The Most Miraculous Birth Ever

Luke 1.26-38

The way Jesus came into the world is wonderful.
Being Born.
There were numerous Christophanies, appearances of God's Son in the Old Testament. God could have formed a body like He did for Adam, made His Son come as an adult, but Jesus was born as a baby. He engulfed the whole human experience: from conception to death.

The Virgin Birth. God chose a young woman who had never given birth or ever known a man to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

Nazareth, an out of the way place, no prophet ever came from there, "Nazareth?! Can anything good come out of Nazareth?!"- Nathaniel

Joseph and Mary were betrothed. This upset all her plans. When the LORD comes into our lives He does that! When we let Him do that He does something more wonderful than we can imagine.


1. The Innocent Trust of Mary
Humility
It is easy to see the family resemblance with ancestor David. The way they both handled news of God honoring them, giving them the privilege of being His servant. It is beautiful. It is a not a small thing for God to call us. It ought to bring a sense of unworthiness and humility.
I am always concerned about those, especially the young who feel they are doing God a favor by serving Him. When it is spoken about what they could have done or what they were doing before they embarked on following His will always concerns me or what they gave up. You never heard Jesus speak of what He left to come to this earth! You never heard him tell of the sacrifice He was making to boost Himself up. I don't care if the President would step away from his office to preach the Gospel it would still be nothing in comparison to what Christ did for us in leaving heaven to come to earth!

So David, on his run from Saul, doesn't talk about how good he had it back in Bethlehem watching the sheep. Paul, the apostle, considers all he had going for him as a Pharisee, dung, rubbish, that he might gain Christ and be found in Him.
Mary doesn't complain. She treasures these things up in her heart. She ponders them but we seldom hear her speak at all. Would that everyone who has left the old life to follow Jesus would be of the same mind and heart as these.

Being Afraid
v.48

Wonder God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus. Whenever peace does not come, wait until it does, or seek to find out why it is not coming.

At first she assumed (as did the whole town of Nazareth including Joseph at first) that this was going to be a natural ordinary conception and birth.


2. The Word From Heaven

The Angel Gabriel told her this conception would be like no other.

We are given some explanation into this miracle but it still a miracle, wonder and a sign.
Isaiah 7.14

This was one of the Messiah's coming.
The place was another sign- Bethlehem.

A Word from heaven often takes apart our preconceptions, alters our faith and puts us in the realm of great blessing. We ought to saturate ourselves in the Word of God! My friend whom I was witnessing to a few years back was honest when he told me that the reason he didn't read the Bible is that he was afraid what he might find in it.

This Word from Gabriel gave explanation to Mary's questions but also raised some issues.


3. The Submission to the Will of God

It meant trouble.
Look at their lives the first few years. Moving twice and two substantial moves at that!... one out of the country.

Luke 3.23 tell us that it was thought that Jesus was Joseph's son. They lived under condemnation by people while being approved and accepted and honored by God. Yes, this is possible, and happens more often than you can imagine. When you do God's will and are His servant as you follow Jesus you bear reproach as He did often.

Listen to the words of Simeon 2.35

Submitting to God's Will does not mean the absence of trouble. Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble!
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As children of God and followers of Jesus we are tempted to believe the lie that we are to be healthy, wealthy and happy and successful. We forget the Word in Hebrews about men and women of faith.
Hebrews 11:35-40 There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

I was up early on Tuesday to see the funeral of Nelson Mandela, 4am there are some real wackies on TV... this guy was telling how he had a financial anointing on him. He could pronounce that blessing on others so they could become rich. He was clever too! He was telling about exploits they could do for God if they just had money. They could build orphanages, feed hungry children. He made it sound appealing but underneath he was appealing to greed. He was going against the scriptures that say if we have food and clothing we ought to be content with that! Interestingly I was just reading about Bob Pierce in the early days of World Vision, how he said he would rather 10,000 people each give a dollar than one wealthy benefactor give $10,000. He said that behind those little gifts are the prayers of 10,000 people where with the single giver there would just be one person praying for the work of God.

