Are You Beginning the Christmas Season with Jesus?
Notes
Transcript
Jesus and Christmas
Luke 2:7–14
Without Christ there would be no Christmas. This season, this Christmas season for about the next 22 days, the entire world almost starts to pause and remember the birth of this great man, Jesus Christ. The entire history of the world centers around the birth of Christ.
Without Christ there would be no Christmas. This season, this Christmas season for about the next 22 days, the entire world almost starts to pause and remember the birth of this great man, Jesus Christ. The entire history of the world centers around the birth of Christ.
I preached last year the fact that December, is full of all kinds of sermons, all kinds of ideas about the man and the birth of Jesus. I am starting this morning and am of kind of going backwards. From the OT and head that way to Bethlehem.
I preached last year the fact that December, is full of all kinds of sermons, all kinds of ideas about the man and the birth of Jesus. I am starting this morning and am of kind of going backwards. From the OT and head that way to Bethlehem.
I. THE CRADLE
I. THE CRADLE
A. So Let’s start with the Promised birth . His birth was promised 700 years in advance.
A. So Let’s start with the Promised birth . His birth was promised 700 years in advance.
Isaiah 7:14 “14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”
Isaiah 7:14 “14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”
Isaiah 9:6 “6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 “6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
B. Pure birth, I am telling, preaching of what Scripture says, so the NT is confirming the OT church, are you getting this?
B. Pure birth, I am telling, preaching of what Scripture says, so the NT is confirming the OT church, are you getting this?
Matthew 1:18 “18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18 “18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:23 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”
Matthew 1:23 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”
700 years ago Isaiah the prophet preached this scripture that is in Matthew. Christ was born of a virgin. This was a miracle birth; it was a supernatural birth.
700 years ago Isaiah the prophet preached this scripture that is in Matthew. Christ was born of a virgin. This was a miracle birth; it was a supernatural birth.
C. Was this a Planned birth? Adam and Eve received the first promise of the coming Christ—the Messiah.
C. Was this a Planned birth? Adam and Eve received the first promise of the coming Christ—the Messiah.
Genesis 3:13–16 “13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” 14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” 16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
Genesis 3:13–16 “13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” 14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” 16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
We were even told where Jesus would be born.
We were even told where Jesus would be born.
The prophet Micah told the town where Christ would be born.
The prophet Micah told the town where Christ would be born.
Micah 5:2–3 “2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. 3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.”
Micah 5:2–3 “2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. 3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.”
II. THE CONSECRATION
II. THE CONSECRATION
A. To do God’s will.
A. To do God’s will.
We read in Matthew chapter 26:39-40 Jesus never questioned God’s will for His life. He willingly accepted the burden placed on him.
We read in Matthew chapter 26:39-40 Jesus never questioned God’s will for His life. He willingly accepted the burden placed on him.
B. To God’s Word.
B. To God’s Word.
God’s Word prophesied of His suffering and death.
God’s Word prophesied of His suffering and death.
Isaiah 53:10–11 “10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”
Isaiah 53:10–11 “10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”
C. To God’s way, Again Isaiah prophesises 700 years ago,
C. To God’s way, Again Isaiah prophesises 700 years ago,
Isaiah 53:5–6 “5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
Isaiah 53:5–6 “5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”
This was God’s plan: Christ would pay the full price of salvation.
This was God’s plan: Christ would pay the full price of salvation.
III. THE CROSS
III. THE CROSS
A. We were Promised the death of Jesus. His death was foretold more than 700 years in advance.
A. We were Promised the death of Jesus. His death was foretold more than 700 years in advance.
B. The Purpose of the death of Jesus was and is so that our sins are forgiven with repentance. Without His blood there would be no forgiveness of sin.
B. The Purpose of the death of Jesus was and is so that our sins are forgiven with repentance. Without His blood there would be no forgiveness of sin.
C. Power of death ,Luke 23:44–46 “44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Christ forgave a thief on the cross. Through His death He brought forgiveness to all men.
C. Power of death ,Luke 23:44–46 “44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Christ forgave a thief on the cross. Through His death He brought forgiveness to all men.
IV. THE CROWN
IV. THE CROWN
A. The Crown of Christ has been offered to you and I.
A. The Crown of Christ has been offered to you and I.
Hebrews 10:12 “ 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand” Christ ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. Christ finished the work God gave Him to do.
Hebrews 10:12 “ 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand” Christ ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. Christ finished the work God gave Him to do.
B. Crown for Christians, we are not just celebrate the birth during this season, we are to be studying, reading and praying over the story of Jesus Christ.
B. Crown for Christians, we are not just celebrate the birth during this season, we are to be studying, reading and praying over the story of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:8–9 “8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.
2 Timothy 4:8–9 “8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can.
This crown is for faithfulness in the Christian life.
This crown is for faithfulness in the Christian life.
Are you living a Christian life? Do others see Jesus in your actions, in your “end results” in life? Note the words of Revelation 2:10 “10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. and
Are you living a Christian life? Do others see Jesus in your actions, in your “end results” in life? Note the words of Revelation 2:10 “10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. and
Matthew 24:13 “13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:13 “13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Christ came into the world as a babe. During His stay on earth He taught us how to live and serve Him. He died, arose, and ascended into heaven. This babe, the baby Jesus who we are celebrating this Christmas season grew into a man who will soon come again. This time He will return as the judge of all mankind.
Christ came into the world as a babe. During His stay on earth He taught us how to live and serve Him. He died, arose, and ascended into heaven. This babe, the baby Jesus who we are celebrating this Christmas season grew into a man who will soon come again. This time He will return as the judge of all mankind.
AMEN
Croft M. Pentz, Sermon Outlines for Special Days, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979).