The following post is a summary of my sermon yesterday. Some of you may have read it on my regular Facebook page.
Read Philippians 2:5-8, quoted in the points below, which presents the true meaning of Christmas:
[1] Jesus Christ came to the earth as God. Paul said that He “existed in the form of God.” This is also stated: “In His very nature, He was God.” Isaiah said his name would be “Mighty God” (Is. 9:6). John identified Him as “the Word” and wrote that ‘the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1).
[2] Jesus Christ turned His back on His heavenly position and lived on the earth as a human. Paul described it: He “emptied Himself…being found in appearance as a man.” Other translations say “He gave up His divine privileges and made Himself nothing,” John wrote: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (1:14). The angel quoted Isaiah to Joseph: “They will call His name Immanuel, which translated means, ‘GOD WITH US’” (Mt. 1:23).
[3] Jesus Christ lived as a servant. We read that He took “the form of a bond-servant.” It is also stated: “He took the humble position of a slave.” Jesus Himself said that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” The spirit of Christmas emphasizes giving, and Jesus gave Himself “as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).
[4] Jesus Christ was born to die—and on a cross, as if he were a criminal. He did this “to save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21). “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” But was this the end of the story? No! He arose from the tomb!
[5] Read Philippians 2:9-11. Paul wrote that because of Christ’s obedience, God exalted Him. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will eventually confess that He is Lord! That is why the angels announced His birth to the shepherds, singing, “Glory to God in the highest!” (Lk. 2:14).
-Al Gary
Leave a Reply