Submission to God's Will ...
It was fraught with uncertainty
Mary knew Joseph could have walked out on her or worse!
If he pushed it he could have had her stoned.
At one point he was going to divorce her quietly. Obviously he didn't believe her story.
She knew she would live under a cloud her whole life.
Being a pregnant unmarried teenager in Nazareth 2000 years ago was a lot different than today, a world of difference!

Mary saw the wonder, the privilege, the honor and the joy. These things do not always come apart from uncertainty. Often they are wrapped up in it!

God's blessing often come to us through difficulties. Many times His wonders come with great challenges to our lives an to our faith. We have to count the cost in receiving honor in God's kingdom. It is not handed out indiscriminately.

It was in God's Hands.

And so it must be with us. Our times are in His Hands... and even though we will have trouble in this world we can know the peace that surpasses all understanding and that He has overcome the world. Or we can be like Atlas across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral in the city with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Far too often in my own life I worry. I have to repent. I am learning.

You worry about things you cannot change. You cannot figure them out. The mental energy output leaves us exhausted. We become spiritually fatigued and wonder "Why am I so tired?" The answer often comes down to trusting the LORD wholeheartedly.

We need to hear this word about this most miraculous birth, this most wonderful conception ever: vs.37-38 For nothing is impossible with God. I am the LORD's servant", "Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said" Then the angel left her.

Nothing is impossible with God. Not the virgin birth or any struggle you may be facing in your life this day. Certainly the LORD did not work in Mary's life the way she could ever anticipated! This was not something she would have chosen for herself. To begin with she was way too humble! But God did do a wonderful thing for Mary and through Mary. When she asked how it would all happen she was given an answer but that answer gave her even more questions. She submitted and received the wonderful Word of God. For nothing is impossible with God. You can depend upon it!

Why not surrender your worries and troubles to Him today? Let the miracle of Christ's birth grip your heart. God works wonders. Luke 1:50-51 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm...

Light Shining Into Darkness

John 1.5
John 1.1-14

We are taken back to the Beginning in this morning's passage, before the creation of the world. At creation there was darkness. God created light. This illumination, this shining forth came from Him. He created all things, but this is what He is, Light.

God is light.
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.

The Psalmist spoke of it:
Psalm 118:27 The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?


1.The Power of the Light
Darkness cannot overtake it.
It is its nature. A little light will show up in the darkness.
It will dispel the darkness. Small flashlight... Ray Toca, mine, Headlight.

Wherever believers go it spreads! The Church has never been knocked out of commission by persecution, on the contrary. It has however become lukewarm and distasteful to the LORD when its riches increase and it doesn't sense its need of Christ.

The light of God.
Let there be light.

The prophecy of Isaiah
Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

The prophecy of Zechariah, John the Baptist's father:
Luke 1.78b- 79 by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.

The Birth of Jesus. Angels in the sky.

The Transfiguration

Jesus's own words about Himself
John 9:4-5 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

No need for the sun in heaven. The Lamb of God is the light.
Revelation 21:23-25 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.


2.The Problem with the Light
Men's deeds are evil They don't understand due to stubborn refusal.

They have not been able to extinguish it, but neither have they been able to comprehend it.

I have to really work on not arguing with my atheist connections. They remind me of someone heading off a cliff while telling everyone they will be fine. They cannot see, they cannot comprehend the love of God. I pray for their blinded eyes to be opened.
Love takes away the blindness, not debating or arguing, even if we are right!

Light shining in darkness is an irritant to the eyes. Also to the soul.
John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

But the light also can be used to clean, light on a front of a vacuum...

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

I John 5.20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.



3. The Promise of the the Light
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


Shine before men
They will see your good works
Glory will go to Our Father in Heaven

Preach the Gospel always and when necessary use words.

Ephesians 4:1-3, 17-21, 25-26, 28-32 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.


4. The Personal Aspect of God's Light
My light Psalm 27.1

The Word that was with God in the beginning, God's Son became flesh, dwelt among us, touched lepers, fed 1,000's, took children in His arms and blessed them and whenever He did a healing there was personal contact. He even stopped everything one day when He realized power went out from Him but He didn't know to whom.

Jesus did not do mass healing. Each person He called He called personally.

We need to pray more for people walking in darkness to come into the light. We need to pray for the LORD to shine His Light into their hearts through our lives.

