Christmas with Barabbas

MT. 27:16; MK 15; LK 23; JN 18

STUDY THE TEXT

Mark 15:3-15

Details the trial of Jesus and how Pilate asked the people why he should try him.

Points include:

- Accusations of the chief priests (Sanhedrin)

- Jesus’ silence during the whole trial

- Pilate’s custom of releasing 1 prisoner during Passover

- Pilate asking the crowd if they want him to release Jesus

- The crowd screams for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crcucified

- Pilate agrees to the crucifixion

STRUCTURE THE TEXT

CHRISTMAS FOR BARABBAS

INTRODUCTION

Prayer

Do the scripture reading (Mark 15:6-15 NIV)

Introduction of the topic (COMMERCIAL CHRISTMAS VS. THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS)

BODY

Christmas = Christ mass or to worship the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

What I’d like to do tonight is focus on someone who knew the true meaning of Christmas. Barabbas is a prime example of why we should worship Christ.

Barabbas has cause to celebrate because he’s been set free of his punishment. Death is no longer his future because God stepped in and became his substitute on the cross.

THE CHARACTER OF BARABBAS

A MURDERER

A ROBBERER

IN PRISON

STOOD UNDER THE CONDEMNATION OF THE LAW

And like Barabbas, all of mankind is under that sentence.
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 “The wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23
All the world is guilty before a holy God, and all of mankind is under the curse of the Law,

Unless, that is, we can find someone to die in our place

Galatians 3:13 says,
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us - for it is written, ‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE’.”

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

And so, when I think about Christmas, and I think about Christmas trees and decorations, I begin to think about Christ as our substitute

CHRIST THE SUBSTITUTE

CHRISTMAS TREE	THE CROSS
ORNAMENTS	JESUS CHRIST THE LIVING GOD
STAR OR ANGEL	CROWN OF THORNS
RIBBONS	RIBBONS OF FLESH WHILE BEING SCOURGED

AND BECAUSE HE CAME AND DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, I HAVE GIFTS UNDER MY TREE

GIFTS (FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT) (GAL. 5:22)

Love /Joy /Peace /Long suffering /gentleness /goodness /faith

There’s a card on the table with an IOU for my sins that says paid in full

Leaning up against the wall is a whole suit of armor

My midsection is covered with truth

My chest is covered w/ the breastplate of righteousness

My feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

I’ve got the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit

Oh, but there’s one more present under my tree. Way in back, over by the wall is a box wrapped up in red, with a red bow. The note on the box says “with love from the Lion of Judah.” I tear open the box and find the most wonderful gift of all. The helmet of salvation!!! Eternal life has been granted to me as the greatest of all gifts!!

CONCLUSION:

Barabbas knew that the one to take his place on the cross was innocent

HE KNEW THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS A TRUE SUBSTITUTE FOR HIS SINS

HE KNEW HE HAD DONE NOTHING TO MERIT GOING FREE WHILE ANOTHER TOOK HIS PLACE

EACH OF US IS NAMED BARABBAS. ALL OF US HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED FOR OUR MESS AND FOR OUR SINS. BUT JESUS CAME THAT WE MIGHT ALL HAVE LIFE AND THAT MORE ABUNDANTLY. HE CAME TO BE THE SUBSTITUTE FOR YOU AND FOR ME. HE DESIRES THAT WE EACH OPEN OUR MOUTHS AND CONFESS HIS NAME AND ASK FOR HIM TO COME INTO OUR LIVES. JUST AS HE DID FOR BARABBAS, HE DESIRES TO DO FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US TODAY. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU’VE BEEN, WHAT YOU’VE DONE OR HOW BAD YOU MIGHT THINK YOU ARE. GOD MADE SURE THIS MESSAGE WOULD BE KNOWN TO ALL OF HIS CHILDREN TO TELL US THAT WITH CHRIST, THERE CAN BE LIFE.

..so we have that opportunity to look to the cross and be drawn to Him this season. He is our Christmas. He wants us all to hear His promise that all who believe in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life; and to believe; and to be saved.

GOD BLESS THIS MESSAGE~~