As we have been considering Christmas in light of this verse, we have thought about the person of Christmas - the Lord Jesus Christ; and we have thought about the purpose of Christmas - it is all about GRACE - God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Now today, I want us to conclude our consideration of Christmas by thinking about the possibility of Christmas. Because of Christmas, it is possible for me to have:
1. Undeniable Assurance - “For you know. . .”
Paul spoke to the Corinthians about their assurance. He spoke of the fact that what he was telling them was something that they knew
experientially. Likewise, the Scripture makes it clear that we can have full assurance concerning the fact that we have a right relationship with God through faith in Christ.
“God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us - an unbelievable inheritance!” - Romans 8:16-17a (The Message)
Do you have such an assurance concerning your eternal destiny?
Sometime when you’re in an airport, observe the difference between passengers who hold confirmed tickets and those who are on standby. The ones with confirmed tickets read newspapers, chat with their friends or sleep. The ones on standby hang around the ticket counter, pace and smoke, smoke and pace. The difference is caused by the confidence factor.
If you knew that in fifteen minutes you would have to stand in judgment before the Holy God and learn your eternal destiny, what would your reaction be? Would you smoke and pace? Would you say to yourself, “I don’t know what God’s going to say - Will it be, ‘Welcome home, child,’ or will it be ‘Depart from me, I never knew you?’” - Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not To Pray.
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He who has the son has life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:11-13 (NIV)
2. Unconditional Acceptance - “. . . our Lord Jesus Christ. . .”
The word “our” emphasizes the fact that when I come to God through faith in Christ, I become part of a family, a fellowship, a community. God is now my heavenly Father and all who share faith in Christ are my spiritual family. I am unconditionally accepted in Christ. I belong! I am among those who know the true meaning of Christmas.
What’s all this hectic rush and worry? Where go these crowds who run and curry? Why all the lights - the Christmas trees? The jolly “fat man,” tell me please! Why, don’t you know? This is the day for parties and for fun and play; why this is Christmas! So this is Christmas, do you say? But where is Christ this Christmas day? Has He been lost among the throng? His voice drowned out by empty song? No. He’s not here - you’ll find Him where some humble soul now kneels in prayer, who knows the Christ of Christmas.But see the many aimless thousands who gather on this Christmas Day, whose hearts have never yet been opened, or said to Him, “Come in to stay.” In countless homes the candles burning, in countless hearts expectant yearning, for gifts and presents, food and fun, and laughter till the day is done. But not a tear of grief or sorrow, for Him so poor He had to borrow a crib, a colt, a boat, a bed where He could lay His weary head. I’m tired of all this empty celebration, of feasting, drinking, recreation; I’ll go instead to Calvary; and there I’ll kneel with those who know the meaning of that manger low, and find the Christ - this Christmas. I leap by faith across the years to that great day when He appears the second time, to rule and reign, to end all sorrow, death, and pain. In endless bliss we then shall dwell with Him who saved our souls from hell, and worship Christ - not Christmas! - M. R. DeHaan, M.D. Founder, Radio Bible Class
3. Unlimited Assistance - “. . . might become rich.”
We have mentioned the inheritance that awaits us. But God wants us to know that the wealth He has in mind for His children is not something that we have to wait until we enter heaven to begin to benefit from.
Salvation is not just about God bringing us to heaven one day; it is also about God bringing heaven to us today.
He has done that in the person of Christ.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
The promise of this verse is that God will meet all the needs of His children. But as with all the promises of God, there is a premise, a
condition that must be met; and that condition is that we must determine that all we need is found in Christ Jesus.
“(God) will give you what you need to live on if you need Him in order to live.” - David Powlison
No wonder the Bible refers to Christ as our “all in all.” He is all we need in all the circumstances of life!
“So what do you think? With God on oar side like this, how can we lose? If God did not hesitate to put everything on the line for us,
embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly
and freely do for us?” - Romans 8:31-32 (The Message)
Conclusion:
“I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them a single shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed.” - Patrick Henry
Have you received the true riches that are available to you because of the gift of God's Son? Are you seeking to share the greatest gift, the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ with others?
