Christmas: The Historical Foundation of Christian Faith

 

Summary

In reflecting on the significance of Christmas, it is crucial to emphasize the historical reality of the Christian faith. The decree from Caesar Augustus, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, anchors the birth of Jesus in a specific historical context, underscoring that Christianity is not merely a collection of uplifting teachings or psychological suggestions but is rooted in concrete events. This historical grounding is vital because it distinguishes Christianity from mere philosophical or psychological systems that offer no real solution to humanity's deepest problems.

The world has long attempted to improve itself through teaching and philosophy, yet history shows that these efforts are ultimately futile. The birth of Jesus is not just a story to inspire moral improvement; it is the manifestation of God's intervention in human history. Jesus' coming into the world is a fact that changes everything, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. His birth is the center of time, dividing history into "before Christ" and "after Christ."

The timing of Jesus' birth, "late in time," as Charles Wesley puts it, was deliberate. It came after humanity had ample opportunity to realize its inability to save itself. Despite the long wait, Jesus' arrival was perfectly timed according to God's divine plan. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and independence from human history and civilizations. The birth of Jesus is a testament to God's supremacy and His ability to act independently of human schemes and failures.

Moreover, Jesus' birth is not the end of the story. He came from eternity into time, lived among us, and then returned to glory. Yet, He remains concerned with time and will return to end it, bringing about a new, perfect creation. This hope is central to the Christian faith, offering assurance that God has acted and will act again to redeem and restore all things.

Key Takeaways:

- The historical reality of Jesus' birth is foundational to the Christian faith, distinguishing it from mere philosophical or psychological teachings. This historical grounding provides a firm basis for faith, emphasizing that Christianity is rooted in real events, not just ideas. [08:37]

- The world has consistently failed to improve itself through human wisdom and effort. The birth of Jesus marks God's intervention, offering a solution beyond human capability. This intervention is a testament to God's sovereignty and the futility of human attempts to achieve salvation independently. [19:54]

- Jesus' birth, "late in time," was perfectly timed according to God's divine plan. This timing demonstrates God's control over history and His ability to act independently of human civilizations and their failures. It reassures believers of God's ultimate authority and purpose. [25:43]

- Jesus' coming is the center of time, dividing history into "before Christ" and "after Christ." This division highlights the transformative impact of His birth, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. It underscores the significance of Jesus' life and mission in the grand narrative of history. [32:06]

- The hope of Jesus' return offers assurance of God's continued involvement in history. His return will bring an end to time and usher in a new, perfect creation. This hope is central to the Christian faith, providing comfort and motivation for believers to live in anticipation of God's ultimate redemption. [34:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Historical Context of Christmas
- [00:50] - The Importance of Historical Faith
- [02:16] - Misconceptions About Christian Faith
- [03:42] - The Psychological Influence Fallacy
- [05:02] - The True Nature of Christian Faith
- [08:37] - Celebrating a Historical Event
- [10:26] - The Staggering Nature of Jesus' Birth
- [11:02] - Jesus' Eternal Existence
- [14:11] - Manifestation in Time
- [17:32] - Late in Time, Fullness of Time
- [21:36] - Human Inability to Save Itself
- [25:43] - God's Perfect Timing
- [29:30] - Jesus as the Center of Time
- [34:38] - The Hope of Jesus' Return

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:1 - "And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."
2. John 1:1-2 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
3. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Observation Questions:
1. What historical event does Luke 2:1 describe, and why is it significant for understanding the context of Jesus' birth? [00:13]
2. According to John 1:1-2, what is the relationship between the Word and God, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on Jesus' eternal existence? [11:02]
3. How does Galatians 4:4-5 describe the timing of Jesus' birth, and what purpose does it serve according to the passage? [25:43]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the historical context of Jesus' birth, as described in Luke 2:1, reinforce the sermon’s message about the reality of the Christian faith? [08:37]
2. In what ways does the concept of Jesus being "before time" challenge or deepen our understanding of His nature and mission? [11:02]
3. How does the idea of "the fullness of time" in Galatians 4:4-5 reflect God's sovereignty and timing in the unfolding of salvation history? [25:43]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the historical reality of Jesus' birth. How does this understanding impact your faith and the way you share the Christmas story with others? [08:37]
2. The sermon emphasizes the futility of human efforts to save ourselves. In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than God's intervention? [19:54]
3. Consider the timing of Jesus' birth as "late in time." How does this perspective influence your trust in God's timing for events in your own life? [25:43]
4. Jesus' birth divides history into "before Christ" and "after Christ." How has your personal history been transformed by your relationship with Jesus? [32:06]
5. The hope of Jesus' return is central to the Christian faith. How does this hope shape your daily actions and decisions? [34:38]
6. How can you live in anticipation of God's ultimate redemption in practical ways within your community or family? [34:38]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about God’s independence from human history. How does this understanding affect your view of current world events and your role as a believer? [27:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Christianity's Historical Foundation
The historical reality of Jesus' birth is foundational to the Christian faith, distinguishing it from mere philosophical or psychological teachings. This historical grounding provides a firm basis for faith, emphasizing that Christianity is rooted in real events, not just ideas. The decree from Caesar Augustus, as mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, anchors the birth of Jesus in a specific historical context. This underscores that Christianity is not merely a collection of uplifting teachings or psychological suggestions but is rooted in concrete events. This historical grounding is vital because it distinguishes Christianity from mere philosophical or psychological systems that offer no real solution to humanity's deepest problems. [08:37]

"Therefore, thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'" (Isaiah 28:16, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that your faith is based on historical events, rather than just ideas, impact your trust in God today?


