By Dr. Keith J. Wise
Digging Deeper: (Backgrounds of Christmas)
The God of the Bible is a God of History. The nation of Israel was a nation, early on, that was bound up in the empires of the world and the promised coming of a Messiah. Galatians 4:4 tells us that "in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." It is then not ironic that Jesus was born during the times of the Roman Empire. In his providence he had prepared the world religiously, linguistically and politically. Specifically we are told in Luke 2 that the impetus to drive Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem was a decree by Caesar Augustus, the first Emperor of the growing and expanding Roman Empire. But who was this man? Do we specifically know anything about him? Is this his name, or does he go by another?
The answers to these questions are found in the Bible and in secular history.
He was born in Rome on September 23, 63 B.C. His native name was Gaius Octavius, after his father. His father had brought honor to the name by being the first senator of the family. He died unfortunately before his son(Gaius) was five years of age. The following year, his mother married L. Marcius Philippus who, while his stepfather in name, proved to be a worthy father to Octavius.
His mother, Atia, was the daughter of Julia, sister of Julius Caesar. When Caesar was murdered in the Senate House, on the Ides of March, 44 B.C., Octavius learned that he had been designated his heir. This was secured in in 45 B.C. but was kept secret. He was eighteen years old at the time. He was studying at Apollonia in Illyria, where he had been sent by the illustrious uncle. There, Caesar had a army in preparation to invade to the east and deal with the threat of the Parthians. When Octavius heard of his uncle's death, he immediately added the name of "Julius Caesar" to his own.
Even though he was warned by his mother and others of the pitfalls of politics, his courage won out as he pursued the path through the gauntlet of Caesar's "Legal Will." To the amazement of seasoned politicians and the despair of his rivals, he soon displayed himself as a leader to prominent leaders of the Senate, and a darling of the people. Within months he was on his way to becoming the master of Rome.
In November, 43 B.C., Octavius, Anthony and Lepidus were formally appointed to supervise the reorganization of the republic. This group was known as "The Second Triumvirate." Lepidus was soon seen to be the weakest member of the trio and easily squeezed out of real power. Thus began the competition for supremacy between Anthony and Octavius.
In reality at this point in their relationship they were pretty much evenly matched. To prove this, there was effected a form of reconciliation, by Anthony marrying Octavius' sister, Octavia. The two power brokers now divided the Commonwealth between each other. Octavius stayed in the west to consolidate his power base from Rome, while Anthony moved east as he succumbed to the charms of Cleopatra.
When news reached Octavius that Anthony was going to divorce his sister, in order to marry Cleopatra, all agreements of peace were off. He moved east with a large force and navy under the brilliant leadership of Agrippa, one of the greatest tactician in Roman history. Octavius and his forces defeated those of Anthony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium, on September 2, 31 B.C. With the pressing of the campaign Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide in different places. With her death ended the dynasty of the Ptolemies in Egypt. Eventually, after a great triumph in Rome, Octavius was determined not to appear too autocratic like his adopted father Julius Caesar. On January 11, 29 B.C., the doors of the Temple of Janus, the god of war, were closed for the first time in two hundred years. On January 16, 27 B.C., the Senate named him Augustus. His full official name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius Augusts. The Greek form is Sebastos. The word means "reverend" or "venerable."
Octavian (Augustus) was a remarkable man, who though not necessarily a politician, had great political and powerful instincts that allowed him to make the republic a true empire. He was a man of letters and education, and gave Rome its first public library. He was the patron of Virgil, Ovid, Livy, and Horace. He gave his name to a significant age of literature.
As we look back, we see the Emperor on the high throne of world power. In the same glance we see in far off Nazareth, two humble townsfolk, who Augustus' word had commanded to travel to Bethlehem of Judea to be listed in the census of his powerful state. Unbeknownst to him, his word would be subject one day to the "Word that was to become flesh..." during his reign.
When August died on August 19, A.D. 14, at Nola, a few miles from Rome, in the same room in which father had died before him, and on the anniversary of his entrance upon his first consulship fifty-seven years before, he did not know or realized that in Galilee there was a carpenter's apprentice. Now in his teens, one day this person's followers would spread out to the the ends of the earth, and proclaim His infinite glory for centuries after the Empire of the Caesars and of Rome had crumbled into dust.
THOUGHT AND QUOTES:
If you would like to leave footprints on the sand of time, you had better wear work shoes.
Some minds are like concrete-- all mixed up and permanently set.
Flattery is like perfume-- you're supposed to smell it, not swallow it.
Every day we are sowing seed, and the harvest is ahead. It is not wise to spare the seed if you would reap a good crop.
The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention.
A man's ability is usually rated by what he finishes, and not by what he starts.
In the Christmas drama (Matt.2:12), we see the Wise Men as they departed "another way." When we come to Christ and seek the riches of His glory, we will go "another way" than the world goes. In microcosm we did this in repentance in our conversion, and do it now sometimes daily and especially around the Lord's Table. We see Biblical examples of this to teach us. Blind Bartimaus was not the same after he met Jesus. Also, the Gadarene demoniac found himself in his "right mind" after meeting Jesus.
