Mission Christmas - Purity

Jesus came into the world for a specific mission: To fulfill the law, cover sin, and reunite humanity to God. Elements of His mission goal are also found in the first steps of the journey: Purity, Hope, Love, and Restoration. This Christmas, let’s find His purpose in His birth!

Intro

Today, we look at purity. In our lives today, there is no more sincere expression of purity than a new born baby. Innocence, undiminished potential, unharmed and unmarred. A new borne baby is pure.

Purity: The state of being unmixed or diluted with impure or tainted material.

But Jesus was more than just any baby. His purity was not a temporary condition. His purity was a perpetual state before God

Purity: A state of right ceremonial standing in regards to religious law.

But as we will see, this kind of purity requires preparation. Preparation for Jesus’ life and ministry; preparation for our life following Jesus.

Christianity is not something you just reach up and grab, as some are taught. There must be a preparation of the mind, a preparation of the life and a preparation of the inner person before we can savingly believe in Jesus Christ.16

A. W. Tozer

Christ’s own hand performs the preparation-work.

Charles Spurgeon

Pray

Purity Requires Preparation - Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25)

One of the wonderful things about the Christmas story is that it gives us context to the life and ministry of Jesus. It gives us back story. It brings us in to the intimate moments of family and love. I think that’s why this season produces those same memories and feelings in us.

As we look at the passages we have today, I want us to see that the purity of Jesus’ sinless life and His ultimate mission began even before His birth.

God Prepared The World.

“In the days of Herod” (v.5)

The situations, nations, leaders, infrastructure, and His own nation were in just the right place. Prepared for the redeemer of the world.

God Prepared the Messenger’s way.

“… There was a priest named Zechariah… And he had a wife… And they were both righteous before God.” (v. 5-7)

Zechariah and Elizabeth are prepared and anointed to clear the way for Jesus by preparing the way for the herald - Joh the Baptist.

Their preparation includes reminding of the promise. (Abraham and Sarah)

Their preparation includes their devotion to God’s Kingdom.

God Prepared The Message Giver.

(v. 13-17)

The message is the proclamation of the coming Messiah

Likely the Day of Atonement

Zechariahs mouth touched by a throne-room angel (to be silent (because he did not believe) until the time was complete) as was Isaiah’s (to have his guilt and sin atoned for).

is 6:8 “8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.””

We Must Be Prepared To Share The Message Of Peace.

God will prepare the circumstances

(We) Prepare by commitment to God’s righteousness in our lives.

Prepared to seek atonement for our sins. Confession is paramount!

Prepared to silence our unbelief. Fasting and the Sabath are God’s tools for this.

Prepared to share (instead of our words) God’s message to the people.

The presence of Jesus in the lives of the lost is the reward for preparedness. Let’s not forget the stakes!

Purity Takes Dedication.

- Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1:67-80)

So if preparation is the means, dedication is the method.

Personal Dedication

Zechariah was dedicated to His wife and loved her even though she had no children.

Passing on your lineage was a huge deal for that culture. But Zechariah was devoted to her anyway

Kingdom Dedication

Zechariah served for years as a priest. He served faithfully, humbly, with dedication.

He followed God’s plan and was moved by the Spirit

Replication Dedication (v. 76-80)

Parenting in your old age ain’t for sissies!

The years of learning, understanding, and wisdom passed on to his son.

Replication often takes being dedicated to trust. He would have likely not seen John into manhood, but gave all he had and trusted the Lord to give the increase.

Preparation and Dedication Prepare the Way For Redemption.

1 John 3:1–3 ESV

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

This is the message of Jesus’ mission - to redeem and purify a people for Himself

Titus 2:14 ESV

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

And we, like Abraham, like Isaiah, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, like John the Baptist are called to preparation and dedication that we might declare the purity of Jesus and by Him others might be pure.

Titus 2:15 ESV

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Pray

Purity

Requires Preparation - Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25)

Takes Dedication - Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1:67-80)

Hope

Proclaims Victory - Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

Gives Life - Elizabeth, Mary, John and Jesus (Luke 1:39-56)

Love

Is Present - God Made Flesh (Luke 2:1-7)

Draws Us In - Shepherds Invited (Luke 2:8-21)

Restoration

Present Before the LORD - Jesus At The Temple (Luke 2:22-24)

Choosing The Better - Pain In What Is Lost (Luke 2:25-35)

Proclaiming The Good News - Anna The Evangelist (Luke 2:36-38)

Luke 1:4 ...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

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