A Child is Born
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (NKJ)
Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (NKJ)
Matt 1:20-23 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ""Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’’ which is translated, ""God with us.’’ (NKJ)
INTRODUCTION:
The idea of giving gifts was not started by advertisers, they just distorted it for their own gain!
(Illus. “Tickle me Elmo” Walmart employee hospitalized after being stampeded by 300 people opening the door.)
OUR QUESTI0N: DOES GOD REALLY LOVE ME?
God answered our question before we asked it. So we’d see his answer, He lit the sky with a star. So we’d hear it, He filled the night with a choir; and so we’d believe it, He did what no man had ever dreamed. He became flesh and dwelt among us.
Jesus’ birth was announced by prophets, angels, Wise men, Shepherds, Priests and God Himself!
Seven possibilities because of Jesus’ birth:
1- Jesus Makes It Possible to Comprehend GOD.
• John 1:14 And 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. (NKJ)
• John 14:8-9 Philip said to Him, ""Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’’ Jesus said to him, ""Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father’? (NKJ)
2- An Atonement for SIN is Available to All Men.
• Col 1:19-22 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- (NKJ)
• Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: ""You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (NKJ)
3- God by Participation Identifies With ME.
• Heb 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren (NKJ)
• Heb 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (NKJ)
• Phil. 2:7-8 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (NKJ)
1. He chose not to act as GOD.
2. Master became a servant.
3. His life was like ours in “likeness”. 4. He subjected Himself to His own curse.
4- Jesus Is a Great High Priest Who CAN Continually Represent Me Before the Throne of God.
• Heb 2:17-18 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJ)
• Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJ)
5- The Work of SATAN Can Be Destroyed In My Life.
• Heb 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (NKJ)
6- DEATH as a Enemy Has Been Conquered.
• John 11:25 Jesus said to her, ""I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. (NKJ)
• 1 Cor 15:55-57 ""O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
7- I Have an EXAMPLE of How to Live the Abundant Life
• John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
CONCLUSION :
If there is a sad part to the way people celebrate Christmas, it is that most have no idea what the birth of Jesus really means
(illus: Manger scene/little girl/Baby Jesus in a car seat)
It is not really about the happy, tender scene of the manger setting
• It is actually about God becoming man
• It is a story of suffering and the defeat of evil
• It is a story of victory over Satan and the redemption of man
But know this-- none of these real meanings have any meaning at all without the fact that Jesus Christ was born
•1. Celebrate that fact every day of the year - that includes December 25th
•2. Because of it, we are at the forefront of those who proclaim that
• Jesus Christ was born of a virgin
• Lived a sinless life
• Died on a Cross for the sins of mankind
• Was Resurrected from the grave,
• and is Coming Again! REAL SOON!!!
INVITATION
The gift that God has given to all mankind is the gift of His Son. The gift of salvation. He has made it available to all, just for the taking. The problem is that mankind will not take it. If you put a pot of money on a table with a sign which read, "free for the asking," people would literally break their necks getting it.
But offer the salvation of God the same way, and it is ignored. Some day, men will regret very deeply that they had the chance to take this gift, but refused. By then, unfortunately for them, it will be too late.
The unique thing about this gift is that He gave it to those who hated Him, and were rebelling against Him.
Think : would you give a gift to someone who was driving nails through your hands, or who killed your son? What a true example of grace! What a true example of mercy!