Dear friends, if you and I know our real destiny, and are the servants of God, we are sent that men might, through us, believe in Jesus. John was a special witness; but we ought all to be witnesses to complete the chain of testimony. Every Christian man should reckon that he is sent from God to bear witness to the great Light, that, through him, men might believe. -Spurgeon

An Amazing Ancestral Line

Matthew 1.1-17

We have been studying David's life this fall. We had come to that place a few weeks ago where David wanted to build a temple for the LORD. The LORD gave David this promise:
2 Samuel 7:4-13, 16-17 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

These opening verses of the New Testament, these words of Matthew (whose name means gift of God) are the foundation of the fulfillment of God's Promise to David.

They are also the record of the fulfillment of God's Promise to Abraham, not of a kingdom like David but of descendants as numerous as the grains of sands on the seashore.

God keeps His promises. He weaves into the personal promises His plan of salvation. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The New Testament opens revealing the LORD, Who is faithful to all His Promises.

We have records here of the ancestry line of Abraham to David and of David to Jesus Christ our LORD. Abraham and David were men who loved God deeply. Abraham was a friend of God. David was a man after God's own heart.

But David and Abraham had their faults and sins. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was a perfect man. He had no sin. He is the Lamb of God.

In His Ancestors there was a common thread- sin! As well as His descendants.

This is Jesus' legal line... through Joseph his "adopted" father on earth. Yes, that is correct Jesus knows what it means to have a mother who bore Him and have a man as His father who He is not related to biologically. All step dads can learn from Joseph, Mary's husband.

This brings up a second point. Jesus knows what it is like to be born and raised in a family where legitimate parentage is questioned. This was a deep dig when the Jews said to Him:
John 8:41”We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

Let's look at the dark side of this family line:
Look at a few:

Jacob and His struggle with Esau

Judah and his brothers
Genesis 37:26-27 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

Rahab and her life of sin

Solomon from David and Bathsheba's union

Isaiah 53:10-11 But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul,He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.

But beyond Abraham's mess up with Hagar and David's sin with Bathsheba, there are a number of characters in this ancestry line which tells us Jesus was numbered with the transgressors not only in His death but in His ancestral line!

The perfection of God comes through in the human race because of His grace: 14 is the numerical value for David DVD

God ruled and overruled in this ancestry line. His grace are greater than our sins! His purposes will be fulfilled. We should not go on sinning so that grace may abound. God forbid! But our sin doesn't destroy God's purposes. He Keeps On Working!


1. We have all sinned. Romans 3.23
The facets of sin are many. A person may be positive and seemingly patient but not a believer.

Sin separates us from God, puts us at enmity with Him. Have you heard a person protest when you try and witness? They tell you that they have been
a good citizen, that you don't need to go to church to be a Christian, that they never killed anyone...


2. We all need a Savior.
1 Timothy 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

We were helpless.
Our goodness was not enough.

Jesus took upon Himself flesh.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

He was the sacrifice for our sins.
Hebrews 9:26b now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.



3. Jesus takes away the sin of the world.
John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!



4. Christmas is about the Savior, the Son of God, the Suffering Servant coming to earth to save men from their sins.

We need Him more than ever! Justin at Target telling me about Thursday night.

This is receptive season, a time where people's hearts are opened. Jackson, little boy in our nursery school at the Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, brought his whole family.

This descendant of Abraham, descendant of David, God's only Son, died on a cross to bring salvation to the world.

Thanksgiving, The Minority Rules

Luke 17.11-19

We are told that in this scripture of the scarcity of Thanksgiving.
Jesus used this incident to show the disciples what they would be dealing with.
People getting healed and only a small percentage thankful. God giving gifts, life changing gifts, to people and most not taking time out to thank Him
The questions He asked were piercing.

Luke 17:17-18 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” We will look closer at them in a moment.

We have a National Day of Thanksgiving which will be celebrated this Thursday.

Here in America:
Our country's heritage has had in it a Day dedicated to giving thanks to the LORD God Almighty... from the very foundations of our nation, in its infancy.

George Washington's First Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

(Can you imagine that happening today?)

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, Who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks--for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

We ought to be the most thankful people on the earth. What happened?
Well not too far from the place where Washington signed this first Thanksgiving Proclamation in New York City there was a terrorist act on September 11, 2001... just blocks away. What was/is God saying?

