Where Was Jesus (before His birth in Bethlehem

Where Was Jesus (before He was born in Bethlehem)

John 1:1-18; 8:58; 17:5

We continue our series considering who Jesus is. We will look at Him Biblically and historically. We will consider His natures, His words, His work on earth, where He is now, and today - where He was before He was born in Bethlehem. We will center our search in the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, after the other three gospels (“the synoptics”) with the expressed purpose of facilitating faith in Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, and eternal life-giver (John 20:31).

THE PROLOGUE AND THE CLAIM TO JESUS’ ETERNALITY

Ø The Word existed before He showed up on earth (actually before there was an earth) John 1:1a

Ø God the Son existed (before the face of) with God the Father – John 1:1b

Ø God the Son is completely God – John 1:1c - and equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit and there is only one God in three personal “subsistences”, coequal, coeternal, each having the full divine essence of God, the specific existence that belongs to God alone.

o Not Modalism – God appearing in three different roles (also called Sabellianism after Sabellius, an early proponent, and called patripassianism due to the view of God the Father being the One crucified).

construction 1) avoids modalism (i.e., the Word is not said to be completely co-extensive with theos) and 2) teaches that the Word has the same nature as God (a point that Paul will reiterate in Philippians).

Modalistic Monarchianism, also known as Modalism, is the view that God variously manifested Himself as the Father (primarily in the Old Testament), other times as the Son (primarily from Jesus’ conception to His ascension), and other times as the Holy Spirit (primarily after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven). God is not three Persons. Rather, Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism teaches the God has simply revealed Himself in three different modes. Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism is also known as Sabellianism, named after Sabellius, and influential early proponent of the view. Yet another aspect of Modalistic Monarchianism / Modalism / Sabellianism is Patripassianism, which is the view that it was God the Father who became incarnate, suffered, died, and was resurrected. Patripassianism essentially teaches that God the Father became His own Son.

o Not Dynamic Monarchianism – the idea that Jesus was not really God, rather He was “inhabited” by God.

Dynamic Monarchianism is the view that Jesus was not in His nature God. It is the view that God existed in Jesus, just as God exists in all of us – but that God existed in Jesus in a particularly powerful way. Jesus was God because God inhabited Him.

o Not Tri-theism – the idea that there are three gods who only seem to be one.

(more under the topic of Jesus’ Diety)

OTHER PLACES IN SCRIPTURE TELL OF

JESUS’ PRE-EXISTENCE

Ø The Prophets: Micah 5:2; ² But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isaiah 9:6-7; ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Zechariah 2:10-11 ¹⁰ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
¹¹ And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Ø Jesus Himself: (Jehovah Witnesses, among others, say that Jesus never claimed to be God) Consider:

o He said He came down from Heaven: John6:38, 41

o He said He was more than just a good man

Mark 10:17-18

o He said He is the Son of Man (80 times among all four gospels) re.Daniel 7:13-14 ¹³ I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
¹⁴ And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

o He said He is God –Mark 14:61-64; John10:30-33 contrary to C.T. Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, Baha’I, Creflo Dollar, Dan Brown (DaVinci Code)…

o He did miracles - multiple scriptures

o He was sinless - John8:46

o He forgave sin – Luke 7:48; 5:20-21

o He said He pre-existed – John8:56-58; John17:4-5; Revelation 22:13

Ø The Apostles: 1John2:14; 1Corinthians 10:1-4;

2Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:16-17

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF JESUS

Ø He is Deity and was while He became man in the incarnation (His birth to Mary) He has never stopped being God [contradicting the heresies of Ebionites, Dynamic Monarchianists, Nestorians, Unitarians, Arians, Mormons, Apollinarians…]

o He was also man at the same time – John 1:14 Hypostatic Union – Council of Chalcedon 451AD

Trinity Hypostatic = Hypo-under static-standing =

The humanity and the deity of Jesus were on equal, solid, standing. And the humanity and deity of Jesus were perfectly united so that He was both God and human in nature.

