The Meaning of Christmas

Sermon: The Meaning of Christmas Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33

 

 

 By: Bryan Walker Given on: 12/24/2017  Sermon plays on KWHW 93.5 FM on: 12/31/2017

 

Notes:

 

• • Who is the “us” in verse 6?  Are you born again?
  • Who is this child and son?
  • Why was he given?

• • Many celebrate Christmas
    • • This does not mean they celebrate the birth of our Lord
  • The war over Christmas is a distraction
    • • The politically correct, “winter celebration.”
        • • Merry Christmas vs. Happy “holidays”
            • • Holiday means “holy day”
      • Use season’s greetings, winter celebration
  • Article The Politically Correct Classroom
    • • No Christmas tree
      • No ornaments
      • No manger
      • No candy canes
      • No green or red decoration – resembles Christmas too much
        • • You can cut out and put up snowflakes
          • How do you say “build a snowman” gender neutral?
            • • And the world calls us crazy?
  • WARNING, the argument can cause us to lose sight of Christ
    • • Ploy to draw us away
      • I’m not saved by Christmas trees, ornaments, mangers…

• • Are you included in “us?”
  • No everyone can make the personal claim “us?”
    • • In general the whole world has benefited
      • BUT is Christ Jesus, yours?
      • Are you the “us” he given to?
      • Did he die for you or will you endure the wrath of God
      • Do you know Him?
      • More importantly, does he know you?

• • Notice how they say Lord, Lord
  • Emphatic phrase: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me
    • • They thought they knew the Lord
      • More importantly, He did not know them
  • I can say I know the President
    • • I know who he is
      • I know where he lives
      • I even know some of his character
  • What if you ask the president if he knows me?
    • • What will he say?
  • Your eternal destiny rides on this:
    • • Are you part of “US?”
      • You either are or are not
      • So much is riding on this question
  • Let’s examine who Christ to see if we know Him

• • Redemption was to come through the seed of the woman
    • • Do you believe in the virgin birth?  Essential
        • • First Adam = death
          • Second Adam = life
  • A great mystery – Jesus Christ, both God and man

• • Unknown quote, If we could understand God, he would not be God
    • • Not meaning we can’t know something
      • Meaning not all things are fully understandable
  • Look what Job said:

• • Jesus was fully God and fully man
  • He was tempted in every way
  • He was without sin
  • He grew, he slept, he became weary
    • • No [sinful] crying he made

• • If all you see is a baby in a barn, you are missing who Christ is
  • He is the Lord of Lord’s, King of King’s, who came down to dwell
  • He is ALSO a man like us, but without sin
    • • He is God who took on flesh
        • • He conquered sin through obedience to the law
          • He was beaten and bruised for us
          • He was sacrificed, died and has risen
      • If you are born again… you are born in the 2nd Adam

• • Christ is our TRUE and ONLY mediator
  • Christ is the temple of God, made without hands
    • • A place where God dwells
      • A place to direct our prayers
      • A place where forgiveness is found [dedication of the temple]

• • He will rule his people
    • • They will serve and follow Him alone
  • Similar to David, – He defeats the enemies of God
  • He brings an everlasting peace to God’s people

• • His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom

• • He is a fair and just ruler
    • • Means to give excellent counsel [People Seek]
      • Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people of God
        • • How much more has God granted Christ?
  • Remember the Queen of Sheba
    • • She came to see if ALL was true
        • • What did she find?
          • What was the government approval rating?  20%

• • How much happier with Christ
    • • Those who are in Christ submit to Christ
        • • They delight in his truth
          • They do not desire the counsel of another

• • There is no corrupt counsel in Christ, his counsel is pure and truth
  • King Ahaziah had counselors

• • Solomon’s son Rehoboam disregarded the good counsel of the old men
    • • Rehoboam’s people hated him
  • Solomon was given wisdom by God, his people loved Him
    • • They wanted to hear what he had to say

• • How much more is Christ’s wisdom, counsel and judgement?
    • • How MUCH happier are we who belong to Christ?
        • • Christ counsel – IS God’s counsel
          • Christ’s wisdom – IS God’s wisdom

• • Is Jesus just a good man?
    • • A moral example for us to follow
        • • Can man save himself?
          • What can man do?
            • • Salvation is of the Lord
      • He is more than a man, he is our mighty God, our hero

• • In what respects is Christ the Everlasting Father
    • • In respect to the trinity, Christ is NOT the father
  • One God three persons, Christ is in the father and the father is in Him
  • In what way is He called the Everlasting Father

• • Those who are born again are born in and under Christ
    • • All under Adam are children of Adam
      • Those in Christ, are the adopted children of God in Christ
  • As our shepherd he cares for us in a fatherly way

• • There are so many types of peace we have in Christ
    • • Peace in suffering and persecution
      • Peace toward one another
      • Peace with regard to worldly possessions or lack there of
      • Pease that surpasses understanding

• • The most important peace Christ brings is peace with God
    • • Many don’t realize it but they do NOT have peace with God
      • The truth of God is suppressed
      • Truth, God will judge sin with his fierce wrath and anger
      • Peace can only be found in Jesus Christ, the mediator

• • Who is this child?
    • • What is his purpose?
      • For what did he come?
      • For whom did he come?

• • Is He yours, and are you his?  Does he know you?
  • Your eternal destiny hinges on this question.
    • • Are you born again?
  • Is he just a cute baby in a manger or is he more?
    • • Are you a happy servant in his kingdom, listening to His every word?
  • Maybe you are unsure, repent and confess your sins to him
    • • Know the act of repentance does not save you
      • Jesus Christ saved you
        • • Charles Spurgeon said, of the one who owed money…
            • • You owe me 100, no I don’t
              • You owe me $100, yes Lord but I can not pay, please forgive me
  • Do not stop praying, claim the promises in his Word concerning your salvation, He does not lie.

• • Realize it is in Him and Him alone, your salvation and peace rest