II. A GIFT OF SERVICE...
The shepherds "came with haste" (Luke 2:16)... They found Jesus and they wasted no time in doing so after the instruction of the Angel. We need to come with haste like Zacchaeus. He will motivate us to action as Isaiah said... "...here am I, send me." Saul of the New Testament said in Acts 9:6"...Lord, what will you have me to do?..."
III. THE GIFT OF WORSHIP...
In Matthew 2:11 the "Wise Men" "...fell down and worshiped Him..." This expresses our need to humble ourselves before God and worship the King. His birth demands a response from us... we see this in the whole Christmas drama in faith, courage, and obedience.
A. That as the Innkeeper, you will find a place for the Christ child.
B. That as the Wise Men, you will be wise enough to follow His star.
C. That as the shepherds, you will be open to the miracles god sends your way.
D. That like Mary, you will surrender to the will of God.
E. That like Joseph, you will live righteously, compassionately, and faithfully.
IV. THE APPROPRIATE GIFTS...
The "Wise Men" brought three types of gifts in Matthew 2:11.
A. Gold: This is a tribute to a King and shows forth His deity. Quote: "Before we are friends of Christ we must submit to Christ. (Illust: Lord Nelson in receiving the sword of surrender said "... your sword then your hand...")
B. Frankincense: This gift would be symbolic of purity of life. It was a sweet smelling savor and the gift of or to a priest. In Latin the word priest is "pontifex" which means "bridge builder." Jesus Christ is our bridge builder to God through his death, burial, and resurrection.
C. Myrrh: This is a bitter gift, used for the purpose of embalming. Jesus came into the world to die, and this tacit gift would lend itself to preparation for His body after the crucifixion. However, after His resurrection it would have been rendered meaningless. The powers of this world are powerless before this risen, reigning King.
D. What would our gift to Christ be?
1. We are to be living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2)
2. Paul tells us that "...I die daily..." (I Corinthians 15:31)
CONCLUSION: The greatest gift we bring is ourselves to the King. As we do, this gift increases in value as it identifies with the living Lord of Life. As we die to self and live to God, then our influence increases and blesses others. The reward is coming... Jesus said "...my reward is with me."(Revelation 22:12)
NUGGETS FOR NOURISHMENT: (Sermon Outline for Christmas)
Title: FOUR PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS- by Dr. Keith J. Wise
Text: Luke 2:20 and Matthew 2:12
Introduction:
The story of Christmas is about God giving us His "unspeakable gift."
This gift is so great that it has many aspects and dimensions. Here
are just a few of the many components of God's gracious nature to us.
I. A GIFT OF A RENEWED LIFE...
In Christ, we are a "new" Creature...(II Cor. 5:17). For us, all things are new...look and live.In the Christmas drama (Matt.2:12), we see the Wise Men as they departed "another way." When we come to Christ and seek the riches of His glory, we will go "another way" than the world goes. In microcosm we did this in repentance in our conversion, and do it now sometimes daily and especially around the Lord's Table. We see Biblical examples of this to teach us. Blind Bartimaus was not the same after he met Jesus. Also, the Gadarene demoniac found himself in his "right mind" after meeting Jesus.
II. A GIFT OF SERVICE...
The shepherds "came with haste" (Luke 2:16)... They found Jesus and they wasted no time in doing so after the instruction of the Angel. We need to come with haste like Zacchaeus. He will motivate us to action as Isaiah said... "...here am I, send me." Saul of the New Testament said in Acts 9:6"...Lord, what will you have me to do?..."
III. THE GIFT OF WORSHIP...
In Matthew 2:11 the "Wise Men" "...fell down and worshiped Him..." This expresses our need to humble ourselves before God and worship the King. His birth demands a response from us... we see this in the whole Christmas drama in faith, courage, and obedience.
A. That as the Innkeeper, you will find a place for the Christ child.
B. That as the Wise Men, you will be wise enough to follow His star.
C. That as the shepherds, you will be open to the miracles god sends your way.
D. That like Mary, you will surrender to the will of God.
E. That like Joseph, you will live righteously, compassionately, and faithfully.
IV. THE APPROPRIATE GIFTS...
The "Wise Men" brought three types of gifts in Matthew 2:11.
A. Gold: This is a tribute to a King and shows forth His deity. Quote: "Before we are friends of Christ we must submit to Christ. (Illust: Lord Nelson in receiving the sword of surrender said "... your sword then your hand...")
B. Frankincense: This gift would be symbolic of purity of life. It was a sweet smelling savor and the gift of or to a priest. In Latin the word priest is "pontifex" which means "bridge builder." Jesus Christ is our bridge builder to God through his death, burial, and resurrection.
C. Myrrh: This is a bitter gift, used for the purpose of embalming. Jesus came into the world to die, and this tacit gift would lend itself to preparation for His body after the crucifixion. However, after His resurrection it would have been rendered meaningless. The powers of this world are powerless before this risen, reigning King.
D. What would our gift to Christ be?
1. We are to be living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2)
2. Paul tells us that "...I die daily..." (I Corinthians 15:31)
CONCLUSION: The greatest gift we bring is ourselves to the King. As we do, this gift increases in value as it identifies with the living Lord of Life. As we die to self and live to God, then our influence increases and blesses others. The reward is coming... Jesus said "...my reward is with me."(Revelation 22:12)