o The significance of His being human is so He could be our example, proof of God’s extravagant love for us, our high priest … greatest of all – our atoning substitute on the cross

o His Deity makes Him worthy of our love and adoration John20:28

Ø He is Life John1:4

o Creator / Sustainer Colossians 1:16-17

o He is our hope of resurrection John 5:21,11:25

Ø He is Light John 1:4; 8:12

o In the world of darkness Ephesians 4:17-19

o Calling us to be children of light John 12:36

Since Jesus is / has always been God, you can trust His offer of life and light AND

He cannot be destroyed John 1:5 AND

He cannot be ignored John 3:19-20; Romans 8:7; 5:10;

Colossians 1:21

Benediction Rev.1:4-6

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
⁵ And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

His Name is Jesus - His Birth and His Mother

His Name is Jesus Philippians 2:5-11

Today we begin a new series to consider who Jesus is. We will look at Him Biblically and historically. We will consider His natures, His words, His work on earth, where He was before He was born in Bethlehem, and where He is now. Today is Mothers’ Day, so we will look at the woman who was highly favored in that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Emmanuel - God with us (Matthew 1:23),

But first we want to look at Jesus. Jesus was born of a woman, a virgin. He had a mother like you did. He fulfilled all righteousness so we know that he honored his mother, Mary, and his earthly father, Joseph. He even went to the extreme of seeing to Mary’s care after His death, speaking from the cross to John, His beloved disciple.

WHAT THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Ø Mary, His mother was a virgin when Jesus was born.

o The prophesy – Isaiah 7:14 “virgin” alma ( vs bethulah) see Genesis 24:16 re. Rebekah (bethulah) – note extra clarification. The writers of the New Testament understood alma to be a woman who had never “known a man physically.”

o The announcement by the Messenger of God (angel) Luke 1:26-38 ²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,; Matthew 1:18-25 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. V.20

o The importance – Is the Word of God trustworthy?

Ø Jesus’ Birth was miraculous. Luke 1:37 “with God, nothing is impossible”; Matthew 1:20 (above)

Ø That being the God-man allowed Him to be our:

o Perfect example 1Peter 2:21-23 ²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

o Perfect high priest Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-17

o Perfect sacrifice for sin Mark 10:45 …came to give his life a ransom for many; Roman 4:25 ²⁵ Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

WHAT GOD’S WORD DOES NOT TEACH ABOUT JESUS’ BIRTH

Ø That His delivery was by some odd method … other than natural childbirth

Ø The Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life… “ever virgin” – Second Council of Constantinople –533 semper virgo According to Mark Driskoll if Mary was simper virgin then Joseph would have been simper bummo. (Vintage Jesus)

§ God’s design for marriage Gen.2:24; 1Corinthians 7:4-5 (KJV defraud); Exodus 21:10 (marital duty KJV) (food, clothes, or sex GW)

§ “Until after Jesus was born” Matthew 1:25

§ other kids Mat.12:46-50; 13:55-57; Mark 3:31-35; 6:3-4;

Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19

Ø The belief in His virgin birth is equal to believing in His deity - JW, Muslim

Ø That our sin nature is passed on only through the male line… \women are less depraved … sin offering – Lev.12:6-7

Ø That Mary and God the Father had physical sexual contact… Mormon

Ø That Mary, because she was chosen as Jesus’ mother was/is:

Mother of the Church

Immaculately conceived (did not need a savior)

Assumed body and soul into heaven

Co-redemptrix & mediatrix

Queen of Heaven/Mother of God

WHAT KIND OF MOTHER WAS MARY? A BONDSERVANT Luke 1:38

Ø Trusting the Promises of her Lord

o Genesis 3:15; 22:17-18; 2Samuel 7:12,13,16 (and every book of the Bible)

o His promise to Mary Luke 1:31-37

Ø Trusting in the Places He Leads (Theos = God – root –theo = to put in place) God is the Placer Acts 17:26 hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

o 3 months in Jerusalem w/ Elizabeth, then home

o to Bethlehem for census/birth Micah 5:2

o 40^th day to the temple – Simeon Luke 2:34-35

o to Egypt – Matthew 2:1-11, 13-15, then Nazareth 19-23 Bondservant must be flexible … trusting the path God chooses.

Ø Trusting the Purposes of her Lord

o At Passover when Jesus is twelve – Luke 2:41-46,48,50 Their perception did not match their observation.

o Jesus’ submission V.51 --- Mary’s treasure

o The wedding John 2:1-5 “Whatever He says to you, do.”

o A busy day in Capernaum – Mark 3:19-21 She too must learn to submit.

