The True Purpose of Christmas: Salvation Through Christ

 

Summary

The purpose of Christmas is deeply rooted in the understanding of sin and the need for a Savior. While many celebrate Christmas as a festive holiday filled with gifts, decorations, and family gatherings, the true essence of Christmas is often overlooked. The story of Christmas is not just about the birth of Jesus but about the reason for His coming into the world. In Matthew chapters one and two, we see that Jesus was born to save His people from their sins. This is the core purpose of Christmas: to address the problem of sin that entered the world through Adam's disobedience.

Sin created a separation between humanity and God, a gap too wide for humans to bridge on their own. God, in His perfection, cannot accept anything less than perfection, and thus, He sent Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin for us. This act of divine love and sacrifice is what Christmas is truly about. Jesus came to be the permanent deliverer of humanity from sin and its consequences, offering us a way to be reconciled with God.

The commercialization of Christmas often sanitizes the harsh realities of the first Christmas, which was marked by oppression, taxation, and even infanticide. Yet, it is precisely because of these harsh realities that Jesus came. He was born to die, wrapped in swaddling clothes, symbolizing His future sacrifice. This sacrifice was necessary to pay the debt of sin and offer eternal life to all who believe.

As we celebrate Christmas, it is crucial to remember and communicate its true purpose. It is a time to reflect on the gift of salvation and to share the story of Jesus, not just as a baby in a manger, but as the Savior who came to deliver us from sin. This understanding transforms Christmas from a mere holiday into a profound celebration of God's love and grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. The True Purpose of Christmas: Christmas exists because sin exists. It is not merely a festive holiday but a divine intervention to address the problem of sin. Jesus was born to save humanity from sin, highlighting the need for a Savior. [06:26]

2. The Nature of Sin and Salvation: Sin is missing the mark of God's perfection, and it separates us from Him. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, offering His righteousness to those who believe. This exchange is the heart of the Christmas message. [11:53]

3. The Significance of Jesus' Birth: Jesus' birth was marked by swaddling clothes, symbolizing His future sacrifice. He was born to die, to be the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sin of the world. This understanding gives depth to the Christmas story. [14:46]

4. The Gift of Eternal Life: Through Jesus' sacrifice, God offers the free gift of salvation to all who come to Him. This gift is an eternal credit that covers our debt of sin, allowing us to be reconciled with God. [17:27]

5. Our Role as Witnesses: Christmas is a reminder to share the story of Jesus, not just His birth but His purpose as the Savior. We are called to unsterilize Christmas and communicate its true meaning to those around us. [16:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:31] - The Person of Christmas
- [00:44] - The Purpose of Christmas
- [01:12] - The Story of John and the Worms
- [03:26] - Missing the Point of Christmas
- [04:42] - The Commercialization of Christmas
- [06:06] - The Reason for Christmas
- [07:15] - The Need for a Savior
- [08:52] - Understanding Sin
- [11:35] - God's Solution to Sin
- [14:16] - The Birth and Sacrifice of Jesus
- [16:00] - The True Celebration of Christmas
- [17:09] - The Gift of Salvation
- [19:30] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 1:21: "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
- 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
- 1 John 2:2: "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 1:21, what is the primary reason for Jesus' birth? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the purpose of Christmas? [06:06]
2. In the sermon, what were some of the harsh realities of the first Christmas that are often overlooked today? [05:15]
3. How does the sermon describe the commercialization of Christmas, and what impact does it have on understanding its true purpose? [04:42]
4. What does the sermon say about the significance of Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes at His birth? [14:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of sin as "missing the mark" help us understand the need for a Savior, as discussed in the sermon? [09:07]
2. What does it mean that Jesus became sin for us, and how does this exchange offer us righteousness, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21? [11:53]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the true meaning of Christmas can be communicated to others, beyond the typical festive celebrations? [16:14]
4. How does the sermon explain the connection between the first Adam's disobedience and the need for Jesus as the second Adam? [07:15]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own Christmas traditions. How can you incorporate the true purpose of Christmas into your celebrations this year? [06:26]
2. The sermon mentions the commercialization of Christmas. How can you personally resist this trend and focus on the spiritual significance of the holiday? [04:42]
3. Consider the idea of Jesus being born to die for our sins. How does this understanding impact your view of Christmas and your faith journey? [14:46]
4. How can you be a witness to the true meaning of Christmas in your community or family gatherings this year? [16:14]
5. Identify one person in your life who may not understand the true purpose of Christmas. What steps can you take to share the message of salvation with them? [16:41]
6. The sermon talks about the gift of eternal life through Jesus. How can you express gratitude for this gift in your daily life? [17:27]
7. Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the deliverer. In what areas of your life do you need deliverance, and how can you seek Jesus' help in those areas? [07:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Christmas as Divine Intervention
The true purpose of Christmas is not merely a festive holiday but a divine intervention to address the problem of sin. Christmas exists because sin exists, highlighting the need for a Savior. Jesus was born to save humanity from sin, bridging the gap that sin created between humanity and God. This understanding transforms Christmas from a mere holiday into a profound celebration of God's love and grace. As we celebrate, it is crucial to remember and communicate this true purpose, reflecting on the gift of salvation and sharing the story of Jesus, not just as a baby in a manger, but as the Savior who came to deliver us from sin. [06:26]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally share the true purpose of Christmas with someone this week, focusing on the need for a Savior rather than just the holiday festivities?


