Bible Study - Everything (4) - JESUS Saves - Luke 2:4-29 - December 24, 2017

Bible Study – Everything (4) – JESUS Saves – December 24, 2017

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “JESUS Changes Everything.”

Our focus scripture is Luke 2:4-20.

JESUS was born to bring us into a relationship with GOD.

The big lie Satan wants humans to believe is that they can be good enough to go to heaven. GOD demands perfection and the tiniest flaw disqualifies a human from entering Heaven. That is why JESUS came to earth to be born 100% human, yet 100% GOD. JESUS existed before the world was created. HE chose to leave HIS Glory in Heaven. Why? Because HE loves us.

Ephesians 1:4 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

John 17:5 - And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

JESUS left HIS Glory in Heaven and willingly came to earth to be born and live as a human. HE gave HIS life for the redemption of all who will place their faith in HIM and to establish the Kingdom of GOD upon earth.

As Christians, the instant we accept JESUS as our Savior, we become Children of GOD and citizens of the Kingdom of GOD. As Sons and Daughters of our Father, we have all the rights and privileges of being the children of GOD. Christians are living in the Kingdom of GOD and are Its Ambassadors. We are the light of the world and salt of the earth, as such, GOD expects us to live in obedience to HIS will and purpose as reflected in the Model Prayer taught by JESUS - Our Father who is in Heaven, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

When we comprehend that faith in JESUS is our only way to Heaven, we begin to see JESUS and HIS passion in a different light. HE gave HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. Breaking the sin barrier opened the way between humans and GOD. JESUS words are recorded in John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Some may think, “Well, if the sin barrier was broken by JESUS paying the penalty for sin in full and conquering eternal death, doesn’t that mean that every person will automatically go to Heaven when he or she dies? NO! GOD made each person with the freedom to choose. Adam and Eve had the freedom to choose. They chose to disobey GOD’S command by eating the forbidden fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” When they disobeyed GOD, they lost eternal life as GOD promised. HE had told them that the consequence for sin was eternal death.

A decision resulted in sin, thus, since all humans are the descendants of Adam and Eve, their original sin has been passed onto every human.  But GOD revealed HIS plan to redeem mankind in the Garden of Eden, as we read in Genesis 3:15:

15 And I (GOD) will put enmity (hostility/hatred) between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers (JESUS); he (JESUS) will crush your head, and you (Satan) will strike his (JESUS) heel.” 

GOD had given the requirements to Adam for living in the Garden of Eden and placed Adam in charge of the Garden as recorded in Genesis 2:15-17:

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Disobedience to GOD is sin and results in eternal death. GOD’S nature is love which is revealed in HIS redemptive plan to redeem mankind from sin and eternal death.

GOD says what HE means and means what HE says. Adam was standing beside Eve when she took a bite out of the forbidden fruit. He could have stopped her but he didn’t. He took a bite after Eve and both became knowledgeable of “good and evil.” They became accountable for their actions. They had to discern their actions. They lost eternal life in the presence of GOD; a barrier between them and GOD was established. They reaped eternal death, broken fellowship and personal, intimate relationship with GOD, plus the consequence of their sin e.g. both barred from the Garden of Eden, Adam having to work and Eve experiencing pain at child birth.

The knowledge of good and evil makes all humans accountable for their actions. [I think, there is special provisions for fetuses, unborn babies and children MAY be an exception. But that is for another lesson.] They are condemned to eternal death, permanent separation from GOD. That is why GOD sent HIS Only SON to give HIS life as a substitute for the life of every person who will place his or her faith in JESUS and HIS death on the cross and resurrection. Faith in JESUS restores eternal life and personal, intimate fellowship and relationship with GOD. This requires a decision by each person. Salvation is guaranteed but salvation is the beginning of building the right relationship through faith in JESUS. This is the process of sanctification.

GOD allowed HIS Only SON, JESUS, to come to earth to be born 100% human, subject to physical death and live being tempted as humans are tempted and fully capable of sinning, yet HE lived without sin.

Notice, “GOD’S Only SON.” There would not be another SON. The redemption of all who would place their faith in the birth, life, death and resurrection of JESUS depended upon JESUS living a sinless life as 100% human. In 1 Corinthians 15:22 we read:

22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Adam sinned, JESUS did not sin.

As mentioned in a previous lesson, the Apostle Paul recorded in Ephesians 6:11-12 a list of a hierarchy in the evil spirit world:

 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

How did Paul know this? One explanation is that that Paul died when he was stoned. It is believed that he died and went to the third heaven. Paul gave an account of a man going to the third Heaven. It is believed that Paul was relating the experience he had, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5:

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 

3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 

4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 

5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 

GOD revealed throughout the Old Testament that HE was sending the Messiah to redeem HIS chosen people. The book of Isaiah contains the most prophesy regarding the promised Messiah. This promise is exemplified in GOD delivering the Israelite's from Egyptian slavery and in doing so, GOD revealed Himself to the Israelite's. HE chose the Israelite's as HIS people and they chose HIM as their GOD.

