In this sermon, Steve Hopkins discusses the historical and religious significance of Handel's Messiah, an oratorio composed largely of scripture. Hopkins elaborates on George Friedrich Handel's rapid composition process and its subsequent performances, noting John Newton's concern that the oratorio had become mere entertainment rather than a spiritual reflection on Christ's love and commands. Newton responded by delivering a series of sermons on the scripture passages used in Messiah. The sermon examines key scripture passages from Isaiah, highlighting themes of comfort, redemption, and the coming of Christ. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of the virgin birth and Christ's dual nature as both divine and human, arguing that these are essential tenets of Christian faith. The sermon underscores the role of the Messiah as a comforter and redeemer, offering salvation and reconciliation with God. Hopkins concludes by encouraging the congregation to deeply reflect on these scriptural truths, as they are the foundation of lasting comfort and joy.

How many are familiar with George Friedrich Handel? Yes, most of us are. George Friedrich Handel composed his famous oratorio Messiah in 1741. He began writing the music for Messiah, this is very interesting, on August 22nd, 1741, and he completed the full orchestral and choral score of over 260 pages just 24 days later on September 4th, 1741. The Oratorio is considered to be one of the greatest compositions of all time, a masterpiece.

And because of the speed in which Handel composed Messiah, it is regarded as one of the greatest feats even today of music history. The text of Messiah was compiled by Charles Jennings. I say compiled because most of it was written by God. Between 80 and 85 percent of the lyrics and handles Messiah are pure scripture. The remainder is either paraphrases of scripture or excerpts from the Book of Common Prayer.

The premier performance of Messiah was on April 13th, 1742 in Dublin, Ireland. They had around 25 instrumentalists performing in that first presentation or performance of Messiah in a choir of 16 men and 16 boys. The following year on March 23rd, 1743, the first performance of Messiah took place in England at Covent Garden Theater in London. Now let's jump up 41 years later. 41 years later, John Newton, everyone knows John Newton, the former slave trader turned pastor and preacher and also author of Amazing grace and I think maybe 280 other hymns, John Newton became increasingly concerned that the oratorio Handel's Messiah had become for the masses mere entertainment.

And he witnessed the crowds year after year beginning to focus more and more on the music and on the instruments and on Handel himself rather than on Christ. And because of his concerns, Newton fearing that, quote, the far greater number of the people who frequent the oratorio are evidently unaffected by the Redeemer's love and un-fluence by his commands, end quote, He preached a series of 50 sermons on the scripture passages used in Handel's Messiah in 1784, the year of Handel's commemoration in London. This afternoon, we will be looking at the scripture passages used in Messiah concerning the coming of Christ and focusing on the person and work of the Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and on the truths revealed in these passages that have been used in Handel's Messiah now for 284 years. And it's my prayer that every one of us by God's grace will be affected. The oratorio begins.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. The passage is from Isaiah chapter 40 beginning with verse 1. Matthew Henry comments on the passage, the prophet says, comfort ye, comfort ye twice because sometimes the souls of God's people refuse to be comforted. How many here today struggle with assurance of their salvation from time to time? How many need to hear the words of comfort concerning Christ and what He has done for them?

Not once, but again and again. I think every one of us does. Again, Matthew Henry, the prophets have instructions from their God, for he is the Lord God of the holy prophets, to comfort the people of God, and the charge is doubled. Comfort ye, comfort ye. Not because the prophets are unwilling to do so, no, it was the most pleasant part of their work, but because, as I already said and already quoted Henry, because sometimes the souls of God's people refuse to be comforted and their comforters must therefore repeat things again and again before they can fasten upon them.

Matthew Henry says observe here, number one, there are a people in the world that are God's people. There are people in the world who are God's people. Number two, it is the will of God that His people should be a comforted people, even in the worst of times. And number three, gospel ministers are to be employed as comforters and helpers of the joy of Christians." The oratorio continues with Isaiah 40 verse 2, speak he comfortably to Jerusalem. I can hear King's College choir singing it, speak he comfortably to Jerusalem.

John Newton writes, the words mean, quote, speak to her heart, speak to her very case, and tell her that there is balm for her wounds, that there is a cordial for all her griefs. A cordial is a medicine that provides comfort. Newton says there is a balm for all of Jerusalem's wounds and a cordial for all her griefs in this one consideration. Messiah is at hand. Messiah is at hand.

I know how we should receive comfort at these words, brothers and sisters. The comfort of Israel was that Messiah is coming. That was their comfort. That's what they were looking forward to. Our comfort today is that Christ has come.

