December 15, 2024
Christmas Sermon
WHO IS THIS BABY?
Luke 2:11
Christmas is literally the day on which the world celebrates the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our calendar is built on the birth of the Lord Jesus (BC and AD). This birth was so monumental that it became the high point of history, the peak, the apex. All history before this birth is B.C. Before Christ. All history since is A.D., Anno Domini, Latin for “the year of the Lord.” The birth of God in human form, then is the most important moment in all history. The truth that He was born is much meaningful than where and exactly when Jesus was born.
The Christmas story begins in the little town of Bethlehem in Israel over 2,000 years ago, a baby was born whose life was destined to affect countless millions. The world knew not of His birth. Work went on as usual. Cathedral bells failed to ring; bands were silent; no royal choruses burst forth in song. Only the music of heaven was heard. In fact, God had to arrange a welcome for Himself, and legions of angels circled the skies and heralded His birth. Out in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were tending their flocks of sheep by night. The angel announced that the Savior had been born in the town of David. When Jesus was born it wasn’t just some baby born in a manger, it was the revelation of all the glory of God Himself wrapped in flesh named Immanuel – God with us!
Then, I am called back to the words of the angel who visited the shepherds on that Judean hillside that night. In the angel’s words, we find the true glory of Christmas. Because, no matter what else we make of it, Christmas will always be about the baby born in Bethlehem. Today, I want to preach on WHO IS THIS BABY! Notice what the angel had to say about who this Baby was.
I. SAVIOR – THE TITLE OF ACCEPTANCE
A. This child’s mission wasn’t to save the wealthy, or the righteous. he came to set the sinner free – Like 19:10. He came for those no one else wanted – Mark 2;17.
B. As Savior, Jesus provided 3 essential services to the sinner:
1. We are Accepted in Him – Eph. 1:6 (Acceptance)
2. We are Delivered in Him – delivered from sin’s penalty, power and presence. Rev. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19 (Deliverance)
3. We are Preserved in Him – Those whom Jesus saves are forever saved – John 6:37; 1 Pet. 1:5 (Preservation)
C. Thank God, He came not as Judge, but as Savior – John 3:17
II. CHRIST – THE TITLE OF ACCESS
A. This child came to do more than provide simple salvation. He came to allow us access into the very presence of Almighty God.
B. Through Jesus, we can:
1. Approach the Father – Heb. 4:16 (Jesus is the only means of access – 1 Tim. 2:5)
2. Appeal to the Father – John 16:23
C. The Name “Christ” refers to Jesus as the “Anointed High Priest” In this ministry, he addresses the father on our behalf. He does this in two ways:
1. He talks to the Father on our behalf – Heb. 7:25
2. He pleads our case before the throne of God – 1 John 2:1
III. LORD – THE TITLE OF AUTHORITY
A. When the angel called Jesus Lord, he was referring to One who was to be in absolute control.
B. This title of our Lord is a reminder to every Christian that Jesus Christ is to be the absolute authority in our lives. We are to allow Him the Headship in every area of our beings (Rom. 12:1-2)
C. God’s demand for total obedience is not too much to ask. He knows that true love is always shown by obedience to Him.
It’s Christmas time! Because of a baby born in Bethlehem. As such, we need to remember that the reason we are here today is because of a little infant born into this world 2,000 years ago. Who Is Bethlehem’s Babe?
Responsive Reading: Luke 2:1-11
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