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December 20, 2009

THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

‘And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord Appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:8-11

I. CELEBRATION

A. God Loves You

‘For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal life.’ John 3:16 (NIV)
‘In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ I John 4:10

‘Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s Love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? NO, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours Through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth blow—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:35, 37-39 (NLT)

B. God Is With You

‘Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I fell from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.’ Psalm 139:7-10

‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:14 (KJV)

‘He came to his own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’ John 1:11-14 (NKJV)

‘And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of Truth…’ John 14:16 (NKJV)

C. God Is For You

‘If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

‘God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.’ John 3:17

II. SALVATION

‘For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:11 (NASB)

A. Jesus Came To Save You FROM Sin

‘For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.’ Romans 3:23 (NLT)
’For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does no sin…’ Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NKJV)
‘Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why he doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see his face.’ Isaiah 59:2 (CEV)

‘I’ve tried everything, and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?... the answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.’ Romans 7:24-25 (MSG)

B. Jesus Came To Save You For A Purpose

‘(God) saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose….’ 2 Timothy 1:9 (TEV)

‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.’ Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)

C. Jesus Came to Save You By His Grace

‘It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

G – God’s R – Riches A – At C – Christ’s E – Expense

III. RECONCILIATION

‘Glory to God in The Highest, And On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.’ Luke 2:14 (KJV)

A. Peace With God Is Spiritual Peace

‘Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Romans 5:4

‘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)

B. Peace Of God is Emotional Peace

‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.’ Philippians 4:6

‘Pray about everything, Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then, you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 (

C. Peace With Others Is Relational Peace

‘God…reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.’ 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV)

‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’ Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

‘It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God, and you’re ready to do as he says, the door is open.’ Acts 10:35 (MSG)