ANNUNCIATION:
Good Things Come in Small Packages
Micah 5:2-5a Victory Fellowship
December 4, 2022 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
2nd Sunday of Advent
INTRODUCTION: (The Simplicity of Christmas)
Most kids, and even some adults, are always vying for that giant present at Christmas. They want the biggest gift under the tree thinking that it must certainly be the best one.
A wealthy man died and went to heaven. He was met at the Pearly Gates by Saint Peter who led him down the streets of gold. They passed mansion after mansion until they came to the very end of the street. Saint Peter stopped the rich man in front of a little shack. “This belongs to you,” said Saint Peter. “Why do I get this ugly thing when there are so many mansions I could live in?” the man demanded. “We did the best we could with the money you sent us!” Saint Peter replied.
The truth is that some of the greatest or most beautiful things in life come from things that are very small.
WHY BETHLEHEM?
Jesus had what no other person ever had – the power of selecting his own parentage and birthplace.
2. Our text today reveals how a little insignificant town would become great.
PROMISING EARLY HISTORY
1. Jacob (Gen. 35:16-18) buried Rachel, his beloved wife, at Ephrath (Bethlehem). She died during childbirth. She named her son Ben-Oni, “Son of my sorrows,” but Jacob renamed him Benjamin, “Son of my right hand.” It’s prophetic how Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows” (Isa. 53:3) born there, was later to become God’s “Son of my right hand!”
2. One Judge of Israel, Ibzan (Judges 12:8), came from Bethlehem. Rehoboam built up the city (2 Chron. 11:6).
3. Rahab, the prostitute who survived Jericho, married a man named Salman and they settled in the vicinity of Bethlehem. They are, of course, of the line of David.
4. Bethlehem in Judah means the “House of Bread” in the “Land of Praise.” But it didn’t live up to its name.
a. Famine forced Naomi (Bk. of Ruth) & Elimelech & sons to move to Moab where all 3 men died.
b. Ruth, the Moabitess, came back with Naomi & married Boaz in Bethlehem. Boaz became her kinsman-Redeemer, exercising his right to pay off her debts and claim her as his bride – similar to Christ & the Church!
5. Ruth’s grandson Jesse fathered/ sired a son named David, who became Israel’s 2nd King.
6. Samuel the prophet came to Bethlehem to anoint David there.
7. From the well of Bethlehem David’s 3 warriors got him a drink of water. The well on the north side still exists today, with 3 divisions!
THEN BETHLEHEM SANK AGAIN INTO OBSCURITY
1. David’s line became a “stump,” by Isaiah’s time. (11:1-2)
Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and strength, Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
2. Micah’s comment, “Though you are little….” It had remained in obscurity.
PROMISE OF RENOWN
1. You will be the birthplace of the Messiah King & God! What did God do to make Bethlehem famous? He made it the focal point, the crossroads of the world & universe! Good things come in small packages.
GOD MOVED EMPERORS
1. Caesar Augustus (Gaius Octavianus, 63B.C.—16A.D.) ruled Rome from 44B.C. until his death in 16 A.D. He followed his uncle, Julius Ceasar, and became master of the world when he defeated Mark Antony & Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. But without question, his greatest action was one which was probably the least known. Early in his reign he called for a census for taxation purposes:
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child” Luke 2:4-5.
2. THE ANNUNCIATION: Micah’s and Isaiah’s ancient prophecies were fulfilled. God used the world’s most powerful figure to assure Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. One night “Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace” was born there! God manifest in the flesh! The Savior of the World!
As Astronaut Jim Irwin said, “Jesus walking on the Earth is more important than man walking on the moon!”
3. God dispatched angels from heaven to this little town to announce the Good News of His Son to humble shepherds.
GOD SENT A STAR & ASIAN SAGES VISITED
1. A star hovered over Bethlehem, not Jerusalem and Wise Men from the East/ kings came to visit the King born in Bethlehem.
FULFILLMENT OF MICAH 5:2
1. Since Christ was born, Bethlehem has become one of the most well-known cities in the world. It’s become - a theme for poets - subject for artists - A goal for pilgrims.
2. The great Church of the Nativity was built on the site where the fabled stable was. The inner cave, over which the first Church was built, was later rebuilt by Constantine’s mother, Empress Helena, in 339 AD. Mostly destroyed in the 5th century, it was rebuilt as the present basilica by Emperor Justinian in the mid-6th century. It is the oldest Christian church in daily use.
3. Because of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem did become the “House of Bread” for a dying world. Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life.” The whole world praises God for that obscure town because it has brought salvation to all who will believe. Good things come in small packages.
CONCLUSION
1. If a humble village, through its association with Christ, became thus exalted, much more should our human hearts & lives! “Bethlehem – though you are little, yet out of you will come great things.” This ought to give us faith. There was nothing exceptional about Bethlehem, yet God used it greatly!
2. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” John 14:12.
3. We are vessels of clay encrusted with jewels. The hardest part of being used by God sometimes – is believing that God will use you! God desires to use you for great things!
4. The lesson of Bethlehem is that God will take things of seemingly little worth and use them mightily for His purpose. Good things come in small packages
PRAYER
SONG: Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2-5a (NKJV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” 3 Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. 4 And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; 5 And this One shall be peace.
