Topical - Christmas - The Purpose of His Coming
Introduction:
Write Down The Word ‘Christmas’ & Then After The Word Christmas Write Down The First Thought That Flashes Through Your Mind.
Trees are being bought, lights are being strung, windows are being painted with Santa’s and Reindeer, lists are being made, presents are being purchased, cards are being sent, the mail system is overcrowded, the family get-togethers are being planned, etc… What are you going to celebrate this time of year? Many celebrating Christmas do not even know the true meaning of it, & even worse than that is those who do know get so caught up in the world that they forget the true meaning of Christmas. John wrote in his gospel, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:10-11).
The world this time of year is celebrating the birth of a child some 1971 years ago. Many traditions and customs have evolved around this celebration. Why was He born? What was the purpose of His Coming? What does the name Jesus mean? His name implies His mission.
A. The Meaning of His Name.
1. What’s in a name?
a) Names indeed do make a difference.
If you have gone through life with a name that you did not necessarily love, you know that it can be a challenge at school. Actually there are some people who will actually go to court to change there name because they don’t necessarily like the one they have. There has been a time when names were a trend. Like Joe, Bob, Alice, Paul, Jonathan, etc., but one expert has done a study on names and the most popular for today are:
(1) Girls—Ashely, Haley, Sarah, Maddeson, Katelin, Hannaha, #1 is Gertrude, just kidding, it is Emily.
(2) Boys—Christopher, Joseph, Andrew, Matthew, Joshua, Nicholas, Michael, #1 is Ronnie, Jocob.
(3) Virtue names are becoming popular as well, examples from last years data include examples like: Faith, Grace, Hope, Charity, Mercy, Honesty
(4) Geographic names are becoming more popular for boys: Austin, Houston Dakota, Dallas,
(5) Then there are people who think its funny to give there child an unusual name if they already have an unusual last name:
(a) A couple last name was Turner, so they name their child Page-Turner
(b) A couple last name was Peace, so they name their child Warren-Peace
(c) Justin Case
(d) Chris-B-Bacon
(e) Ilene-Dover
(f) Gene Pool
(g) Douglas-Fur
The naming of a child in Biblical times was very important. Their names seemed to always have a significant meaning behind it. Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
2. The Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21). Jesus Was A Common Name In Hebrew.
a) The angel told Mary ‘you shall call His name Jesus’ (Luke 1:31-32).
(1) Mary was told by the angel how she was to be favored by God. She was to bear and be the mother of the Messiah. Note three startling and profound things about Mary’s Son.
(a) His name. Mary was actually told what she was to name the Messiah: Jesus.
(b) His great person.
(i) He was to be called the Son of the Highest. The Highest, of course, is God. Therefore, Jesus is the Son of God, that is, of the very nature of God. He is “over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 9:5).
(ii) He was to be the Son of David and was to receive the throne of David. He was of the line of David. This indicates that Mary was a descendant of David; therefore, Christ Himself would become a descendant of David (Luke 1:32-33.)
(c) His eternal kingdom. Jesus was to teach that His kingdom would not be of this earth, for nothing on this earth lasts (John 19:36). Therefore, the kingdom was to be spiritual, by which it would be eternal (Matthew 19:23-24).
(2) The Name Jesus Is The Greek For the Hebrew “Yashua” Joshua. This is a contraction of “Yahweh Shua” which mean “God or Yahweh or Jehovah is salvation,” therefore the name means, I have become salvation.
b) The Name "Yashua" Is The Greatest Name On Earth (Philippians 2:9-11).
(1) What Hope That Name Brings.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," (Titus 2:11-13, NKJV)
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil," (Hebrews 6:19, NKJV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (1 Peter 1:3, NKJV)
"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:13, NKJV)
(2) What Comfort That Name Brings.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NASB95)
"“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, NASB95)
"For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:5, NASB95)
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace," (2 Thessalonians 2:16, NASB95)
"Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NASB95)
(3) What Power That Name Has.
"She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment." (Acts 16:18, NASB95)
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13, NASB95)
"But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”" (Acts 3:6, NASB95)
B. His Name Expresses His Mission.
1. He Shall Save His People From Their Sins (Matt.1:21)
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 NKJV)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45 NKJV)
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17 NKJV)
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV)
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." (Luke 9:51-56 NKJV)
Note that you and I cannot save ourselves from our sin, it is only Jesus who can save us: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)
a) That Means That All Men Need Salvation Or Someone To Save Them From Their Sin.
