Sunday, December 4th, 2005

Martin Bluff Baptist Church

The Case for Christmas: Then and Now

rev·o·lu·tion (rev'0-lū'shun)
n. A sudden or momentous change in a situation

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

THE AUTOMOBILE REVOLUTION

THE ANNO DOMINI REVOLUTION

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [5] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [6] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). Matthew 1:18-23

Anno Domini abbr. A.D. - Latin “Year of our Lord”

Immanuel - God with US.

JESUS A MAN OF MIRACLES!

Jesus Healed a Paralyzed Man.

MARK 2:1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Perhaps the greatest miracle of all is the forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matt 1: 21

Every person is guilty before God - every person has sinned

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

Through the ANNO DOMINI REVOLUTION - Jesus broke into history at a particular point in time.

Today Jesus still breaks into the hearts of men and women and causes a Revolution of the heart.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:10

Jesus Revolutionzes the heart as He overcomes resistance and restores damaged relationships.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20

Jesus Revolutionizes the heart as He gives peace and strength in the midst of life’s storms . . .

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus Revolutionizes the heart as He stamps out anger and fear . . .

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7

Has the Jesus Revolution Begun in Your Heart?