Afterwards Ann Graham Lotz had this conversation:
She spoke with the Early Show's Jane Clayson on Sept. 13, 2001 to offer some comfort to the families of the terror victims.

Jane Clayson: We've turned to your father, the Reverend Billy Graham, so often in times of national crisis. What are his thoughts about what happened on Tuesday?

Anne Graham Lotz: I turned to him also. In fact, I called him last night
after you all called to arrange for this. He's reacting like a lot of
Christians around the country, we're all praying. I think about those people you just showed. I wasn't sure I'd be in control when you came on because it just provoked such emotion to see these people carrying pictures of their loved ones and knowing they don't know if they're alive or dead.
And at a time like that, I know the families and the friends of the victims
can hardly even pray for themselves. They don't know what to say or how to pray. I want to say to them - families and friends of the victims, that there are thousands of people in this country who are carrying you in prayer right now. And we're praying for you with hearts filled with compassion and grief and just interceding on your behalf, asking the God of all peace and the God of all comfort to come down in a special way into your life and meet your needs at this time. My father and mother are also praying like that.

Jane Clayson: I've heard people say, those who are religious, those who are not, if God is good, how could God let this happen? To that, you say?

Anne Graham Lotz: I say God is also angry when He sees something like this. I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, "God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace." And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing His Hand of blessing and protection. We need to turn to God first of all and say, God, we're sorry we have treated you this way and we invite you now to come into our national life. We put our trust in you. We have our trust in God on our coins, we need to practice it.

Luis Meza speaking to our Bible Study on Thursday about our heritage, spiritual heritage.

Luke 17:17-18 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”

1. Were Not All Ten Cleansed?
Their cry, standing at a distance, in a loud voice was ( Luke 17:13) “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

They asked God for help, for deliverance. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the final time, for the Passover Feast.
Their plight:
They could not come near anyone, no less participate in the Passover Feast!
They had to yell out, "Unclean!"
They were cut off from family and society.
They had no hope until they heard about Jesus.

All ten were cleansed.
They were cleansed as they went to show themselves to the priest at Jesus' directive. The priest was the only one who could give them a certificate of cleanliness which would enable them to return home.
They all had faith. They all were healed.

My daughter Theresa worked in a leper colony in India one summer. I don't think we realize when we read this what this healing meant to these ten lepers.

Jesus points out and begins building His case for the ingratitude. He faced it but was pointing out I believe that followers of His would face, not just in the areas of physical healing but in all areas of God's gifts. Take just the food we enjoy here in the United States! Abundance and yet very few pray a prayer of thanks anymore publicly. Almost like Daniel in Babylon.

2. Where Are The Other Nine?
This question is haunting. Not because it does not have an answer but because:
* It had to be asked.
* We pretty much know the answer. They got to the priest, got their certificate and ran home to their families, began celebrating.

We can fall into their error if we allow the gifts of God greater place in our lives than Him! Days which are designed to celebrate His goodness (every day and the special ones) can be reduced to pure secular days if that happens. It is incredible when you think what Thanksgiving has become today from when George Washington first gave that Proclamation 234 years ago here in New York.

Jump back to the first Thanksgivings... Pilgrims... even the one Washington made the first proclamation for... many people giving thanks. Scarcity but thanksgiving... abundance often=equals forgetting.

Where are the other nine?
They are too busy to give thanks.
They are too excited over the blessing of healing.
Their priorities are messed up.
They forgot God.

3. Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?
He was a Samaritan.
Widely despised by the Jews because of the mixture of race and religion with non Jewish this Samaritan, like the one in Luke 14 and John 4 were spot on. They understood the law of love more than most Jews.

The healing mercy of Christ not only made this Samaritan very thankful, it also made him humble. "He fell on his face at His feet." Humility and thankfulness are characteristic of those saved by the grace of God.

Jesus spoke of this one leper as the disciples viewed him, "a foreigner".

I see the pictures of the kids with the Shoeboxes from last year. Smiles, waving, hearts full of gratitude for a bunch of stocking stuffers. I remember my Dad telling about Thanksgivings during the depression, about the Christmas when he got his first gift (I have that gift in my living room) I remember how thankful he was.