GOD revealed HIS name to Moses, “I AM,” “YAHWH.”

In Micah 5:2: (Old Testament about 700 years before JESUS was born.)

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 

YES, this is the same Bethlehem where JESUS was born some 700 years later.

Let’s consider what the angel Gabriel told the young virgin, Mary as recorded in Luke 1:26-38:

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 

27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 

28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 

30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 

31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 

32 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, 

33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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. 

36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 

37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Let’s look back at Genesis 3:15:

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He (JESUS) shall bruise (crush) your head, and you (Satan) shall bruise His heel." 

This scripture is copied from the New King James Bible. I like the use of the word “seed.” The Amplified Version of the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Divine Sperm or Seed.” GOD told Satan that the “Seed of woman” would produce the offspring that would bruise/crush his head. That “offspring” is JESUS. The Seed of GOD planted in the soil or egg of woman to yield, GOD’S Only SON, JESUS.

The Holy Spirit/Divine Sperm nestled in the egg/seed/soil of the Virgin Mary. When the miracle of Divine conception took place the Divine became human, yet GOD.

Ponder this, when a human is redeemed from sin and eternal death by the shed blood of JESUS and faith in JESUS, GOD’S Divine Sperm, the Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit and the miracle of rebirth takes place in the twinkling of the eye. Thus, the human spirit becomes Spirit through spiritual rebirth; Divine conception. The evil forces in the heavenly realm likely thought JESUS would fail because they were confident that they had dealt with Eve and Adam enticing them to sin by using their wisdom on GOD’S own turf (the Garden of Eden). Therefore, JESUS would never fulfill HIS mission on earth their turf. 

We need to keep in mind what JESUS revealed in John 12:49-50:

49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 

50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

JESUS’ and GOD’S relationship was personal and intimate. It was an example of the relationship GOD desires for each of us, as HIS children. JESUS was careful not to step outside the bounds of total obedience. There was no room for error because the evil spirit world was watching and listening.

If JESUS would just sin one time, the evil spirit world knew it would be all over. GOD’S power and sovereign reign would be compromised. They would gain authority. The evil spirit world salivated because it knew that they knew human nature, after all, they had used their wisdom to appeal to Eve and enticed her to sin. In turn, Eve led Adam to sin, paradise lost.

JESUS perfection would be paradise regained for all who will place their faith in HIM.

The evil spirit world was confident they would win, especially when JESUS was crucified and gave up HIS Spirit and HIS earth suit died and HE was buried. GOD had the ultimate plan and it was a zinger! The resurrection of JESUS because as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:8:

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The resurrection of JESUS is every Christian’s promise of salvation through the forgiveness of his or her sins through the shed blood and death of JESUS, the perfect, sinless sacrifice who GOD resurrected. The indwelling Holy Spirit is every Christian’s guarantee of eternal life and assurance of salvation.

Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

2 Corinthians 1:22 - set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 5:5 - Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Let’ explore!

Let’s read Luke 2:1-7:

The Birth of Jesus

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.

Both Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem because both were of the “house and line of David.”

Let’s read Luke 2:8-14:

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

Shepherds were not looked upon as the crème de crème of that society. Many were robbers and thieves. Yet, the most unlikely became the chosen to hear the most wonderful news of all eternity. GOD chose the outcast to show HIS unfailing lost to those who society rejects.

 

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.

The angel had to calm the shepherds and put them at ease because they were afraid and they needed to hear what the angel had to reveal.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior (Bethlehem) 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.” 

A baby in a feeding trough would be a good sign to identify this special child.

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.”

This must have been a spectacular sight and sound. Certainly, such a reveal piqued the interest of the shepherds and would motivate them to go immediately and without hesitation to witness this spectacular event.

Let’s read Luke 2:15-21:

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.”

The angels did their jobs. The shepherds had to check this out. They knew that the LORD had revealed this to them.

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 

They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby (JESUS) lying in the manger.

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 

The shepherds were the first heralds of JESUS. When we see JESUS as our Savior, the first thing we want to do is to tell others.

18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

When people heard such news, it was hard for the ordinary person to believe. The people were amazed. But young Mary knew the things she was hearing was truth and confirmations from GOD.

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.

WOW! What an experience. GOD’S promised Messiah has been born, just as prophesied. GOD says what HE means and means what HE says!

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

JESUS being the first born, HE was dedicated to GOD and HE was circumcised, just as any other Jewish male child. Rejoice, OUR SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And Blessings!!!