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Freedom In The Christ Child
Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 11, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: He came for acceptance, He came for reconciliation, He came to save mankind from their sins, He came to show love, He came to heal, He came...He came to be glorified through you and me! **I want to give you three more important facts that Jesus came to
Freedom In the Christ Child Isaiah 9:6-7NLT
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Here are some gracious promises to those that adhere to the law ( Are presently, the gospel of grace) and to the testimony; while those that seek familiar spirits (flesh) shall be driven into darkness and dimness; however, even those rebells shall see a great light, relief in the midst of their distresses, this is typical of gospel grace. Furthermore, remember, those who continue to revolt against their deliverance given to them by Mighty God, through His Son will eventually be destroyed.
God in all His might, born of a virgin, coming as a babe wrap in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger. Definition: a long open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from. The Creator of the heavens and earth became flesh and lived among men.
Incarnate means: embodied in flesh; given a body. God became flesh!
How many of you like to eat chili? Beans only. Chili Carny is better! (Meat with Beans)
He came for acceptance, He came for reconciliation, He came to save mankind from their sins, He came to show love, He came to heal, He came...He came to be glorified through you and me!
**I want to give you three more important facts that Jesus came to do for you.
1# Jesus came to bring praise through you.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16NLT “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Think about this: As people see you they will praise your heavenly Father!
Zephaniah 3:17NLT For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
#2. Jesus came to bring wholeness! Are you whole?
Isaiah 9:6TM For a child has been born—for us! The gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
If He can take drug addicts, men and women filled with immorality, and blatant sin- He can make you whole!
“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”
One woman that I counseled said, “She had gone most of her life looking for wholeness, love, and freedom.” Presently, she’s testified, she’s experienced freedom in Christ and wholeness!
#3. Jesus came to bring love- agape love that’s unconditional.
I John 3:16-18NLT We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
*This kind of love brought the Christ child.
Luke 2: 6-14NLT And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
New praise, Wholeness, Love.
Prayer.