulfill all the requirements the Father has for an obedient life. He will take to Himself your guilt, your fear and brokenness.
3. He comes to be your Savior. So says the angel Gabriel, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David and He will reign over the hose of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Vv.32-33)
This child is a king. But not any king, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the eternal God who takes possession of the throne of His Father because He has been declared to be the rightful heir. He is Lord. He is God. He is your Savior, Redeemer and king. This week we celebrate His coming into our world as He breaks into time and space to take up Him rule in your life.
Conclusion: Who is it that is born for us today? He is the Lord’s Christ. He is the Son of the Most High God and in Him we live and move and have our being. Praise Him for He has come. Serve Him for He is your King. Worship and praise His name for He is your God.
[1] Angels: God’s Secret Agents by Billy Graham © 1975 Doubleday Press ISBN 0385113072
[2] Hebrews 1:14
Imagine what would have happened to the Christ child had Mary and Joseph not been told about the coming birth from an angelic messenger. Quite possibly Mary and Joseph would have settled on a divorce. The entire Christmas story could have been told under different circumstances. This morning let us consider the significance of what an angel said to Mary.
1. The first message we receive from Gabriel is exactly who is to be born. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name Jesus. (V31) The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (V35)
Who is to be born? He is none other then Jesus, the Son of God. He is the holy one, the one promised in the Scriptures to be God in the flesh. By these words of Gabriel we see that the one being born is God’s only Son. He is the Christ, the Father’s chosen one.
2. Gabriel also tells us how the child is to be born. He is born by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Most High will overshadow this young woman so that the child to be born will be called the Son of God.
He is to be born holy for God is His Father. True, Jesus is born of a human mother, but his Father is God. Jesus is born human. Yet He is without sin. Jesus is like you in every respect except He is without sin. Jesus is the perfect, spotless Son of God who came into this world to take your place under the Law. He comes to be your substitute. He comes to live a perfect life for you. He comes to fulfill all the requirements the Father has for an obedient life. He will take to Himself your guilt, your fear and brokenness.
3. He comes to be your Savior. So says the angel Gabriel, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David and He will reign over the hose of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Vv.32-33)
This child is a king. But not any king, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the eternal God who takes possession of the throne of His Father because He has been declared to be the rightful heir. He is Lord. He is God. He is your Savior, Redeemer and king. This week we celebrate His coming into our world as He breaks into time and space to take up Him rule in your life.
Conclusion: Who is it that is born for us today? He is the Lord’s Christ. He is the Son of the Most High God and in Him we live and move and have our being. Praise Him for He has come. Serve Him for He is your King. Worship and praise His name for He is your God.
[1] Angels: God’s Secret Agents by Billy Graham © 1975 Doubleday Press ISBN 0385113072
[2] Hebrews 1:14
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