FOCUSED SCRIPTURE: 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. ISAIAH 9:6
OBJECTIVES:
To believe more deeply that the gift is still available to all who believe.
To feel more passionately about receiving the gift.
To do more readily; share the gift with others.
The promises were based on the Plan
God makes his mysteries known through reading and studying his Word. The more we study, the greater the revelatory reward. The revelation in God’s Word allows us to peel back the layers and see deeper. It’s a thing of beauty. God used normal, imperfect men to connect the dots with these 66 books. Our Heavenly Father was intentional about announcing the coming of his son. Throughout scripture he sounds the alarm and uses prophets to prophesy the coming of the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. God’s Word was consistent with declaring the promise of the Son of God. God only makes promises that align with his plan. He is the author and finisher, therefore he knew the plan from the beginning. God’s WILL, will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15 is referred to as the PROTOEVANGELION. This is the first written prophetic evidence recognizing the coming of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 3:15 – Summary
• Genesis 3:15 declares God’s judgment on Satan for his part in the fall of Adam by deceiving Eve
• It declares there will be ongoing spiritual warfare between the children of the devil and the Godly seed of the woman
• The Genesis 3:15 prophecy promised that one special man from the woman’s seed would destroy the works of the devil, although He would be wounded in the process (Romans 16:20).
• This declares the first prophecy of the Son of God coming to earth as a man born of a woman (thereby of Eve’s seed).
• This makes Genesis 3:15 the first promise of God’s incarnation as a man, the first good news!
Mankind sins, and IMMEDIATELY...God has a promise with a plan of redemption! Just that fast, God desired to restore the relationship with mankind! He desires to dwell with us for eternity because he loves us. God never wanted to leave us in an unhealthy Spiritual state! This is good news for someone who didn’t know that God truly desires a relationship with you, no matter what!
We understand that Genesis 3:15 connects with John 3:16. God would give his son as a sacrifice for the world. Jesus was wounded and bruised in the process, but it was necessary for God’s children. When we meditate on the word wounded and bruised, we are immediately pulled to…
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
We usually quote this scripture as we pray and declare healing. Today, we study and remember that as we declare healing, we remember that Jesus was wounded on our behalf. We can stand, declare, and celebrate because he suffered for us. The prophetic words spoken about who Jesus is, and what He must suffer were prepared thousands of years before Joseph’s and Mary’s son was born. God provided consistency to the reader of the Word. It’s clear that the Advocate would suffer for our sins. The Protoevangelium in Genesis 3 comes with a plan that was detailed in Isaiah 53.
Isaiah 53: 7-10
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
It pleased the Lord to bruise him. See the consistency of the prophecy. It was well with God, he knew what must happen for his children. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good of all.
Have you ever had to make sacrifices for your children or others?
God strategically detailed segments of the future suffering to come. Those that have been redeemed have a reason to CELEBRATE God’s promises! God created an effective plan from the beginning. He was and is the plan! He is our Ram in the bush (another revelatory story of the sacrifice to come)! Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
God is not the author of confusion. He got detailed in the prophecy. A virgin shall conceive (Mary). His name shall be Immanuel. Immanuel means “God with Us”. God will dwell with us! We know that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God pulled back the curtains so we could see and understand clearly. We’ve seen through Scripture that God provides specific details/instructions.
Has God ever given you extremely specific details or instructions?
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.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. God used Isaiah to reveal details, this canceled out any confusion. The world wouldn’t get to choose their Messiah. Nope, the Son would be given (John 3:16).
John 10:18
“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” God did it the way he desired. We must mature Spiritually to be at peace with the way God designs our walk, our calling and purpose. People who go against God’s design end
up lost and confused. Many Jews were confused because they were expecting the “Anointed One” to appear differently. He didn’t carry himself the way they imagined.
1. Triumphal Entry (Zechariah 9:9): This prophecy describes a humble king coming to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. It is famously quoted in the New Testament during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as recorded in John 12:15. The verse states: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey." This event is celebrated on Palm Sunday and signifies Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills this prophecy. A promise is a promise!
2. Betrayal for Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:12-13): This passage details the payment of thirty pieces of silver for the betrayal of the shepherd, which is interpreted as a foreshadowing of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. The New Testament references this event in Matthew 27:9-10, linking it directly to the prophecy. The act of throwing the silver into the potter's field further emphasizes the fulfillment of this prophecy in the context of Jesus' life and ministry.
3. The Shepherd and the Flock (Zechariah 13:7): This verse describes the shepherd being struck and the sheep being scattered, which is interpreted as a reference to the events surrounding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. This prophecy highlights the suffering of the Messiah and the subsequent scattering of His followers. A promise is a promise.