Ø Trusting the Power of her Lord

o At home in Nazareth – Mark 6:1-6 …and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.⁴ But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. No indication that Mary was different.

o At the foot of the cross – John 19:26-27

o Waiting for the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8,12-14

This mother had to learn to trust the Lord:

His purposes though not easy to discern;

His will, done His way, by His power;

His leading from place to place;

His power to change the hearts of her sons (Acts 1:13-14);

His purpose and power in going to the cross to pay for her sin as well as the sin of all who would come to Him in faith…

That is what bondservants do. Mary is not our object of faith but rather

an example of faith in Jesus

The impossible happens when you surrender to Jesus.

The Word of God in History

The Word of God as History; The Word of God in History; The Word of God and History May 4, 2008

Romans 15:4; 1Corinthians 10:1-12;

1Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2

We have seen that the Word of God has been spoken and preached since the beginning creation. God was the first to write His Word. He wrote His Commands on tablets of stone for Moses to deliver to the people who were to bear his name (character) and the message of hope that was promised in the Messiah who would take away the sin of man (his rebellion against God), and its penalty (death and separation from God).

We saw that God’s Word was inspired specifically to communicate who Jesus is, the way to follow Him as personal Savior, and the way that the church of Jesus Christ is to carry out the work and works that He began to do. All that speaks of the authority of God’s Word. Today I want us to consider the reliability of God’s Word, the resilience of God’s Word, and the result of God’s Word in history. Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19 God made it clear that we are to believe the Bible and respect the Bible, but there has been many a battle over the Bible, and those continue today. It is denied. It is dissected. It is distorted, And, it is disregarded. But there are still some who believe it, who know that it is the God-breathed, inerrant, infallible, authentic Word of God that is trustworthy for daily inspiration, for salvation (1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever) and for sanctification (John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy Word is truth).

THE RELIABILITY OF THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD

Ø Science – mainly written to teach us about a relationship with God, but the God of salvation is also the God of creation.

To judge, need to know Bible and science.

o French academy of science pamphlet 1861 – 51 undeniable truths that prove the Bible in error. Today none of those irrefutable contradiction to science are still seen as contradictions.

o Earth suspended in space – Job 26:7

o "God sits upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22). The word translated here as "circle" was more commonly translated "sphere."

o Ptolemy counted 1026 stars versus Jeremiah 33:22

o Black plague – Leviticus 13:46 The Old Testament command to quarantine people with a plague was put into action to stem the tide of the plaque.

Ø History - not primarily a history book, but records history

Secular historians contested the account of the Bible saying there were inaccuracies. However, archeology has proven the Bible Word of God true rather than men.

o Historians said that Moses could not have written the Pentateuch because there was not written language at the time it was supposed to have been written – then archeologists discovered the Tel Elarmona tablets.

o Historians said there was no evidence of a king named Belshazzar who is told of in the book of Daniel – then archeologists discovered an ancient inscription the described Belshazzar as co-regent with King Nabinitus.

RESILIANCE (DURABILITY) OF THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD

Ø 1,400 BC – Ten Commandments

Ø 500 BC – all Hebrew manuscripts of 39 books of Old Testament

Ø 200 BC – Septuagint, Greek Old Testaments, 39 books + 14 apocryphal books complete

Ø 100 AD- Greek manuscripts of 27 books of New Testament complete

Ø 382 AD – Jerome’s Latin Vulgate

Ø 500 AD – Scripture in over 500 languages

Ø 600 AD – Scripture only allowed in Latin The Roman Catholic church sought to destroy any copies or copiers of scripture in the languages of common people.

Ø 1384 Wycliffe – whole in English Bible from Vulgate (40 years after death, bones crushed, burned, and thrown in river).

