He is Great Luke 1:26-33 # 234
INTRO: (illus # 2680) Encyclopedia Britannica uses 20,000 words to tell about Jesus Christ. The greatest encyclopedia in the world never doubts that Jesus exists. In fact the encyclopedia has more to say concerning Jesus that it does for Aristotle, Alexander the great, Napoleon or Julius Caesar. WHY because of what is says in vs. 32. HE SHALL BE GREAT. JESUS CHRIST IS THE GREATEST WHO EVER LIVES.
IN THE SECULAR SENSE HE IS THE GREATEST. Socrates taught his philosophy for 40 years. Plato for 50 years, Aristotle for 40 years. YET JESUS WHO TAUGHT ONLY 3 YEARS HAS INFLUENCED THE WORLD MORE THATN THE COMBINED TEACHING OF ALL THESE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS.
Jesus never wrote a song. Yet the greatest music ever written has been inspired by him. Hayden, Handel, Beethoven all wrote for the Lord.
Jesus never painted a picture but Michelangelo, Raphael; DaVincci did their greatest work for him. Jesus Christ has had affected all areas of human life. LOOK AT YOUR CALANDAR. For 500 years after Jesus died the world still used the Roman calendar. But in 532 Dionysus of Rome computed the year of Christ's birth and adjusted the calendar to begin with that year. THE WHOLE OCCIDENTIAL WORLD WAS ADJUSTED TO HONOR THE LORD.
HE SHALL BE GREAT, AND HE IS GREAT.
I. GREAT IN HIS INCARNATION VS. 32
A. He is the son of the Highest. This is just not some horary title. This is his title in the unseen world.
When Jesus cast a multitude of demons out of the wild man of Gadera the demons knew who Jesus was and they call him by his heavenly title:
MARK 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
B. Jesus is the Son of the Highest, the only begotten of God. In his incarnation God became man. This incarnation is so great I can't understand it. NOBODY CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.
illus: (2689) Daniel Webster was one of America's great men. An orator and a thinker. One day during a dinner the subject turned to Christ and Mr. Webster stated plainly that he believed in Jesus. One sitting nearby said to him, "can you comprehend how Christ could be both man and God?" "NO Sir, I can't" "And if I could comprehend him He would be no grater than myself. I feel I need a super-human savior"
JESUS IS GREAT"
II HE IS GREAT IN HIS INCEPTION VS 34 - 35
A. Jesus is the SON OF GOD. The Holy Ghost came upon the Virgin Mary and she became pregnant through this miracle. Jesus is great because he isn't just a man he is the GOD-MAN
1. Because of what God did Mary was scandalized. In fact even her betrothed husband thought of having her sent away to have, what everyone thought was an illegitimate child. But God sent an angel to Joseph and told him what had happened. So Joseph married Mary. Jesus is great because he was born of a virgin.
a. Many have doubted the scriptures on this business of the virgin birth. They say that the word virgin can also mean "young lady."
In Isa 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.
Certain Biblical critics say this word used in Isaiah could just mean 'Young Lady". SO WHAT? HAVEN'T THEY READ THE 1ST CHAPTER OF LUKE? There is no doubt that the bible means that Jesus was born of a virgin. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the highest.
Jesus was great in his Incarnation,
" " " " " Inception
III. GREAT IN HIS INHERETANCE. VS 32b - 33
A: Jesus Christ's kingdom has no end. It is eternal and it was inherited in a most unusual way. SEE. Most sons inherit the kingdom of the father upon the death of the father but Jesus inherited his upon the death of the son. His own death brought about his own inheritance. HOW? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T STAY DEAD. UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE WITH A MIGHTY TRIUMPH OR' HIS FOES
Illus. (2772) the pyramids are famous because they contain the mummies of Egypt's great kings. Westminster abbey is famous because under its floors lie the bones of the Great English Nobles. The tomb of Mohammed is famous for the dead body it holds. Arlington National cemetery is revered for it is the honored resting place of famous Americans. BUT JESUS' TOMB IS FAMOUS FOR WHAT IS NOT THERE. NO BONES IN JESUS' TOMB. HE IS RISEN
B. Jesus inherited his kingdom by conquering death, NOT ONLY FOR HIMSELF BUT FOR US TOO.
Rom 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
1. Because Jesus conquered death you can live eternally.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
2.Jesus is the greatest thing that can ever happen to you. WHY
a. He can give you two things you cannot provide for yourself that you desperately want.
1. A FULL MEANINGFUL LIFE RIGHT NOW. John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
a. I have asked many people, " What do you really want out of life?" They all say, in one way or another.
"To be happy, to feel fulfilled, to feel like they have amounted to something."
This is exactly what Jesus can provide you. ABUNDANT LIFE
2. ETERNAL LIFE, to be assured of heaven when you die.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
These two things you cannot provide for yourself. Only Jesus can. WHY? HE IS GREAT, AND HE CAN BE THE GREATEST THING THAT CAN EVER HAPPEN TO YOU.
PRAY
INV. SUPPOSED YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY, DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU WOULD GO TO HEAVEN?
YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE.
THE BIBLE SAYS WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. WOULD YOU CALL UPON HIM TODAY?
HYMN 183, ONLY TRUST HIM