In Luke 1:26-31 we see the fulfilment of the plan and prophecy from the Old Testament. God sends a specific angel to an exact location, in a certain month in the year. The angel sent a message to a specific person at an exact location. The angel would reveal that the supernatural would occur in her. Nothing was going to stop God’s plan, which is why he can confidently make so many promises. God stands on his promises, and his Word won’t return void. God’s promises always yield results because he has a plan. Be confident of this very thing, he that has begun a good work, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). In the next lesson, we will discuss The Plan.
FOCUSED SCRIPTURE: 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. ISAIAH 9:6
OBJECTIVES:
To believe more deeply that the gift is still available to all who believe.
To feel more passionately about receiving the gift.
To do more readily; share the gift with others.
There is a popular saying that suggests, “Promises are made to be broken”. We often hear this when speaking with our children or family members. We are urged not to overextend ourselves by promising what we will do. Instead, we are taught to add the tagline, “if God be willing. ” Instead of that tagline sealing the promise, it becomes the premise to excuse ourselves if we don’t do as we said. Aren’t you glad the promises of God are not like man’s? God’s promises are yea and amen! We can count on God ALWAYS coming through on what he promises. Here’s the good news: His promises come with a secure PLAN!
In Christ’s promise of arrival through the prophecies in our last lesson, we are given the “what” but not all of the “how”. Even then, God had the perfect plan to bring our savior into this world. His promise to come was not haphazardly tossed around by the prophet Isaiah. It was not carelessly spoken of by Gabriel to Mary. Each segment of the promises was fulfilled by God’s divine plan.
The Plan Announced - Gabriel & Mary’s encounter
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this
be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)
The reveal of the plan to bring Christ into the world begins with this visitation in Luke 1:26-35, by Gabriel to Mary. Scripture gives us insight to her confusion on the greeting and furthermore on how this plan would progress. We must always keep in mind our reading of these verses hindsight, with a clear advantage of seeing the entire plan play out. However, Mary is an active participant in a plan that is not fully actualized. This should provide hope for us that God’s plan will come to pass although we only see it in part.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:39-44)
Elizabeth heard, and a reaction took place. Mary was carrying the Messiah, greeting her cousin, which caused Elizabeth's baby to leap in her womb. There was a transaction and transition that took place. A deposit was made into Elizabeth, and she transitioned to prophesying. Elizabeth began to speak a revelatory Word. Through Elizabeth’s verbal response, we see a confident yet humble anticipation of the Messiah. Elizabeth was pregnant, so you must understand that at this point, she knew her child would experience the Messiah firsthand. Elizabeth was carrying the forerunner of Christ; these two women were connected, and so were their children. It was a family affair.
This divine interaction between Mary and Elizabeth was part of the plan. This unique kinship would highlight and confirm the plan that was revealed first by Gabriel. It is reassuring to see Jesus' story unfold in phases. Each piece is much like a puzzle being sorted and placed carefully together to show us the visual of the promise! Your story is also being carefully constructed with a sure plan. God has not made blanket promises without a plan to follow through.
Mary & Joseph’s personal plan
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 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. (Matthew 1:18-20)
Joseph was a major component of God’s plan. He chose a just man who would be found capable of handling this controversial pregnancy. In following his cultural norms, Joseph understood that betrothal was a binding contract. Under ancient Jewish law, this was a legally binding agreement, similar to marriage, that could only be ended by a formal divorce. In his plan to quietly avoid public shame, Joseph’s plan is quickly spoiled when he has his own encounter with an angel that encourages him to stay the course and not be afraid.
It is human nature to plan and strategize. Joseph’s plan is a stark reminder that our plans don’t always reflect the ways of God. We should find solace in the fact that God’s plans, whether we agree or not, will always trump ours. His plan for us is perfect. What is our response when His plan comes with embarrassment? Can we stay the course like Joseph, or will we buckle under societal pressure?
Conclusion
As we maneuver through day-to-day living, our hearts’ desire should be to embrace the perfect will of God. We must be diligent and intentional in our prayers that God’s word continues to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. By placing our desires and plans in God’s hands, we can be certain that our future will beautifully unfold.
FOCUSED SCRIPTURE: 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. ISAIAH 9:6
OBJECTIVES:
To believe more deeply that the gift is still available to all who believe.
To feel more passionately about receiving the gift.
To do more readily; share the gift with others.
Picking out the right Christmas gift for our family and friends can be a little tricky. Getting the right gift or present takes paying attention because we want to pick out what the ones we love need. We want to purchase a gift that will not be put aside or left in the box. We want to give our loved ones a gift that serves a purpose and will be used for a long time. I have news for you: the gift-giving dilemma is over.