I see something missing among us today. There is a scarcity of Thanksgiving in our nation like there was outside that village where Jesus healed those ten lepers that day. Be in the minority! Be thankful to the LORD for all He has given!!!

We will gather Tuesday Evening to share specifics...
Generally
Our Salvation
God's Word
Fellowship of Believers
Food
Clothing
Homes

We will gather around tables this Thursday with family. Let us give thanks!

Psalm 107:1, 8-9 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirstyand fills the hungry with good things.

A Heart For Those With Special Needs Among Us

II Samuel 9

I have some close relationships with families and people with special needs.

We see David's heart
*Towards Jonathan's Descendants/ but also representative of the House of Saul. In chapter 7 he asked, "What can I do for God?" Now he is asking, "What can I do for others"

David's question showed a great love because Saul made himself an enemy of David. It was customary in those days for the king of a new dynasty to completely massacre anyone connected with the prior dynasty. David goes against the principle of revenge and against the principle of self-preservation and asks what he can do for the family of his enemy.

*Towards One With Special Needs II Samuel 4.4

This is a lesson in grace and compassion.

This is a picture of the Gracious treatment of the LORD toward us.

Those with special needs whether they be children or adults are to be objects of our love, support and affection. One of the ways to measure the strength of a church is by how it treats its weakest physical members.

David is shining example here! Notice his relationship with Mephibosheth.


1. He had compassion on him.
He was heir to the throne because of Saul and Jonathan's death.
v.4 Lo-debar= the barren land, no bread

He saw his grandfather go practically insane and lose control of himself and his kingdom. He may not have completely understood what was happening at the time, but he knew that something was desperately wrong in the palace.

He received the news that both his father and his grandfather had died. His home was shattered. He had no father to guide him, no grandfather to shower him with love and affection. Who would take care of him? Who would feed him, clothe him, or put him to bed at night?

Mephibosheth also lived with the constant fear for his own life, because David was getting stronger as king. Mephibosheth’s family was getting weaker and dying off. Would he be next? Any day he could receive a knock on the door and be taken away to be executed or tortured or both.

When Fiorello LaGuardia was mayor of New York City during the worst days of the Great Depression and all of WWII, he was called by adoring New Yorkers 'the Little Flower' because he was only five foot four and always wore a carnation in his lapel. He was a colorful character who used to ride the New York City fire trucks, raid speakeasies with the police department, take entire orphanages to baseball games, and whenever the New York newspapers were on strike, he would go on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids. One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself.

Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving. But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It's a real bad neighborhood, your Honor." the man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson." LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions--ten dollars or ten days in jail." But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous sombrero saying: "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."

So the following day the New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered old lady who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren, fifty cents of that amount being contributed by the red-faced grocery store owner, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation. This is similar to this account in God' Word of David and Mephibosheth.

The biggest challenge to Mephibosheth personally was his special needs. It came about by an accident by someone caring for him. Fanny Crosby's story. We do not always see God's purposes immediately, some we will have to wait to get to heaven to understand.

I am certain Fanny Crosby's parents were devastated. Their six week old little girl was blind. What kind of a life would she have?
She would become the most beloved female hymn write the church has ever known! over 12,000 hymns were written by her including one used by Billy Graham for 60 years entitled, Blessed Assurance.

Losing her sight at 6 weeks of age, then her father a few months later, I am sure her mom, who went to work as a maid, wondered if her daughter would become bitter.
At 8 she wrote:

Oh, what a happy soul I am,
Though I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy,
That other people don't;
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, and I won't."


In her own words concerning that action by a fraud doctor which took away her sight: "I have not, for a moment, in more than eighty-five years, felt a spark of resentment against him; for I have always believed that the good Lord, in His infinite mercy, by this means consecrated me to the work that I am still permitted to do. When I remember how I have been blessed, how can I repine?"

2 Samuel 4:4 describes what happened to Mephibosheth. He had fallen and hurt his feet. Probably the bones broke and did not mend properly. He had to live with someone who could help him. Lo Debar was on the east side of the river Jordan.

People with special needs ought to be objects of our compassion. Not that we feel sorry for them but that we treat them with dignity and as a person.

