What is So Special About This Baby?

Series: “Christmas Questions That Deserve Answers”

Message #2

Message Title: “What is So Special About This Baby?”

Scripture Text: Luke 2:1-7; Philippians 2:5-11

INTRODUCTION:

What is so special about this baby?

He is the center of our history—even our calendar is based on the date of the arrival of our Savior.

Through the event of Christmas, God divided history completely!

(Luke 2:1-7)

Luke 2:1–7 NLT

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

What is so special about this baby?

Let’s go to Philippians 2 to find out.

(Phil. 2:5-11)

Philippians 2:5–11 NLT

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I- THE RELEVANCE OF THE CHRIST CHILD: GOD CAME TO EARTH! (Philippians 2:5-6)

A. No other birth has ever borne the impact upon creation this baby’s birth did.

1. In fact, no other event in human history has impacted humankind as did the birth of Jesus.

a. Man landing on the moon doesn’t compare.

2. This event was so impactful because of the child’s identity.

(Philippians 2:5-6a) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

a. If Jesus of Nazareth had been a mere mortal, his birth would not have borne the importance that it did.

(1) Many great men and women have lived on this earth, but none of them have altered the course of human history as did Jesus.

Kings and presidents

Teachers and philosophers

Inventors and athletes

(2) There are people who say that Jesus was a good man or a prophet. The problem is that He never claimed to be a prophet or a good man—He claimed to be God!

b. In verse 6, Paul plainly states that Christ Jesus was God.

(1) Christmas is all about God invading the Earth!

B. No other child born among men has ever been as special as he.

1. Jesus is God.

a. In fact, He has ALWAYS been God. (Colossians 1:15-17)

Colossians 1:15–17 NLT

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

1. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

a. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

b. Through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

2. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.

a. Everything was created through him and for him.

b. He existed before anything else.

c. He holds all creation together.

▪ Jesus’ story doesn’t begin in the manger.

▪ He existed before all of creation.

3. There has never been a time when Jesus did not exist. (John 1:1-3)

John 1:1–3 NLT

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

▪ Jesus said: “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”

II- THE REALITY OF THE CHRIST CHILD: GOD BECAME A MAN.

(Philippians 2:7)

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

A- This baby was special because of what he gave up.

“he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave...”

1. Jesus gave up all of his divine privileges.

a. He gave up being served by angels in order to become a servant.

b. He gave up his position of power at the father’s right hand and submitted himself to the unjust authority of sinful man.

B- This baby was special because of what he became.

“was born as a human being.”

1- Jesus became a human being

a- Jesus wasn’t just God, but he was also 100% human.

(1) How was He like us?

▪ He was born like us (Luke 2:1-7)

Luke 2:1–7 NLT

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

(He wasn’t a spirit that just appeared, He didn’t come down in a UFO, He didn’t come dressed as a King—instead He was born in manger in a humble village)

▪ He grew up like us (Luke 2:51-52)

Luke 2:51–52 NLT

51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

▪ He was tempted like us (Hebrews 4:15)

Hebrews 4:15 NLT

15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

▪ He suffered like we do (Matthew 26:38)

Matthew 26:38 NLT

38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

III- The Reason for the Christ Child: Jesus Came to Die.

(Philippians 2:7-8)

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Why did He die?

A. Because He loves us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Romans 5:6–8 NLT

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

B- To pay the price for our evil. (1 Peter 2:24)

1 Peter 2:24 NLT

24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

III- The Result of the Christ Child: Jesus is the exalted King! (Philippians 2:9-11)

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A- This baby is special because God has proclaimed it so.

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names...” (Philippians 2:9)

1- God the Father has given Jesus a higher position than all others.

a. All power and authority are his (Matthew 28:18)

Matthew 28:18 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

2- God the father has proclaimed that Jesus’s name is more important than all others.

a. Jesus is coming back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 19:11-16)

Revelation 19:11–16 NLT

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

B- Every individual that has ever lived will recognize how special Jesus is.

10 “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

11 “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

1- One day EVERYONE will see and recognize Him declaring Him to be Lord.

2- Individuals will either willingly trust in Jesus as Savior and confess him as Lord now or bow and confess his Lordship at His return as He exercises judgment upon them for their rebellion against Him.

• On that day, some will declare that with joy, but others will do so with tears.

The question is not will you do so, but when!

3- My counsel: Trust in and confess Him now.

(Romans 10:9-10) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

What does it mean “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord”?

• Declare that Jesus is Lord.

Believe in Christ’s atoning work and resurrection as payment for your sins.

• Give my life to Him. Choosing to obey His Word and directions for living.

CONCLUSION: