Temple Baptist Church - 11-30-2025
Matthew 1:18-25; Genesis 3
Introduction:
A. As we now are enjoying what is called the “Christmas Season,” it would do us well to reflect upon the real meaning of this time of the year. There is much controversy about the time of the Messiah's birth, and I believe Scripture teaches that he was born in the fall rather than in the winter.
B. Men will have to settle in their own hearts how and when to celebrate the Lord’s wonderful birth, and it should be celebrated year-round. But here in America, most celebrate His birth on December 25th, regardless of how the tradition began.
Romans 14:5-6a One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.
C. Some choose to celebrate it during the Christmas Season, while others choose not to. I understand its beginning but have no problem with praising the Lord for His coming to earth this time of the year. The main thing is that He did come!
D. There is little or nothing that I can preach to you this year that you have not heard before, but we are admonished
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
E. Most of us, from our childhood, have known of the wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—but it is a history (I use the word “history” because a story can be true or fiction. The Birth of Christ is history or “His Story.” It never grows old and holds for this preacher a wonder and beauty that never fades!
1. If I should ask the question, “What is the Reason for the Season,” the answers would possibly vary.
a. Some say Jesus was the Reason for the Season. I would agree with that as Christmas is about the birth of Christ.
2. Some would say Sinners were the Reason for the Season. I would agree with that. Christ gave His life for sinners.
3. Some would say Sin was the Reason for the Season. I would agree with that. Without sin, there would be no death and redemption.
4. Some would say I am the Reason for the Season. I agree wholeheartedly. Calvinistic people who teach “Reformed Theology” are either biblically ignorant or biblically stupid! I do not mean to offend at this point, but the Bible is so very clear about who Christ came and died for.
5. The reason that I would agree with all the above is that they cannot be separated. As with the Trinity, it takes All the parts to make up the Whole.
F. To fully understand the Birth of Christ, we must go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation found in Genesis chapter three.
1. I will not take the time to deal with each verse in the chapter but will look at the parts over the next few weeks.
2. The “Seed of the Woman,” the Virgin Birth of Christ, was founded in the sin of Adam and Eve! Without sinfulness, there would be no need for salvation. Without sinfulness, there would be no meaningful reason for sacrifice. Without sinfulness, there would be no need for a Saviour.
G. I want to look this morning at the purpose of His coming. In verse 21, the Bible says, “and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
1. Here, we find sin and sinners. “His people” are those who come to the Lord by faith. Those who choose not to come to Christ by faith are not “His people!” This is not Calvinism; it is “Whosoever will” and “Whosoever will not!”
2. Christ died for the sins of the whole world, but only saves those who choose to come to Him by faith and are saved. These Jews already had faith in the coming of the Messiah and were waiting for His appearance.
H. Therefore, sin, sacrifice, Saviour, and salvation are intrinsically tied together in the prophecy and performance of Christmas. This morning, we will look at two things: sin and sinners.
1. Sin. What Is Sin? The word “sin” in its various forms appears 1482 times in your Bible. It has been said that 726 sins are named in the Bible. I do not know for sure myself because I haven't taken the time to count them and probably would miss many in the process, so I'll trust these theologians at their word.
There are several rather extensive listings of sin such as: Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
a. Sin Defined:
1) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance definition of “sins” is – to miss the mark! To violate God’s law
2) Webster’s states that, “sin is any offence or fault. It is the breaking of a religious or moral law.
3) The Greek dictionary defines sin as missing the mark; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor. The Greek also states sin is a violation of the divine law in thought or in act.
4) What is the Bible's definition?
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
A transgression means to overstep, to cross over the line God has drawn, or to jump the fence. The Word of God (Law) is the fence referred to. Therefore, transgression is an act of rebellion against the known will of God.
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Unrighteousness is wickedness, iniquity, inward crookedness, perversity, and stubbornly contrary to God’s Word and Will.
Romans 14:23b For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
If our actions are not those motivated by faith then it is sin. Open sin is probably not hindering revival as much as a lack of faith.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
If a person fails to practice what is good, his action or his lack of action is sin. This is generally called a sin of omission.
b. Generally, we classify sins in two ways :
1) Sins of Commission – things that we do that are contrary to God’s Word. God says not to do something and we do it anyway. The over stepping of God’s Law – a trespass.
2) Sins of Omission – things that we do not do that are contrary to God’s Will. God says to do something and we choose not to obey because of stubbornness.
Jesus Came To Die For Sin!
2. Sinners. Who Has Sinned?
a. The First Man Sinned - Romans 5:12a Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
b. All Have Sinned – Romans 5:12b and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Both Jews And Gentiles)
Romans 3:9 What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (That is Me! That is you!)
c. The Sinless Became Sin!
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus Came To Save Sinners!
3. What Were Some of The Consequence Of Sin?
a. They lost their innocence. They went from purity to shame in a single moment.
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
b. They became both guilty and ashamed. For the first time, Adam and Eve hid from God. Sin always drives a wedge between man and God. Before sin, they walked with God freely; after sin, they feared His presence. Fear replaced fellowship.
Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
c. They spiritually died. God had warned them! Physically, they would live almost a millennium, but spiritually, they were dead in trespasses and sin.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
d. Their sin brought about a curse.
1) Eve’s curse was pain and travail in childbearing, along with conflict within the home.
Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
2) The Earth’s Curse. The ground was cursed, and this once perfect earth started to grow thistles and thorns.
Genesis 3:17-18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (18) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
3) Adam’s job of dressing the Garden became sweat, toil, and tears while working an unproductive ground.
Genesis 3:17-18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (18) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
e. They were driven from the Garden of Eden. Paradise lost! They lost Paradise, the place God had made just for them. They exchanged a garden of delight for a world of thorns.
Genesis 3:23-24 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (24) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
f. They became subject to physical death. Mortality entered the human race. Every sickness, every funeral, every grave traces back to that moment.
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Genesis 5:4-5 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: (5) And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
g. They lost access to the tree of life. This ensured they could not live forever in their sinful condition. The wages of sin was death!
Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Conclusion: Christ came because of sin and the sinner!