Ø 1415 John Hus – burned using Wycliffe’s manuscripts for kindling

Ø 1450 – Gutenberg printing press – first book – Latin Bible

Ø 1496 – John Colet – began to read English NT (translated from Greek) in St Paul’s Cathedral in London to 20,000 hearers

Ø 1516 – Erasmus – published Greek-Latin parallel; versus Vulgate

Ø 1522 – Martin Luther – German New Testament (from Erasmus)

Ø 1526 – Tyndale – English New Testament – printed – strangled and burned at stake 1536 by Henry VIII

Ø 1539 – Great Bible at bequest of Henry VIII

Ø 1560 – The Geneva Bible – Bible of the reformers and Puritans

Ø 1589 – Rheims NT and Douay OT by Roman Church from Vulgate

Ø 1611 (1769) – King James English Bible

This was a very saddening study as I found out many of those who sought the freedom of common man to have access to God’s Word -- those who were severely persecuted -- once they had the scripture in the language of common man, became persecutor of any who disagreed with their doctrines (which were often unbiblical, such as infant baptism, transubstanciation, and the “ever virgin” status of Mary).

RESULT OF GOD WORD IN HISTORY

Ø A people with a promise - Jews

Ø A Savior on whom time pivots - Jesus

Ø Nations conquered and ruled according to their trust in God’s Word.

Ø A “New World” with freedom to read and believe

Ø A Nation founded on free access to God’s Word

Ø Missions and Benevolence around the world

66 Books, 40 Authors, 1600 years, 13 countries, with a unique unity.

Men have preached its funeral. But the corpse has outlived its pallbearers. The Bible has survived. Despite all the attempts to bury the Bible, it has continued to endure.

Finally, the Bible is not a book of the month, but the Book of the ages. (Adrian Rogers)

1 Peter 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

The Word of God Preached in the Church Acts 5:27-32

(Once again I lean heavily on the teaching of Mark Driskoll at the Resurgence conference of Feb. 08)

Last week, we made the case for the Gospel – the Word of God which reveals God’s plan for enemies of God to be reconciled to the Holy God of all creation – was to be preached.

In Acts chapter 2, God the Holy Spirit came to those who were waiting in obedience to Jesus’ command to stay in Jerusalem and wait for power from “on high” before they preached. Those who obeyed Jesus received more from God and more of God, that more being the Holy Ghost. They received freedom to preach the testimony of the magnificence of God [Philips translation]… and the church was born.

In Acts 2 the church is described: “They continued steadfastly = in readiness – they met by common consent in the Temple and in homes – Acts 2:42,46

They shared their possessions according to need, their meals, their joy.

They praised God – Acts 2:42,44,47

Therefore they were respected – Acts2:43

THE CHURCH CHARACTERIZED BY PREACHING

Ø Everyone preached. Acts 2:4 proclaimed the message laleo (everyday speech) V.11 the wonderful works of God laleo

Ø Peter preached. V.14 apophthengomai = to speak high things where they can be plainly/understandably… AND 3,000 people accepted the good news and were baptized as a testimony.V.41

ACTS 3 – PETER PREACHES ON THE PORCH OF THE TEMPLE Peter and John went to pray but they wound up preaching, since a crowd had gathered. The message; 3:19 “Repent!” and about 5,000 came to Jesus as savior.

ACTS 4 – PETER PREACHES TO THE RELIGIOUS COURT since they were taken into custody by the court. The message of the sermon to the religious leaders:

Ø 1)Salvation is only in Jesus V.12

Ø 2)Those of us who know about Jesus, cannot but speak V.20

Upon their release, the prayer of the church is for boldness to keep preaching. V.29

ACTS 5 – APOSTLES arrested and FREED FROM PRISON by an angel and they – PREACHED V.20

Ø Arrested twice V.18,and V.27, beaten V.40 and did not cease preaching V.42

ACTS 6 - CHURCH ADMINISTRATION became OVERWHELMING BUT

APOSTLES WILL NOT CEASE PREACHING V.2

Ø The conviction to preach comes from God (V.7 “the word of God continued to grow”). Whereas guilt that draws away from taking care of the first order of business (preaching v.2 and praying v.4) comes from people. V.1 There were people who were worried about distribution of goods. But the apostles decided their best investment of time was in prayer and ministry of the word. Other men could take care of administration.

ACTS 7 – Stephen Preaches - the whole counsel of God beginning in Genesis and continuing through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the Holy Spirits’ ministry of conviction.