Day 2: Divine Intervention Beyond Human Effort
The world has consistently failed to improve itself through human wisdom and effort. The birth of Jesus marks God's intervention, offering a solution beyond human capability. This intervention is a testament to God's sovereignty and the futility of human attempts to achieve salvation independently. Despite humanity's long history of trying to solve its deepest problems through teaching and philosophy, these efforts have proven ultimately futile. Jesus' birth is not just a story to inspire moral improvement; it is the manifestation of God's intervention in human history. [19:54]

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own wisdom instead of seeking God's intervention? How can you invite Him to take control today?


Day 3: God's Perfect Timing
Jesus' birth, "late in time," was perfectly timed according to God's divine plan. This timing demonstrates God's control over history and His ability to act independently of human civilizations and their failures. It reassures believers of God's ultimate authority and purpose. The timing of Jesus' birth was deliberate, coming after humanity had ample opportunity to realize its inability to save itself. Despite the long wait, Jesus' arrival was perfectly timed according to God's divine plan, demonstrating His sovereignty. [25:43]

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God was late in answering your prayers. How can you trust in His perfect timing today?


Day 4: Jesus as the Center of Time
Jesus' coming is the center of time, dividing history into "before Christ" and "after Christ." This division highlights the transformative impact of His birth, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. It underscores the significance of Jesus' life and mission in the grand narrative of history. The birth of Jesus is a fact that changes everything, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. His birth is the center of time, dividing history into "before Christ" and "after Christ." [32:06]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the center of time influence your perspective on your personal history and future?


Day 5: Hope in Jesus' Return
The hope of Jesus' return offers assurance of God's continued involvement in history. His return will bring an end to time and usher in a new, perfect creation. This hope is central to the Christian faith, providing comfort and motivation for believers to live in anticipation of God's ultimate redemption. Jesus' birth is not the end of the story. He came from eternity into time, lived among us, and then returned to glory. Yet, He remains concerned with time and will return to end it, bringing about a new, perfect creation. [34:38]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live in anticipation of Jesus' return and the hope of a new creation?

Quotes



The world has been trying to put itself better by means of teaching for so long and patently it can't do it and so if we are left this morning with nothing but an exhortation or a stimulus or the psychological suggestion of noble and wonderful teaching well the end is that we are still left to ourselves and you and I have got to do it. [06:50]

We are here this morning to celebrate a fact to celebrate an event in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus this is a history book it's as much a history book as any other history book and here we are reminded that we're in the realm of concrete facts and events. [08:37]

At a given point in history the Son of God came into this world now that's not an idea that's not a psychological suggestion or teaching that's an event it's a fact and you see this record and the other records will insist upon our observing the detailed facts of History. [09:18]

The first thing it tells us about him always is that he was before time in the beginning was the word and beginning there remember means well before the beginning when there was no beginning it's before the beginning that means eternity that means that he always was that there was never a time when he wasn't. [10:42]

He came because of the state of the world because of the state of mankind he came to redeem he said himself the son of men is come to seek and to save that which is lost but the question that people often ask is this why didn't he come earlier? [18:18]

Man is so stubborn in his foolish self-regard man is so madly confident of his own innate powers and abilities that he had to be convinced that he couldn't save himself you see if the Son of God had come almost immediately after the fall of men well then men would have said ah but if I'd only been given a chance I could have done it myself. [21:36]

Late in time Behold Him come yes but at the exact moment when the fullness of the times was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law and you see the next thing is this his coming is the center of time. [29:30]

This babe was born and the world took no notice paid no attention no room in the Inn they were aware of the great people who booked the best rooms in the ins of Bethlehem they knew nothing about this poor woman who had to go to the stable to give birth to her child. [30:15]

Here is a babe born who has come from the Beyond outside time into time and his influence upon time is to change everything he is the end of an age he's the beginning of another your Old Testament looks up to this your new testament looks back at this he divides you'll find this you can't understand your new testament if you're not clear about this point. [31:09]

He came from The Eternity into time he spent a number of years here in this world subject to time and subject to all the things to which you and I are subject and then he went back again into the glory and into the eternity does that mean that he's finished with time no it doesn't he is still concerned about time. [32:06]

This that that selfsame Jesus will again come he will again enter into this world he will again break into time what will be his relationship to time then oh he will come then to end time and time shall be no more he's going to wind up time finish it bring an end to the universe as we know it. [34:38]

This isn't a philosophy this isn't a psychological teaching this is not just something telling us to be better it is telling us what God has done to redeem us and not merely to make us better but to make us sons of God and a of that eternal glory which is to come. [36:32]

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Transcript
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