He Is The Son Of The Most High

In a world of increasing chaos people yearn for something to hold onto the Christmas season reminds us that God invaded human time and space. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem today. A word of hope given by an angel to a young Jewish maiden over 2000 years ago. The words he spoke to Mary he speaks to us today.

Please stay with us from Chicago. This is The Moody Church. Our weekly service of worship and teaching with pastor Erwin Blitzer. Today we begin a four-part answer to the question raised by a Christmas Carol, who is he in yonder stall later in our program. Erwin Blitzer will tell us about the response of Gabriel who said he is the son of the most high God pastor looks or comes now to open today's service now today we had the privilege of beginning what is called at the word add really means arrival and we emphasize that because we think of the preparation that should be in our hearts as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Now in Old Testament times at been to them was looking forward to the birth of Jesus. One of the things that we must keep in mind is that there was a time when the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem for centuries.

It was only a prophecy but it came about in the very same way we have been waiting for the arrival of Jesus Christ from heaven to receive us and that is only a prophecy but someday it will come about and so Advent emphasizes both thinking about the past. As Jesus Christ came to earth. The in breaking of God but also the future Bible says that we await that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ and we live holy lives and anticipate that coming. Even as we think about at been so here at The Moody Church were going to be lighting advent candles today. The candle of hope.

We also represent diversity within the church as we do that thanking God that we have families from different parts of the world in a moment were going to be singing come thou Long expected Jesus is born a child, but also born a King, will you take a moment now let us bow together in prayer and let us give ourselves to the Lord as we anticipate this time of worship father, we thank you today that we are your children. We ask that you will help us to worship you and to do so acceptably through Jesus Christ our Lord, we thank you today that you came the first time you're coming was anticipated in Lord you fulfilled your promise and we know that your promise to return also will be fulfilled help his father to be ready for that momentous occasion and to worship you now ask in Jesus name, amen. My phone is today five some of the Scripture and Arabic tone translated, published in 1865's at the sacrifices of many missionaries for five days. Just Keisha drew on binge of the young but Google's nonmember facility shall come forth this evening I be sent car when I shall be in grass. See, for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are noteworthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us for the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation of the sons of God for the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the holy creation a grown, attentive, and if in pain together until now. I not only very but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption that it dumps and of our body, for we are saved by hope, but hope that this scene is not hope for what the man says. Why does he yet hope for. But if we hope for what we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. On this first Sunday in Advent we light the candle of hope and yes indeed, Advent is a time of somber reflection.

It's a time when we recognize that Jesus Christ came. It's a time of great joy to remind her of the fact that we also anticipate the return of Jesus Christ to earth.

Thanks so much for worshiping with us now are going to pray and keep in mind that no matter what your need is it's our opportunity to come to the Lord to lay before him and to trust God to be greater than our need. Can we do that together. Let's join together prayer. Father, we want to begin today by worshiping Jesus by confessing the fact that we do love him and thank you that he came to Bethlehem. Thank you that he had, he was willing to come to us in humility and thank you all so that someday he shall return again. We pray today for those who are going through a time of great difficulty. We ask that you will grant them in faith the ability to see that they can cast their care upon you because you do care for them and then Lord it's not only us but we think of the needs of the world. We think the church worldwide, and the tremendous pressure that many believers feel today because of their faith in Christ.

There are those who are imprisoned there are those who are going through times of being ostracized persecution. Lord, would you strengthen your people and strengthen your church. We pray today for our own country.

It's needs are greatly pray for the president and those who advise them. Pray for a governor here, Lord.

Your word says that we should pray for them that we would live a peaceful life.

We pray today. Lord, give them wisdom as they lead us and show us as a nation that we do need you help us to call upon you in a day of trouble and believe that you will hear and you will answer.

We pray for our own witness during this time. Thank you for the opportunity of anticipating all of the great privileges that we have during the Christmas season to invite our friends to let them know that a Savior has been born.

We seek your blessing and all things for those who've never trusted Christ as Savior. May this be a time in which they by faith receive the gift of salvation for themselves.