Mephibosheth could not walk so he did not have a normal life. Life is often very difficult for people with physical problems. A dead dog (verse 8) has no value or use. That is what Mephibosheth referred to himself as.

That I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake: David did this because he remembered his relationship and covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14-15). His actions were not only based on feelings, but also on the promise of a covenant.

To whom did Jesus minister to? Many of the people we would term special needs today: The blind, the lame, those with leprosy, those with debilitating medical conditions . Now you are the body of Christ! (I Corinthians 12.27)

2. He made him feel welcomed.

In his home
Mephibosheth had no claims to the kingdom but David treated him as a son!

He was adopted. "He shall eat at my table as one of the king's sons" (v. 11). Although he was lame on both his feet he sat continually at the king's table. His table of mercy covers many an infirmity (1 John 3. 1, 2).

He was made an Heir. David said," I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father" (v. 7). From poverty to plenty through the grace of the king (1 Peter 1. 3, 4). By grace

Making a special needs person feel welcome is important to them. So many times their inabilities to function fully leaves them on the outside, on the sidelines of the group. Being included is huge. That is our call!

Mephibosheth was getting the King's undivided attention. It was not a political move on David's part to curry the favor of voters until after the elections are over , rather a heartfelt gesture which would last a lifetime.

At his table "eat bread at my table continually v.7, 10, 11, 13
This was not a photo op type of thing at all. Mephibosheth was seated at the same table as David and his sons.

Eating together in the Far East and Middle East is a much more intimate and meaning action than here in the West. The common bowl, the length of the meal, Mephibosheth could say every night, "That was a dinner fit for a king!"


In his presence
Enter their world! David inquired where Mephibosheth was living and found out it was the barren land. He changed that for him and brought him to a land rich for growing.
I believe we can enter the world of special need people. We need to understand their situation. When I was in Bible College, I would listen on Sunday mornings to the radio. The early service of the Presbyterian Church there was broadcasted. Dr. Stevens would give such excellent illustrations. and insights. He said one time, if you want to understand a child, get down on your knees and walk around. You will see the world ad they see it." So true!!!

We need to humbly get down on our knees, close our eyes, not use our hands, not walk to see how it feels for these dear folks. David had this in his heart.

3. He took care of him.

4. All of this because David believed in keeping His Word.
II Samuel 20.12-16
Jonathan was dead but David remembered his friend and how if it were not for Jonathan he would not have escaped from Saul.
Are there some promises we have forgotten, if the LORD brings the to mind how good to act upon them as David did.

What great kindness!
What a wonderful fruit of the Spirit!
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Mephibosheth had nothing to give but his gratitude, but that was huge! Those who have special needs are often the most appreciative of the simplest kindnesses we show them.

Mark 2:1-5 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Let's be among those who help those to Jesus. According to Jesus we will see Him in them.

Jesus' Words to us: Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Putting God's Kingdom Before My Interests

II Samuel 7.1-2

This man after God's own heart, David, had a heart for God's Kingdom and glory. How that is reflected in the Psalms.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 20:6-7 Now this I know:The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 149:4-5 For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honorand sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 118:15-16 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

Now that God had given Him victory he was able to rest. v.1

He was comfortable, settled and in the place of ruling. He is in a palace fit for a king! Cedar is rare and valuable wood.

He noticed the situation of the worship and honor of the LORD. He determined to change it, make it better.

1. A concern for the LORD. v.2

David was settled.

to rest, be granted rest, settle down and remain
to repose, have rest, be quiet, set down, be left, open space

God had brought David to the place of King over Israel. He had subdued his enemies. After 10 years of being on the run, 7 1/2 years of contending with the remnants of Saul's loyalists, David ceaseed to be a fugitive and nomad and ruling over a portion of Israel and has a peaceful magnificent home In Jerusalem.

It must have seemed odd at first not to have to be moving at a moment's notice and hiding out in caves. It must have seemed wonderful.

Yet...
David was unsettled in his heart and mind
He was in the palace. The Ark of God in a tent.

What unsettles you?
David reached a point in his life when he could sat back and enjoyed his situation. Some might even say he deserved it or earned it. Some might have said, "No one is going to blame you." Be careful when people say that to you!

