Bride of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church † Sermons

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (Christmas Eve)

Hymns: 105, 103, 84, 102, 107

Isaiah 7:10-14 — “Ask Thee a Sign of the Lord Thy God”

Grace, mercy, and peace to you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Old Testament Reading appointed for the Nativity of our Lord is Isaiah 7:10-14:

     Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
     But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
     And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction

“Here, let me show you!” How many times my father spoke these words to his young son. Fathers love to give signs and examples to their children to help them to grow in understanding and wisdom and faith. This is an attribute that comes from the Lord our God. He is our true Father. He loves to show us the way that He has established for us. He eagerly gives us signs to help us to acknowledge and trust the way that is right and true. He even encourages us to ask Him for this in accord with what He has already revealed to us. Tonight’s text is an example of this wonderful, loving, patient, and faithful attitude of our gracious heavenly Father.

I. Ask Thee a Sign of the Lord Thy God - Yahweh

The gracious and loving nature of the Lord our God is especially portrayed in the contrast that Isaiah records between the Lord and the one to whom the Lord speaks in our text. The person to whom the Lord is speaking is an extraordinarily wicked man. He is the king of Judah. He took as his wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him. As king Ahaz led the people of Judah into false worship and idolatry. Yet the Lord sends Isaiah to Ahaz with this invitation:

Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

This was in regard to the promise that the kings of Syria and Ephraim who conspired against the kingdom of Judah would not prevail. The Lord sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz not to fear these kings and their plots for the Lord would not allow them to succeed. In order to grant assurance to Ahaz the Lord commanded Him to ask for a sign. This was not only for the sake of Ahaz, but for the sake of the people of Judah. The Lord wanted to show Himself as their loving God and Father. He wanted them to have a sign of assurance from Him that what He promises is true. He wanted them to see His faithfulness in providing them this sign that they could then apply to all of His promises, especially His promises of everlasting salvation.

The Lord had promised long ago that He would work salvation for mankind through the kingdom of Judah. He had promised that He would work salvation through the Seed of Woman. He promised that through Abraham’s seed this would be fulfilled. Then the promise was extended to Isaac and to Jacob and to Judah. Eventually this promise came to David and his house. Ahaz was of the house and lineage of David and was the Lord’s anointed over the sons of Israel.

The Lord desired to call Ahaz and the people to be turned from their waywardness and their hardness of heart. He wanted to have Ahaz, as the king over the people, to turn to the Lord in faith and to ask a sign of the Lord by which the Lord could show His faithfulness and give the people a renewal of faith in Him. Even though Ahaz had done terrible things, even though the people had followed Ahaz and Jezebel in their wickedness, the Lord desired to give them a sign and to restore faith to them once again.

The Lord had long ago established that it would be through this household and through the holy city of Jerusalem and the Temple that the people would be kept in the one true faith until the Savior would come. And so in this time of great apostasy the Lord sends His servant Isaiah to speak to the king to call him to return again to the way of faith. So Isaiah comes to Ahaz and declares: “Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”

II. I Will Not Ask, Neither Will I Tempt the Lord - Yahweh

But Ahaz was a wicked man. He was unwilling to admit that he had mocked God and had been a false and unworthy king. He did not want to admit that his faith was in any way lacking, let alone that it was entirely false. So, even though he had disobeyed the Lord and had actively worked against the clearly declared will of God, Ahaz picked a Scripture and applied it out of context and contrary to its meaning.

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

By this Ahaz showed who his father really was. Later the devil would come to Jesus with various temptations, even quoting Scriptures, putting the Lord to the test. Ahaz pretended that he was being faithful. Is it possible that he actually believed this?

It seems that he did. It is the same with people today. There are many ways that people pick and choose passages of Holy Scripture and apply them to themselves in ways that they imagine to show themselves as faithful. This is something that we each should ask of ourselves regularly to be certain that we are not doing it ourselves while using this and that passage of Scripture to convince ourselves that we are really being faithful and true to the will of God.

Christmas Eve is certainly a time for us to be asking this question of ourselves in all earnestness. The night of the birth of the Savior is certainly a time when false religion is on full display among those professing to be the Church. This is surely a night when we should be hearing the Lord’s call to ask Him for a sign. This is a night when like the shepherds abiding in the fields with their sheep, we are very likely not at all expecting the Lord to make Himself manifest among us. Yet the angels appeared to the shepherds with a wonderful message:

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The angel of the Lord declared to the shepherds, “And this shall be a sign unto you.” The sign had been foretold long before by Isaiah, yet who was expecting it when it occurred? This sign had been read over and over again in the synagogues. All of the Old Testament sacrifices were given to keep the people mindful of this sign. Yet on the night of its fulfillment, who was asking for it? Simeon and Anna were. Joseph and Mary certainly were. Zachariah and Elizabeth were. Perhaps in some small ways even some of these shepherds were. Perhaps this is why the angels came to them. But most of the people were looking to other things and were especially doing as Ahaz, that is, they were looking to their own ways of worship and faith, using the Scriptures to justify their ways, rather than seeking the sign that the Lord commanded them to seek.

III. Therefore the Lord Himself Shall Give You a Sign - Adonai

But the Lord will not be mocked. He will show His faithfulness, even it those to whom He gives His promises refuse to see or even to hear.

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The times were very much like ours today. The nation was being threatened by terrorists. The economy was suffering. The Church was in disarray. Yet the Lord came to His people with His Word of promise and hope and blessing.

Ahaz refused to be turned in his heart. Rather than trusting the Lord and responding with a request that would strengthen his faith, Ahaz insisted on holding fast by his own reason and strength. To demand a sign of God before one will believe is to tempt God. To ask God for help in believing is an entirely different matter. It is entirely appropriate for us to confess our weaknesses and to ask God to give us a sign to confirm us in the faith in which we walk. This is actually a major part of true worship and prayer. If we examine the divine liturgy, it is a looking to the Lord for the signs that He gives. Each part of the liturgy is a request for God to show us His faithfulness so that we may respond in the faith that He gives. This is the worship that the Lord ordains.

When we refuse the Lord steps forward and gives the sign anyway. He will not allow our lack of faith to stand between Him and us. He will not allow our hard hearts to keep Him from fulfilling His promises.

It is interesting to notice that at this point the prophet makes a shift in his terminology. Up until this point he spoke of God as the Lord, that is, as Yahweh. But here Isaiah shifts from the personal name of Yahweh to Adonai, which is a formal name or title. Yahweh is the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses and to the sons of Israel. Adonai is the name that describes His position over all of mankind and over the Church.

This different usage is demonstrated in a number of passages of Scripture. Three of the Psalms in particular make this distinction.

(Psalm 16:2) O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

(Psalm 35:23) Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

(Psalm 110:1) The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

This is not unlike the way in which our fathers deal with us. They begin with tenderness and patience until we willfully resist them so that they must then step forward with forcefulness to rule over us. Here Isaiah speaks with the tender and patient command of Yahweh to Ahaz, commanding Ahaz to ask a sign of Yahweh so that Yahweh can demonstrate His faithfulness to Ahaz and to all of the people of Judah to strengthen their faith. Ahaz instead disobeys Yahweh and says, “I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh.” Then Isaiah says: “Adonai Himself shall give you a sign!” This is a significant change. This in itself is a sign, only now it is a sign of God’s wrath against the faithlessness of Ahaz. This is the one who will stomp on His enemies, most especially the head of the serpent. And so the sign speaks of the coming of this one, this lord or ruler, this Adonai.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

A virgin shall conceive and bear a son. This is unheard of. This is clearly from beyond any action on the part of the woman. Her seed shall become Man and she, not you, shall call His name Immanuel. Ahaz certainly was not willing to look to the promised seed and count Him as “With-Us-God.” But the virgin in whom He is conceived shall know Him as her lord and as more, as The Lord, Yahweh, With-Us-God.

What does this mean for us today and especially this night of the festival of the Nativity of our Lord? How is this sign being manifested to us tonight? Are we willing to hear it? Are we willing to perceive it as it is given to us? How is God with us tonight? What sign has He given us of His presence with us in flesh and blood born of the virgin? To the shepherds the sign was said to be that they would find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. That is, they were told that they would find the Savior enclosed or covered under common materials and set before them in a feeding trough. Tonight we come to the place where the Lord has ordained that the body of Jesus should be covered under the form of bread on a plate and His blood should be poured for us in a cup of wine.

This is the sign that the Lord Himself has ordained. Do we believe it? Is this the sign that we will ask God to show us tonight? Or will we look elsewhere? Will we be like Ahaz and insist on our own believing as the sign, or will we come to the manger where the angel, that is, the evangelist, says that we will find the Lord and His blessings? Who is the faithful one? Who is the author and perfecter of our faith? Many years ago He came wrapped up as a baby in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Today He comes wrapped up in bread and wine so that we may receive Him even as the shepherds and others did on the night of His birth.

Conclusion

Truly we should be like the shepherds who found things exactly as the angel had told them. Truly we should be filled with awe as we come to behold the sign that the Lord God has given to us on this night of the Christ Mass. Before us lies the fulfillment of all of the promises of God. Before us is prepared the showing of the Lord’s death till He comes. Oh come all ye faithful! O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Amen! In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus forever. Amen.

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (Christmas Eve)

Hymns: 105, 103, 84, 102, 107

The Introit (1) (Ps.2:7; 93:2)

The Lord hath said unto Me: “Thou art My Son; this day I have begotten Thee.” The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself.

The INTROIT (2) (Is.9:6; Ps:98:1)

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.

The Collect

(for Christmas Night)

O God, who hast made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we have known on earth the mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the fullness of its joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, and reigneth, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

The First Lesson Isaiah 7:10-14

      Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
      But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
      And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Gradual (1) (Ps.110:3,1; 2:7)

P:     Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power:
C:     in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning.
P:     The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand:
C:     until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
P:     The Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son:
C:     this day have I begotten Thee. Hallelujah!

The GRADUAL (2)&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;(Ps.98:2-4; 95:6)

P:     All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God:
C:     make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.
P:     The Lord hath made known His salvation:
C:     His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
P:     Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord:
C:     let us worship and bow down before Him. Hallelujah!

The Epistle Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Alternate Epistle Reading)&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;Isaiah 9:2-7

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The SENTENCE for the Season&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;(Psalm 96:11; 98:2)

P: Hallelujah! Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the Lord:
C: for He hath made known His salvation. Hallelujah!

The Holy Gospel St. Luke 2:1-14

      And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
      And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
      And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
      And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
      And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
      And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.