TEXT: Selected Texts
Before we can truly celebrate the joy of Christmas we need to understand the deep sadness that preceded it.
Isaiah 7:14
“”Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
We typically want God to come through for us so long as it doesn’t inconvenience us.
Isaiah 7:13
“And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?”
I. THE CRY
John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Life without Jesus is empty!
Matthew 1:21-23
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
II. THE COMING
Isaiah 11:1
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
Only humble people will receive and recognize Jesus as King.
A. He came to ransom.
Isaiah 35:10
“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
B. He came to redeem.
I Peter 1:18, 19
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
C. He came to restore.
Malachi 4:2
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;”
D. He came to recalibrate.
Salvation is not the end of our story it’s the beginning!
III. THE COMMISSION
Isaiah 22:22
“And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”
Revelation 1:18
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Only in Jesus is the key of eternal life and heaven!
The greatest glory of Heaven is Jesus!
Our commission is to be on mission with Jesus and proclaim the Gospel of peace.
Immanuel gives our life meaning and purpose and it is Immanuel who makes Christmas worth celebrating!