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Matt. 2:7-15
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Last week we studied Joseph’s dream where he learned Mary was going to give birth to the Messiah. We discovered that it was a dream of declaration explaining to Joseph, Mary had not been unfaithful to him, and that he was to continue with his plans to marry her. Today I want to share with you 2 other Christmas dreams that show us how a sovereign God cares for His children. Let’s look at: TWO DREAMS OF DELIVERANCE!
- The Magi Delivered Matt. 2:12. We studied the doctrine of God’s sovereignty/ providence in Oct. Here is a perfect example of what God’s sovereignty looks in real life. It is important to remember that Matt. wrote his gospel to prove beyond any doubt that the Man, Jesus was God’s Christ, the Messiah, The Savior of all who will receive Him as Savior. As you read through it, notice how many times Matt. says, “as it was written through the prophets, or this was to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet.” In ch. 2 this part of the account is not about Jesus’ birth, but it ultimately reveals is the conflict between the Magi and Herod the king. The point here is that these government officials from two ungodly nations that once were Israel’s taskmasters, knew that a man was to be born, in Israel, Who would be born King of the Jews. Not born to become king, but born already being The King! God does two things that are significant. First, He directs the wise men away from Herod. It is certainly possible they honestly thought Herod wanted to know where the Christ Child was so he could worship Him. A sovereign God Who knows the thoughts and intents of every heart knew Herod, left to follow his own evil heart, would kill the Messiah. So God appeared to the wise men in a dream telling them to leave the country another way. Have you ever stopped to consider where, when, or how God has directed you to keep you from falling into the hands of your enemy the devil who wants to destroy you? Have you taken time to thank Him for leading you in the paths of righteousness; or for being with you in the midst of the furnace; or upholding you with His strong right hand? You should thank Him all day, every day for His providential care and protection to you! The second significant thing God does is delay Herod’s discovery of the Wise men’s departure. Here is a truth for you to remember: God never directs us into anything without giving us time to accomplish it.
- God directs Messiah’s family to safety. 2:13. I find it interesting that one could say here—God delivered the Deliverer! God protected Christ as a baby, so Christ could then accomplish all He came to accomplish. Want to hear something amazing? The same thing is true of you! We don’t know how long it was between v. 12, 13! We do know that God appeared to Joseph telling him to take his family to Egypt to keep Jesus alive. This brings us back to the question: what are you willing to do to follow God’s direction in your life? Do things like effort, inconvenience, hardship, expense, even an entire change of life and lifestyle give you pause when it comes to total submission to God’s will for your life?
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
