2019-12-22 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Key Verse: Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Today, we’re focusing on the the great Christmas hymn of the faith, Joy To The World…the LORD HAS COME. This song has less to do with the trappings of Christmas and far more to do with God’s plan of salvation. We sing these words during this time of year simply because of our focus on Christ’s birth, but the words of this song paint a picture of God’s redeeming work regardless of the time of year.

The song was first published in 1719 in Watts' collection The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship.[1]It has been a staple of the church, and our faith, ever since because it is a clear doctrinal statement of the Gospel.

Luke 2:13-14 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man,and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold,the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”which is translated, “God with us.”

His birth brought joy because…

1. It was certainly from God

Verse 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit

1. This was a miraculous event
2. This was a faith test for Joseph

1. It was exactly what was needed

Verse 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

1. The word “will” is a promise from God
2. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned”

1. It was always God’s plan

Verse 22-23 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold,the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”which is translated, “God with us.”

1. Prophecy from Isaiah 7:14
2. Written around 740 B.C.
3. God’s plan was first revealed in Genesis 3:15 (protoevangelium)

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

1. It was God’s plan from the beginning for all of us

Verse 21b … for He will save His people from their sins.

Isaiah 53:5 But He waswounded for our transgressions, He wasbruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace wasupon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning Hispromise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

• The birth of Jesus wasn’t an afterthought or a “plan B”
• God’s plan was always to give us the promise of Heaven through His Son, Jesus

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_to_the_World