The Historical Significance of Christ's Birth

 

Summary

The essence of the Advent season and the celebration of Christmas is not merely about ideas of peace, friendship, or societal improvement. It is about recognizing a monumental event in history—the appearance of the grace of God that brings salvation. This is not just another philosophy or teaching; it is a proclamation of a historical fact. The tragedy today is that many people, including those within the church, misunderstand this event, reducing it to just another moral or philosophical teaching. However, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the implications of Christianity cannot be understood without first grasping the event itself: the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.

Before Christ, humanity had tried to solve its problems through laws, philosophies, and moral teachings, all of which ended in failure. The Old Testament law and the philosophies of ancient Greece are examples of these failed attempts. The coming of Christ is not just another attempt; it is the divine intervention of God into human history. Christianity is rooted in historical events, not abstract ideas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is as historical as any other significant event in history, and it is the cornerstone of our faith.

The message of Christmas is that God's dealings with humanity are centered entirely in the person of Jesus Christ. It is not enough to believe in God; one must believe in Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that salvation is offered. The grace of God has appeared in the person of Jesus, who is not just a teacher or a moral guide but the great God Himself. This babe in Bethlehem is the second person of the Holy Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. His appearance in the world is the most astonishing event in human history, and it is through Him that the grace of God is made manifest.

Key Takeaways:

- The Advent season is about recognizing a historical event—the appearance of God's grace through Jesus Christ, not just ideas of peace or societal improvement. Understanding this event is crucial to grasping the implications of Christianity. [20:12]

- Before Christ, humanity's attempts to solve its problems through laws and philosophies ended in failure. The coming of Christ is a divine intervention, not just another moral teaching. [24:27]

- Christianity is rooted in historical events, not abstract ideas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is a historical fact, and it is the cornerstone of our faith. [28:02]

- God's dealings with humanity are centered entirely in the person of Jesus Christ. Belief in God must be accompanied by belief in Jesus, for it is through Him that salvation is offered. [33:14]

- Jesus Christ is not just a teacher or moral guide but the great God Himself, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. His appearance in the world is the most astonishing event in human history. [38:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:12] - The Event of Advent
- [21:47] - Misunderstanding Christianity
- [22:46] - The Failure of Human Solutions
- [24:27] - The Divine Intervention
- [26:36] - Christianity as Historical Fact
- [28:02] - The Historical Birth of Jesus
- [30:15] - God's Active Role in History
- [31:18] - The Appearance of Grace
- [32:23] - Centrality of Jesus Christ
- [33:14] - Salvation Through Jesus
- [34:09] - The Person of Christ
- [36:28] - The Great God in Bethlehem
- [38:06] - The Eternal Christ
- [42:21] - The Astonishing Event of History

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Titus 2:11-14 - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

2. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

3. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the primary misunderstanding about the Advent season and Christmas? [21:12]
2. According to the sermon, how did humanity's attempts to solve its problems before Christ end, and why? [24:27]
3. How does the sermon describe the nature of Christianity in relation to historical events? [28:02]
4. What is the significance of Jesus being described as the "great God" in the sermon? [36:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the failure of laws and philosophies before the coming of Christ? What does this imply about human efforts to achieve salvation? [22:46]
2. In what way does the sermon emphasize the historical reality of Jesus' birth, and why is this important for understanding Christianity? [28:02]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between belief in God and belief in Jesus Christ? How does this affect one's understanding of salvation? [33:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the appearance of Jesus as the most astonishing event in human history? What implications does this have for believers today? [38:06]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Advent season. How has this sermon challenged or changed your perspective on what Christmas truly represents? [21:12]
2. Consider the ways you might have relied on human solutions to solve personal or societal problems. How can you shift your focus to divine intervention through Christ? [24:27]
3. How can you incorporate the historical reality of Jesus' birth into your daily faith practice, ensuring that your belief is rooted in historical fact rather than abstract ideas? [28:02]
4. In what ways can you deepen your belief in Jesus Christ as the central figure of your faith, beyond just acknowledging God? How does this belief influence your daily life and actions? [33:14]
5. The sermon describes Jesus as the "great God" who appeared in human history. How does this understanding of Jesus' divine nature impact your worship and relationship with Him? [36:28]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can actively demonstrate the grace of God that has appeared through Jesus. What steps will you take this week to manifest this grace to others? [31:18]
7. How can you share the message of the astonishing event of Jesus' appearance with someone who may not fully understand its significance? What approach will you take to communicate this truth effectively? [38:06]

Devotional

Day 1: The Advent of Grace
The Advent season is a time to recognize the historical event of God's grace appearing through Jesus Christ. This is not merely about ideas of peace or societal improvement but about understanding the monumental event of Christ's coming. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the implications of Christianity cannot be fully grasped without first understanding this event. The coming of Jesus into the world is a proclamation of a historical fact, not just another philosophy or teaching. It is crucial to understand this event to truly comprehend the essence of Christianity. [20:12]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively recognize and celebrate the historical reality of Christ's coming in your daily life this Advent season?