Knowing that you came ultimately to save sinners from their sin, we yield ourselves to you now, we receive your cleansing your blessing the power of your spirit as we continue and worship ask in Jesus name, amen.

Yesterday when I arrived at O'Hare Field. You know how it is today. You don't want to check any luggage and my suitcase was very small so I brought it on the plane and then you know what they do is they take it from you. They put it in the hold of the plane and then when you arrive you stand in the jet bridge and wait for your suitcase, so I was standing there in the man next to me who I think was older than I am. That may be hard to believe that there are people who actually fly on planes, who are a little older than I am. I he said that what book do you have in your hand.

Well that was a little surprised because I never even had the title showing but I turned it around and showed them the picture of Martin Luther and said that it's about the Protestant Reformation and then he looked at it in and he said, with more than just a little bit of cynicism was too bad that all of those heretics died and went to hell back and now your member.

It only takes about a minute case to appear. So this is not a time when you want to open the discussion about medieval theology and who is right and who was wrong so I knew I had only maybe five seconds so I said you know the church is made many mistakes throughout history, but the primary thing is whether or not Jesus is actually a Savior who can save us from our sin, he says, well, according to his promoters. He seems to be able to do that, eternally, according to his promoters or sarcasm so I assume that he meant to according to Matthew Mark Luke and John, though I never had the chance really to ask because remember, your suitcase is going appear in just a moment so I just said to him, well, you know the stories of Matthew Mark Luke and John have been confirmed in many ways and that we have a reliable record of Jesus. My suitcase appeared. I took it. I walked by him and I said you know the best thing that you could do is experience firsthand what the Bible has to say about Jesus reading the New Testament is that I thought you were going to say I should experience in firsthand well IAI left that conversation. Of course, I could have said, I suspect you've already done that would not be that would not be the way you know you witness. But here's the reason I tell the story if I had time to sit down with that man and ask him what makes you tick.

While this cynicism and bitterness. He probably would've told me a story about being born and reared in a very strict home. You know going to parochial school, having religion drummed into him and no reality in his relationship with God. And so he's turned off to religion and turned off to God. I mentioned that story because in this large congregation today and listening by radio or the Internet that may be you.

You may be listening to this message today with a certain amount of cynicism, hardness of heart and a decision that no matter what is said it's not going to reach you and I encourage you to open your heart to God today.

You might be on the cusp of one of the most remarkable miracles and fulfilling experiences that you have ever had in your life. As we discussed, the Scriptures, another two reasons why I'm speaking about the topic that I'm talking about today.

First is two weeks ago yesterday two women appeared at our door knocked on a Saturday morning and they said that they were witnesses of Jehovah and that they wanted to show us some things from the Bible. I'm going to be in a few moments giving you information as to what to say in a situation like that that you will remember for the rest of your life you will never be without you will never again stand there not knowing what to do and I can assure you that that's one reason I preach the message but not the primary reason.

Primary reason is so that at the end of this message. We worship Jesus, perhaps like we never worshiped him.

We are blessed so much by what he has done for us and what will someday be because of him.

That will leave here excited about wanting to tell somebody else about our Savior. That's where were going. Now the Bible I gives various answers to the question of who is he in yonder stall. It's actually a song written by a man by the name of Benjamin Hanby who is he in yonder stall. There are different answers that are given. Today we look at only one in today's message is I'm going to be quoting a number of different Scriptures will be asking you to turn to one or two of them, but I'm going to bring together various threads from the Bible because that's the way were going to unpack one phrase that was said by Gabriel, and I'll simply remind you of what he said to Mary, he shall be great, and shall be called the son of the most high, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end that little phrase occupies is today, he shall be called the son of the most high or the son of God, as we have it frequently in the Bible. Now those who want us to believe that Jesus is in God. They point out that that expression son of God occurs in the Bible about many different people. For example, Adam is referred to as a son of God. Israel is referred to my son. Angels are referred to as the sons of God and on and on.

You go and you discover that time.

