Introduction

Beloved, gather near, and let us take a moment to pause from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Let's set aside our worldly concerns, our to-do lists, our anxieties, and our fears. Let's focus our hearts and minds on the splendid, awe-inspiring truth of God's love, a love so profound that it was willing to take on flesh and dwell among us.

As we gather here in this sacred space, let us turn our hearts and minds to the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless."

Indeed, my dear friends, we are utterly dependent on the Spirit of God, and it is only through His power that we can truly understand the profound mystery of Christmas and the incredible love of God that it represents.

Our Scripture passage today is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

This single verse, so familiar to many of us, encapsulates the very heart of the Christmas message. It speaks of a love so vast, so deep, so unfathomable that God was willing to give His only Son for us. It speaks of a promise so profound that whoever believes in Jesus, the Son of God, will not perish but will have eternal life.

As we prepare to delve into the depths of this verse and its profound implications, let us first bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You in awe of Your great love for us. We are humbled by the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life that You have given us through Him. As we seek to understand more deeply the significance of His birth, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to the truth of Your Word. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we might have the wisdom to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of Your love for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Today, we will consider three main points: the Cruciality of Christmas, the Consequences of Christmas, and the Counterfactual of Christmas. Each of these points will help us to more fully grasp the magnitude of God's love for us and the incredible gift we have received through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.

So, let us begin, dear friends, with the Cruciality of Christmas...

Christmas' Cruciality

As we gather here, let's think about the birth of Jesus Christ. This event is more than a story we tell our children. It's the very foundation of our faith. It's the moment when God's love was made manifest in the world in a new and powerful way. God promised to save humanity and then it became a reality. It's the moment when the infinite became finite, when the eternal entered time, when the Creator became part of creation. This is not just a theological idea. It's a reality that changes everything.

Let's think about what it means that God became human. God knows what it's like to be us. He knows what it's like to be hungry, to be tired, to be sad, to be happy. He knows what it's like to be born, to grow up, to work, to die. He knows what it's like to be human because He was human. This means God is not distant or detached. He is not a remote deity who watches us from afar. He is a God who is intimately involved in our lives.

Also, God gave His only Son. This act of love goes beyond anything we can comprehend. It's an act of love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the beloved. This is the kind of love that God has for us. It's a love that is willing to give up everything, even His only Son, for our sake.

This is the kind of love that is at the heart of Christmas. While it may be good to focus on gifts or spending time with family, it’s also about giving everything, about sacrificing everything, for the sake of the beloved.

Now, let's think about what it means that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. This is a promise of hope. No matter what we've done, no matter how far we've strayed, no matter how lost we feel, there is hope for us. There is a way back to God. There is a way to eternal life. This is the promise of Christmas. This baby born in a manger would go on to be the Savior who died on the cross.

Finally, let's think about what it means that God so loved the world. This is a statement of inclusivity. It's a statement that God's love is not limited to a certain group of people. It's not limited to those who look a certain way, who speak a certain language, who live in a certain place. It's a love that is for everyone.

Transition. So, as we celebrate Christmas, let's remember the profound truths that it represents. Let's remember the love of God that was made manifest in the birth of Jesus. Let's remember the hope that is offered to us through His sacrifice. Let's remember the inclusivity of His message. And let's strive to live out these truths in our own lives.

Christmas' Consequences

Now, let’s consider the impact of this event that is far-reaching, extending beyond the manger in Bethlehem, beyond the shepherds and wise men, and even beyond the cross and the empty tomb ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO