What Would Satan Say About Christmas?
Dec. 4, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction:
A Last week we looked at what Santa, Sinter Klaas, would say about how we celebrate Christmas.
1 Focus (Xmas vs. Christmas)
2 Faith (Jesus vs. Santa)
B Satan in our interviewee today!
1 Difficult because his presence is here this morning
a He never misses a service
b Either him or a demonic spirit attends every church service, business meeting, Sunday School class, etc.
2 What does the fallen angelic choir director of heaven have to say to us this morning.
a Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, ’You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ’You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ " 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Gen 3:1-5 (NASB)
b And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 6and said* to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ’HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ’ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’ 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Matt 4:3, 6, & 9 (NASB) "If" used 3 x’s= doubt!
3 Jesus called the devil a liar & the father of all lies (murderer)
a One of the biggest weapons in his arsenal against God’s people is DOUBT.
b If Satan can get us to doubt our beliefs about our Savior’s birth, he’s been effective.
c What would he have us question, doubt, wonder "if" it’s true?
4 (TS) Let’s look at two things I think Satan would say to us today.
I Do you really believe Jesus was virgin-born?
A Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Matt 1:18-25 (NASB)
1 If Satan were here in bodily form he’d have something to say about this passage.
a Young man & woman in love, engaged, & she suddenly becomes pregnant? COME ON!
b The idea of a girl who was never sexually active, God miraculously puts a baby in her womb...ludicrous!
2 He may even get us to question the necessity of the virgin birth altogether!
a It doesn’t really matter if Mary was a virgin or not.
b LIE: He can still be a good man, taught life truths, even die on a cross for your sins.
c Nothing could please the enemy more than for us to doubt the virgin birth occurred...but it did!
B You may be wondering what difference does it make. The doctrinal importance is seen in at least 3 areas:
1 The virgin birth shows that salvation must ultimately come from the Lord.
a And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." Gen 3:15 (NASB) Gen. 3:15 is God’s response to Satan’s deception on Eve.
b God promised a redeemer (the first promise was Jesus!)
c 5,000 years later, through God’s own power, God brought about a Savior without the effects of sinful man.
d So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Gal 4:3-5 (NASB)
aa There’s not a man or woman alive who could have brought about salvation.
bb Salvation is a work of God.
2 The virgin birth made the incarnation possible.
a Jesus isn’t 50% God & 50% man-He’s 100% God & 100% man.
b The virgin birth means God sent His Son into the world as a man.
aa He could have chosen any way, but He chose to plant His seed in the womb of a virgin girl, Mary, & it doesn’t matter why He chose this route.
bb It’s not my place to question-it’s my place to believe.
c Satan wants to strike at the point of my belief by getting me to ask the Creator, "Why?"
d He wants me to question God’s work.
3 The virgin birth made possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.
a Every human has inherited sin because/through Adam. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. Romans 5:18 (NASB)
b When my mom & dad conceived me, I not only inherited blond hair & blue eyes...I also inherited a corrupt moral nature.
c In the virgin birth, this process was broken when the Holy Spirit of God chose to plant His seed into the womb without a human father. NO SEED OF ADAM!
d If no virgin birth then Jesus inherited sin, sinful nature
aa If Jesus is a sinner, then He couldn’t have died on a cross to pay for my/your sins!
bb The virgin birth is a big deal!
C If Satan can get us to opt out of the virgin birth, he has made us doubt God.
1 He did it to Eve in the Garden, & people in Chester
2 The virgin birth isn’t optional-your salvation depends on it.
3 If Jesus wasn’t sinless then the cross is a sham.
TS: Jesus’ virgin birth is not the only thing the enemy would have us question this morning.
II If Jesus came to bring peace, then why are our lives so full of pain? (WARNING: this point does not have a tidy ending).
A "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:12-14 (NASB)
1 Scripture makes it clear that Jesus is all about the peace!
a Bethlehem=house of bread; Jesus=Bread of Life
b Jesus=Prince of Peace; Jerusalem=City of Peace
2 At Christmas time we hear the word "peace" often
a Songs, ribbons, decorations
b The birth of Jesus brought/brings peace!
B Satan would have us doubt that Jesus brings peace
1 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Matt 2:16 (NASB) Why did these babies have to die?
2 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matt 10:34 (NASB) What’s up with that?
3 "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW Matt 10:35 (NASB) Prince of Peace
C If Jesus is all about peace, then why is life like it is?
1 Giving your life to Jesus DOES NOT always mean it gets more peaceful-gets more complicated!
a Many of you are hurting/suffering today
aa Kids, family, church
bb Financially
cc Health
dd Job
ee The only Christians I know whose lives are peace-filled are the ones who don’t do anything. Church attendance is the only sign they knew Christ.
b Our pain, hurt, and suffering are easy targets for Satan to aim his arrows of doubt.
aa If God really loved me...cared...brings peace-
bb Why do I have cancer...divorce...bankrupt... depressed
c Satan whispers to our soul seeds of doubt
aa Do you see how God treats you?
bb You live like that Bible of your says, & you get this in return?
d That question has caused many a child of God to walk away from the Lord, the church, people.
2 Answer? Not a simple one.
a God loves us all & He never does anything to hurt us.
b James simply writes that every good & perfect gift comes from God.
3 Why do people get sick? Die? Family problems?
a Sin
b If husbands loved their wives biblically-less problems
If a person treated the body as a temple-less problems
If we treated one another as the Bible says-less problems
c Sounds trite, but it is true nonetheless
D Bruised believers, listen to me
1 It’s not our place to question why things happen in our lives.
2 I want to learn to trust Him when things do happen.
a Run to Him in times of hurt
b Run to Him in times of pain
E In 18 years of ministry, I’ve noticed something about how people handle crisis.
1 Those who fall apart or fall away were not that close to begin with.
a Not firmly anchored
b Word, prayer
2 Those who stay strong & solid had spent time with God.
a "The man whose Bible is falling apart usually has a life that isn’t." Cliche, but generally true.
b (IL) Last weekend we went home to have Thanksgiving with family...and also to put flowers on the grave of our babies.
aa Easy to ask, "Why?". Good people, so are you!
bb How do I get peace?
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
F The next time Satan whispers to you about God not caring, you scream back!
1 God loves me!
a The Word says it-John 3:16
b The cross displays it
2 God has a purpose & plan for me!
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
