Good Will Toward Men

Temple Baptist Church - 12-8-2019

Luke 2:1-14

Introduction:

A.  As we approach Christmas, I want our hearts and minds centered upon the Reason for the Season.  As the world shops for the perfect gift for Christmas, I want us to reflect upon the Perfect Gift for Christmas, Jesus Christ—God’s only begotten Son—Almighty Jehovah God born in the flesh—the Propitiation for Sin—Prince of Peace.

B.  Last week, we saw the Peace of God.  God’s gift to mankind that can produce Perfect Peace in the believer.  Notice that I used the word “can,” not will.  We have Peace with God but the Peace of God is something that depends upon us.

C.  This morning, I want to look at God’s “Good Will Toward Men” in Christmas.

D.  God’s Creation made perfect.  Genesis 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

E.  Adam’s Choice alienated mankind.  Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

F.  God’s Compassion made available.  John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 1:21  “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

1.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 

1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

2.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Gift Ever Given.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

Romans 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Titus 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 

3.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Sacrifice Ever Made,

2 Corinthians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich..

Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: 

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

4.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Grace Ever Received.

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

5.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Forgiveness Ever Extended.

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. 

Psalms 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. 

6.  In Christmas We Find The Greatest Promise Ever Kept.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,