(1) God told Adam that he would die (Gen.2:15-17; Rom.5:12)
(2) God said the soul that sins will die (Ezek.3:18-20; 18:4,13,32; 33:8,14)
(3) The wages of sin is death (Rom.6:23; James 1:15) & all have sinned (3:23)
(4) Sin brings forth physical death, separating the soul from the body; then sin brings spiritual death, separating the soul from God; and sin brings eternal death, separating both body and soul from God forever this is the second death (Rev.20:11-15).Therefore, if we are not saved from our sin, then our sin will destroy us, for the wages of sin is death.
His Very Name, Implies His Mission, He Has Come To Be The Savior Of The World.
q One day as the religious people were finding fault with Him for eating with sinners, He replied, "For the Son of Man, has come to seek and to save those who are lost."
q Peter in responding to the question as to by what power or what name they made the lame man to walk said (Acts 4:9-12): If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. "This is the `stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:9-12 NKJV)
q Paul in responding to the Phillippian jailer who had asked, "What must I do to be saved?" said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”
q To the Romans he said, "If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
q Salvation is related to the name of Jesus.
(a) That baby lying in the manger was to become the Savior of the World For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:11-14 NKJV)
(b) That beautiful little baby was the Creator of the world (John 1:1-3. 9-11)
q That Beautiful Little Baby Was Destined For The Cross (Luke 2:25-36)
q 33 Years Later Mary Sees Her Son Hanging On The Cross Dying For The Sins Of The World (John 19:25-30)
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)… Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12)… Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31)… From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior----Jesus---- (Acts 13:23)…
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38)… Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19)…
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight---- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23 NKJV)
One - Day Jesus Will Return In Glory To Set Up His Kingdom, Which is Forever
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. 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. (Isaiah 9:6-7 )
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:29-33)
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)
A Strange Birthday Celebration
If the following story were not true, it would surely be unbelievable. It is true, however, as you yourself will agree when you have heard it.
There was once a great king. His love for his people knew no limits. Although the kingdom was very large, the king knew every person by name. Everything the people of the kingdom had was a gift freely given by the loving king. So, to show their love and appreciation to the king for all he had done for them, the people decided to have a great celebration to honor his birthday. Everyone agreed it was a marvelous idea. Preparations for the celebration were very elaborate. No expense was spared by the people. They adorned their homes with lights, decorations, and expensive ornaments. There were parties, dinners, and celebrations throughout the kingdom. All the people brought gifts for their friends and family. Many of the gifts which the people gave each other were quite expensive, involving considerable indebtedness. In fact, the people spent more on the birthday celebration than they spent at any other time of the year. Many who were not citizens of the kingdom, and who did not even know the king, joined in the celebration. Their celebration of the king’s birth was marked by excessive drinking. Since they did not know the king, they invented a good-natured, fat fellow in a red suit. He laughed a lot, but never said anything. But that didn’t matter because they were too busy celebrating to listen anyhow.
The great day of celebrating his birth finally arrived, and some of his people did come bringing gifts and thanking him for his goodness to them. But to his dismay, most of the citizens never came to his house at all on the day of celebration. And the gifts brought to the king by those few who came were very meager when compared with the gifts they had given themselves. For the most part the people said they had been so busy with all the celebrations and personal plans that they had forgotten about the king.
Several said they had thought of him, but really could not work it into their schedules or budgets to come see him or bring a gift. A few were known to be quite put out when it was suggested that going to the king’s house or remembering him with a gift was important. Those people who did come to his house and who brought their loving gifts were welcomed and blessed by the king. But when they had gone and he was alone again, the king fell to thinking of the vast numbers of his people who had forgotten and forsaken him. How could they have forgotten? Had he not loved them all? How could so many of his beloved people who had found the time and money for shopping and feasting and partying and decorating and all sorts of celebrations—how could they possibly be so thoughtless, so ungrateful or selfish? Did they not know that he, too, had feelings? Was not the purpose of the birthday celebration originally planned to honor him? When the king was alone, pondering these questions, he felt the tears well up in his eyes. And in his loneliness, he wept. One thought brought some hope and consolation. Even though they had forgotten him, he had not forgotten them.