Why Christmas?
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Why did Jesus come?
1. To save man kind
a. We are Sinful separated from God
i. Adam messed up. Israel messed up and we messed up
Scripture in Romans
Romans 3:10-18 (GW)
10 as Scripture says, “Not one person has God’s approval. 11 No one understands. No one searches for God. 12 Everyone has turned away. Together they have become rotten to the core. No one does anything good, not even one person. 13 Their throats are open graves. Their tongues practice deception. Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes. 14 Their mouths are full of curses and bitter resentment. 15 They run quickly to murder people. 16 There is ruin and suffering wherever they go. 17 They have not learned to live in peace. 18 They are not terrified of God.”
- Not one person has Gods approval
- No one searches for God
- Everyone e has turned away
- No one does good not even one…even you and me
- They are not terrified of God
He gives us His law and we break it
2. In the beginning before Jesus We got right with God by following the rules
a. If we follow them we would be ok
3. It just didn’t work for us because of our hearts
a. We would disobey
b. So Jesus dies on a cross
But now there is a different way
Luke 2:11 (NIV) 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Romans 3:21 - 25 (NLT) 21But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses£ and the prophets long ago. 22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
A new way of being right with God
22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. (NLT)
1. We are only made right by the Gospel
2. The good news
3. Jesus
4. Its what everything is about
5. Him
6. When we accept it
We becomes friends of God
John 15:15 (NIV)
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Story: Mom talking about what is a friend. Give descriptions of friendship. These are all found in God.
Why in a manger?
4. Demonstrates All can be accepted
Romans 3:22 (NLT) 22 And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous
5. Its was humbling
a. Became humbled unto death even on a cross
b. All who believe shall be forgiven
6. This is what Christmas is all about
a. The salvation of our souls
7. It starts with God and it ends with God
8. Tomorrow
a. Before you open your presents open the bible.
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
1. His favor rests on us today…not just us….but all the world!
a. This message is for everyone
i. We need to tell it to the whole world
Sing Go tell it on the mountain
