Why Christmas?

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-12-2021

Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-11

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Christmas is the most celebrated time of the year and yet most who celebrate it do not truly understand its meaning. 

 

B.  If I asked the question this morning, “What is the real meaning of Christmas?”, I would get all kinds of answers and most of them would be at least partially right. 

 

1.  Some say that Jesus is the Reason for the season. 

 

2.  Some say that sinners are the reason for the season. 

 

3.  Some would say that it is a time for families to get to gather, while others would say it is a time of gift exchanging.

 

C.  To the world, the reality of Christmas goes virtually unnoticed. 

 

D.  Philippians 2 gives a full explanation of what Christmas is all about.  This chapter says it all!

1.  Who He Was – 6  (He was and is the Almighty God of the Bible!  Not just a Babe in a manger.)

 

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

 

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

2.  Who He Became – 7  (God became a Man and dwelt among us!  All man and all God!  The God-man!)

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

 

Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

 

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

3.  How He Behaved – 5  (He was the sinless God-man!  He was not at all like you and I.)

 

1 Peter 2:21-25  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:   Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

Matthew 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

4.  What He did – 8  (He came to die!  We die because we have no choice.  He died because He desired to!)

 

a.  His Humility – "humbled himself"

 

b.  His Obedience - “obedient”

 

c.  His Suffering - “death”

 

d.  His Shame and Reproach - “cross”

5.  What he Deserves – 9  (He is to be worshipped and praised!)

 

Ephesians 1:20-22  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,   Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

 

6.  What He Desires - 10, 11a  (That all the world be saved!)

 

Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto    salvation. 

7.  Why He did It - 11b  (One:  because He loves you!  Two:  to glorify the Father!)

 

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

 

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

 

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: