More Than a Slogan (2024)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Play “Name that Slogan” with the kids...
One of the most popular Christmas Slogans over the past ten years within the church has been, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
It’s true, Jesus is the reason for the season. However, for too many today, this slogan is nothing more than words that are recited without truly considering why it is true.
This morning we are going to look at Matthew’s presentation of the Christmas story in order to clearly understand why Jesus is truly the reason for the season. But also to truly understand why this is more than a slogan.
Body: Matthew 1:18-25
Body: Matthew 1:18-25
Big Idea: Jesus is the divine, promised Savior of God’s people.
Big Idea: Jesus is the divine, promised Savior of God’s people.
What does that mean?
divine = θεῖος
adjective. being of, or having the nature of, God.
Within this passage we will see both Jesus humanity, but also His divinity.
And He is the Savior who was promised throughout the OT.
This was particularly important to Matthew and his audience...
This passage gives us four proofs that Jesus is the divine, promised Savior of God’s people.
He was born of a virgin
He was born of a virgin
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
Why does the virgin birth matter?
Fulfills Scripture;
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Assures that Jesus would be fully God and fully man;
He was adopted into the Davidic line.
He was adopted into the Davidic line.
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
How is Jesus part of the Davidic line?
Through Joseph, his earthly adopted father, Jesus would be of the line of David.
Consequently, Mary was also from the tribe of Judah and likely a descendant of David as well.
Why does the Davidic line matter?
Because God promised David that there would always be one of his descendants on the throne.
but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
He would save His people from their sins.
He would save His people from their sins.
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus (Yeshua) = “Yahweh saves”
Jesus had a mission from the very moment of the miraculous virgin conception. A mission that never changed!
This fulfills Scripture:
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
How would Jesus save His people from their sins?
He was the embodiment of God’s presence with His people.
He was the embodiment of God’s presence with His people.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
This section of Matthew shows us multiple ways that God revealed Himself to His people:
through history (see the genealogy);
through dreams;
through angels;
through Scripture.
But the most important way God revealed Himself to mankind was in the person of Jesus Christ; Immanuel, God with us!
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
So What?
So What?
What we believe about Jesus matters more than what we say about Him.
What we believe about Jesus matters more than what we say about Him.
How we live our lives tells a lot about what we really believe about Jesus.
How we live our lives tells a lot about what we really believe about Jesus.
Anyone can say “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Even though the statement is true, you don’t need to truly believe it or have it impact your life to say it.
But, when we truly believe that Jesus is the reason for this season (and all other seasons, to be honest), then it should change how we live our lives.
Notice something important: Jesus doesn’t simply tell people to believe Him, He also calls those same people to follow Him. Some left their homes to follow Him, others followed Him where they were at. But, Jesus has always and will always call people to believe and to follow.
So, if you believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, what are you doing about it?
What are your relationships like?
Who are you serving?
Who are to telling the Good News to?
How are you being a conduit of blessing to others?
If you indeed believe, it must be more than just words, like an advertising slogan.
If Jesus is “the reason for the season” how will that motivate you this season?
If Jesus is “the reason for the season” how will that motivate you this season?
Share the Good News.
Give to support missions.
Give to support the less fortunate.
Reach out to others.
Live within your means.
Bless others for no apparent reason.
Make peace with someone.