Day 2: Divine Intervention Over Human Solutions
Before Christ, humanity attempted to solve its problems through laws, philosophies, and moral teachings, all of which ended in failure. The Old Testament law and the philosophies of ancient Greece are examples of these failed attempts. The coming of Christ is not just another attempt; it is the divine intervention of God into human history. This intervention is not about adding another moral teaching but about God stepping into history to offer a solution that humanity could not achieve on its own. [24:27]

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on human solutions rather than seeking divine intervention through Christ?


Day 3: Christianity as Historical Fact
Christianity is rooted in historical events, not abstract ideas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is as historical as any other significant event in history, and it is the cornerstone of our faith. This historical reality is what sets Christianity apart from other philosophies and teachings. Understanding the historical nature of Jesus' birth helps us to see the tangible reality of God's work in the world and the foundation of our faith. [28:02]

"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: How does recognizing the historical reality of Jesus' birth impact your faith and understanding of Christianity today?


Day 4: The Centrality of Jesus Christ
God's dealings with humanity are centered entirely in the person of Jesus Christ. It is not enough to believe in God; one must believe in Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that salvation is offered. The grace of God has appeared in the person of Jesus, who is not just a teacher or a moral guide but the great God Himself. This centrality of Jesus is crucial for understanding the Christian faith and the offer of salvation. [33:14]

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that Jesus remains central in your faith and daily life?


Day 5: The Astonishing Event of Christ's Appearance
Jesus Christ is not just a teacher or moral guide but the great God Himself, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. His appearance in the world is the most astonishing event in human history. This event is not just about a baby born in Bethlehem but about the second person of the Holy Trinity entering human history. It is through Him that the grace of God is made manifest, and this reality should astonish and transform us. [38:06]

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the astonishing reality of Christ's divine nature and His coming into the world inspire awe and transformation in your life today?

Quotes


happenings the Great face of God that bringeth salvation has appeared Something's Happened an event once more I say I have to emphasize this though I've done so so often and I've got no explanation no excuse at all for doing that except the one that I've already profer to you it is because I notice that men and women persist in talking about it as if it wasn't an event [00:19:56]

there are many implications of this message but a man who's only interested in the implications and not in the thing itself is a man who has missed the central Glory the big thing and that is to me the whole tragedy in the world tonight the whole tragedy indeed in the church that men will persist in regarding this as if it were but one of a number of teachings [00:21:00]

Christianity is not a philosophy it's not a teaching it's not an idea it's not primarily a way of life what is it then it's an announcement it's a proclamation a declaration of what of a great fact of an event the grace of God that bringeth salvation have appeared something has happened there has been an entry a veil has been drawn back and something is visible that was not visible before [00:26:28]

Christianity you see is a matter of dates and of times they're very important you will find that the times are fixed exactly both in the Old Testament and in the new yes when you come to consider Christianity you're you're studying history you're not studying philosophy you're studying history primarily this is pure history this is historical well if it isn't I have no gospel at all [00:27:42]

the message of Christmas is this that all God dealings in a vital and salvation sense with the human race are all together and entirely in this particular person Jesus of Nazareth the babe of Bethlehem this person oh there are many events recorded in the Bible God as Isaiah acting in that ancient time yes but this is the center of it all everything in the Old Testament was but preparing the way for him [00:32:24]

it's not you saying you believe in God if you don't believe in the Lord Jesus Christ you can't pray to God except in the Lord Jesus Christ there is no forgiveness except in the Lord Jesus Christ wasn't that the end of Paul's sermon in Antioch of pidia he says we are now therefore telling you that you can have forgiveness of sins in this man through this man he can do something for you which the law of Moses could not do [00:33:14]

the business of this message is to get you to look at that person this person in whom it all centers this person in whom the grace of God has appeared it's appeared in a person and what it would have us understand about him is who he is and what he has done what is it well let me just show you the words that are used here who is this person [00:35:06]

who is that babe that is the great God and no one less you see the apostles terminology shows us exactly what he's conveying he refers to him in in these two ways he says he is the great God and he says he has appeared now what is he telling us there well what he's telling us is this that that babe there in Bethlehem is indeed the second person in the Blessed Holy Trinity [00:36:28]

the Apostle tells us here is this that that babe in Bethlehem is one who is co-equal co Eternal with God the father he is the second person of this great godhead and no one less or look at it if you prefer in the terms of the word appeared he doesn't say that the babe of Bethlehem that Jesus of Nazareth began there in Bethlehem no no because that isn't true [00:38:06]

the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared God was manifest In the Flesh oh the Apostle breaks out into his apostrophe and I must join him great is the mystery of godliness God was manifest In the Flesh the man I can't forgive is the sort of man who in the name of Christianity is spending these days in talking about bombs and men and armaments and this world and not talking about the God that has manifested himself [00:40:41]

this is the thing this is the message this is the event the great God have appeared has come amongst us has tabernacled in flesh has dwelt in this world and has walked its streets has shared its life with men and women he has entered into it he has broken into it God sent him and he came the grace of God has appeared this is the most momentous and the most astonishing thing that has ever happened in human history [00:41:37]

this is the way the only way in which the grace of God has appeared or ever can appear do you realize what I mean by that my argument is that this is the only way whereby the grace of God could appear you know what the grace of God [00:43:17]

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Transcript
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