Two thousand twenty-five years ago, the eternal Son came from the Father. And if you're a believer here today, take comfort in these words. Joy to the world, the Lord is come, your Lord, Handel's Messiah continues, speak he comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her, speak he comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned there is no greater comfort for the sons and daughters of men No greater comfort they can ever know than that they have been reconciled to God. That our sins have been pardoned, blotted out of remembrance. Earlier in chapter 12, Isaiah said, in that day you shall say, O Lord I will praise you for though you were angry with me, your anger is turned away and you comfort me.

Messiah is coming and he will console his people and have compassion upon them and be their salvation. Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains, for the Lord has comforted his people, Isaiah says later in chapter 49. And he says this, how many are familiar with this from Isaiah 49? He says it, you know, if it were possible, if it were possible that a woman could forget her nursing child. Or if it were possible that a mother might not have compassion on the son of her womb, the son that she birthed.

Even if that were possible, God says through the prophet Isaiah, I won't forget you. Yea, they may forget, it's possible, says the Lord through Isaiah, yet will I not forget you, Yet will I not forget you. Behold, I have graven you upon the palms of my hands. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let these words of comfort speak to your heart. Let them be the balm for your wounds of conscience.

Let them be the cordial for all your griefs. Christ the Messiah has come who pardons all the iniquities of his people. Handel's oratorio goes on. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40 verse 3.

This is the announcement of the forerunner, the Baptist, John the Baptist, who will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. And the way of preparation is repentance and faith. John comes preaching, repent, and he comes preaching, believe. In Matthew 3 and verse 2, we read John K preaching, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And then in Acts 19, 4 we read that John baptized, quote, with the baptism of repentance saying unto the people that they should believe on Him who should come after Him, that is on Christ Jesus.

Again, Matthew Henry writes, the alarm is given, let all take notice of it at their peril. God is coming in a way of mercy and we must prepare for him, close quote. Brothers and sisters, that's what Isaac Watts was talking about when he wrote those timeless words, let every heart prepare him room, let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing. At this point in the oratorio the setting is still anticipation. Anticipation of Messiah's coming.

Handel follows with verse 4 of Isaiah 40. Every valley shall be exalted when Messiah appears every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill made low the crooked straight and the rough places plain. It's vivid imagery meant to to speak to us of the pride being brought low of men and the humble being lifted up. The proud mountains will be brought low at the coming of Messiah and Messiah's appearance, and the humble and poor of spirit will be lifted up, and every obstacle will be leveled by divine grace. Every obstacle will be leveled by divine grace.

Calvin put it this way, quote, when the Lord shall openly exercise his power, no obstruction, however great, will prevent him from penetrating wherever he pleases. Verse five goes on, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. This verse contains one of the central messages of Christianity, says Martin Lloyd-Jones, that God's glory has been supremely revealed through Jesus Christ. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, says Isaiah, in anticipation of Christ's appearance. Brothers and sisters, witness the glory of the incarnation.

Witness the glory of the incarnation. The eternal Son of God steps out of heaven and takes on a human nature, is born of a woman, and dwells among men, and that for our redemption." The Apostle John writes in John 1, 14, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth dr. Sproul What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself." In John 16 28 Jesus says, I am come from the Father and I am come forth into the world. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, says Isaiah, in anticipation of Christ's appearance. And it will be earth-shaking, and it will be heaven-shaking, and it will be nation-shaking.

In other words, the appearance of Christ will shake up everything. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Messiah goes on quoting the prophet Haggai, yet once in a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come." And he did. Israel's strength and consolation, the hope of all the earth came just as the prophets foretold the dear desire of every nation as Charles Wesley's hymn says the joy of every longing heart the oratorio continues the prophet Malachi anticipating his appearance quotes the prophet Malachi the Lord whom you seek the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant whom you delight in, behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. John Owen from the 1600s says, commenting on this passage, the glory of this latter house was to consist in this. He will come to his temple, speaking of the second temple.

The glory of this latter house or temple was to consist in this, that the desire of all nations should come into it. That the desire of all nations should come into it. It was the presence of Christ in the flesh, the Son of righteousness appearing in the temple that gave it a glory which the first temple could never equal." Oh, the oratorio goes on, but who shall abide the day of His coming? But who shall be able to abide the day of His coming? This is the prophet Malachi going on in anticipation of the coming of Messiah and who shall stand when he appears.

Who will be able to stand when he appears for he is like a refiner's fire. Spurgeon, Christ was the great messenger of the covenant, the messenger of mercy and the Lord's own people, even in that ancient time, delighted in anticipating the coming of the Christ of God, the anointed and appointed messenger of the Lord of hosts, but who may abide the day of His coming and who shall stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like a fuller soap. When Christ comes, says Spurgeon, there is no hiding from Him. His life was purity itself, and it revealed the vileness of many who thought themselves to be pure.

