Title: Christmas - No Other Name
Bible Book: Selected Passages
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Christmas; Salvation; Jesus, Birth of
Objective:
Introduction
Matthew 1:21
When I think of great things I usually think about something that I believe stands out beyond all other things related to that subject. When I think about the greatest doctrine of the bible, I have no choice other than that of salvation. The bible teaches us that salvation is great for several reasons. 1) Its author is Jesus Christ. 2) The price that was paid to procure it. 3) It is universal. 4) It opens the door to God's rewards. 5) It is eternal. 6) The only way to receive it is through repentance.
I. It's What Christ Was Born For
Matthew 1:21
A. The Blessing Of His Birth, vs. 21.
...thou shalt call his name JESUS... vs. 21. The birth was the incarnation of God. ...thou shalt call his name JESUS... vs. 21. ...there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. There was no other way. Not only do we see the blessing of His birth we also see the burden of He bore.
B. The Burden He Bore, vs. 21.
...he shall save his people from their sins, vs. 21. The simple fact that Christ was born and that God became robed in flesh ought to increase our faith. ...he shall save... vs. 21. Christ was born to give us faith. How hard it must have been to believe in a faceless God! He bore our burden upon Calvary's tree. Because Christ bore our burden life is better for everyone. It's what Christ was born for, but also it's what He died for.
II. It's What Christ Died For
1 John 4:8-10.
A. What God Said
1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us... vs. 10. God said love comes from Him. To love them enough to say, Even though you didn't love me, I love you! Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25. He doesn't command us to love our wives IF they love us; He says in I John, I loved you in spite of you and you husbands do the same! God is love. Not only do we see what God said, we see who God sent.
B. Who God Sent
1 John 4:10
...and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, vs. 10. Propitiation is the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. Notice vs. 9 ...that we might live through him. Our life comes from His death. First and foremost Christ's life must be given. Then He gave that life to us. The hard fact is Christ died for us! Christ died on the cross; yet, He lives! We die to sin; yet, we live! Christ will save you! It's not only what Christ was born for and what He died for, it also what He lives for.
III. It's What Christ Lives For
John 14:1-3.
A. He Shows Us A Place
John 14:1-2
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. vs. 1-2. Christ lives today, and according to the word of God He's busy creating something special for you and me. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:1-7. He shows us a place and also he shows us a promise.
B. He Shows Us A Promise
John 14:3
...I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also, vs. 3. Christ lives now and is preparing a place for us and He promises that we will live forever with Him. How can we claim this promise? Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He paid the penalty for our sins. Die to yourself and let Christ put new life in you!