He would not entertain the thought. He knew he was where he was because of the LORD!

David had become rich in earthly goods but he unlike so many others had not forgotten the LORD Who had brought him to this place.
Jesus spoke of the possibility of this happening in a believer's life.
Luke 8:14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

David was unsettled because of the House of the LORD!... its situation.
Are we?
Are we upset enough over the persecution of the church around the world?
Of the spiritual condition of the church in the United States?
Of the lack of salvation in loved ones and friends and neighbors?
Are we at ease in Zion?
Amos 6:1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Are we in danger of becoming indifferent to the sinners plight?
Are we more annoyed with them than burdened for them.
We need a holy dissatisfaction.

Once again, as the Bible regularly does, we are warned not to get too comfortable with our gifts and privileges from God.

2. David wanted to do something about it. v.2

It was his desire and God's will to make Jerusalem the center of worship. His city, the city of David was located down the hill of the Temple Mount. He was putting God's kingdom first in his heart and on the landscape.

He had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. c.6

He knew it was the LORD Who brought the children of Israel into the Promise Land and that it was the LORD Who brought him to the position of King of Israel.

David's heart overflowed with gratitude to the LORD.

In bringing the ark to Jerusalem he was establishing as the center of worship for the young nation.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for his inheritance.
David was making the place of his rule, the headquarters of His administration, the center of worship of the LORD. This was God's choice but David made it so. He was a man after God's own heart.

The city where decisions would be made affecting all of Israel would also be the place where the people came to worship at the feasts, the place where daily prayers were said, where sacrifices were offered and where sins were atoned for.

David brought the spiritual worship together with the leadership of the nation. The King's Palace was just down the mountain from the place where David wanted to build the temple. His neighbors were the priests. The worship could be heard from the temple mount in the palace. Visits to Jerusalem by Israel's citizens and foreign dignitaries showed that David put the Kingdom of God ahead of his own.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

By wanting to build a house for the LORD David was showing his desire to be under God's authority. Wise leaders put themselves under God's authority. They lead the people in worship of Him Who sits on the Throne of Heaven, to the King of kings an LORD of lords.

Wise leaders worship the LORD and honor His laws.

Hebrews 7.1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,


3.God had greater plans, much greater plans! vs. 4-17

He always does.
Bob Pierce
Billy Graham

Your life.

Our lives as a church.

Ongoing work ... things done for Him are Eternal

His work goes on around the world. What a privilege to be part of His Everlasting Kingdom. What a blessing to put it first!
1. It puts everything in proper perspective.
2. It helps you focus on the the eternal and not the temporal
3. It gives order to priorities.
4. It brings joy and satisfaction. It does not let you down.
5. It is the only way to live.

Mary's song

Understanding the Work Of God In Your Life

2 Samuel 5:12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Seventeen and a half years had passed after David had been anointed by Samuel in Bethlehem until he took the throne as King over Israel. The waiting took place in caves, in the area of the Dead Sea called En Gedi and in Philistine territory. He was on the run from Saul, his father-in-law and king of Israel. Saul's jealous heart drove him mad. David had some narrow escapes. His feelings on some of these occasions are chronicled in the Psalms.

I am sure at times David wondered if taking the throne would ever come about. Certainly he cried out, "How long O LORD?"
Psalm 13:1-2 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Psalm 94:3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Psalm 119:84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?

God has now accomplished His Promises in David's life. The Shepherd has become King over Israel. You could not make this stuff up. It is beautiful story of the underdog triumphing. It is a story of the Making of a Man of God. It is an account of the work of God in David's life.

It is important we always see attempt to see God's Hand in our lives. To understand His working is important. We may like David have questions along the way. We don't understand God's ways. They are beyond our finding out. There comes a time along the way where we see His Purposes in our lives being fulfilled. The Psalmist wrote, Psalm 119:49-50 Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. This is what comforts me in my trouble, for Your promise revives me.

