Temple Baptist Church - 12-17-2017
Matthew 1:18-25; Genesis 3:15
Introduction:
A. 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!
B. The birth of Christ is the most documented event in the history of the world. It is even used to divide the calendar that most of the world recognizes.
C. 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.”
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.
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. (The word “made” means “to do or to perform something that would not have been done otherwise.” This morning, our bed was made up. If we had not done so, it would have never been done so.)
1. Christ was “made sin” for us. Without Christ sacrifice, salvation would have never come about.
2. We were “made” the righteousness of God in Him. We had to be “made” righteous which is something that only the applied blood of Christ could do.
D. I want to go back to the First Mention Principle of Bible interpretation: Genesis, chapter 3.
1. The First Mention of Sin. Genesis 3:6-7 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it waspleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (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.
2. The First Mention of a Seeking Saviour. Genesis 3:8 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.
a) The First Mention of a Sacrifice for Sin. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (There could not have been many “lambs” in the Garden of Eden at this time so I could speculate that Adam and Eve knew the lamb! How painful to watch of one whom you love to die for you.)
b) The First Mention of the Penalty (Death) for Sin. “Make coats of skins.” The wages of sin was and still is death.
c) The First Mention of Propitiation. “Clothed them” – The innocent lamb died for the guilty sinner.
d) The First Mention of Imputation. “The LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” – Sinners covered by the innocence of another.
The First Mention of Modesty. “Coats … clothed them” – Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!
3. The First Mention of the Prophecy Christ’s First Advent. “Seed of the woman” The Purpose of Christ.
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.
a) Man Sinned.
b) Christ Came.
c) Christ Died.
d. We that are born again live forever!
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 “sin” 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 sin 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.)
The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: 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.
c. The Sinless Became Sin! 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.
The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: 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.
The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: Jesus Came To Take Away The Penalty Of Sin!
4. The Purpose Of The Incarnation Of Christ?
a. Jesus Came To Die For Our Sin! 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 That Which Is Lost! “all have sinned”
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! “whosoever believeth in Him”
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: The Biblical Purpose for Christmas: because of His great love for mankind, He came to die on Calvary for our sin!
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