Christmas is not just about a rescue, it’s about a reunion. The reunion of God with man.
Sermon Title: THE GIFT OF CHRIST
Sermon Text: MATTHEW 1:20-21 (NIV)
Sermon Series: EMMANUEL: ANTICIPATING, CELEBRATING, TRANSFORMING
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
MATTHEW 1:20-23 NIV
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel -- which means, “God with us.”
Christmas isn’t merely about the birth of a baby. It is that God became a baby.
I. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FATHER.
ISAIAH 7:14 NIV
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
JOHN 3:16 NIV
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This gift was initiated solely by God.
II. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF JESUS.
JOHN 1:14a MSG
14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
God didn’t move heaven and earth to keep his promise. He left heaven for earth to keep his promise.
kenosis
“to empty”
PHILIPPAINS 2:6-8 NIV
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!
Jesus’ kenosis was costly; his cross was even costlier.
LUKE 9:51 NIV
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
“If only Jesus would save himself. And us. But Jesus knows something the man hanging next to him doesn’t. He knows he can choose one or the other. He can save himself. Or he can save us. But he can’t do both.”
Ken Gire (Moments with the Savior)
MATTHEW 1:20b-21 NIV
20 … “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
III. FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE
PSALMS 23:4 NIV
23 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NIV
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
MATTHEW 28:20b NIV
20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
HEBREWS 13:5b NIV
5 … “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Christmas is not just about a rescue, it’s about a reunion. The reunion of God with man.
The Almighty One became “God with us” because he wanted to be with us.
LUKE 2:11 NIV
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Jesus is the gift. He himself is the treasure.