WHY DO WE NEED CHRISTMAS PART TWO

2 Cor 5:15-20

Ever since the fall of mankind we have been forever condemned because of our rebellious and sinful hearts wanting to be like God. This historical event that happened in the garden is for the same reason that many years later John would warn us about. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16. To help you understand the contrast between the two passages, Genesis 3:6 we read “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Sin has separated, given us the title of Lost, destined to Hell for all eternity, because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 

Why is Christmas so important to the child of God? 

For without His incarnation, we would have no hope of reconciliation to a holy God who demands such from His created children. See! Christmas isn’t about a time of egg nog, feasting at the table, decorations, presents and days off from work. Christmas is the revealed promised by a holy God who had this set in place before the foundations of the world. Christmas is a rescue mission to save sinners from themselves….the Gospel revealed.

When we read about the Old Testament record of creation…. We see that the entire Trinity, the Godhead, was actively involved in bringing the universe into being. The same Godhead that brought all things into creation is the same Godhead that brought redemption down to man, to save us from ourselves. In eternity past before creation the Godhead initiated the process of redemption because the Godhead knew mankind would fall. 

The Son was given the assignment to accomplish that redemptive plan by becoming our substitute. Jesus said “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18. Heb 12:2 we read “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

The Holy Spirit was tasked with applying Christ’s work of redemption to God’s chosen people. In John’s gospel we read this “Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. Paul wrote to Titus to remind the church this truth “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7

The redemptive plan before the foundations of the world was perfectly orchestrated by the Godhead in perfect harmony. Redemption is God’s work in saving fallen men and woman from themselves. “ The Father’s position in all of this is that He is completely satisfied. Isaiah penned these prophetic words 700 years before the reveal of the gospel. “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”

R C Sproul said “It is vitally important that we understand that this division of responsibilities did not involve any imposition by the Father or a struggle within the Godhead itself. Rather, the Father, Son and Spirit made an eternal agreement that is known as the covenant of redemption. Under this covenant, the Father sent the Son, and the Son was absolutely delighted to carry out the mission the Father gave Him.” Throughout the scriptures we see this truth of a rescue mission put into place with the very first gospel message in Genesis 3:15 “the Seed of the woman”. From that point on we see the gospel woven throughout the scriptures of this promise to rescue sinners from judgement and wrath. 

We see this when God spared eight people from His judgement when He flooded the whole earth. 

“because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1

The beautiful encounter that God had with Abraham when he went sacrifice his child. 

We read Abraham addressing his son with a truth that one day will be revealed in the person of Christ. And Abraham said to his son "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. We read that God did supply that sacrifice “But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." Gen 22:12-14

A tragic story with a beautiful ending reveals the gospel truth and the grace of God.

A story about a young man who was hated with murderous hate by his brothers, sold to slavery, accused of rape and sentenced  for a crime he never committed. But we see the woven gospel in this young man’s life as he goes though all this to save his people. Genesis 50:19-20 we see this truth “But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

The truth of the Gospel proclamation by Moses to the rebellious.

“From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Num 21:4-9

The gospel is seen in the historical account of a Moabite woman.

We see the plan of redemption for sinners, lost and without a home. And we see a man named Boaz who comes onto the scene to redeem and restore Ruth….Boaz a picture of our Kinsmen redeemer, found in the book of Ruth.

In the book of Job we see a man who looked to his redemption, despite what he endured in this life.

Job 19:25 we read these promising words of redemption “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

We see the redemptive plan revealed in the Psalm of the past , present and future.

In Psalm 22 we see the Savior’s Cross who takes care of the sins of the past. The crucified Christ for the sins of the world. In the opening of David’s Psalm we read “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Psalm 22:1. In Psalm 23, we read about the Shepherd’s Crook who takes care of our present. “He leads, He restores, Your rod and Your staff comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-6. Psalm 24, the Sovereign’s crown who takes care of our future. The King of glory has fulfilled the promise found in Genesis 3:15. Psalm 24 we read “…Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully…..Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah.” Psalm 24:3-10

We  see the coming of the gospel revealing to give hope to lost sinners, some 700 years before fulfilment.

Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” In Isaiah 9:6 we here of this coming King who redeem sinners by His grace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We see God’s faithfulness of the gospel promise, when we remain faithless and continue to seek other things besides God.

Jer 31:22 says “How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man."

The beautiful gospel is fully revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ, in the virgin birth.

Luke 2:8-14 reveals the promise from long ago to the lowest of low, according to the culture “Shepherds watching their sheep.” “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 

Why is Christmas so important to the child of God?

Paul gives us the answer to that in 2 Cor 5:15 “and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.” Do you see what Paul said here? So that we no longer live for self! The fact that Christ in love died our death, keeps us from living for ourselves. Wow! This is one of those humbling moments where you reflect on His grace in your life before salvation and after salvation. What does this mean? His death and resurrection keeps us from the destructive road that each and every one of are where on. The purpose of Christ’s redemptive work is that we are set free from the curse of sin and now we can truly enjoy life in fellowship with Him. This means we are no longer spiritually dead but are recipients of new life in Christ. Michael’s, selfish desires and goals are set aside, because my life is hidden and now I live for Him and His glory. 

Paul said it best when he said “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:19-20. 

Paul also goes on to say “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Gal 3:13-14. 

Paul also said these “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God “Col 3:3

His death cleans me from all my sin of pride, the desires of my sinful heart and now I have become a new creation. All because of a promise God had put into place the moment in the garden. The gospel is so much more than a ticket to Heaven. It was a plan and purposed by the Godhead, because the gospel isn’t a thing, it’s a person. And His name is Jesus Christ. In Matthew’s gospel we read "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21. 

This is an overwhelming truth that humbles the child of God with gratitude! Why? A holy God sent His Son before the foundations of the earth to die as a substitute to pay the penalty for our sins. This truth leaves no room for self-gratification or self-congratulations as we contribute nothing to our salvation, other than the sin caused God to intervene to save us through His Son. John MacArthur said “No one can fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger. How does one explain the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant? It was the greatest condescension the world has ever known or ever will know. Our minds cannot begin to understand what was in God’s becoming a man. We will never comprehend why He who was infinitely rich would become poor, assume a human nature, and enter into a world he knew would reject Him and kill Him….Yet he did.”

  

The gospel promise has now been revealed so that we could find reconciliation to a holy God. A God, who is satisfied with His Son who came into the world to die for the sins of mankind. The gospel is not a means or a thing…..it’s a person. 

His name is Jesus Christ! 

Emmanuel “God with us”