God fulfills His Word, that personal word to us. He did so with David. He will do the same with us. When we understand it is Him, His working it is good to do like David and attribute it all to the LORD. We are told why this is the right thing to do:


1. It gives Him Glory

Look at verse 11
2 Samuel 5:11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

David had been the family shepherd. When Samuel went down to Jesse's house in Bethlehem to anoint Israel's next king, David's 7 brothers passed before him. None of them were the one. Samuel asked if they were any more sons. I love there answer, 1 Samuel 16:11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “but he is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

Fast forward about 20 years. Now David, after wondering if he would survive at times the jealousy of Saul, is king over all Israel. One of the tangible proofs is that the king of Tyre sends materials and craftsman, as a gesture of good will, to David. Their assignment: Build David a palace. It seems here he goes into some reflection on how he got there. A wise thing to do when the blessings of God come, when His purpose for you are accomplished.

Six miles away, in the hills of Bethlehem, he was tending sheep. He was low man on the totem pole in his family. Now he is the ruler of the whole nation!

David did not let success go to his head. He humbled himself. He knew where he had come from and understood the work of God in his life to the extent he realized fully it was the LORD Who did this. It wasn't his wit, his cleverness, his ability. God had anointed him, brought him through a horrific decade of being the hunted, and had established his throne.

David never got away from this. He understood it was God and he took this to heart. It is reflected in his Psalms, in his life and in his rule. Even though the people remembered and complimented his military victories, David understood that "The Battle is the LORD's" and gave God glory.

When we understand, like David did, that the work of God through us is just that: God' Work, we give the glory to Him. We refuse to touch it, to take credit for it.

Because of this all along David never spoke a word against Saul, he honored him and his family in death. He led the people following him in mourning. David's rule could have been ushered in with revenge, hated and bitterness. No one would have blamed him. He, however, was different. He was a man after God's own heart. What wise decisions he was making even before he became king. When you love and live like that you naturally give the glory to God because you know it is the LORD Who exalted you. The blessings of God follow a man or woman who live like that.

Understanding the Work of God in our lives...
2. It Prevents Us From Believing Our Own Press.

David celebrated the LORD's work in his life but he remained a shepherd at heart. He was forever a shepherd.

2 Samuel 6:13-15 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

Psalm 78:70-72 He chose David his servantand took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

1 Samuel 18:6-7 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:“Saul has slain his thousands,and David his tens of thousands.”

Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;an outsider, and not your own lips.

David wisely did not embrace the praises of the people. He didn't let it go to his head. He was a man after God's own heart and a servant of the LORD and his people, Israel. He understood the workings of God in his life.

He never left, in his heart and mind, the sheep pens. I was in one this past week. My grandson Timmy had a field trip to the Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park. For over 50 years, never knew it was there! 3/10's of a mile off the Grand Central, south on Little Neck Parkway is a full blown farm, vegetables, tractors, hay rides and animals. I went into the sheep pen with my grandson. Not the cleanest place but the gentlest of the animals. Providing wool. Needing help to find food, needing someone to watch over them and protect them. David experienced this first hand as did Moses. Of course Jesus is the Good Shepherd, that Great Shepherd of the Sheep.

Understanding the work of God in our life also...

3. It Lets Us See The Big Picture.

There is always a bigger picture, a much bigger picture.
Mature Believers see that.
People Who have experienced much suffering can see the bigger picture.
David suffered. Suffering purifies our heart, burns away the nonsense of life.

Suffering in the fiery trials personally enables us to hold on very loosely to the things of this world, to grasp the eternal things and let them captivate us.

We need to learn how to look for the Hand of God and the larger view.

*Read God's Word, search for the stories and verses like this one which point this out.
*Pray for the LORD to open your eyes. One of the reasons He came was for this restored vision.
*Be still and meditate quietly.

It is Not All About Us. God was blessing David so he could be a blessing to Israel. Most tragically never get this. They fail to see the bigger picture.

James 4:1-3 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.


Understanding the work of God in Our Lives...

4. It Settles Us Where He Wants Us.
David had been a vagabond fugitive. He had been on the run for years.
Beware of restlessness. Beware of not being setttled.
I watched the Memorial service for Pastor Chuck Smith on Sunday evening and one of the testimonies given by a pastor was advice Chuck gave him years ago when he was starting out: " Stay the Course".

When we understand the work of God n our life we give Him glory for the things done through us. We realize that work is part of His kingdom coming to earth and we rest in the work He is doing.