Why Baby Jesus?
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Intro:
Intro:
Good morning. Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you for joining us for our Christmas Service.
Christmas is a very special holiday for us. We love the generosity, kindness, and hope of the season. But most of all, as a church, we love celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. And we appreciate you being here with us!
For the month of December, we’ve been studying the Christmas story, and focusing on God’s surprises found in it. And as we’ve read through the first two chapters of Matthew, there have been things that left us saying, “I Didn’t Expect That!”
Here at The River Church, we value the Bible. We believe it’s God’s word. And we believe it’s alive, relevant, and applicable to our lives. Therefore, we’ve been reading through the Christmas story found in Matthew chapters one and two. And as we’ve read, there have been numerous things that cause us to say, “I Didn’t Expect That!”
For example, we’ve looked at Jesus’ family tree. Jesus has some crazy unexpected relatives. We also looked at His family’s story and it’s not a story you’d expect. And last week, we saw Jesus got unexpected visitors (wise men from the east). There are a lot of unexpected and surprising events in the Christmas story! And so, we’ve titled the series, “I Didn’t Expect That!”
And this morning, we’re going to wrap up the series with our final Christmas surprise. If you have a Bible/app, open to . What we’re going to do is read the entire passage together and then talk about how it applies to our lives.
For all our guests, we’ve spent the month December looking at God’s Christmas Surprises found in the Matthew’s gospel. At The River Church, we value the Bible. We believe it’s God’s word and we believe it’s both relevant and applicable to our lives.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:1
Exegesis:
Exegesis:
That story is probably familiar to you. Maybe pictures of Linus holding his blue blanket, with Snoopy and the Peanut gang surrounding him, flashes across your mind. It’s a well-known story of hope! At least that’s the intention!
But let’s be honest: It’s only REALLY gives hope if you truly understand the story. Otherwise, it’s just a religious feel-good story that accompanies a fun holiday; along with the stories of Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. But let me tell you: It’s much more than that!
So, what is the Christmas story about? Charlie Brown didn’t get it. He asked, “Does anyone know what’s Christmas all about?”
I get that. Part of my personal story is I didn’t grow up in the church. Until I was 23, I had little exposure to Jesus. I always loved Christmas, but didn’t truly know what it was about. And if I heard that the good news was “a Savior is born,” I’d ask, “Why is that good news? Better yet, why do I need a Savior?”
Maybe you’ve asked that too! Maybe you’re still wondering that!
Why do we need a Savior?
Why do we need a Savior?
The answer to this question goes way back! Way before the first Christmas. It actually goes back to the beginning - to Creation - which we find in Genesis (the first book of the Bible).
In the beginning, God created everything. And the most special part of His creation were humans (men and women). And their value is highlighted by this statement:
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God has a unique and special relationship with us. We are created in HIS IMAGE. And let me tell you one reason that’s special:
God has a will. Meaning He can freely choose. And He chose to CREATE us and LOVE us... by His own free will.
And since we’re made in His image, God gave us the same ability! We too have a free will and can choose. We can choose who we love. You get how special this is, right? None of us want to be in a relationship based on obligation. On the other hand, how special are relationships when people choose to love each other.
That’s the kind of relationship God designed us for. He envisioned a special relationship between Him and His Creation, both choosing to love one another.
Additionally, God created a perfect world - the perfect environment - for this to happen. But early on, something TERRIBLE happened. The very first humans (Adam and Eve), who lived in this perfect world, chose to love something other than God. And they rebelled against God - the Bible calls this sin. And from that point, creation (the world and people) have been broken.
Have you ever looked around and though, “Life shouldn’t be this way. It seems off. It seems broken.” That’s because it is! And it started with Adam and Eve.
But there’s even worse news (stick with me - I promise good news is coming! I’m not trying to be a Grinchy-pastor who stole Christmas). Since Adam and Even are our great-great-great -times-thousands grandparents, their sin affected us; since, if you will, we were all “in” them when they sinned. Therefore, because they chose to disobey God, instead of love Him, they became cursed. We call this curse “the fall.” What that means is they lost the ability to love God the way they were supposed to. And they passed that brokenness onto us. Sometimes, we call this the sin nature.
It’s now part of our nature (from birth) to rebel against God, because we’re broken. Let me prove it.
One time, Jesus was asked what the most important thing we can do. He said this...
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
This is what matters to God. It’s how He designed us to function. So, let’s look at our own life. How often do we forget to love God? Furthermore, how often do we forget to love our neighbor? It’s like the only words we’re good at is, “You shall love… [skip over words] yourself.”
