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SERIES INTRO: REMIND ME

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pics & December birthdays

Our goal this Christmas has been to remind you that the birth of Jesus was real. God became flesh, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Today I want to remind you that the precious gift of this child, celebrated by kings and angels, grew to be a man on mission. He came to save His people from their sin.

Every gift has a price. This one cost Him everything.

Luke 23:33–42 ESV

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Do you know enough?

Religious Leaders should have known. They scoffed at him.

Luke 23:35 ESV

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”

Jesus’ death on the cross fulfills PROPHECY and PROMISE.

Psalm 22:1 ESV

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:6–8 ESV

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Psalm 22:16–18 ESV

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Do you have enough?

Romans Soldiers should have noticed. They mocked him.

Luke 23:34 “... And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Luke 23:36 ESV

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine

Jesus’ death on the cross PROVIDES everything we need.

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Do you hurt enough?

The criminal should have confessed. He railed at him.

Luke 23:39–43 ESV

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus will REMEMBER you.

When will enough be enough?

RESPONSE

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

There is no greater gift you could receive this Christmas than to place your faith in Jesus Christ.