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A Baby Changes Everything
By Providing Direction
Introduction:
Baby Times Three
My youngest
sister Ann and her husband Bruce struggled to have children. Their first
pregnancy ended when the baby died in the womb early in the pregnancy. Their
second pregnancy was a repeat experience but death came in the seventh month. My
sister was induced and delivered what, by all appearances, should have been a
healthy baby boy. As a couple who experienced significant difficulty in
conceiving, this was a devastating blow. They named the little boy Matthew
Robert, bought a Cabbage Patch Doll so they could use the clothes as his burial
outfit, and laid him to rest in the family cemetery plot along the Thornapple
River in Hastings, Michigan.
They were hurt
and they were angry. They were angry at people who were able to have babies.
They were angry at the medical community for not being able to prevent the loss
and not having any answers about what might happen in the future. They were
angry at God for not caring enough to do something about it. If you have
experienced, or know someone who has experienced this loss, you understand what
they were feeling.
The news came
that they were once again expecting. Only this time the ultrasounds showed not
one, not two, but three babies. They were all delivered safely and life changed
dramatically. Feeding and diapering and bathing seemed to be a 24/7 deal—or
better ordeal. There was never any break. While they were always exhausted they
rejoiced that they had received the three children they had always wanted—even
if they did come in one package.
It has been fun
to watch Robbie, Michael and Melia grow up, even from a distance. They enjoyed
the advantage of being able to work together. For example, while they were
still toddlers they decided they would like some cookies. They were able to
push a chair over to the counter, get up on the chair and then boost one of
them onto the counter to pass out the cookies from the cookie jar. It’s now 16
years later and they are all taking Driver’s Education. Think about what’s
going to happen to that auto insurance bill! If a baby changes everything,
three babies turn your world upside down.
We continue this morning in our Christmas series looking at THE baby
who changed everything. We saw last Sunday that just as God rescued Moses from
an execution sentence to deliver His people, He also rescued Jesus from a
targeted execution so He could one day die in order to deliver us. We also saw
that one of our privileges—and responsibilities—is to serve as messengers of
the deliverance God provides for us through the wondrous miracle we call
Christmas.
Samuel
Provided Direction For Israel
Another of the intriguing Old Testament accounts is the birth, life
and ministry of Samuel.
Samuel
Is Born
Samuel was God’s answer to the prayers of a woman deeply hurt by the
reality that she had not been able to have children. Because polygamy was still
commonly practiced, Hannah faced the added indignity that the other wife was
mother to several sons and daughters and used that fact to her advantage.
Peninnah would tease Hannah and upset her, because the Lord
had made her unable to have children. This happened every year when they went
up to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. Peninnah would upset Hannah until Hannah
would cry and not eat anything. Her husband Elkanah would say to her,
"Hannah, why are you crying and why won't you eat? Why are you sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten
sons?" 1
Samuel 1:6-8 NCV
Hannah would plead with God to remember her and give her a son. She
promised she would return her son to the Lord to serve God the rest of his
life. The High Priest Eli saw her praying but heard no words. He accused her of
being
drunk, but she explained to him that it was with great anguish and
grief that she was pouring out her soul to the Lord. Eli then blessed her with
the prayer that God grant her request. She gave birth to a son and named him
Samuel saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).
Samuel
Grows Up
Because Samuel’s father Elkanah was part of the priestly lineage,
Samuel might have started his priestly service at age 25. Hannah’s commitment
that he would serve for life was the reason why Samuel came to serve in the
tabernacle once he was weaned—in that culture and time approximately 3-4 years
old.
Being in the tabernacle didn’t mean God was always honored in what
occurred. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, may have served as priests but they
twisted ceremonial law regarding sacrificial offerings to their advantage.
This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD's
sight, for they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt. 1
Samuel 2:17 NIV
But Samuel grew up in the God’s presence. His childhood service is
summarized,
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor
with the LORD and with men. 1 Samuel 2:20 NIV
All the pieces were fitting together for Samuel to become God’s voice
to His people.
Samuel Speaks For God
Listen to this description of the climate into which Samuel was called
to speak for God.
The
boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those
days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
1 Samuel 3:1 NIV
The word “visions” is the same Hebrew word used in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no
vision, the people perish…” (KJV) It is better translated as, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off
restraint…” (NIV)
That’s what was taking place as Eli’s sons participated in all kinds
of evil, sinful activities. The message of God had been stifled. All restraint
had been cast off. So, beginning with the familiar account of God coming to
speak to Samuel during the night, Samuel consistently spoke for God. As the
last judge of Israel, he was recognized as speaking for God.
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of
his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized
that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear
at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. And
Samuel's word came to all Israel. 1 Samuel
3:19-4:1a NIV
In his farewell speech, as Saul was about to become the first king,
Samuel continues to provide direction to Israel.
"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have
done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with
all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good,
nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great
name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make
you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by
failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart;
consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing
evil, both you and your king will be swept away." 1 Samuel 12:20-25
NIV
Samuel was a very special baby whose birth changed everything. Whether
it was speaking to the people in general or challenging King Saul as he veered
off course in following God, Samuel fearlessly spoke the word of God to give
direction to the nation of Israel.
Jesus
Provides Direction For Humanity
Jesus is THE baby whose
birth changed everything. He provided direction with clarity and conviction.
Predicted
By Simeon
Simeon is an often overlooked participant in the birth of Jesus. Luke
describes him as a righteous and devout man waiting for the consolation of
Israel—the comfort the Messiah would provide. God had revealed to him that he
wouldn’t die until he had seen the Lord Christ. When Joseph and Mary took Jesus
to the temple when He was eight days old, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised
God for being able to see God’s salvation as,
“A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to
your people Israel.” Luke 2:32 NIV
He followed with these prophetic words to Mary.
Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s
mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be
a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose
him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a
sword will pierce your very soul.”Luke
2:34-35 NLT
Jesus was sent to point people toward God. Many in Israel would refuse
to follow. They would oppose Him. Others, however, would follow and have their
lives transformed. He finally predicted the agony that would come to Mary when
Jesus died on the cross that resolutely pointed the direction toward God.
Seen
As He Grew
The one scene we have from Jesus’ childhood is when He went with His
parents to the Passover on His 12th Birthday. When His family
returned to Nazareth, Jesus stayed behind and for three days talked with the
teachers in the Temple.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and
his answers. Luke 2:47 NIV
Twenty years later they would also be amazed—and very angry. During
the interim we are told that like Samuel,
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men. Luke
2:52 NIV
Heard
In His Teaching
When Jesus taught, He always pointed people toward God. He spoke for
God in order to direct people toward God.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said.
"The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark
1:14-15 NIV
He then began to call people to follow Him—beginning with Peter,
Andrew, James and John who discovered an entirely new direction for their lives.
He promised these four fishermen that He would make them fishers of men. They
left their occupation and families to follow Jesus.
Jesus’ message was consistent, clear and challenging. In speaking to
His opponents,
Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then
you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do
nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught
me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone,
for I always do what pleases him." Even as he spoke,
many put their faith in him. John 8:28-30 NIV
In a conversation with His disciples just before He would be betrayed,
abandoned, denied and crucified, in response to a question posed by Thomas,
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you
would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen
him." John 14:6-7 NIV
The disciples were 12 men who had the direction of their lives
radically altered. Once they started following Jesus life was never the same
for them.
Many people look for direction as they seem to drift through life. Maybe
you feel like that as times. Jesus is the One who gives the needed direction.
What Jesus did for humanity is captured in this scene brought to life by the
words of Max Lucado.
As youngsters, we neighborhood kids would play street
football. The minute we got home from school, we’d drop the books and hit the
pavement. The kid across the street had a dad with a great arm and a strong
addiction to football. As soon as he’d pull in the driveway from work we’d
start yelling for him to come and play ball. He couldn’t resist. Out of
fairness he’d always ask, “Which team is losing?” Then he would join that team,
which often seemed to be mine.
His appearance in the huddle changed the whole ball
game. He was confident, strong, and most of all, he had a plan. We’d circle
around him, and he’d look at us and say, “OK boys, here is what we are going to
do.” The other side was groaning before we left the huddle. You see, we not
only had a new plan, we had a new leader.
He brought new life to our team. God does precisely the
same. We didn’t need a new play; we needed a new plan. We didn’t need to trade
positions; we needed a new player. That player is Jesus Christ, God’s firstborn
Son. The Glory of
Christmas, p. 44
Jesus came and joined the huddle of humanity. He came with a plan. He
gave new direction. Jesus is THE baby who changed everything for humanity.
Jesus is the baby who can provide direction for you.
Christians Find Direction For Living
As a result of His birth, life and death Jesus provides us with the
direction which we so desperately desire. We live in a world where the word of
the Lord is becoming increasingly rare. The direction Jesus gives ultimately points
us toward eternal life, enjoyed with Him in heaven. While that is far more than
we deserve, Jesus also gives us direction on how to live here and now.
We can make living for God a complicated formula that no one really
understands and certainly can’t fulfill. We fill it with rules and regulations
that become a legalistic anchor that entangles us and threatens to pull us
under. That shouldn’t be. Jesus lived with one thought directing Him. He wanted
to always please His Father. Let me state God’s message of direction as simply
and clearly as I can.
Live Every Day In Every Way To
Please Jesus
Listen to how clearly this comes though in the New Testament.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name
of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You
live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 1 Thessalonians
4:1 NLT
Children,
obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20 NIV
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should
learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own
family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to
God. 1
Timothy 5:4 NIV
If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God,
and others will approve of you, too. Romans 14:18 NIV
Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we
will have the courage to come near him. He will give us whatever we ask,
because we obey him and do what pleases him. God wants us to have faith in his
Son Jesus Christ and to love each other. This is also what Jesus taught us to
do. 1
John 3:21-23 CEV
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of
the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God… Colossians 1:10 NIV
Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:10 NCV
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home
in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV
Do you need direction for living life? Make it
your goal to please God.
Do you need help in being happy? Make it
your goal to please God.
Do you often wonder about how to decide what to do?
Make
it your goal to please God.
I can’t think of any place where you could go wrong making the goal to
please God the direction for your life. Choosing
to please the baby who changes everything holds the potential to change
everything in your life.
Are you looking for a present to give to Jesus this
Christmas? Here’s a great gift suggestion! Make it your goal to please Him.
Conclusion:
A Gift For Future Generations
Choosing to give Jesus the gift of pleasing Him is a gift for which
your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will thank you. I close
with a few more creative words from Max Lucado.
Spiritual life comes from the Spirit! Your parents may
have given you genes, but God gives you grace. Your parents may be responsible
for your body, but God has taken charge of your soul. You may get your looks
from mother, but you get eternity from your Father, your Heavenly Father…
God has not left you adrift on a sea of heredity… You
cannot control the way your forefathers responded to God. But you can control
the way you respond to Him. The past does not have to be your prison. You have
a voice in your destiny. You have a say in your life. You have a choice in the
path you take.
Choose well and someday—generations from now—your
grandchildren and great-grandchildren will thank God for the seeds you sowed.
Make it
your goal to please the Lord. That’s sound direction for living life
from THE baby who changes everything.
Benediction: May the God of peace, who through the blood of
the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and
may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
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