A Christmas Question
Our focal text for today is found in the book of Isaiah chapter nine. It is only a portion of the verse – the first part – it reads:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
(I have an entire series on the later portion of this verse which deals with four titles of Jesus. The series is simply called Isaiah 9:6)
The sentence is a double one – it makes two distinct statements. “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”
Jesus Christ was a Child born as a human being. He was flesh and blood – just as you and I are flesh and blood. His mother went through the same process of giving birth just like your and my mother did when we were born. Notice that the verse says He was “born” – there was no escaping His physical birth. He was born human – although begotten of the Holy Spirit – although born of a virgin – He was born as a human being. The Bible tells: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NKJV) Jesus was totally human.
But there is another side of the story. Jesus Christ is God’s Son and has been before time began. He is eternal – He is not born. He is “given” to us – because He was co-existent with the Father from before the beginning. He was there when the worlds were made. In fact He formed the worlds – for Colossians tells us:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:15-17 (NKJV)
Is it any wonder that our text says: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Both statements are true. It is one of the divine mysteries – which no man can totally fathom – yet it is a fact. C.H. Spurgeon – a famous preacher from the 1800’s has said: “But as to any explanation of it, no man should venture thereon, for it remains among the deep things of God—one of those solemn mysteries,
indeed, into which the angels dare not look, nor do they desire to pry into it—a mystery which we must not attempt to fathom, for it is utterly beyond the grasp of any finite being.”
If we could understand God totally – He would not be God. If we could grasp Him – and explain all aspects of Him – He would not be infinite. God by His very nature – is more than we can comprehend. Who can fully understand:
“For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son into the world.”
He was before the beginning of time – yet He was born in this world. He was sent – He was given – that is why the scripture says:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
This morning – my principal interest is to look at two words found twice in this passage. The two words are: “Unto us”. Go ahead and circle those two words.
Let me ask A Christmas Question this morning:
I. If a child is born “unto us” – if a son is given “unto us” – what does it MATTER?
Let me say in the first place – it is a historical fact that Jesus was born. It is true that unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. Let there be no doubt in your mind.
We all know the Christmas story – that the Son of God became man – that He was born in Bethlehem – that He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger. These are the facts that that we know about Jesus. But the question is this: Is this Child born to US? Is He given to US? Have you a personal interest in the Child that was born in Bethlehem? Do you know Him as our Savior? Has He has brought glad tidings to you? Do you understand the good news that He proclaimed? Does He belong to you? Do you belong to Him? Can you truly say:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
A. If this child is born to you: Your eternal SALVATION is a stake.
I have seen people whose eternal destiny I have serious questions about. They seem to go through life with no care or concern of spiritual matters what-so-ever. They live only for the here and now – and only for themselves. They seem not to care where they will spend eternity.
They seem to be like a man walking along a narrow road with a deep canyon on both sides – blindfolded. They take life with no care or concern of God or godly things. They do not realize that they are living life on the edge of eternity. One false move and they are over the edge – yet they do not know of the danger – unaware that their life is at risk at any moment. One slip and they will be over the edge to be dashed by the rocks below. Yet their blindfold has kept them from seeing the danger they are in.
You see – what you do with the child who was born in Bethlehem is important. It is the most important question you can ask: “What difference does this child make in my life?” Has this child been born unto me? Has the child been born for me? Has this child been sent for me?
Folks here is a fact:
If a child is born unto you – you need to have RELATIONSHIP with Him.
If this Child – wrapped in swaddling clothes – born in Bethlehem – of a virgin named Mary – is born for you – then you need to be born for Him! You need to be born again. For this Child is not born to you unless you are born to this Child. The Bible says clearly: ’You must be born again.’ John 3:7 (NKJV) Only a person who is born again can claim the babe in Bethlehem as being their own.
“But,” one may ask, “How am I to know whether I am born again or not?”
