What Child is This?
Isaiah 9:6
This morning I want to ask one of the most pertinent and profound questions that you will ever ask in your lifetime. Many asked this question before you were born and many, in all likelihood, will ask this question once you have gone. It is a question that is asked in one of our most beautiful and time honored traditional Christmas carols that goes back to 1865 sung to a tune that dates beyond that to the 1500s. And the question is this:- What Child is this?
"What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?"
I cannot think of a more important question for America to ask this morning. You see, the way you answer this question spells the difference between life and death, success and failure, truth and error, freedom and bondage. The way you answer that question this morning will determine not just where you spend eternity but also what you will do with the rest of your life. It is in the simplicity of this question that the profound reality and meaning of life is rediscovered.
The Shepherds got some revelation on this question but they could not have understood the full impact of what they were seeing.
The Magi knew something profound was happening when they followed the star to Bethlehem - but they did not comprehend the significance of it.
Simon, the old temple prophet, saw something of the profound glory on Jesus but did not know the answer to the question.
Joseph raised the Christ Child and never quit understood it until later. His step brothers and sisters grew up with Him and they could not answer the question for they ridiculed Him.
John the Baptist saw better than most - but although he saw something of the significance of Christ - he too asked, "Are You He or shall we look for another?"
The Disciples lived with Jesus for three years and saw more than most - but even they said, "Who is this that even the winds and the waves obey Him?"
Mary - Perhaps better than anyone, His own mother treasured in her heart the glimpses into the divine purpose of Christ, but even she did not know the significance of this Babe she bore. The Bible says she was perplexed and kept pondering these things in her heart.
Well the Bible does answer the question for us - and the Bible answer is summarized in the chorus of that Christmas Carol . . .
"This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the son of Mary."
What Child is this?
Isaiah 9:6 answers this question for us when it says, "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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
What Child is this?
Matthew 1:21 answers this question for us when it tells us "You shall give Him the name Jesus because he will save His people from their sins."
What Child is this?
Philippians 2:9-11 "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Somebody say, "Amen," somebody shout, "Hallelujah!"
Many religious people see Jesus as a great teacher, and a political performer, but nothing more. Hindus have come to revere Jesus as a self-realized saint who reached the highest level of "God-consciousness." Buddhists see Him as a perfectly enlightened being, full of compassion who helps other people. Mormons see Him as one who ascended to the highest level of experience as a son of God.
The world may still be asking the question, "What Child is this?" and that should not surprise us because (John 1:10) "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him." But you precious believer, know what Child this is. You know Him.
John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Listen to me precious believer . . .
You cannot know God through religion.
You cannot know God through charity.
You cannot know God through philosophy.
You cannot know God through morality.
The only way to know God this Christmas is through the Christmas Child. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through me." (John 14:6)
I must ask you this morning - have you embraced the Christ Child? Do you know this Child?
Do You Know Him Personally
Do You Know Him Practically
Do You Know Him Powerfully
Do You Know Him Inwardly
Do You Know Him Intimately
Do You Know Him Inseparably
Beyond the heartless pale of impotent religion lies the power of a dynamic relationship with God. Do you know Him Whom to know is life?
Paul lived to know Him - to know Him at all costs - to know Him in all circumstances - to know Him in every way. To know Him, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.
If you do not know the power of His resurrection there is a whole part of Him you do not know.
If you do not know the fellowship of His suffering there is a whole part of Him you do not know.
If you do not know the power of His resurrection or the fellowship of His suffering then you must ask yourself, ‘Do I know Him?
Let me ask you this question - have you ever stopped to ask yourself why God wants you to know Him?
Because He Wants You to Know His Love
God loves you and created you to know Him personally. As a matter of fact, God has made a love covenant with you.
Titus 2:9 - "His own special people . . ."
As a matter of fact- did you know God wants to be your friend.
James 2:23 "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God."
What defines you is the love of God. You are not defined by your job title. You are not defined by your relationships. You are not defined by your success or your failures, your past or your future. You are defined by the love of God.
Because He Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life
Here is the incredible truth - God not only loves you but He has a wonderful plan for your life. It is only as you learn to receive that love that you can love yourself, love others and walk in His wonderful plan.
According to William Barclay, the great Biblical commentator, there are two great days in one’s life: "The day you are born and the day you discover why."
Paul says "To know Him whom to know is life?"
Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
Rejoice in the Lord like nobody is watching.
Because He Has a Place for You in Glory
BEFORE GOD BROUGHT ANYTHING INTO existence, He planned an incredible future for everyone willing to put their trust in Him through His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Messiah. This plan unfolds in this life, but is not unveiled until Jesus returns. This plan includes a life where we will:
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