Sermon Tone Analysis

Why Do We Need Christmas?

INTRODUCTION:

You and I live in a world that has come to question all traditional values.

Traditional concepts that govern the behavior of everyday life are being cast aside for what some

people call progressive interpretations of life.

Truths that were once held dear are called into question.

The month of December marks the beginning of the season that used to be considered one of the most sacred seasons of the entire year.

Christmas, has long been known as the joyous season commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ into the world of men.

For decades, the Christmas season has become increasingly more secularized and commercialized.

As a result of this secularization and commercialization, the true meaning of Christmas has become lost to a great portion of the population.

Nativity displays and other depictions of one of the most joyous events in all of human history have become targets of lawsuits and public demonstrations attempting to force the suppression of the Christian message from the public arena.

As Christmas approaches, I believe it is vitally important that we get some biblical answers to some key questions.

Over the next 4 weeks, we will seek to answer these contemporary questions with principles found in the pages of God’s word, the Bible.

Today we will seek to answer the question, why do we need Christmas?

With many the responses to this question range from indifference to extreme antagonism.

If we can get a handle on the biblical answer to the question of whether or not Christmas is needed, we can then move on to answer other questions.

Here are TRUTHS that will help to answer this morning’s question: “why do we need Christmas?”

I- WE NEED CHRISTMAS BECAUSE THE CONDITION OF MANKIND REQUIRED DIVINE INTERVENTION (Luke 1:67 – 68).

67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: 68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited (ἐπεσκέψατο) and redeemed (ἐποίησεν) his people.

A- God intervened in the course of human history in a way that made it clear that something supernatural was occurring.

1- Here in Luke chapters 1-2, God supernaturally revealed his power in the lives of people.

ἐπεσκέψατο= to look into with a view to help

ἐποίησεν=redemption that is spiritually based

a. God sent the angelic messenger to Zachariah with the message of a miraculous intervention in his life that would impact his family and ultimately, the rest of the world.

Because of Zachariah’s unbelief, he was unable to speak until after his son was born.

(Luke 1:5–23).

b.

God performed a miracle on behalf of Zachariah and Elizabeth enabling the birth of their son John, when such an event was humanly impossible.

(Luke 1:24 – 25)

c.

God sent the angel to the virgin Mary, announcing that she would soon become pregnant with the Messiah of Israel.

(Luke 1:26 – 38)

d.

After submitting to the will of God, the Lord made her aware of the miracle that Zachariah and Elizabeth were about to experience in their lives.

The reaction of the unborn John to the presence of Mary and the child that she carried in her womb bore witness to the magnitude of the miracle of which all of them were a part.

(Luke 1:39 – 56)

e.

The manner of John’s birth and the miraculous occurrences surrounding his birth confirmed that God was up to something special.

Zachariah’s ability to speak was restored following his demonstration of obedience to God.

Relatives and friends who were present at the birth of John verbally acknowledged that God was going to do something extraordinary with John.

God’s intervention was obvious.

(Luke 1:66).

( Luke 1:59 – 80)

B- The spiritual condition of mankind, as spelled out in Scripture, demonstrate that man needs God’s intervention and help.

1- The beginning of Zacharias praise for God points to the fact and need of God’s intervention.

(Luke 1:67 – 75)

a. Zachariah described the great need for God’s intervention on behalf of Israel.

(1) In verse 68, Zachariah says that God has visited and provided redemption for his people.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has visited and redeemed his people.

(2) Zachariah prophesies that the purpose of God’s intervention is to rescue his people so that they may serve him.

(Life transformation) (vs.

74-75)

74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

2- The preaching of John the Baptist constantly pointed to the need of individuals for God’s intervention in their lives.

(Luke 3:3 – 18)

3- The ministry and preaching of Jesus also demonstrated the need for God’s intervention in the lives of people.

a.

The miracles that Jesus performed demonstrated man’s helplessness and need for God’s intervention.

(1) Lepers healed

(2) Deaf made to hear

(3) Lame made able to walk

(4) dead raised to life

b.

Jesus openly proclaimed that he came to give his life as a ransom for human beings.

(Matthew 20:28)

C- Following the resurrection of Christ, the preaching and writing of the apostles proclaimed that God’s intervention in the world was necessary.

1- The universal problem of sin makes it impossible for man to relate to a holy God.

(Romans 5:12)

(Romans 6:23)

II- WE NEED CHRISTMAS BECAUSE IT PROCLAIMS THE LOVE OF GOD FOR MANKIND.

(LUKE 1:76 – 80)

A- God’s love for mankind is so great that he is unwilling to leave mankind in his helpless condition.

(Luke 1:69)

1- In his natural state, man is hopelessly bound by sin.

(Ephesians 2:12)

(Isaiah 64:6)

2- Even though mankind is at war with God, He provided the way for man to be reconciled to himself.

(Romans 5:6-11)

B- God’s love for mankind is so great that he makes sure that the message of forgiveness is proclaimed (Luke 1:76 – 78)

Zechariah prophesies that John’s purpose in life is to prepare the way for the Savior by preaching the Good News.

(vs.

76-77)

He will be charged with the task of telling others about how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

τοῦ δοῦναι γνῶσιν σωτηρίας τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀφέσει ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν

God has established his church to share the same message.

(Acts 1:8)

Mark 16:15)

(Matthew 28:18-20)

CONCLUSION:

Why do we need Christmas?

Because the condition of mankind requires divine intervention.

Because it proclaims the love of God for mankind.