Messiah continues, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and he shall purify the sons of Levi that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. The sons of Levi were those set apart for the service of the sanctuary." Right scroll. Here the prophet indicates that the work of Christ begins with the purification of the church. He sits as a refiner to purge the dross from those who are his own, so that their offerings may be made in righteousness. The same fire of God's holiness that consumes the wicked in judgment.

Please listen to this. The same fire of God's holiness that consumes the wicked in judgment purifies the elect in sanctification. To the one, the fire is an agent of destruction. To the other, it is an agent of transformation. Close quote.

In his sermon, the end of the wicked as the dross of the earth, Jonathan Edwards commenting on Malachi 3.3, the verse we just cited from Handel's Messiah, says the fire of God's holiness will consume the dross, but the silver and gold will come forth more bright and pure. And it's here that the oratorio goes from now, from anticipation of Messiah to arrival of Messiah. Behold, a virgin shall conceive. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is God with us. Matthew 1.23.

Friends, the virgin birth is essential to true and saving faith. No one is saved who denies it. No one is saved who denies the virgin birth. To deny the virgin birth is to claim that Christ was born like any other man of ordinary generation as the ancient confessions or older confessions term it. That is, that he was born, It's to claim that he was born of a human mother, re-intercourse with a human father, which is the greatest blasphemy.

The Apostle's Creed reminds us that Jesus was, quote, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. The Nicene Creed says of Christ that he was, quote, incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man, close quote. This is the doctrine of Christ believed by every true Christian from the beginning, laid down by scripture and engraved in every orthodox creed and confession of Christianity. In the Gospel of Matthew We read, when as his mother was espoused to Joseph before they came together. That is before they came together sexually, which means that they did eventually.

Before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. If anyone understands or has heard or been involved with Roman Catholicism you know that Mary is called ever virgin. They say that she was always a virgin but that flies in the face of this passage, which says very clearly, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. And also flies in the face of all of the passages that speak of Jesus having brothers and sisters. But at any rate, before they came together, when she was espoused to Joseph, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, a righteous man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was determined to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee, marry thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." The second person of the Holy Trinity through the agency of the Holy Spirit is conceived in Mary's womb. The second person of the Holy Trinity who steps out of heaven and comes to earth and takes flesh through the agency of the Holy Spirit is conceived in the womb of the Virgin at Nazareth in Mary's womb and then eventually born at Bethlehem. Spurgeon, quote, famous quote by Spurgeon, as the Lord's divine nature had no mother, so his human nature had no human father. The passage from Matthew goes on, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Immanuel which being interpreted is God with us. MacArthur. The name Emmanuel is the name of his deity. He is God with us. If Jesus is not God with us then He is not the Savior.

If He is not God, He could not have paid the penalty for our sins. This is the absolute minimum requirement for salvation that you believe that Jesus is God in human flesh. So here we have another line drawn in the sand as we look at the passages in the oratorio, Handel's Messiah, another line drawn in the sand, must believe in the virgin birth. No one who denies the virgin birth is a true Christian, and no one who denies that Jesus is God in human flesh is truly saved. It's to deny Him.

It's to deny Him. Lloyd-Jones, he is the God-man, one person with two natures, the divine nature and the human nature, inseparably united. John Newton, who wrote 50 sermons expositing the passages from the oratorio, John Newton, because Jesus was God in human flesh, he could reach one hand to the Father and the other to fall in humanity, bringing them together in himself. He must be God with us in order to be God for us. John Newton, later quoted by MacArthur in many of his works.

Matthew Henry, it is the glory of the gospel that it brings God down to us that he might raise us up to himself. Did everyone hear that? It is the glory of the gospel that it brings God down to us that he might raise us up to himself. Again, MacArthur, if he were not God in human flesh, he would have no power to save. The purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God to man and to bring men to God." Handel's Messiah goes on quoting Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 40 and Isaiah chapter 9.

O thou that tell us good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tell us good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tell us good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid, say unto the cities of Judah, " who knows what comes next, "'Behold your God, behold your God, the sinless Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, is God in the flesh. Behold your God. Arise, shine, ' Messiah goes on, quoting Isaiah 60 here, verses 1 through 3.

For thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For Behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and day that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and he shall be called wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." That's from Isaiah 9, verse 6 quoted in the oratorio or sung in the oratorio. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

This speaks of Christ's pre-existence, think about it, as God and of his taking on humanity. He will be born but he will also be given. He was God before he was born. He was given to us for our redemption and of his government says Isaiah 700 years before Christ came into the world, there shall be no end. Of his government, there shall be no end.

