'Tis the Season: "The Purpose of Christmas"

Over the next four Sundays, the 4th being Christmas, we will be in a mini-series called ‘Tis the Season”. The four messages are “The Promise of Christmas”, “The Purpose of Christmas”, “The Proclamation of Christmas” and on Christmas morning, “The Christmas Presents”.

Matthew 1:18–25 (NASB)

18 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.

The purpose of Christmas:

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.”

Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)

14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

When you understand the purpose of Christmas you will...

...Rejoice.

(v. 18-21) 18 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.”

Webster’s 1828: REJOICE, verb intransitive rejois'.

“To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult (to feel and show elation and jubilation).

[I will rejoice in thy salvation. Psalms 9:14.]”

(v. 20b-21) 20b “...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.”

John 8:56 (NASB)

56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NASB)

16 Rejoice always;

Philippians 4:4 (NASB)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Psalm 35:9 (NASB)

9 And my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; It shall exult in His salvation.

...Respond in faith.

(v. 24) And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife...

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

James 2:17 (NIV)

17 ...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

John 14:15 (NASB)

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

1 John 5:3 (NASB)

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

(v. 24) And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife...

…Remain faithful.

(v. 25) ...but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

(v. 25) ...but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son...

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:14 (NASB)

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

(v. 25) ...and he called His name Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NASB)

5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Acts 11:23 (NASB)

23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord...

Galatians 5:22 (NASB)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...

Memory Verse of the Week:

Isaiah 7:14 (NASB)

14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Bible Study Questions:

What does this Scripture teach us about God?

What does this Scripture teach us about ourselves?

What does this Scripture teach us about the world?

Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?

Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else in the passage stick out to you?