Middletown transcript., 1922-10-07
I. The Birth of Jesus wv. 10.


I. The Birth Of Jesus wv. 10.
l. Time of wv. 1-3). 1t was at
time when the Jews were coming un-
der the Roman power. 1t was most
propitlous time for the introduction OF
the gospel. The whole world was un'
der one rule, making it possible for
ministers to go from place to place
easily and without molestation.
.. Place of WV 4-6). bethlehem, as the
prophet had foretold 700 years before
(Alicah 5 ~. God moved the emperor
to enforce the decree of taxation In
time to cause Mary to be at Bethlehem.
3. Circumstances of ". y. His sur
roundings We're of the most humble
sort. The Almighty Creator conde-
scended to take upon himself human
ity-to be born in manger, becoming
the poorest Of the poor that none might
be hndered from coming to Him.
H. The Birth of Jesus Announced
wv. S-20).
/. To Whom wv. s. 81. The shep-
herds who were watching over their
focks by night. The glorious gospel
message was first given to labo"ing
men. -
. BY Whom ". %. The first gospel
sermon was preached by the angel Of
the Lord. The angels have part in
| making known the gospel to lost men,
These glorious beings no doubt deeply
sympathize with fallen, sin-cursed men.
3. The Nature of the Message wv.
10-14). 1t was good tidings of great
JOY. 1t was good tldlngs because the
way of salvation was about to be
opened for all-Jew and Gentle. So
tude of the heavenly host accompanied
it with Il song of praise. Ii is through
Jesus Christ that Gods kindness and
good will are made known to man.
4. The Shepherds Witnessing wv.
15-20). They made prompt investiga-
tion of the angels message. When
they went to Bethlehem they found
everything just as represented When
they beheld the Lord of glory they
could not remain silent. They went
back TO their work pruiSing God.
m. The Child Jesus Growing wv
4O-52).
Jesus Christ was divine, but His
deity did not Interfere with His devel
opment as human being. The proc
esses of his physical, mental and Spir
itual growth We're the same as those
of any normal human being.
l. Jesus Tarrying Behind at .Icrusa
lem wv. 4o-i3). AT the age of twelve
years II Jewish child took his place rs
worshiper in the temple, for he was
considered a child of the law" Beinl
conscious of His mission when His
mother and Joseph We're returning
from attendance at the Passover, Jest:
tarried behind to enter the temple anC
inquire into the meaning of the ordl
nances of Gods house. lie had III
alert, eager mind which inquired aftcl
truth, especially the truth cuncernn;
His Fathers house.
.. Jesus Found i'll the Temple wv
44-.l7). When His mother and JOSEPH
had gone some distance on their Jour
ney they perceived that Jesus wa
missing and sought for Him anon.
their kinsfolk and arquaintunces No
finding Him there they returned t,
JpruSalcm, where they found Him il
| the temple. "a He was sitting" "
lG), showing that He was no passing
: visitor or sightseer. He WAS pcrfectl
al home in His Fathers house. G.
: lie WAS "hearing" (y. .id). He wa
, hearing the teachers of Gods Word
= This shows that He was eager 10 lear
5 Gods will CD He asked question
I ". 4G). His growing mind was inquS
+ tive. 1t more than received what wa
. taught: it inquired after. tD He al
e swered questions tv. AZ. His answer
: showed great wisdom, such aS To rs
q tonish those who heard Him. Yet W
: should not surmiSc that He was col
sciously displaying His wisdom.
u was not an exhibition Of His divin
u wisdom, but the expression of tn
y workings of perfect human min
Il SuiluSed by the Holy Spirit.
3. Mary's Complaint wv. $3.50
She demonstrated with Him for Ii
= behavior. TO this He replied in
r dignitied yet tender manner He mac
no apology, showing that He was MOI
= than the son of Mary. God was IL
Father. Though these things were II,
understood, Mary kept them in hl
Il heart.
n t. Jesus Obedience (v. 51). Thcuc
He Was fully conscious of His divir
being and mission, He lived life
filial obedience.
Is 5. Jesus Development ". 52). {
b. Mental. He "inc.eased in wisdom
,t (2) Physical. He Increased in sta
Of ure" (3) Spiritual. He "increas,
O. in favor with God and man."
he
ri Must Beware.
L.,