“What if Christmas Never Came?”
Isaiah 11:1-10
Dr. Seuss was one of the greatest story tellers of all time. My favorite of course is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The Grinch hated the Who’s so badly that he wanted them to be as unhappy as he was. Doesn’t that sound vaguely familiar? The devil hates all mankind so much that he wants us to be as miserable as he is. Therefore his desire was to keep Christmas from coming. What would have happened if he had succeeded and the first noel had never happened?
Mankind would never know righteousness before God.
A. Since the moment of Adam’s sin, man has been in an un-right relationship with his creator. Before then all was right—God walked with him in the cool of the evening.
B. God wanted to wipe man off the face of the earth and start over again—he did this with Noah and wanted to do it with Moses.
C. In a way, he has done it with Jesus—man is re-created through Jesus.
D. Jesus became “unrighteousness” in our place. Therefore, we can know righteousness before God—not because of ours, but Jesus’.
E. The story of Terry Schafer and her police husband David—she wanted to buy the perfect gift—but it might be too expensive--$127.50—in 1977. The store owner let her have it on credit and she couldn’t wait to give it to her husband—just a few weeks later it saved his life—see page 496 Swindol
Mankind would never know impartiality.
A. It is a difficult matter to find a human who is completely impartial—not even our Supreme Court judges are 100% impartial.
B. Man is ultimately swayed by his convictions and beliefs—be they good or bad—moral or immoral.
C. It’s like the tour bus driver in Nashville giving a tour of the civil war Battle of Nashville. Every battle was won by the Confederates—when asked if the Yankees had won any, he replied, “Not as long as I’m the tour director.”
D. But with Jesus, there is no impartiality. Every one will get his or her due. If you are due reward, you will receive it. If punishment, be sure, you will receive that as well.
E. Isaiah said that he will judge the poor with righteousness.
F. He will decide the fairness of the afflicted.
G. He will slay the wicked.
H. As long as he is the tour bus driver and you are on His tour, only the righteous will prevail.
Mankind would never know faithfulness.
A. Jesus is our example of faithfulness. Isaiah said that his waist was girded with the belt of faithfulness. This was the belt that held up the garments to enable the man to work or to run. It is enabling faith that enables us to run with endurance the race set before us.
B. Faithfulness is living a life of faith—not just when times are hard, but everyday, through every circumstance of your life.
C. Friends, live a life of faithfulness. Be faithful to God and to His church. Be faithful to your spouse and family. Be faithful to your friends. Be faithful to your job, your boss, your coworkers. Be faithful.
Finally, mankind would never know peace.
A. Listen to Isaiah’s prophecy of world peace.
B. Where righteousness prevails, no one will wrong another.
C. Where righteousness dwells, no one will have wrongs to avenge.
D. Where righteousness reigns, jealous, envy, strife, violence, bitterness and hatred will have no place.
When Jesus the righteous King rules over the minds, hearts, and lives of all mankind, then the glory-day will have come and no war or battle sound will be heard the world around. Are you ready for that day?