Yes Angels. We are sons of God. Islam believes that it is blasphemy that anyone would be called the son of God, you must understand that many of our Muslim friends believe that this means that God had an intimate relationship with Mary, and the result was Jesus which is just as reprehensible to us as it is to them. So what do we mean when we say Jesus son of God, a few thoughts before return to a text in the Old Testament it was a messianic title God said to David, he said you're going to have a son and he's going to rule and then God begins to talk about an eternal kingdom.

Obviously with the son and in Psalm two it says thy throne has been established and this day have I begotten, the God said, thou art my son and their sons ship is connected with kingship. But you know even in the Bible you have this distinction in the Old Testament, I should say you already have this distinction between Jesus Christ and others son. For example, the Bible says in the ninth chapter of the book of Isaiah the famous Christmas text unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, which is to say that the son is very unique unto us a child is born a son is given in a course. The child turns out to be the son. The child turns out to be the king. But notice that distinction when you get to the New Testament, you must understand that the writers made it very clear that when Jesus is called the son of God. It is a very unique title of great honor. You can speak today about Ted being the president of your school Council you can speak about being president of the company. You can speak about being president of a large corporation but then you have also the president of the United States.

You see, the use of the word president doesn't lock us in to say everybody is the same. Others may be called sons of God. But here's the distinction to look out for when you read the New Testament.

The distinction is that Jesus is always referred to as the sun of God. Remember when Peter made his famous declaration, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God, Peter wasn't just saying what you know your one son, among many, he was distinguishing Jesus as the son of God. When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. He says if thou art the son of God, and on it goes. In the New Testament, emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus. There is a passage I want you to turn to in John chapter 5, we don't really have time to unpack at all that I want you to see how this expression, the son of God how Jesus used it how it was interpreted and that the uniqueness of the relationship between the father and the son and for that matter introduces us to the Trinity this is John chapter 5 verse 18.

This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him because he not only was breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own father, making himself with God. When Jesus was affirming that he was the son of God, the Jews correctly interpreted that to mean that Jesus was affirming deity. They understood is not just one son, among many, this is the son of God. But notice now. So Jesus said to them, truly I say to you, the son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the father do this is not the place to unpack all this but you notice the subordination of the son also to the father. Jesus said whatever the father wants me to do I do. I came not to do my own will but the will of the father what's going on there in the text is that Jesus came. You see, and because he was 100% man. He lived as a man, the humanity of Jesus. In order to redeem us. So in his incarnation in his submission to the father.

He was under the father's rule and direction and said that he does only what the father does. But notice that he does not leave behind his divine essence what a remarkable passage. This is verse 20. The father loves the son and shows him all that he himself is doing and greater works than these he will show him so you may marvel for as the father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the son gives life to whomever you will, the father judges no one, but is given all judgment to the son.

Now notice in verse 23 that all may honor the son just as they honor the father.

So on the one hand, and Jesus is submissive to the father in his humanity, and in the incarnation and on the other hand, he has retained his essence and status as God because all men should honor the son even as they honor the father. What that means is that the son ship is an analogy so that we might be able to grasp the intimate relationship between the father and the son. Like father like son so that we might see the fellowship that exists within the Trinity. And yet maintain the fact that there is one God, but the three persons in the Trinity express themselves and Jesus Christ receives all the honor that the father receives in all honor that should be given to the father is also given to the son. I have to say one other word before I give you the instruction I promised you and that is that in Colossians chapter 1 verse Dean, you know, I am going to just look at this text. The folks who come to the door, who tell us that Jesus isn't God.

They frequently want us to have text in verse 15 he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, so they say to us look. Jesus is the first that was created, he is God who is created he is the image of the invisible God.

He is the firstborn what sense would that make to interpret the word firstborn.

That way is the image of the invisible God, the first to be created for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth.

It would make no sense at all. The word firstborn is frequently used of preeminence. God says regarding Israel in the Old Testament. You are my firstborn does that mean that there were no other nations around or that they were the first nation no. You are the one I have chosen you have preeminence Abraham had two sons. One was Isaac and the other, of course, was Ishmael, Isaac was the firstborn but he was not born first woodsy it was Ishmael that was older than Isaac, so we must understand that the word firstborn frequently has the meaning of rank and honor.

