Class Notes: 12/18/2016

Luke 1-2; Matt 1-2; The chronology of the birth of Jesus Christmas 2016 part 1

Christmas presents us with the opportunity to stop and review the reason we are to be constantly occupied with our Lord Jesus Christ. His unique title " Lord Jesus Christ" identifies Him perfectly.

Lord is translated from the Greek word "Kurios" that means deity or God in both Greek and Latin.

Jesus is transliterated from the Greek word "Iesous" that is itself transliterated from the Hebrew "Joshua" that means savior.

Christ is transliterated from the Greek "Christos" that is translated from the Hebrew word "Messiah" that means "anointed one".

"Lord" refers to His deity, because Jesus Christ is God. "Jesus" is the title for His humanity, meaning Savior. "Christ" is the title of His second royalty as the Son of David, the Messiah.

His title therefore means "God Savior Anointed one."

We have been studying the doctrine of the winner and have noted that Jesus Christ is the archon of winners. This is noted in our passage in Heb 12:2-3; where He is presented as the standard-bearer and pioneer finisher of doctrine for the Church Age.

Even though the Jews did not recognize Him as their Messiah the they refer to the Lord Jesus Christ to this day in the words of the Shema in Deut 6:4; SHAMA JISRAEL, ADONAI ELOHENU, ADONAI ECHAD, translated "Listen Israel, the Lord (Jesus Christ) is our God, the Lord (Jesus Christ) is one (unique)." Net note 7

Jesus was and continues to exceptional in every possible way. He will always be exceptional and unique. Peter noted this in his evangelistic message to the Jews on Pentecost in Acts 4:10-12;

At Christmas we celebrate the advent of the God man savior. This event was planned from eternity past and prophesied from the time of the fall of Adam and Ishah in the Garden of Eden

The decree from eternity past is revealed in Psa 2:7; I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Quoting this passage, Heb 1:1-6; elaborates on God's decree from eternity past.

The first prophesy is given to Adam and Eve after the fall in Gen 3:15; The prophesy is augmented in Isa 9:6-7; and Isa 7:14; NASB The word "Immanuel" is a transliteration from the Hebrew that means " God with us." Net note 29

Additional prophesies reveal that He would be a descendant of David 2Sam 7:12-17; Psalms 89:33-37; who was a descendant of Judah Gen 49:10; and He would be born in David's home town of Bethlehem Micah 5:2;

When the right time came, God had prepared His nation, He had established His lineage and the location of His birth. When everything was ready God sent his Son born of a woman under the Law. Gal 4:4; Net note 7

This brings us to the birth of Jesus that is recorded in the Gospels and celebrated at Christmas. The time reference for Jesus' birth starts with Elizabeth 's pregnancy with John the Baptizer. Luke 1:24-27; Net note 85

We see here that Jesus' family lived in Nazareth but He would be born in Bethlehem that was about 65 air miles away.

Luke 1:28-33; The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she had found "favor with God" that because of this she will become pregnant and bear the Son of God who will sit on His ancestor David's throne and rule Jacob (Israel) forever.

The word translated "favor" is the Greek word "charis" that means grace so in being chosen to be the woman (Gen 3:15;) who would be the mother of Jesus' humanity Mary was the object of God's grace and because of that she was to bear the Son of the Most High (God). Net note 106

Luke 1:34; Mary asks how this can happen since she has never known a man. Net note 111

Luke 1:35; The angel tells her that God the Holy Spirit will be the source of the 23 male chromosomes required for her pregnancy and that for that reason the holy one being born will be called the Son of God.

This is one of the passages that reveals the personality of God the Holy Spirit as well as the reason for the impeccability of Jesus' humanity. Since there was no natural born human male in his genetic code there was no inherited OSN or sin. Rom 5:12-15;

Luke 1:36-37; Gabriel validates his statement by revealing that Her childless aunt Elizabeth had miraculously conceived in her old age because nothing is impossible with God.

Luke 1:38; Mary agrees to be the mother of Jesus' humanity, "according to your Word."

Joseph would almost put her away because of the false accusations against her and she would be the object of intense vilification, slander and maligning and was at risk of being stoned to death because that was the custom in Judea at the time (Lev 20:10;)


In spite of this she was willing for God's will to be done in her life regardless of the adversity it would cause her.

When God calls His people to significant roles in His plan they are always deserted. Mary was no exception and when we are called to play a role in God's plan we should not be surprised when we are maligned, vilified and deserted.

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