Weekly Sermons

The Beginning of the New Beginning

12 Key Dates leading up to Jesus’ birth:

Abraham’s entry into Canaan                                                                2090 B.C.

Moses leads exodus from Egypt, Joshua leads into Canaan         1445, 1405 B.C.

David makes Jerusalem Israel’s capitol                                               1004 B.C.

Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem                                          966 B.C.

The Kingdom divides into Israel (North) and Judah (South)         931 B.C.

Assyria takes Israel captive (Northern tribes)                                   722 B.C.

Babylon takes Judah captive, destroys Temple                                606, 597,586 B.C.

Persian King Cyrus’ decree that Temple could be rebuilt             536 B.C., 516 B.C.       

Artaxerxes’ decree that Jerusalem’s walls could be rebuilt         445 B.C.

Syrian (‘Greek’) King Antiochus Epiphanes desecrates Temple   167 B.C.           

Jewish Maccabean revolt, Hanukkah miracle                                  165 B.C.

Roman King Herod begins rebuilding Temple                                   20 B.C.

Hanukkah means dedication, and it celebrates the ‘rededication’ of the Temple after it had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes, who sought to forcibly convert all his subjects to Greek ways.

The most popular game during Hannukah is the spinning of the dreidel. It is a 4 sided top with 4 Hebrew letters on it. The letters are short for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, “A great miracle happened there.”

Matthew’s gospel was written about 25 years after its events by an eyewitness of those events, Jesus’ disciple Matthew the tax collector.

It’s no surprise then, that Matthew’s gospel breaks 400 years of silence since the last writing in the Jewish Old Testament by showing that Jesus has the genealogical credentials needed to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior.

Matthew using the word for both beginning and genealogy reminds us of how Genesis lays out. Ten times Genesis says “this is the genealogy of…,” using the Hebrew phrase eleh toldot.

And I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.               -Genesis 17:7-8

Here’s what is cool as the New Testament begins: Each gospel begins with a “new beginning” statement!

Genesis begins the Old Testament with the beginning of the world and its fall; The gospels begin the New Testament with the beginning of the world’s salvation and coming restoration.

The name Jesus means “God saves,” and yes He does! He saves everyone who turns to Him in repentance and faith.

Now don’t get the idea that Jesus is His first name and Christ is His last name. Christ is the Greek way of saying Messiah, which in Hebrew means “Anointed One.” Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament prophecies.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.                                                    -Isaiah 61:1 (See Luke 4:16-22)

Also don’t get the idea that Jesus came into existence when He was born in Bethlehem. No, the Bible makes clear that He had always existed as God the Son. The Author of Life stepped into time when He was born in Bethlehem.

For to 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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall accomplish this.    -Isaiah 9:6-7

And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.              -Genesis 22:18

“I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”                                -God to Isaac in Genesis 26:4  

“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near: A Star shall come from Jacob, and a scepter shall rule in Israel.”                     -Numbers 24:17

Now therefore, please let your servant (Judah) remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy (Benjamim) go back with his brothers.                                                                                    -Genesis 44:33

Others have written you off, but Jesus wants to write you into His story – won’t you let him this Christmas time?!