BORN IN BETHLEHEM: THE SON OF GOD
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Born In Bethlehem
a) In the last week of every year, people celebrate the birth of Jesus. They tell again the story of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem — apparently in a stable — and how he was laid in a feed trough and visited by wise men and shepherds.
b) Whilst we should remember and tell this story all through the year, it makes sense to preach about the subject at year's end when it is on people's minds.
c) We ask, “Who was born in Bethlehem?” Who was this Jesus, this baby born to Mary and laid in a trough for a crib?
d) Here is one of the answers to that question.
2. The Son Of God
Luke 1:26-35
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
a) An angel of God appeared to Mary while she was still a virgin. The angel told Mary that she would be with child of the Holy Spirit. The angel declared that this child would be the Son of God. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32).
b) Mary questioned the angel as to how she could be with child when she was still a virgin. The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:31-32, 35).
c) This teaches us that Jesus was God's unique Son. He grew in the womb and was born in the same natural way as all human children. However he was conceived in a different manner to any other human child, making him unique.
d) When we confess that he is the Son of God, we are acknowledging our belief in the Bethlehem story that Jesus was born of a virgin, and was the Word become flesh (John 1:1, 14).
The End ...
1. Born In Bethlehem a) In the last week of every year, people celebrate the birth of Jesus. They tell again the story of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem — apparently in a stable — and how he was laid in a feed trough and visited by wise men and shepherds.
b) Whilst we should remember and tell this story all through the year, it makes sense to preach about the subject at year's end when it is on people's minds.
c) We ask, “Who was born in Bethlehem?” Who was this Jesus, this baby born to Mary and laid in a trough for a crib?
d) Here is one of the answers to that question.
2. The Son Of God
Luke 1:26-35
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
a) An angel of God appeared to Mary while she was still a virgin. The angel told Mary that she would be with child of the Holy Spirit. The angel declared that this child would be the Son of God. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32).
b) Mary questioned the angel as to how she could be with child when she was still a virgin. The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:31-32, 35).
c) This teaches us that Jesus was God's unique Son. He grew in the womb and was born in the same natural way as all human children. However he was conceived in a different manner to any other human child, making him unique.
d) When we confess that he is the Son of God, we are acknowledging our belief in the Bethlehem story that Jesus was born of a virgin, and was the Word become flesh (John 1:1, 14).
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