Some of us work in politics here. I see some out here that work in politics, okay? Of his government, there shall be no end. Not like the host of mere earthly rulers who live and die and who rise and fall. No, he is born King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

His titles are wonderful, counselor. No man spake as this man the temple guards would say who were sent to arrest Jesus. No man ever spoke like this. His wisdom is infinite, his counsel impeccable, his doctrine irrefutable. And he shall be called the mighty God.

Why? Because he is almighty God in the flesh. And he shall be called the everlasting father, literally from the Hebrew, the Father of eternity. He shall be called the Father of eternity, one with the Father from everlasting to everlasting, and who with the Father and the Spirit inhabits eternity, who created all things and is guiding all things to the end for which they were created. And he is the prince of peace, who by the sacrifice of himself makes peace between God and man.

He is our peace, Paul will say later in Ephesians chapter two. He is the one by whom everlasting peace, righteousness and peace are brought in. And so the oratorio goes on from anticipation as it comes to a close, from anticipation of Messiah to the virgin conception of Messiah to the angelic announcement of Messiah's birth. There were shepherds abiding in the field, Keeping watch over their flocks by night. I just so bad want to just break out to sing this.

When I'm at the nursing home and singing for them on Mondays over in Round Rock, I always tell them, I go to the memory care part, so they don't remember that I say the same jokes over and over again. So it's kind of neat to be able to say the same jokes over and over again. And I always tell them, now, if I'm too loud, if I'm too soft, I'm speaking too soft, You can do this, okay, and I'll sing louder. But if I'm singing too loud, don't do this. They all laugh, ah, ah, ah, ah.

So you do this, do this. Why did that come in here? I'm not sure why I thought of that right now. There must have been a reason. My wife will Tell me when I get home.

We're going to think you're going to say this. So the oratorio goes on. There were 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. Oh yeah, I was going to break out into singing.

I didn't want anybody to do this. That's why I said. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them. Oh yeah, I was gonna break out into singing. I didn't want anybody to do this.

That's why I said. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said it to 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly, sorry, and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God, glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, goodwill toward men. I said last week, R.C.

Sproul says this was the first Christmas hymn ever sung. Glory to God. It was sung by the angels. Glory to God in the highest. And peace on earth, goodwill toward men.

We sang earlier in that great hymn of old. Christians awake, salute the happy morn on which the savior of mankind was born, rise to adore the mystery of love which hosts of angels chanted from above. With them the joyful tidings first begun of God incarnate and the virgin son. Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, who heard the angelic herald's voice, behold, I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth to you and all the nations upon earth. This day hath God fulfilled his promised word.

This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. Messiah continues, rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, Behold thy king cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Savior. He shall speak peace unto the heathen.

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped, not only physically but spiritually. Then shall the lame man leap as a heart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, all these descriptions of Christ after his coming. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd. He shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with yag.

Come unto him as it comes to its final verse. Come unto him all ye that labor. Come unto him all ye that are heavy laden, that is with the burden of sin, the burden of guilt, and He will give you rest, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you and learn of Him, for he is meek and lowly of heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. And it ends with Matthew 11 in verse 30, his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

His yoke, Christ's yoke is easy and His burden is light. The yoke of sin and guilt is not easy to bear. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And so we're back where we began. We're back where we began.

The law says, pay me what you owe me. In the words of John Gill. The gospel says, believe and you shall be saved. Believe and you shall be saved. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.

Again, there's no greater comfort to the sons and daughters of man than to know that we've been reconciled to God, that our sins have been pardoned, blotted out of remembrance, who have placed our trust in Jesus the Christ the Messiah. Amen. Let's pray. Father, our hearts rejoice and are lifted to heaven in praise for our salvation has come incarnate by the Holy Spirit born of the Virgin, Holy spotless blameless Jesus who lived for us and who died for us and who rose again for us and is coming again for us one day to take us home. Lord, our hearts rejoice and are lifted to heaven in praise.

Thank you for the words of Scripture, Lord, that made its way into this great oratorio, Messiah. Lord, I pray that many in this season would not only listen to the words, which are almost purely scripture, but would fasten upon them, would really meditate upon them, Lord, and would really understand them and would really take them to heart. And Lord, that hearts would then be filled with praise and joyful praise, Lord, and thanksgiving for all that Christ has done for us. And we thank you, Lord, for what our Lord has done for us, coming into the world and saving us from our sins. And it's in his name we pray these things, amen.

Thank you.