Day 2: The Exchange of Sin for Righteousness
Sin is missing the mark of God's perfection, and it separates us from Him. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, offering His righteousness to those who believe. This exchange is the heart of the Christmas message. It is a profound act of divine love and sacrifice, where Jesus took on the burden of sin to offer us a way to be reconciled with God. This understanding of sin and salvation is crucial as it highlights the depth of God's love and the significance of Jesus' birth and sacrifice. [11:53]

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the righteousness offered by Jesus in your daily life, and how can this understanding change your perspective on Christmas?


Day 3: The Symbolism of Swaddling Clothes
Jesus' birth was marked by swaddling clothes, symbolizing His future sacrifice. He was born to die, to be the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sin of the world. This understanding gives depth to the Christmas story, reminding us that Jesus' birth was not just a miraculous event but a purposeful act of love and redemption. The harsh realities of the first Christmas, marked by oppression and sacrifice, highlight the significance of Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin. [14:46]

"And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: How does the symbolism of swaddling clothes and Jesus' future sacrifice impact your understanding of the Christmas story, and how can you share this perspective with others?


Day 4: The Gift of Salvation
Through Jesus' sacrifice, God offers the free gift of salvation to all who come to Him. This gift is an eternal credit that covers our debt of sin, allowing us to be reconciled with God. The commercialization of Christmas often overshadows this profound gift, but it is essential to remember that the true celebration of Christmas is about receiving and sharing this gift of eternal life. As we reflect on this gift, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the hope that comes with salvation. [17:27]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to focus on the gift of salvation this Christmas, and how can you share this gift with someone who may not yet understand its significance?


Day 5: Our Role as Witnesses
Christmas is a reminder to share the story of Jesus, not just His birth but His purpose as the Savior. We are called to unsterilize Christmas and communicate its true meaning to those around us. This involves being witnesses of God's love and grace, sharing the message of salvation, and living out the implications of Jesus' sacrifice in our daily lives. As we embrace our role as witnesses, we are encouraged to reflect on how we can effectively share the true meaning of Christmas with others. [16:14]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a witness of the true meaning of Christmas in your community, and what specific actions can you take to share the story of Jesus with those around you?

Quotes


Christmas exists because sin exists. Christmas doesn't exist because God was after a festive holiday. God was seeking to deal permanently with the major problem of humanity and the problem of sin. So let's clear our minds of viewing Christmas as this bright and beautiful occasion. [06:19]

When sin entered the world, Devolution occurred. I know we hear a lot about evolution, but Devolution occurred. Prior to sin you didn't die, prior to sin there was no pain, there was no hurt, nature didn't get out of order and chaos. All of the things that we heard in life about is because sin is into the world. [07:47]

God in his nature is perfect. He is perfect, that is he's totally set apart from sin, so he cannot accept anything less than perfection. But sin means we're imperfect, it means we have the word in the New Testament for sin means to miss the mark, it means we fall short of his perfection. [08:45]

The distance between sinful men and a perfect God is too great for men to get there on their own. So God came up with a way to cover the distance, and it came up with the way himself. That's why I love second Corinthians 5:21, he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him. [11:21]

God demands Perfection, we're imperfect, so what God did was, God became a man and the person of Jesus Christ, and took on the sin of the whole world. The sin of the whole world was credited to him because he had no sin of his own, so he qualified to be the perfect substitute. [12:22]

When he was born he was wrapped in swaddling clothes. That may not mean much to us today but swaddling clothes was the cloth that you wrapped in someone who had died. It was the kind of the Mummy cloth so when somebody died they would be wrapped in this cloth which we call swaddling clothes. [14:26]

This baby was born to die, this baby was born to be the sacrifice for sin eternally. When we talk about Christmas and we talk about why it is, if you leave out sin you've just left out Christmas. Now, that won't bring fun to your party necessarily, no that won't be the thing you celebrate in the minds of the culture in which we live. [14:56]

It also means that Christmas is a time to remind you and me we are to be Witnesses. We're to tell the story not merely of his birth, but why he was born. He was born to be the sacrifice, he was born to be the savior, he was born to be the deliverer. [16:14]

Unsterilize Christmas a little bit, make sure you put in your mind and in your communication with others who can appreciate it or who need to hear the gospel message, that this holiday is about more than the typical reasons people celebrated. It's about something bad and Evil that needed to be addressed in my life, in your life, in our lives and in the life of the whole world. [16:35]

So that now because sins have been paid for God can offer the free gift of salvation to every man every woman every boy every girl who comes to Jesus Christ for it. He can give away eternal life because the debt we owed has been picked up through the payment of another. [17:18]

Well God has put Credit in your account and it's an eternal dividend that never has to be paid by you or me again when we respond to Christ. [17:46]

Jesus Christ throws a lifeline because this baby, this child, came to deliver us from our sin. If you leave that out of Christmas, you haven't told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Christmas. [19:36]

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Transcript
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