B. If this child is born to you: There has been a drastic change in your DESIRES.
Let me ask you a question: Has there been a change in your life that was caused by the by the Spirit of God? Are your loves the very opposite of what they were? Do you now hate to rebel against God? Does it bother you when you sin? Can you say that your desires have changed? Perhaps you are not living the life that you desire – but now you desires have changed none- the less. You desire to have a godly lifestyle. Your face is Heaven-ward even though your feet are still in this world. At one time you took pleasure in your sins – but now you find them disturbing. You mourn and weep when you fall short of what God wants in your life. Now you long to be holy – now you long to be godly – now you long to live in victory over your sin. Folks that is the work of the Holy Spirit in your lives. The Bible tells us:
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6 (NKJV)
Once you loved the pleasures of the world – but now you consider them as garbage. You long for those things that are eternal, pure and godly. You long for a home with your Heavenly Father. The new birth starts on the inside – your desires change – then it works its way to your behavior. Change the inside of a person and works its way to the outside. The Bible says:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
The new birth does not consist only in washing the outside of the cup and leaving the inside dirty – but it is a cleansing of the inner man also. What good is it to scrub the outer man if we are still dirty inside? What good is it to look alive on the outside if you are really dead on the inside? If there is no life in your bones – you will die. The dead dry bones that are inside – must come alive. I must be born again – in the deepest parts of my being. My desires have got to change. My heart must no longer be a tomb of death – but must become a temple of life. Is it so with you? Has there been an inward change in your life? For remember – if you are not changed in the inside – how do you expect to have it displayed on the outside.
But that is not all:
C. If this child is born to you: There has been a drastic change in your BEHAVIOR.
The child of Bethlehem – who has been born unto us – should affect every part of us – every part of our lives. My sins have been forgiven – I have a home in heaven – I have passed from death to life.
If any person tells me that Christ is his Redeemer – yet they have never experienced regeneration – that person does not know what they are talking about. Although the main matter of regeneration lies on the inside – it manifests itself on the outside.
Has your behavior changed any? Do people look at you and say: “He is not what he used to be.” If an angel should follow you for a day – view your secret life – go with you to those places that you travel alone – would the angel say: “This person has REALLY been changed.”?
Folks here is a fact:
An inward change will always affect an outward change.
Jesus said it this way:
“First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:26 (NKJV)
That which is on the inside will display itself on the outside. The proof of the Christian is in the living. James said:
“Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 (NLT)
An inward change should show itself on the outside.
D. If this child is born to you: There has been a drastic change in your MOTIVES.
If you have met the Christ child of Bethlehem – if you have been born again – not only is your inward self altered and your outward self too – but the very root and principle of your life must become totally new. Your motives have changed.
When we live in sin we are self centered – but when we are born again we live to God. While we are unregenerate – our principle aim is to seek our own pleasure – our own advancement. But the born again person’s motive is to find that which is godly. Grace and mercy changes the motives of a person.
Have you been pardoned? Have you been forgiven? Then live like you have received a pardon – live like you have been forgiven – let the love of Him who forgave you – motivate you. Paul said:
“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (MSG)
Unto you a child is born – you have been pardoned. Unto you a child is born – you have been forgiven. Unto you a child is born – you have been loved. God has directed His grace, mercy and love toward you. You were once lost – now you have been found. You were once dirty – now you have been cleaned up. You were once broken – now you have been put back together. You were once orphaned – now you have been adopted into a family – God’s family and you can say: “My Father – who art in heaven – holy is Your name.”
God’s grace, mercy and love have changed you. Now let His grace, mercy and love motivate you. First John chapter three says:
“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.” 1 John 3:16 (NLT)
If the love of God will not change your motives – nothing will.
You see when you meet the child that was given unto you – you become a new creature. The Bible says:
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)
Have you been made anew? Have you been born again? Have you met the child of Christmas? Has the child been born unto you? For the Bible says:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
Our final point for today:
E. If this child is born to you: You must grow in CHILD-LIKE faith.
People grow from childhood to adulthood in this natural world. In Grace – however – people grow from adulthood down to childhood. The nearer we come to Christ – the more we learn to trust Him – to put our faith in Him – to believe in Him – to trust in Him – just as a child trusts a faithful parent. Jesus said:
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 (NKJV)
Do you have the faith of a child? Do you take God’s Word just as it stands, simply because your heavenly Father says so? Are you content to believe mysteries of God without demanding to have all of them explained? Are you humble enough to be taught by the master? Take God’s gift that He has given you today – for God has given you a Christmas child. Accept Him. Believe in Him. Trust in Him. Give your life to Him – today.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
(Sermon starter idea came from C. H. SPURGEON)
