Sermons About Christmas
Christmas Through Joseph's Eyes
Matthew 1:18-28 Of all the men written about in God's Word, perhaps none faced a more difficult challenge of faith and obedience than Joseph, for the prospect of a virgin birth surpassed his ability to understand. Likewise, the birth of Jesus, and the life that only He could live, surpasses all human understanding to this day. In Matthew 1:18-28, the story of the virgin birth is told from Joseph's perspective. Matthew uses this perspective to show that Jesus is the rightful heir to the throne of David, and the perfect fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy concerning the arrival of the Messiah. An angel, believed to have been Gabriel, made such an announcement when he explained to Joseph that the One who would be born would be the Holy Ruler of the world and the One who would save the people from their sins - the Son of God, Jesus. This role is embodied in the name Jesus, which means "Jehovah the Savior." The birth of Jesus is at the heart of the Christmas story because the greatest problem in this world is the sins of men. It is the sins of men that separate us from God the Father and makes reconciliation with Him through the atoning death of His Son necessary. And, we know there is no other name under Heaven by which men are saved but the name Christ Jesus. Because Jesus was not born of Joseph, but of Mary, God was able to satisfy His divine purpose in a way that only He could. Indeed, had not the birth of Jesus been a virgin one, salvation of men would not be possible, for only the divine could accomplish such a feat. In contrast, had Jesus been born of a human father, He would have inherited the sins of Adam as all men have, yet had He not been born of Mary, He would not have been qualified as a member of the human race. So, this uniquely divine combination enabled God to provide His Son as an unblemished (perfect, Holy) sacrifice for the atonement of sins against a Holy God. Therefore, the Son had to be both fully God and fully man. If Jesus would have been anything less that God Himself, such a sacrifice would never have been (and could never be) sufficient to atone for all the sins of men. For this, we have great cause to celebrate because only God could offer Himself as a sacrifice sufficient to atone for sins against One who is Holy! And we rejoice in Jesus, who at Christmas time is often referred to as Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." Even though Joseph knew that no one would believe the story of the virgin birth, he and Mary did believe because they knew God's will, and that's all that mattered. This was proven out unequivocally by the way in which Jesus lived out His life - to perfection. Only God could do the things that Jesus did and only God could have lived a perfect life. The life led by Jesus substantiated the supernatural virgin birth and gave undeniable witness to His role as the Son of God. As we once again celebrate the birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior, let us ponder the magnitude of His humbling sacrifice and rejoice in the wonders of the virgin birth because it is only through the life of Christ that men can be brought back into fellowship with their loving creator. May the true meaning of Christmas be the true meaning of joy in your life!
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The Incarnation
Week 3 in the Tangible Kingdom Advent series. Preached by Lead Pastor Paul Vroom on December 24, 2008 at Missio Dei Church in Mokena, Illinois (www.mdchurch.us). Scripture from Philippians 2:5 - 11.
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Christmas Changes Everything
What is the message of Christmas, who is it for, and why do we care?
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From Darkness Comes Light
We all know the real "reason for the season" is Jesus. But when we take a deeper look at the circumstances surrounding his birth, a Christmas story we have never heard emerges... that is what X is all about.
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