A Christmas Sermon
As I sit to write this Christmas Sermon I feel rather strange because it will find its roots in the Gospel of John and the writings of the Apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews rather than the Gospel’s of Luke and Matthew. This seems odd even to me but this is where I am given to begin---so I shall.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was with God in the beginning. (3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (4) In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The Apostle John in his writings, 1,2 & 3 John and Revelation, does not go into detail or give a genealogy of the birth of Christ instead he sets out immediately to tells us point blank exactly who Jesus Christ is.
We note that boldly John declares that in the very beginning Jesus the Christ is called The Word and that He existed with God the Father and that He was in person God—one with God—a part of the Godhead we know in the Christian realm as the Trinity.
He reiterates that statement again in the second verse to insure that we get it that Jesus was with God in the very beginning. Then he continues.
(3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Now John begins to stretch our theology and we catch our breath at this statement for he tells us that at the time of the creation of all things Jesus was not only present but was in fact the Creator. Can we grasp this in our Earthly brains? Through Jesus Christ all things were created!
To be sure that our brain can grasp this John comes back with the assurance that NOTHING was made without Him making it. We have long had the picture in our mind of God the Father doing the creating but John is very clear here and we must do the stretch and accept it because it is from the word of God. If we trust in the scripture this must be part of our belief.
Okay, I agree that we should not base our belief on one single statement of one single person so if we are to add the fact that Christ was the Creator to our theology then we need to hear this from someone else—someone of high regard—someone who’s writings we can rely upon.
How about the Apostle Paul?
Paul spent a great deal of time in the City of Colossi during his missionary journeys. He writes a letter to the church after he has left it to continue on his missionary journey. In that letter we find the following statement as he is relating to them just who Jesus the Christ is.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Paul was a brilliant Jewish scholar who was educated by Gamaliel one of the most respected Jewish teachers of his day. Yet this brilliant scholar was given the revelation of who Jesus Christ was—the depth of who Christ was and the depth of it was beyond all his earthly scholarship; he shares that with us.
Paul first tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God—God the Father. We note here that Paul was writing to Christians who had no Jewish history, before coming to Christ they were Gentiles or pagans or heathens. So He speaks of God the Father as the invisible God.
1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
He makes clear that Jesus is the human reflection of God the Father. If we to want to “see” God we have to look at Christ, His ways, His teachings and His personality for He is the image of God the Father.
In agreement with the Apostle John, Paul clearly states that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation and then continues that thought by saying that by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created. Not only that but those things created were things not only on earth but in heaven as well. Things that are seen and not seen were created by Christ. Places of power, rulers and authority were created by Christ. We note that Paul says they were created by Him and FOR Him.
Now comes and even greater shocker.
(17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
All things, yes, all things, are held together by Christ. Everything we plainly see, all the knowledge of things we don’t see….all things both visible and invisible are held together by the glue called Jesus Christ! Nothing exists without Him, absolutely nothing. Without Him nothing would exist, nothing.
Okay so the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John agree about who Jesus Christ really is but did anyone else have that revelation? As a matter of fact they did.
The Bible book we call Hebrews was penned by an unknown author. Some say it was Paul although the writing style is very different. Other say perhaps Apollo or one of the early preachers. Author unknown but we should note what was said here in the very beginning of this New Testament book written specifically for the Hebrews.
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, (2)but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
We will begin with verse 2
(2)but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
We see that the writer of Hebrews tells us that God had spoken to the people in many ways but in those last days He spoke through His Son Whom he selected as the one to inherit all things and through whom He made the universe. God spoke to us through His Son, His appointed heir through Whom He made the universe. The creation was done by Christ!
Now let’s see verse 3
(3) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Again we see testimony that Jesus the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and an exact image of the Father. To see Christ in the Gospels is to see the Father in human form.
And we note that according to the writer of Hebrews the Son provides sustenance to all things – just by the power of His word. Jesus does that; supports and holds together all things just by saying so. That’s power!
Isn’t this a fantastic discovery? It’s amazing to realize the true depth of who Jesus really is and see the scope of the extent of His relationship with the Father. But His place in creation, wow, isn’t that mind blowing? To think that He holds all things that He created in place just by the power of His word. These three writers of the New Testament are in agreement here and this is what was taught to the Christian church in its foundation days. Just try to imagine the power in Jesus the Son; power to bring things in to being just at His word alone. Almighty in power and omnipotent in being that is Jesus the Christ (Messiah). Is this missing in our churches today?
Okay Ron, we get that but you said this was a Christmas sermon so how does this tie in?
Glad you asked. You see:
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
God the Father loved the world so much that He directed His, omnipotent, unsurpassed powerful Son, through Whom the universe was created, to go down to planet Earth in the form of one of its most helpless creatures—a human baby. And HE did it! He gave up the heavenly realm and came to earth in the City of Bethlehem. This omnipotent being became man because God loved mankind so much that He had a plan to bring mankind to Himself through the sacrifice of His omnipotent Son. Imagine how Jesus, the Creator, had to humble Himself to become one of us—yet He did it willingly. Why?
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
And here we have the mission statement of that baby in the manger. “Jesus you are to go down there as a babe in a manger and grow up before men exemplifying the love of God the Father. You are to tell them of the plan God has for them. You are to show them the power of God through healings and deliverance. You are to give them the commands that God gives you and live a spotless life before them in spite of their harassment and condemnation. When you are finished you are to be tried by those same men you came to save; beaten, flogged and finally crucified. Your death will provide a bridge for mankind to come to Me (the Father) in spotless condition free of sin. If they will accept what you have done for them I will accept them as a joint heir with you.”
And He did it………….. for you!
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, (5) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (6) whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7) so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Thus the baby in the manger……
This is how much God loves you….. I hope it adds to your Christmas celebration.
God bless and Merry CHRISTmas