God solved the gift-giving dilemma. He sent us a gift that is not a last-minute one. He knew exactly what we needed before we were born, and even before creation, He knew the perfect gift for you and me. He realized each of us needed a healer, a wise king, a peacemaker, a savior, and so much more. We needed a gift that Santa could not bring.
The birth of Christ broke God's silence after 400 years, conveying a message that would change the world. The message was that the joy for all people would come in the form of a baby in a manger. This baby was not just any baby, but the One that Isaiah 7:14 prophesied about, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel." John the Baptist spoke about and proclaimed the coming of the" Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
The angel's proclamation was correct; Mary was pregnant. Caesar Augustus decreed that a census would be taken (Luke 2:1). The way the census ran in those times was that you would have to travel back to your hometown to register. Joseph, a member of David's lineage, was required to go with Mary to Bethlehem. At this time, it was near Mary's due date, and she had to make the journey southwest of Jerusalem.
Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, they could not find a place to lodge. All the hotels were at capacity. They had to settle for a stable where animals slept. After her baby was born, Mary laid him in a manger, a fancy name for a feed trough used for the livestock. Not a desirable beginning for the King of kings.
The gift God has given us is helpful to us for all eternity. The best dad in the universe took the time to provide us with this thoughtful, amazing, and incredible gift. The sad part is that much of the world has not received the gift that God lavished on us. Do you think it is because it did not arrive in a decorated box with shiny wrapping paper and a big bow? Instead, the gift was found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12) God created us in his image, and He came to us like one of us, no government announcement, no prompt or circumstance by the world’s standard. Many of us reject this gift from God, not because it wasn’t the kind of gift we needed, but because we have not taken the time to understand it. Can we agree that there is no problem with God’s gift? The problem is that people are distracted by things of the world that appear to be more appealing.
The purification ritual and the dedication of the firstborn son according to the law of Moses took place 40 days after the birth of Jesus. (Luke 2:22-40) Once they entered the Temple, they were greeted by Simeon, who embraced the baby, and Anna, the New Testament's only prophetess. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, and that spirit told him to go to the Temple that day. He takes Jesus in his arms and praises Him. (Luke 2:28-32)
Anna recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, but she reacts differently. Anna validated the significance of the Messiah and spoke about the child. (Luke 2:38) Anna, unlike Simeon, did not want to die. At 84, she wishes to proselytize. The good news was first announced to Mary, but Anna was the first woman to understand and proclaim it fully. .
Simeon's prophecy to Mary in Luke 2:34-35 is significant for predicting the nature of Jesus's mission and Mary's role in his suffering. The prophecy revealed that Jesus would be a problematic figure and that Mary would endure much grief as his mother.
Simeon and Anna represented the faithful remnant of Israel, looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Their recognition of the infant fulfilled the hope that a Messiah would one day arrive to save and restore God's people.
(LUKE 2:8–14)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
• They worshiped God – They responded with praise and worship, they glorified God.
• They Announced Good News – The angels proclaimed that a Savior had been born. This announcement was for all people.
• They Declared Peace – The angels announced peace on earth, not political peace, but spiritual peace between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.
• They Reflected Joy – Heaven’s Joy took over earth that night. The angel’s song echoed the coming of Jesus, which brought joy to the world, and that salvation is a cause for rejoicing, not fear.
The response of the angels was one of praise, proclamation, and peace. The significance of the birth was that God’s love reached down to redeem humanity.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
• They Believed the Message – The shepherds did not doubt or delay; they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has told us about.”
• They Obeyed Promptly – Their response was urgent and enthusiastic. True faith leads to action, and the shepherds did not hesitate to seek Jesus for themselves.
• They Found Jesus – Just as the angel said, they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Their search led them to a personal encounter with the Savior, a reminder that faith leads us to Christ.
• They Became Witnesses – After seeking Jesus, they spread the word about Him. The shepherds became the first evangelists, telling others the good news of the Messiah’s birth.
• They Glorified and Praised God – The shepherds returned to their fields, worshiping, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Their lives were changed. They went back to their ordinary work, but with extraordinary joy and faith.
The shepherd's response can serve as a blueprint for believers. That blueprint includes the following:
• Faith – they believed the message
• Obedience – they acted immediately
• Witness – they shared what they had seen
• Worship – they glorified God
The shepherd's humble response shows how we should respond when we encounter the good news of Jesus Christ, the Gift that Keeps on Giving.
What have you received from the Gift that Keeps on Giving?
