BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS
Matthew 1:21-23
Because of that first Christmas, the child of God is recipient of three great assurances that provide comfort and strength throughout our life.
I. GOD WITH US!
Matthew 1:23. …and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Christmas Carol– God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- Tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
Consider these promises:
Matthew 28:20… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
Deuteronomy 31:8. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Joshua 1:9. Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Psalm 23:4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me…
II. GOD IN US!
Colossians 1:27. … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The Holy Spirit is in us to seal us until the day of redemption; to guide, comfort, teach and empower us for Christian service.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:9b-11. … if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
III. GOD FOR US!
Romans 8:31-32. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Napoleon was a great general...but an extremely poor theologian! His declaration that “God is on the side of the army with the largest battalions" is patently false.
Who then is God for?
We are to be reminded that the wonderful promise of Romans 8:31 follows that great passage of Romans 8:28-30 which clearly sets forth that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
The "called according to His purpose" are further characterized: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
The dedicated Christian who walks daily in the will of God can take courage in knowing that
Isaiah 54:17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
