The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

Good News ofGreat Joy

The Hopes & Fears of All the Years

New City Church of CalgaryAdvent 2016

“Cynicism is the compla-cent confidence that suspicion reveals the whole story of human

ideals and idealism. There is nothing but self-

interest, self-righteous-ness, and self-deception.”

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

Good News ofGreat Joy

1 In those days a decree went out from

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

Caesar Augustus that all the world shouldbe registered. 2 This was the first registra-sion when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

The New Testament revolves around a series of events said to

have occurred in Palestine between 5BC and AD30. This

makes Christianity open—some would say vulnerable.… The

logic is simple: if you claim that something spectacular took place in history, intelligent

people are going to ask you historical questions.

On the whole, Christianity has welcomed this. It is as if the Christian faith places its head on the chopping block of public scrutiny and invites

us all to take a swing.

• Son of Julius Caesar• The “son of god”

• King of kings, Lord of lords• The Saviour of the whole world

Caesar Augustus

•The 1st Roman Emperor

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the

clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from

of old, from ancient of days.”~ Micah 5:2

400 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazerath

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his

father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will

be no end.”

~ The Gospel of Luke 1:32-33

Old Testament Prediction New Testament

Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7

Zechariah 9:9 Enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey Luke 19:35-27

Zechariah 11:2 Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

Matthew 26:15

Isaiah 50:6 Beaten & spit upon Matthew 26:67

Psalm 22:16 Hands & feet pierced Luke 23:33

Isaiah 53:12 Killed alongside thieves Matthew 27:38

Psalm 22:18 Garments taken by lots John 19:23-24

Dr. Peter Stoner, Ph.D. Astrophysics - Cornell University

Prof. Emeritus of Science, Westmont College Prof. Emeritus of Mathematics & Astronomy

Pasadena City College

Probability of just 8 prophecies being fulfilled in 1 person is 1 in 1017

100,000,000,000,000,000

661,848 km²695,662 km²

The manuscript for Science Speaks has been carefully reviewed by a committee of the

American Scientific Affliation members and by the Executive Council of the same group

and has been found, in general, to be dependable and accurate in regard to the

scientific material presented.

”~ Harold Harzler

American Scientific Affiliation Cited in Josh McDowell,

Evidence that Demands a Verdict

“

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

and wrapped him in swaddling cloths andlaid him in a manger, because there wasno place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watchover their flock by night. 9 And an angel

…of the Lord appeared to them, and the

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

glory of the Lord shone around them, andthey were filled with great fear. 10 And theangel said to them, “Fear not, for beholdI bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,who is Christ the Lord.

1 Saviour

What child is this?

1 Saviour2 Christ

What child is this?

1 Saviour2 Christ

What child is this?

3 Lord

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will

The Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothsand lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heaven host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom heis pleased.”

“While the Emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He

cannot give peace of heart, for which man

yearns more than even for outward peace.”

~ Epictetus, 55-124AD

Stoic Philosopher

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and

through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on

earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

~ The Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:19-20

When is 2016 gonna be over?

“The gift of Christmas gives you a resource—a comfort and consolation for dealing with suffer-ing, because in it we

see God’s willingness to enter this world of

suffering to suffer with us and for us.”

~ Tim Keller, Author & Pastor of Redeemer NYC

“…waiting for our blessed hope, the

appearing of the glory of our great God and

Saviour Jesus Christ….”

~ The Apostle Paul in Titus 2:13

“…not only is Christianity the greatest story ever told,

but it is the greatest possible story ever told.”

~ Paul Gould

The Bible address the problem of evil and the pain of this world not

by giving us a philosophical answer, but by inviting us into a

compelling story about the ultimate defeat of evil through a conquering King—Jesus Christ.

Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing

NCC, may you come to experience the truth that not only is Christianity

the greatest story ever told, it’s the greatest possible story ever told.

other images used for educational purposehttp://www.sciencepresse.qc.ca/sites/www.sciencepresse.qc.ca/files/image/2010/10/statue-augustus.jpg

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