THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:1-7 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

SALVATION IS NEEDED…YOU WOULDN’T NEED THE GOOD NEWS IF THERE WASN’T SOME REALLY BAD NEWS

Luke 2:8-10 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

SALVATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED…WE HAVE A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD!

Luke 2:11-14 ESV

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

SALVATION MUST BE ACCEPTED…IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE WHAT GOD HAS SAID, YOU WILL ACT ON IT!

Luke 2:15-16 ESV

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

ONCE ACCEPTED, THIS SALVATION WILL BE SHARED WITH OTHERS!

Luke 2:17-20 ESV

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

SALVATION IS NEEDED…YOU WOULDN’T NEED THE GOOD NEWS IF THERE WASN’T SOME REALLY BAD NEWS

SALVATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED…WE HAVE A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD!

SALVATION MUST BE ACCEPTED…IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE WHAT GOD HAS SAID, YOU WILL ACT ON IT!

ONCE ACCEPTED, THIS SALVATION WILL BE SHARED WITH OTHERS!

THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS

ONE DAY THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PERFECT

Isaiah 9:1-5 ESV

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. [3] You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. [4] For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. [5] For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

BECAUSE THE ONE GOVERNING IT WILL BE PERFECT

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

AND HIS PERFECTION WILL LAST FOREVER

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

A PERFECT GOVERNMENT!

RUN BY A PERFECT RULER!

THAT WILL LAST FOREVER...WILL YOU BE A PART OF IT?

THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS

JESUS EMPTIED HIMSELF OF HIS SOVEREIGNTY

Philippians 2:5-7a ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

JESUS BECAME A SLAVE…IN TOTAL SUBMISSION TO HIS FATHER

Philippians 2:7b ESV

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

JESUS BECAME A MAN BUT NEVER LOST HIS DIETY

Philippians 2:7c ESV

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF TO DO SOMETHING FOR US THAT WE COULDN’T DO FOR OURSELVES

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

JESUS BECAME THE EXALTED LORD OF GLORY

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

IF YOU BELONG TO JESUS…

EMPTY YOURSELF OF ANY SOVEREIGNTY THAT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE…

AND BECOME A SLAVE…IN TOTAL SUBMISSION TO GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER…

IF YOU DON’T BELONG TO JESUS…RECOGNIZE THAT ON THE CROSS, JESUS DID SOMETHING FOR YOU THAT YOU COULDN’T DO FOR YOURSELF…

AND RECOGNIZE JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD…BEFORE YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE HIM ONLY AS LORD.

THIS IS THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS!

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2zHz-omRPY

REVIVAL THROUGH ROMANS…THERE IS NO BUTTING ORDER IN GODS KINGDOM!

Scripture References: Psalm 23; Philippians 4:6-7

WELCOME EACH OTHER LIKE CHRIST HAS WELCOMED YOU

Romans 15:7 ESV

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

REVIVAL THROUGH ROMANS…STRENGTH IS FOR SERVICE, NOT FOR STATUS

STRENGTH IS FOR SERVICE, NOT FOR STATUS

Romans 15:1-2 ESV

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

CHRIST, AS OUR EXAMPLE, TOOK ON THE TROUBLES OF THE TROUBLED

Romans 15:3 ESV

For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

SCRIPTURE, WRITTEN A LONG TIME AGO, WAS WRITTEN TO ENCOURAGE US TODAY…SO WE CAN BE LIKE CHRIST

Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

WE’RE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF GOD’S HELP TO LIVE IN HARMONY…AND BE LIKE CHRIST

Romans 15:5 ESV

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

BUT…WHEN WE GET ALONG WITH OTHERS, AS WELL AS JESUS GETS ALONG WITH US, GOD WILL GET THE GLORY!

Romans 15:6-7 ESV

that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

STRENGTH FROM GOD IS FOR SERVICE, NOT FOR STATUS

CHRIST, AS OUR EXAMPLE, TOOK ON THE TROUBLES OF THE TROUBLED

SCRIPTURE, WRITTEN A LONG TIME AGO, WAS WRITTEN TO ENCOURAGE US TODAY…SO WE CAN BE LIKE CHRIST

WE’RE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF GOD’S HELP TO LIVE IN HARMONY…AND BE LIKE CHRIST

BUT…WHEN WE GET ALONG WITH OTHERS, AS WELL AS JESUS GETS ALONG WITH US, GOD WILL GET THE GLORY!

Don't Make Waves, Ride Them // Pastor Eddy Fredryk by Driftwood Church at the Beach

Unity Without Uniformity in the Body of Christ // Romans 14 // Pastor Eddy Fredryk by Driftwood Church at the Beach

We Win! // Daniel 2 // Pastor Eddy Fredryk by Driftwood Church at the Beach

Armor of God // Ephesians 6:10-20 // Pastor Eddy Fredryk by Driftwood Church at the Beach

Wake Up! This Season is Almost Over! // Romans 13:11-14 // Pastor Eddy Fredryk by Driftwood Church at the Beach