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INTRODUCTION
Jesus is the greatest of the greats. We sure were blessed by the choir this morning. Beautiful
music, soul moving music, music you can feel. One of those great songs majestically said:
“For He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive. He’s more wonderful than
my heart can believe. He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.’ (“More
than Wonderful” Lanny Wolfe, 1982)
Amazing truths about our amazing Savior. Jesus is the greatest of the greats. TEXT is one
phrase in Luke 1:26-33. “He will be great...”
Jesus called “great” means He shall be distinguished or illustrious in
who He is and what He does. He will exceed all others. Let us see this morning from this text
how great is Jesus.
1. Jesus is Great in His birth — virgin born
- v. 27 two times “virgin” - These words spoken to a lowly
teenager, a frightened girl. Unmarried, a pure virgin. Yet by the power of the Holy
Spirit, without the seed of a man, she will be the earthly virgin mother of the Son of
Most High God.
- Christian apologist Josh McDowell notes the great proposition: “If God became
man, then we would expect Him to - first of all have an unusual entrance into
life.” The Bible declares, church fathers affirm. Several Jewish accounts state
there was something unusual about Jesus’ birth and different accusations are
made. The simple yet miraculous answer predicted in Isaiah 7:14, fulfilled in
Luke 1 “a virgin shall be with child.”
- Jesus is Great by His entrance into the world - born of the virgin Mary.
2. Jesus is Great in His nature — He is God in the flesh
- v. 32 “Son of the Most High” - No other man is both God and man.
No man can become God, but God can become man, by adding humanity to His divine nature
and choosing to live among us.
- As God - Jesus was without sin, as God - Jesus could work miracles, as God - Jesus
spoke the greatest words ever spoken, as God - Jesus would have the greatest influence
in the world, as God - Jesus could satisfy the spiritual needs of man, as God - Jesus
would exercise power over death.
- Jesus calls Himself “The Son of Man” also “The Son of
God.“ Jesus said: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
(John 14:9). “I am the Father are one” (John 10:30) Jesus is Great by
His human/divine nature.
3. Jesus is Great in His mission — Messiah of Israel, and Savior of the world
- v. 31 “you shall name Him Jesus” Jesus was born in poverty and
obscurity, yet “He will be great”, truly great, incontestably
great. Jesus will rescue mankind from the horrible grip of sin, suffering and Satan.
- Matthew 1:21 “you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from
their sins.”
- His purpose to live was to die for the sin of the world. To be the perfect and final
sacrifice for sin. He was the spotless lamb of God who took away the sin of the world
- Savior of Jews and Gentiles.
- He came to seek and to save those who were lost. That includes you and me. The cross
of Christ is the dividing line between sinner and saint, between the saved and the
lost. Which side of the cross of Christ are you?
- Christ is Great in His mission. He invites us: “Come, follow Me.”
4. Jesus is Great in His power — His Kingdom will have no end
- vs. 32-33
- A universal kingdom of peace and safety, love and joy. unhindered, unlimited,
unchanging, unequal, undivided, unfailing, and unending
- Adam Clark: “Revolutions may destroy the kingdoms of the earth, but the powers
and gates of hell and death shall never be able to destroy or injure the kingdom of
Christ. His is the only dominion that shall never have an end... The kingdom of grace
and the kingdom of glory form the endless government of Christ.”
- In eleven days we Iowans will determine the rest of history - Caucus. And those of us
who are traveling out of state/country will miss the political commercials this week...
The money is being spent for temporary power. But not by election - Christ is the King
of Kings and Lord of Lords, by Divine Right as Creator/Redeemer.
- His kingdom will have no end, it will be forever and ever...
- In the great music of Handel’s Messiah the powerful “Hallelujah
Chorus” is sung with majesty. We have it in our hymnal #37, it is 6 pages
long and we haven’t attempted to sing it as a congregation. It will take a lot
of practice. But we notice that the word “Hallelujah” is found 71 times in
the different parts. And the phrase “forever and ever” is found 28 times.
The song makes a mighty statement Jesus is to be praise for He reigns forever and
ever... Jesus is Great in His eternal power.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is the greatest of the greats. He WILL be Great. He IS Great. No close 2nd.
Among the reasons for His greatness is: He in Great by His birth, by His divine/human nature,
by His mission to seek and to save the lost, and by His eternal power. Can you grasp a little
how Great Christ really is? Is He great to you? Is Jesus Christ great in your life?
Is Jesus your Great Savior? Your Great counselor who speaks to you from the Bible? Your Great
power to answer your prayer? Your Great comforter in times of testings, trials, and
temptations?
Jeannette and I wish you a very merry Christmas. You are our family in Christ in Colfax, IA.
May you and your families be blessed beyond measure this Christmas season.
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