He is the first he is above that would be a good way to translate the idea is above all creation. For by him were all things created both which are in heaven, and which are on earth. The Bible attributes to the son deity.

Look at Hebrews 1 verse eight. I simply quoted it says to the son he says thy throne all God is for ever and ever. So the deity of Jesus is strongly affirmed his relationship to the father is son is an analogy to help us understand the intimacy of the relationship there.

One essence and so when Gabriel said he shall be called the son of the most high. In that context, he was saying, he shall be a divine child. Now I'm going to give you some practical instruction.

You have a knock at the door to people come and they hand you a brochure and they say that we like to be able to have a Bible study with you and we have a special event and we are witnesses that belong to Jehovah and we want you to become a part of us so that we can instruct you.

What do you do Saturday morning. You don't have a lot of time. This is not a time to get into all the niceties of every text of the New Testament.

Well, I'm not saying that what I have been doing recently is what all of you should do, but I do tell you that this is what I did and I believe that it will be very easy for you to understand it and to do that very same thing.

First of all let me say we should be loving we should be concerned. We should not slam the door in people's face, we should not be rude.

We have to represent Jesus. I haven't always followed my own advice way back when I was younger, but now as I get more older I become much more sensitive about the fact that these dear people need to know who Jesus really is and they need to understand the gospel. So, I'll tell you how it was two weeks ago was a knock on the door. They identify themselves. I have one question for them.

I said have one question for you. Do you worship Jesus and they say no. I've had some say yes, but I've had others say no and then I say, what are you going to do if you were in heaven what are you going to do. Why is it that in heaven they worship Jesus at that point they give you the Bible their own Bible and they say show it to us in the Bible is a very important. I had one tell me that they have given the Bible to every Christian. Who's ever objected and that Christian has not been able to find any text she said you're the first one actually turned to a passage I hope I'm not the last. But anyway, what I do is you go to Revelation 5 and this is what I read Revelation chapter 5 verse 11 then I looked and I heard around the throne of the living creatures and the elders. The voice of many angels, numbering myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing and I heard every creature in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and those that are in the sea and all that is in them, saying to him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. And the four living creatures said a man, and the elders fell down and worshiped. So I read the passage and then I just didn't say let's get on her knees and worship Jesus actually got on my knees I knelt right at the door and I said now I'm kneeling here to worship Jesus went the two of you just join me in worshiping Jesus, and in this way will be prepared for heaven, we were going to worship in their let's do it, so I knelt and they decided that maybe next door.

They have a less memorable welcome, but before they left. I gave them a warning. Philippians chapter 2 just takes your breath away.

It says that God has exalted Jesus and the day is coming when every knee will bow, in heaven. That's all the Angels that's all the folks who are in heaven, every knee in heaven, every knee on earth all the living people and all those who are under the earth. The only expression only time that expression occurs in the book of the New Testament. 10 and it did and it really means I might say bluntly the dam that means even demon will confess ruefully as they did in the New Testament when they saw Jesus coming days and now at the son of God. Every single created intelligent being, will recognize Jesus and confess him to the Lord to the glory of God the father found I didn't tell them this but I will maybe next time. Just visualize eternity. The resurrection is over here I see Buddha confessing Jesus as Lord. I see him bowing I see Krishna bowing confessing Jesus as Lord over here. I see Mohammed bowing confessing Jesus as Lord over here. I see Charles Russell who began teaching that particular group of people about the fact that Jesus wasn't God look at Charles on his knees right over here.

He's bowing confessing Jesus is Lord in the and everyone confesses that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the father. Now let me ask you something will remember the question you worship Jesus answer no. They worship Jesus in heaven. Show me where it is and what are you going to say tell me the text.

