The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.
- Jen Wilkin, Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds
Second Sunday of Advent
Since the second century AD, Christians have been celebrating the Advent season. The term Advent is derived from the Latin term advio meaning "coming to." It is here that we celebrate Christ's first coming into the world to pay for our sins by His sacrificial death on the cross. He came to Bethlehem to lead us in humility as a fulfillment of His Word. This was the hope of the Old Testament community. We now eagerly anticipate Jesus' second coming, according to His same word, Christ's return after His victorious resurrection from the dead and ascension to the right hand of the Father.
"The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth -- the very thing the whole story has been about."
- C.S. Lewis
Micah means "Who is like Jehovah?"
While Isaiah was a nobleman who ministered in the king's court, Micah prophesied to the common people under the reign of kings who ruled from 752 to 697 BC. Micah ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah speaking out strongly against immorality, social injustices and the oppression of the poor by the rich. Who is like Jehovah who comes to both poor and the rich, the weak and the strong, the established and displaced to lead them all in humility to His great salvation?
Headship
What is an area that you need to submit in a fresh way to Christ's headship in your life?
Humility
What is an area that you can begin expressing a greater level of humility to those who surround you?
Apologetic: Fulfilled is the place of Christ's birth - Bethlehem. God is sovereign in taking world events to fulfill His purposes (Luke 2).
Prophecy
Micah 5:1-6 (2,4-5)
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.
Continuing the theme of the Messiah coming as the Davidic king who would rule the earth, the Messiah comes from Bethlehem, a town located five miles south of Jerusalem. It is the town of Jesse and his sons (Isaiah 11), most notably King David foreshadowing the Christ.
Jesus is the Messiah, the divine, eternal being "from ancient days."
Jesus came to rule, but He came in humility of heart. Therefore it is a joy to both trust, follow and obey Him.
"Beware of posing as a proud person; God became a baby."
-Oswald Chambers
Fulfillment
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Headship
What is an area that you need to submit in a fresh way to Christ's headship in your life?
Humility
In what way do you need to submit to godly counsel in your life reflecting Christ's humility?
"BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen." - From the Book of Common Prayer (1662) used in Anglican services for the second Sunday of Advent
Second City Church- Fulfilled Sermon Series - Rollan Fisher 2017