The Greatest Gift Of All

This morning I want to explore some aspects of the birth of Christ - ¡§what is it we celebrate when we are celebrating the birth of Christ?¡¨

„« I realize that it was the birth of our Savior

„« I realize that our redemption was purchased through the purpose of Jesus¡¦ coming

But there is more to this than we care to deal with.

We find the Christmas story ¡V the story of Christ¡¦s birth in Luke chapter 2, but I want to look at the prophecy that Isaiah proclaimed about birth of Jesus

So let¡¦s look in the book of Isaiah

Isa 9:6-7

6 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.

7 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)

In the majority of verse 6 and in all of verse 7 we find characteristics, purpose, and realities that will be associated with the coming Messiah

But I want to focus for a moment on the first 13 words:

¡§For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given¡¨

We find in this first statement that a ¡§Child is born¡¨ and a ¡§Son is given¡¨

The first thing we find in that statement, which we know is being spoken of Jesus is that He had to be born

But once He was born ¡V as the Son of God ¡V He was given as a ransom for us all ¡V there was purpose directly connect to his manifestation

Matt 20:28

28 Even as the Son¡Kcame not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (KJV)

We know and I would assume understand that Jesus came for a purpose ¡V He was born into this world

¡§A child is born¡¨ for a purpose

„» That word ¡¥child¡¦ from the Hebrew means, ¡§a child as a builder of the family name¡¨

Jesus came into the world to perpetuate the family name (family of God) ¡V but in that purpose of being born He gave Himself that others might also experience sonship

This is interesting because we have no problem with Jesus being the Son of God

We have no problem in reading the gospels about this Son that was given who went around doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil

We have no problem in reading about this Son who walked on water, took some loaves and fishes and fed a multitude

We have no problem with this Son who when it came time to pay taxes had His disciple go fish and the money that was needed was in the mouth of the fish

We have no problem reading about this Son who when confronted with a demoniac spoke the Word and he sat clothed and in His right mind

We have no problem of this child that was born and this Son that was given when confronted with the issue of a sinking boat in the middle of storm He could speak to the wind and the waves and they would calm

We have no problem with any of this because Jesus was the Son of God and that is what the Son of God did¡K

But do we comprehend the fact that we have been born again ¡V and that when you were born again the same thing could be said of you ¡V this day a child is born¡K (rejoicing of heaven)

1 Pet 1:23 ¡V speaking of believers:

¡§having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, (NKJ)

I Jn 5:1

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God¡K (KJV)

Rom 8:29 speaking of Jesus:

¡§¡Kthat he [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brethren.¡¨ (KJV)

And then what does the Bible say about us after we are born of God?

Rom 8:14

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)

Rom 8:19

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

(KJV)

„« Notice here that all of creation is not waiting for the manifestation of the Son of God ¡V Jesus, but for the manifestation of the sons of God ¡V us

Phil 2:15

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Given)