Let's say it again right now. Now you're ready you say Pastor Lutzer you said that you were going to not only instructors who are also going to bless us. Why do I have blessing. Here's the truth God had one special son by the name of Jesus, but it says in the book of Hebrews, the God wanted. Many sons and many daughters and so when he decided to do is to adopt us into his family. We are children of God sons of God by adoption, and of course sons and daughters, both by adoption, and I began to think about what that means. You see, we have by divine grace, that which Jesus of course had by divine right and we will never be like Jesus will never have a divine nature, but you know he invites us to be his children and what an invitation it is. Listen to these words. 11 now it is that we are the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is began to meditate on that and thought what does all that mean in what ways will we be like Jesus. Someday the divine son we who are adopted into his family. First of all, were going to be like Jesus, morally will not have a sin nature, we will not need any intermediary between us and God.

We will see God hated all the light that you and I see today's created light, we will finally see God is uncreated light and our consciences will be so pure that we won't mind if our thoughts and heart are broadcast to the entire world because we will be so pure, don't you look forward to that day when will stand before Jesus were going to be like him morally were going to be like him bodily notice what the text says in the book of Philippians, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ will transform our lowly body when you rolled out of bed today. Did you say this is a lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself. Our lowly bodies because of our lowly bodies that we have all of the disputes regarding healthcare because we know our lowly bodies need help someday will be like onto his glorious body morally were going to be like him bodily were going to be like and relationally were going to be like him.

The Scripture says in the book of Romans that we are heirs of God, as his sons and daughters.

We are heirs of God and joint heirs with you know when Jesus calls us you say will we be able to sit at his table. Not just sit it is able.

I'm not making this up, but actually sit on his throne to him who overcomes, to him I shall grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I overcame and sat with my father on his throne.

God says you become my son, you become my daughter. When the title deed of the universe is opened.

Your name is going to be beside mine and you will also inherit all things, and what we will inherit the most and be blessed by the most is that we will actually inherit God himself were going to be like Jesus in all of these respects were also going to be like Jesus eternally because his name shall be on our four heads, and we shall reign with him for ever and ever. While in a few moments were going to be participating in communion and were going to be saying this, I believe in God the father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in his only son, Jesus Christ, what are we confessing where confessing the deity of Christ where confessing the uniqueness of Jesus Christ's relationship with his father where confessing also that because his blood was shed, and his body was broken that we too can participate as his sons and daughters. We are gladly confessing that Jesus is Lord and he is God. And so we confess, but listening to this message. Some of you, your hearts may be like that and I told you about at O'Hare Field yesterday.

Your heart may be closed. Remember this, that grace doesn't enter closed-door and other. Some people say way on trusting the grace of God, but their hearts are closed to divine grace. Jesus shed his blood he gave his body for us. When Gabriel came to Mary who is he in yonder stall, he shall be great, he shall be the son of the most high next week were going to talk about him and Savior later on as King God of very God our Savior, our Lord, you know him, you trusted him. If you believed on him.

If you open your heart to him receive this gift.

I hope so. Let's pray father. It is indeed with deeply grateful hearts, we rejoice today that the son of the most high has invited us to participate with him in eternity. We thank you today for grace that is immeasurable. That is beyond our abilities. We pray for all those who do not recognize the Jesus is Lord God, and we asked that they shall bow the knee in this life rather than needing to do it in the life to come in to do it with regret over father we ask today that many people have listen to this message will right now believe on Jesus, thank you so much for the blood that was shed for the body that was broken and we do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God's police in whose name we pray.

Amen on today's Moody Church. Our pastor loser spoke on the words of Gabriel to Mary about the child she was to bear.

He is the son of the most high God.

This was part one in a four-part series answering the question. Who is he in yonder stall. This Christmas series will encourage you in these troubling times all four messages can be yours on CD for a gift of any amount to The Moody Church.

Our call 1-800-215-5001. Let us know you'd like to support Moody Churches ministry are think you will come as a pair of CDs you can enjoy again and again. Call 1-800-215-5001 or you can write to us at Moody Church media 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 online go to moody offeror.com that's moody offeror.com next week.

Pastor loser tells about the response of the heavenly host regarding Christ.

He is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Plan to join us this broadcast is a ministry. Moody Church