A Weary World Rejoices THE PROMISE OF THE PLACE Matthew 1:18-2:6 Christmas should give us hope and encouragement because: We can rejoice in our promise keeping God! When we consider Christmas we have so many promises that God kept—just in the verses that were read from Matthew’s gospel we have: - Who? God’s Son - What? The Messiah - Why? To Save Us - Where? A Promised Place—Bethlehem (Ephrathah—is the ancient name for Bethlehem and it means “fruitful.” Gen, 35:16, 19; 48:7 Rachel died on the way to Ephrathah and Jacob buried her there. Micah 5:2-5a (“He will be their peace”) Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity. Matthew 2:6 - And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah; are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel. Jesus is the Savior King whose kingdom will never end. “Bethlehem, in the land of Judah”—the promised Messiah had to come from the line of Judah. Two gospel accounts give genealogies—Matthew’s is different from Luke. - Luke traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam. - Matthew is showing how Jesus is the “Messiah” and is from the line of David. Is He your Savior King today? - Is He ruling in your heart? Have you given to Him all and everything? (Song we sing—“All hail, King Jesus, All hail the Lord of Heaven and Earth, All hail King Jesus, All hail the Savior of the World”) Jesus is the Sovereign Lord whose reality transforms the seemingly insignificant into great significance. “you are by no means least” - This is the truth with everything Jesus touches. The hope and reality of the Gospel is not just salvation, but it is significance. - With Jesus our life matters. - With Jesus our life has meaning and purpose. - With Jesus our life has eternal glory. Jesus is the Shepherd God whose presence gives us rest and peace. “a leader who will shepherd my people” (the shepherd motif is very important to us—knowing that Jesus is our shepherd helps us get through a weary world) Jesus said “come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) - Jesus is “my Shepherd!” Psalm 23:1-6 I have One who provides all that I need. - Jesus is “my Good Shepherd!” John 10:11 I have One who gave His life for me. - Jesus is “my Chief Shepherd!” 1 Peter 5:4 I have One who is coming back for me. Micah 5:4-5a (NASB) - And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace. Next Steps: Are you weary and burdened? - Come to Jesus! ...“C3 Process” - Catch - Cast - Confidence