ACTS 8 – Paul Persecutes and Preachers are Scattered … Phillip Preaches… Peter and John Preach in Samaria VV.14-25 -

ACTS 9 – JESUS PREACHES TO SAUL VV.4-6 Saul is born again and

…PAUL STARTS PREACHING V.20 … BOLDLY V.28

ACTS 10 – Peter @Cornelius’ …

ACTS 11 – Antioch; Jews and non-Jews are preached to.

ACTS 13 – team preaching – Paul and Barnabas sent as missionaries

ACTS 13- END OF ACTS Paul and Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila continue spreading the gospel, preaching, and training preachers.

A part of preaching is warning the church of danger from within as well as from without.

ACTS 20:17-ff - Paul warns the preachers in Ephesus:

ONE JOB OF PREACHING in the church – Acts 20:28 WARN OF WOLVES

Ø 1)Rising from their own number … within the churches

Ø 2)Wolves can do much damage among naive flock

Ø 3)Therefore warning about teachers and teachings V.30

ACTS 28:30-31 Paul keeps on PREACHING – the last we hear of Paul

Preachers raise up preachers. One of Paul’s trainees was Timothy.

PAUL’s command TO TIMOTHY, the preacher, - 1^ST AND 2^ND TIMOTHY

Timothy is to:

Ø Preach and make preachers 2Timothy 2

Ø Honor preacher/teachers who do well and who preach at God’s command 1Timothy 5

o honored and respected in churches.

PREACHING IS CENTERED IN THE CHURCH … either meeting with the church or supported by the church. There was accountability for what was preached. ie.Acts18:24 Apollos

If someone is going to teach about Jesus, they need to know and love Jesus. If someone has no use for Jesus’ bride, they don’t love Jesus. A teacher who does not participate in a church is not teaching Jesus.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A CHURCH?

Ø Align with Bible description

Jesus is recorded having used the word “church” (ekklesia) only twice.

o 1)Church Universal Matthew 16:18-19

o 2)Church Local Matthew 18:17, 1Corinthians 5:4-5, 6:1-6

The church, made up of born again followers of Jesus Christ make up the visible church

and the invisible church

o Church Visible - How God sees and knows the church. God knows who are really His.

o Church Invisible – How we see the church. We cannot know all who love Jesus.

A Christian church is made up of:

Ø 1)God’s people Gathered - Ekklesia = The word came to mean church.

o Meetings and services matter. [Do two guys drinking beer talking about religion equal a church? Or some guys out fishing or on a golf course? Some people quote Matt.18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This is in reference to church discipline, not defining a church]

o John Calvin said to be a church: Gospel preached, sacraments (Lord’s Supper and Baptism) faithfully administered

To maintain proper teaching/preaching and faithful service there must be:

Ø 2)God’s people Governed – Shepherds (1Peter5) –called out by God for the care, protection, discipline, guidance of the church under the Chief Shepherd.

o There must be a head of the church – Jesus – Ephesians 5:23; Col. 1:18; Isaiah 6:1,ff

o Must be qualified leaders – Male elders – Female leaders in appropriate places (deacons) Romans 16 Phebe deaconess – Amplified, Philips, Wuest

o Bible rightly preached (Word heard)

o Ordinances rightly observed – baptism in response to new birth, communion in response to repentance (Word seen)

o Church discipline rightly enacted (Word enacted) \no homosexuals, no Buddhists, no pagans in leadership

o Call to repentance by authority from the Head Matt.28:18

Would you want all leaders to follow the example of your leaders? Preaching will be impotent w/o the rest of what constitutes a real church.

Ø 3)God’s people Going. Gospel must be proclaimed with Authority, Clarity, Passion, and Power as we go. Matthew 28:19-20 So that Jesus will be glorified in the church. Eph. 3:21

¿Is an online church a church? Is an event a church? Are two guys in a bar or a bass boat a church? Is there: Preaching? Ordinances? Discipline? Assembling?

Another reason the church needs to gather together - to fortify one another.

Hebrews 10:19-25

Do not waste what is left of the time God has given you on earth to glorify Him! The chief end of man is to glorify God.

Join the bride of Jesus, the church, as they gather, govern, grow, and go out to preach the good news that the enemy of God can become a son of God through trusting Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for your rebellion.

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