The Profound Mystery of Christmas: Jesus, Our Savior
Summary
In this message, I explore the profound mystery and significance of the Christmas story, emphasizing the unique nature of Jesus Christ as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. This dual identity is central to understanding why Jesus is unparalleled in history and why His birth is the cornerstone of the Christmas celebration. The world often decorates for Christmas with empty symbols, missing the true essence of the holiday, which is the incarnation of God as a man to redeem humanity.
The narrative begins with God's decision to entrust the earth to mankind, granting them the freedom to rule it with or without Him. This choice led to the fall of man when Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan, resulting in the world being handed over to the devil. Despite this, God’s plan for redemption required a man to reclaim what was lost, but not just any man—a perfect man. This is where the virgin birth becomes crucial, as it allowed Jesus to be born without the sin inherited from Adam, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15.
The journey to the birth of Christ was a meticulous orchestration by God, spanning 4,000 years, involving prophets, kings, and families, all leading to the union of Mary and Joseph, both from the line of David. This divine plan culminated in the birth of Jesus, the God-man, who embodies the perfect image of God and operates on Earth to bridge the gap between humanity and the divine.
Christmas, therefore, is not merely about a baby in a manger but about God incarnate, the Savior who offers eternal life and the Lord who governs our lives. Our response to Jesus should be threefold: welcoming Him as Savior, worshiping Him as God, and witnessing Him to the world. Just as the wise men traveled far to worship Jesus, we too should make efforts to honor Him in our lives. Our faith should be evident, not hidden, as we boldly proclaim our allegiance to Christ, celebrating Him as the true reason for the season.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Unique Nature of Jesus: Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man, a unique identity that allows Him to bridge the divine and human realms. This dual nature is essential for understanding His role in redemption, as He embodies both divinity and humanity perfectly. [00:11]
2. The True Essence of Christmas: Christmas is often celebrated with empty symbols, missing its true essence—the incarnation of God as a man to redeem humanity. Understanding this divine purpose is crucial to truly celebrating Christmas. [01:37]
3. God's Sovereign Plan: The birth of Jesus was the culmination of a 4,000-year divine plan, involving prophets, kings, and families, all orchestrated by God to fulfill His promise of redemption through the line of David. [09:24]
4. Our Response to Jesus: We are called to welcome Jesus as Savior, worship Him as God, and witness Him to the world. This involves embracing Him in our lives, honoring Him with our worship, and boldly proclaiming our faith. [14:43]
5. Boldly Proclaiming Faith: Our faith in Jesus should be evident and not hidden. We are encouraged to boldly proclaim our allegiance to Christ, celebrating Him as the true reason for the season and living out our faith publicly. [17:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Unique Nature of Jesus
- [00:24] - Christmas Decor and Empty Symbols
- [00:42] - The Culture's Empty Celebration
- [01:17] - The True Essence of Christmas
- [01:53] - God Became Man
- [02:36] - Understanding the Celebration
- [03:20] - The Why Behind Christmas
- [03:41] - God's Gift to Mankind
- [05:02] - The Deception in the Garden
- [06:08] - The Fall and Its Consequences
- [07:15] - The Need for a Redeemer
- [09:24] - God's Sovereign Plan
- [10:41] - The Virgin Birth
- [11:52] - The Word Became Flesh
- [13:13] - Jesus: God in a Crib
- [14:43] - Our Response to Jesus
- [16:07] - The Wise Men's Journey
- [17:56] - Boldly Proclaiming Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:15 - "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
2. Galatians 4:4 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law."
3. 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."
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus being both the Son of God and the Son of Man, as mentioned in the sermon? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the cultural celebration of Christmas, and what is often missing from it? [01:17]
3. According to the sermon, what role did the virgin birth play in God's plan for redemption? [02:36]
4. How does the sermon explain the 4,000-year journey leading to the birth of Jesus? [09:24]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to understand Jesus' dual nature as both divine and human in the context of redemption? [12:23]
2. How does the sermon suggest that the true essence of Christmas is often overlooked in modern celebrations? [01:37]
3. What does the sermon imply about God's sovereignty and timing in the orchestration of Jesus' birth? [07:32]
4. How does the sermon describe our appropriate response to Jesus, and what does this mean for believers today? [14:43]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the dual nature of Jesus. How does understanding Jesus as both divine and human impact your personal faith journey? [12:23]
2. Consider the cultural symbols of Christmas you encounter. How can you ensure that your celebration of Christmas reflects its true essence? [01:37]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of God's timing. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's timing? [07:32]
4. The wise men traveled far to worship Jesus. What steps can you take to prioritize worship in your life, especially during the Christmas season? [16:40]
5. How can you boldly proclaim your faith in Jesus in your daily interactions, as encouraged in the sermon? [17:56]
6. Reflect on the idea of welcoming Jesus as both Savior and Lord. What changes might you need to make in your life to fully embrace this? [14:43]
7. Identify one person in your life who may not understand the true meaning of Christmas. How can you share the message of Jesus' birth with them this season? [17:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Nature of Jesus: Divine and Human
Jesus Christ holds a unique position in history as both the Son of God and the Son of Man. This dual identity is not just a theological concept but the very foundation of His role in the redemption of humanity. As the Son of God, Jesus embodies the divine nature, possessing all the attributes of God Himself. As the Son of Man, He fully embraces human nature, experiencing life as we do, yet without sin. This perfect union of divinity and humanity allows Jesus to be the bridge between God and mankind, making Him the only one capable of reconciling us to God. [00:11]
Hebrews 2:14-17 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace both the divine and human aspects of Jesus in your daily walk with Him? How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Rediscovering the True Essence of Christmas
Christmas is often celebrated with symbols and traditions that can sometimes overshadow its true meaning. The essence of Christmas lies in the incarnation of God as a man, a profound mystery that signifies God's immense love and desire to redeem humanity. This divine act of becoming flesh is the cornerstone of the Christmas celebration, reminding us that God stepped into our world to offer salvation. Understanding this truth transforms our celebration from mere tradition to a heartfelt acknowledgment of God's incredible gift to us. [01:37]
John 1:14 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you intentionally focus on the true essence of Christmas in your celebrations this year? What specific traditions or practices can you incorporate to honor the incarnation of Christ?
Day 3: The Sovereign Orchestration of Redemption
The birth of Jesus was not a random event but the culmination of a 4,000-year divine plan. This plan involved prophets, kings, and families, all orchestrated by God to fulfill His promise of redemption through the line of David. The meticulous unfolding of this plan demonstrates God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His word. It serves as a reminder that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it, and that His plans for redemption are perfect and timely. [09:24]
Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you saw God's sovereign plan unfold in your life. How can this understanding of His faithfulness encourage you in a current situation where you are waiting on Him?
Day 4: Welcoming, Worshiping, and Witnessing Jesus
Our response to Jesus should be threefold: welcoming Him as Savior, worshiping Him as God, and witnessing Him to the world. Welcoming Jesus involves embracing Him into our lives and acknowledging His role as our Redeemer. Worshiping Him as God means honoring Him with our lives and recognizing His divine authority. Witnessing Him to the world involves boldly proclaiming our faith and sharing the good news of His salvation with others. This comprehensive response reflects a life fully devoted to Christ. [14:43]
Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively welcome, worship, and witness Jesus in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take today to live out this threefold response.
Day 5: Boldly Proclaiming Our Faith
Our faith in Jesus should be evident and not hidden. We are encouraged to boldly proclaim our allegiance to Christ, celebrating Him as the true reason for the season and living out our faith publicly. This bold proclamation is not just about words but also about living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. As we celebrate Christmas, let us be intentional in making our faith visible to those around us, pointing them to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. [17:56]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you make your faith more visible to those around you this Christmas season? What specific steps can you take to ensure that your life points others to Christ?
Quotes
"God became a man through the Virgin birth in order to redeem sinful Humanity. God became a man, Emmanuel, through the process of a virgin birth with the purpose to redeem sinful mankind. If you missed that, you've missed Christmas. Amen. You've missed the divinely ordained reason for the season." [00:01:53]
"God turned the running of the earth over to mankind. He said, 'I'm going to create Earth, but I'm going to lease it out to mankind to rule. I will give them the choice; they can rule it with me or without me, but I'm going to let them rule.'" [00:03:41]
"In the midst of that, Lucifer, better known as Satan, slithered into the garden through a snake to lay claim of something that had been given to man. He wanted the Earth, but the Earth didn't belong to him; it belonged to mankind. So in order for him to get it, it had to be gifted to him." [00:05:02]
"Galatians 4:4 says in the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a woman, under the law. In the fullness of time means at the exact moment it should have happened in history when the process was completed, when the time was just right, God sent his son." [00:07:15]
"Because a sinful man couldn't serve as a substitute for other sinful men, so it had to be a person who was perfect. Therefore, the stage had to be set for the person to arrive who could be the Redeemer for mankind, and it took God 4,000 years to set that up." [00:09:24]
"Jesus is called the Son of God and the son of man. I guess that's why he could get thirsty one moment and walk on water another moment. I guess that's why he could die as a man one moment but get up from a grave another moment because he is the most unique person in the universe." [00:11:52]
"If you want to talk about Christmas, if you want to talk about the reason for the season, you're not just talking about some baby in a cradle; you're talking about God in a crib. You're talking about the baby that made his mama." [00:13:13]
"You welcome him, then you worship Him. The Bible says to worship God only. So how does Jesus receive worship? Either he's an idol, or he's the only God you worship. That's right, he received worship as God." [00:14:43]
"The three wise men saw his star in the east, and they came and asked Herod, 'Where is the king of the Jews that we might worship him?' But as you traverse around this Christmas season and you see nativity scenes, if you see wise men at baby Jesus's crib, that is incorrect." [00:16:07]
"Help me out. If they can take a two-year trip to worship him, we can certainly take a 30-minute drive to give him some Glory. You worship Him, and then finally, you witness to him. You don't become ashamed of him." [00:17:56]
"It should be absolutely inexplicably clear that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, not merely a believer in God. It should be inextricably clear that he is your savior for heaven and your Lord for Earth." [00:18:56]
"If people can celebrate a touchdown, you ought to be able to celebrate a savior. If people gather in their Church houses called stadiums and spend three hours giving their home team Glory, you ought to be able to spend a few minutes giving him glory on Sunday morning because he's worthy to be praised." [00:19:56]
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