In The Fulness Of Time
Luke 2:6-7; Galatians 4:4-5
Introduction
Luke 2:6-7
Gal. 4:4-5
Lord’s Table
1. Reminds us of Christ's Sacrifice and Victory for us
2. It also is a call to mission and service
LORD’S TABLE GIVES US A TRUE PICTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
* Jesus lived in this world that others might find God's Grace
-- Although this celebration points directly to His death its whole meaning comes from His life
** HIS LIFE IS A FITTING EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW
I. God Became a Man
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal. 4:4-5)
1. In the Fullness of Time God Became a Man -Took on Human Flesh and Lived among us
** The birth of God's Son was not as you might expect
- It was shrouded in rumor
- His mother and father were not yet married
- His family were common working folk without riches or fame
- There were no palaces, only a stable for this One who is King of kings and a feeding-trough for His first throne
- No Servants for the Master of Mankind
- No royal coach, only a donkey for His mother to ride
2. He Came in Humility Without Demands for Preference
If you were giving birth to God's Son what would you demand
-the best doctor and hospital
3. Jesus Was Born in the Humble Beginnings Chosen by God
--This heavenly King had different beginnings than earthly kings
* IN THE FULNESS OF TIME -IN GOD’S PERFECT TIME - IN GOD’S PERFECT WAY - FOR GOD’S PERFECT PURPOSE — GOD HIMSELF STEPPED ONTO THE PAGE OF HUMAN HISTORY - AND TOOK ON HUMAN FLESH.
See and read Phil. 2:5-11
II. The Purpose of His Birth
1. He Came to Serve, Not to Be Served
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
* Think how different that is from earthly kings
** HE CAME TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY
** HE CAME TO REVEAL GOD'S GRACE AND LOVE TO US
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
* Reveal — Grace = God’s undeserved merit
— We do not deserve it — never can - not performance but perfectly acceptable to God in Christ.
GOD KNEW THE ONLY MESSAGE WE WOULD HEAR MUST COME FROM ONE LIKE US
- to serve us - in the fullness of time --He took on human flesh -- that He might understand those whom He chose to serve.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:15-16)
JESUS' LIFE WAS CHARACTERIZED BY HUMILITY AND SERVING OTHERS
2. Jesus’ Purpose Is Our Purpose
- Jesus is a fitting example for us to follow
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)
* As we come to the Lord’s Table, we are reminded that in the fulness of time Jesus came to be a servant of all - to give His life a ransom for all.
— The servant is not greater than the master.
— We too are called upon to be servants of His, and we demonstrate that servanthood by serving one another.
WE HAVE SO TURNED THINGS AROUND:
-- . The more powerful we become the more we expect to be served
- Jesus said "He who would be great must be servant of all"
- sometimes those whom we are called to serve, turn on us, as they did Jesus — but we are still servants.
-- We demand our rights and expect certain courtesies
- Jesus said "The foxes have holes and the birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place for his head."
- they did not treat Him with respect; why should we expect people to treat us any different.
We think the way to the top is to step over and on people
- Jesus tells us to lift and build people up
We rush
- Jesus was never in a hurry - He had enough time to do all God wanted Him to do
We place great value on the things we have
- Jesus valued His relationship with the Father and people more than things
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33)
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." (Ps. 27:8)
* AS WE REMEMBER THAT IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME THE SON BECAME A SERVANT IN ORDER TO BRING US TO REDEMPTION — WE ARE REMINDED THAT HE HAS CALLED US TO BE SERVANTS.
III. The Lord’s Table
- In the fullness of time He came — that He might give His life.
— The Cradle finds its fulfillment at the Cross
— Christmas finds its fulfillment at the Table
1. At The Table We Are Reminded That Salvation Is By His Grace And Mercy
...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior... (Titus 3:5-6)
** HE CAME WITH ONE PURPOSE - SALVATION FOR ALL
-- That purpose demanded His life as sacrifice for our sins that we might be forgiven
— Born in a stable to die on a cross for you and me -
- not earn it — Grace
- You did not earn it by merit - you don’t keep it by merit.
2. At The Table We Are Reminded That The Life God Demands Is Impossible Apart From Christ Living In Us
* We are not capable of living the life He demands without His Spirit empowering us
* IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME JESUS CAME, BECAUSE WITHOUT HIM THE LIFE PLEASING TO GOD WAS IMPOSSIBLE
— as we take the bread and the cup we are reminded that from the Cradle He went to the Cross, and by His mercy and His grace as we abide in Him, His life flows through us.
— as we surrender to Him, He lives His life through us.
** Here at the table - we are reminded that at the Cross, we died with Him, and now He is living through us.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)
Conclusion
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Gal. 4:4-7)
Are you surrendered to Christ and living in His Strength
