Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Holiday’s bring with them traditions.

I come from a family that has a lot of traditions because we do everything together.

We have family gatherings for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving as well as many celebrations of events, achievements, or life milestones.

Of all the traditions we have, Christmas is one of my favorites.

Every year the growing extended family on my Mom’s side gathers to celebrate together.

Though there are presents and food and fellowship, there is also an awareness that this holiday is ultimately about Jesus.

Because we are all believers there is something we do before any presents are opened.

I must confess that as a child I hated it because it meant we had to wait longer for gifts.

Now that I am older, I love it.

Here’s what we do.

My grandpa sits in his lay-z-boy, grabs his Bible, and reads the Christmas story.

Sometimes we have the kids act it out, sometimes he reads another Christmassy book as well, but always, the Christmas story is read.

In a family filled with believers, it can be easy to forget that the world around us views Christmas as simply a break from school and a time for good deals, family, and gift giving.

While none of those things are bad, they miss the big picture.

Christmas is the celebration of a birth.

A baby was born and we celebrate His birth.

Today we want to answer a fundamental Christmas question.

Who is this baby?

Why all the fuss?

I mean, babies are born all time!

Why is this one so important?

If Jesus had been a baby born through normal processes under normal circumstances, there would be no meaning in Christmas.

But He wasn’t.

Jesus was born through a miraculous process under miraculous circumstances and nothing will ever be the same again!

If Jesus had been a baby born through normal processes under normal circumstances, there would be no meaning in Christmas.

We are going to learn four truths about the baby in the manger.

These truths will challenge us to remember the identity of Jesus.

As we remember who Jesus is, we will be better equipped to serve Him.

The more we serve Him, the more like Him we grow.

The more like Him we grow the more we bring Him glory.

The more we bring Him glory the more satisfied, content, and full of purpose we become.

The first truth presented by Paul is that…

1.

This Baby Is The Messiah v. 1

When someone is your bondservant, it automatically makes you the master.

Paul describes himself as the slave of Jesus, thus designating Jesus as his master.

A bondservant does what the master dictates.

In this instance Paul says the master has called him to be an apostle and separated him to the gospel.

“Called” is the Greek word κλητός (klētos) meaning called.

Summoned adj.

— denoting someone whose participation or presence has been officially requested (for something); especially a request to which refusal is not an option.

Called – κλητός (klētos)

When our master calls.

We answer.

As slaves we need to remember our purchase price!

One of the clearest passages that describe what we cost is found in (S).

As slaves we need to remember our purchase price.

The price paid for you and I is the precious blood of Christ!

We belong to Him!

He can call us as He chooses.

Paul has been summoned to be an apostle and this summons cannot be refused.

“Apostle” is the Greek word ἀπόστολος (apostolos) which literally means delegate, messenger, or one sent forth with orders.

Apostle – ἀπόστολος (apostolos)

Paul is a messenger sent by God.

He also holds the office of apostle which means he was specifically chosen by Jesus to speak on His behalf.

In the modern church we look back and may be tempted to think of this as a glamorous position.

However, in Paul’s day it was essentially a death sentence.

Church tradition, as well as documented history, reveals that all the apostles except John were killed for their faith.

Jesus has called Paul to a dangerous mission!

Yet Paul’s attitude is that of a servant to the master.

He cannot refuse.

Paul continues by stating that he has been separated to the gospel of God.

“Separated” is the Greek word ἀφορίζω (aphorizō) meaning separate; appoint; set apart.

To be or become selected and assigned for a specific purpose.

Separated – ἀφορίζω (aphorizō)

Paul has been appointed for a specific purpose, the gospel.

The good news.

What is the good news?

We will get to that in v. 2. However, it is hinted at here in v. 1 when Paul refers to his master as Jesus Christ.

I have emphasized this before but we would do well to remember that Christ is not Jesus’ last name.

Allow me to do a little bit of etymology on this word.

In the NKJV the word “Messiah” appears for the first time in .

This English word is used to translate the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (mashiyach).

Though is where the word “Messiah” first appears it is not the first appearance of the Hebrew word mashiyach.

The Hebrew word literally means anointed one.

It first appears in Leviticus in connection with the anointing of priests.

Hebrews reveals that Jesus is our High Priest.

He is not an anointed one, He is the anointed one!

As we move through the OT and come to 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, and Lamentations this word begins to be used to designate a specific anointed one who would come in the future and radically deliver Israel changing everything forever.

We come to the NT and poetic Hebrew is traded for the more technical Greek.

In we are transitioned from the Hebrew term to a Greek one (S).

We have found Messias (the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew mashiyach), which is translated Christos (the Greek word for anointed).

So what?

Right?

The point we are getting at is that when we say Jesus Christ or Christ the Lord or Christ child, we are referring to the anointed one!

The one who came to deliver Israel and make everything right again!

He is our master.

He calls us all to be witness of Him.

This time of year gives us some wonderful opportunities to talk about Jesus, if we only take advantage of them.

Christmas is about more than a baby, it is about who that baby is!

People are comfortable talking about a baby in a manger, but not a man on a Cross.

Use the one to transition to the other!

This baby is Jesus the Christ!

The one anointed by God to deliver mankind from their sin!

All of that is contained in this first verse.

Paul moves on to address how…