Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Christmas is not just about the trimmings
• We will be consider Jesus Christ
• The work of the Spirit is to draw reference to the Son of God
• The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity
• He is a comfort
• He is God
• He loves to stay in the background
• His special work is to glorify Christ

The Incarnation of Christ (Luke 1:35)

• Luke 1:35
• Mary is startled by the greeting of the Angel Gabriel - 1:28
• She is highly favoured
• She is to bring forth a Son called Jesus - 1:31-33
• This Son will setup an everlasting kingdom
• Yet she is a virgin - 1:34
• The Holy Spirit will come upon her - 1:35
• Does this remind of you creation as the Holy Spirit was over the waters?
• Now He will combine divinity and humanity
• It is a strange mystery
• We should be in awe of this
• We can never understand what it meant for God to become flesh - it is humbling
• Jesus makes Himself of no reputation
• Example of John Wesley Christmas Carol
• Mary's response - 'let it be' 1:38
• She did not doubt as Zechariah did
• She responded in faith - even though there were implications for her
• Does society believe?
• We must challenge the unbelieving world

Individuals filled with the Holy Spirit

• Eph 5:18 - all believers are to be filled with the Holy Spirit
• If you are filled with the Holy Spirit - you will praised God
• The Holy Spirit did not come by command, but of His own desire

Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)

• Elizabeth knows that her son will be very special – Luke 1:14-16
• She knows John will be filled with the Holy Spirit
• When Mary visits Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaps in the womb
• Because he was in the presence of Christ
• Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
• She praises God - 1:42-45
• She recognises the baby Jesus as "Lord"

Mary (Luke 1:47-55)

• Mary recognises the baby Jesus as "Saviour" - Luke 1:47
• She speaks much biblical truth

Zechariah (Luke 1:76-79)

• He is filled with the Holy Spirit
• He speaks of John the Baptist and of the Lord Jesus Christ - Luke 1:76-79

Application:

• That we might know the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives
• That we might have a clarity in our lives
• That we might have scriptural insight
• The Holy Spirit is given by God to those who ask

Simeon's Experience (Luke 2:25-35)

• He was awaiting the coming of the Messiah - but only a few had faith
• He was just and devout
• He feared, sought and loved God
• He was waiting for the consolation of Israel
• He understood Isa 40
• The Holy Spirit was upon him - Luke 2:25
• He had a direct revelation from God (the Holy Spirit) - 2:26
• He was guided by the Holy Spirit into the Temple - were Mary and Joseph were
• This was the timing of God
• He saw things other people did not see
• He recognises that the baby is God the Son
• He blesses God - 2:29
• He can depart in peace
• There are many who do not die well in this world - despair, agony and without peace
• Because he had seen God's salvation - 2:30
• A light to the Gentiles also (not just the Jews) - 2:32
• The Lord Jesus Christ was for the world
• Example of Donald Mitchell from Freeschool Court
• What matters is that we have peace with God

Closing Remarks

• That we would be people of the Holy Spirit
• That we would speak of and praise Christ