The Need For A Savior Is Met

INTRO: Almost everyone knows the Christmas Story. We know that Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of the Christ child. A time when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a stable because there was no room for his family at the inn. We know his mother was Mary, a virgin, who conceived Christ through the Holy Spirit, who married a special man named Joseph. We know the child was wrapped in swaddling clothes (special baby’s clothes) and laid in a manger instead of a crib. Christ was announced to shepherds close by, who came and worshipped Him there in the stable. Wise men from the east came, bringing expensive gifts for the child, but that was later in His life around the age of two (so the scenes depicting the Child, the stable, and the wise men are not quite accurate.

That pretty much covers it, although there are some other important details most people do not remember or choose to know. King Herod tried to kill Jesus after being told by the wise men of His prophesied and proclaimed birth by a star they saw in the East. He was unsuccessful, but did kill many young males age two and under. There also was the miraculous birth of the one we call John the Baptist who was a cousin of Jesus that happened 6 months prior to His birth. There was the announcement to Mary of her pregnancy, and the warning to Joseph about Herod’s evil plan. Both of these were by an angel. There were two other characters that were watching and waiting for the birth if the Messiah, Anna and Simeon. They each gave a special announcement/blessing to the child.

But the important part about the Christmas Story is how we perceive the baby Jesus. Was He the Son of God? Did He come to bring peace to our souls? Did He grow up and become a sacrifice for our sins if we would call on Him? Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Is he still a baby in the manger or is He still alive and at the right hand of God the Father? Does He have an interest in each of you this morning? Do you have an interest in Him?

Today I want to talk about God’s Gift to us. That Gift is Jesus. We celebrate His birth as Christmas. It is with that Gift that God met the need for a Savior for mankind.

Let us start.…

Before Jesus came, God’s Gift for mankind had yet to be fulfilled.

Planned from the beginning

Promised or Prophesied as God’s rescue

Provided by the Father for us

A truth: We can see God’s plan in motion in the scripture

Luke 2:8-14 KJV ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

A truth: We need to know that Jesus is the answer.

We can also know…

God’s Gift reveals a portion of His nature to us

Firm against sin – even from the beginning

First with a rescue plan – Jesus is God’s bailout for us

Free with His grace – not our deservedness, but His giving to us

Faithful with forgiveness – IF we will but ask, believing He will forgive

A truth: We need to know that God is almighty and right in His actions

God’s Gift called for a plan of exact payment

Only God’s Son who was exactly the need would meet the need

Only God’s Son who was expected would show

Only God’s Son who was exalted that could work

A truth: we need to know Jesus was and is a perfect fit in God’s plan and our lives!

John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It is with this understanding we can see that…

God’s gift came at the proper time

God’s interest in us is evident

God’s initiative can be seen

God’s impeccable timing was just right

Hebrews 4:1-7 KJV ¹Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
²For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
³For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
⁴For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
⁵And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
⁶Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
⁷Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

A truth: The time to accept God’s Gift is today

Gary Marcum – New beginnings Church – 122108am