Sunday, December 1, 2013

The Purpose Of Christmas

Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2013
Matthew 1:18-25
 
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 concerning the time of the birth of the Messiah and I personally think that Scripture teaches that he was born in the fall of the year and not 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 around. 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. 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 to preach Christ Jesus our Lord.
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 story that never grows old and holds for this preacher a wonder and beauty that never fades!
F. 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. What Is Sin? It has been said that there are 726 sins named in the Bible. I do not know personally because I have not taken the time to count them and would probably miss many of them in the process, so I will just take these theologians at their word. There are several rather large 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 definition?
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (A transgression means to over step, 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. 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 Is The Consequence Of Sin?
a. A Wasted Life - Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death;
b. A Wasted Eternity - Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Jesus Came To Take Away The Penalty Of Sin!
A. Jesus Came To Die! JESUS – “Jehovah is salvation”
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
B. Jesus Came To Seek And To Save!
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
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.
C. Jesus Came To Give Eternal Life To All Who Believe!
Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Conclusion: Why did Jesus come! Because of His great love, He came to die for us on Calvary!

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