So, to summarize:
Adam and Eve passed a curse to us. When they sinned, all of us were in them, and we inherited brokenness.
To make matters worse, not only did their curse pass on to us, but, by our own choices, we too rebel against God. We choose not to love God. We choose not to love our neighbor. So, we add to the guilt against us!
See where I’m going with this? We’re cursed by birth. And we’re doubly-cursed by personal choice. And on our own, we can’t fix the problem.
And that’s why we need a Savior. Because we’re trapped in brokenness and guilt.
But here’s what’s AMAZING... Even though humans freely choose to disobey God. Freely choose to love everything except God. God still CHOOSES to LOVE us. He even made a promise from RIGHT AFTER the Fall: He said, “One day, I will send a Savior. He will rescue you from your sin and bring you back into relationship with Me.”
And that’s what began that first Christmas. That’s why the angels said...
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
In His great love, God was fulfilling the promise to save!
But here’s another question I had: Why did our Savior come as a baby?
Why is our Savior a baby?
Why is our Savior a baby?
It’s kinda weird right? God... in the form of a baby. Why a baby? And that’s not the only weird thing. When we’re honest, there’s a lot of strange things about this plan!
God’s Greatest Christmas Surprise: The Plan of Salvation.
God’s Greatest Christmas Surprise: The Plan of Salvation.
For example, going beyond the Christmas story, we know Jesus lives 33 years on Earth, then dies a wrongful death on the cross. I mean, what’s that all about? Let me say it again...
GOD humbles Himself, takes on human flesh, and becomes a BABY!
Then, He lives a PERFECT life here on Earth only to SACRIFICE that life by dying on a CROSS - one of the worst ways to die (reserved for the worst criminals).
Have you ever thought about these details? Think about this...
Let’s just say it was possible for you to be with God at the beginning. He hasn’t created the earth yet, but He’s in heaven. And because God knows everything, He sees the future - what’s gonna happen. He sees humans are going to mess it all up. But again, He loves us. So, He decides to come up with a rescue plan.
And just pretend God says, “Anyone have any ideas on what to do?” And YOU just happen to come up with the same plan we know about. You say...
Jesus - God’s Son - should humble Himself, leave the throne of glory, and become a man. Actually He should start as a baby, born of a virgin, and sleep in a dirty manger.
Then, after He lives a perfect life, He should sacrifice it on the cross, so that ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DON’T LOVE GOD, can have the opportunity to be forgiven and made right with God.
Imagine coming up with that plan and then suggesting that plan to God!!! “God, I think you should send Your Son to die!”
I think as the angels were listening to your weird - almost blasphemous - plan, they would have this expression on their face: Little girl face.
Anyone here have Disney+? Okay, I got a question for you. It has an obvious answer: What is the best show on Disney+?
Of course, the Mandalorian. Who knows what his main weapon is (the thing on his back)? Yes, his pulse rifle. When you get shot with that, you disintegrate! PROOF!
And right now, some of you are thinking, “What does this have to do with Jesus or Christmas? Why are we talking about the Mandalorian in church?” I’m getting there!
So, when you get through suggesting God should send His Son to die… the reason the angels are looking at you like this (Little girl face) is because they think you’re about to get zapped with God’s pulse rifle. They’re like, “He’s a goner!”
It’s a super weird plan! And so we arrive at God’s Christmas Surprise for this morning! The thing we read that causes us to say, “I Didn’t Expect That!” Because, as we already know, THIS WAS GOD’S PLAN! (How many people think of Drake anytime the phrase “God’s plan” is used? You’re like - this is the weirdest church ever!)
So, going back to our question: Why did Jesus come as a baby? Well, because a man (Adam - the human father of us all) sinned (and all of us in him when he did it), only another man could make it right. But not just any man… it had to be a perfect man not corrupted by the curse. As crazy as it sounds, it required a man who was fully man and fully God to make it right. Because only God has the power to live a perfect life. Furthermore, only God has the ability to fully pay the price for our sins (things we talk about on Easter). And so, the reason Jesus came as a baby (fully God AND fully man) was so He could live the perfect life Adam couldn’t, and then sacrifice that life to pay the price none of us (including Adam) could pay.
And that’s what Christmas is all about! It’s about humans being stuck in brokenness and sin. But God sending a Savior to rescue us, according to His loving-promise.
That’s the good news the angels proclaimed to the shepherds! And check this out, there’s a reason why the news came to shepherds first.
Being a shepherd wasn’t the greatest job. It was dirty and people considered them scum. Actually, one theologian points out a lot of ex-criminals were shepherds. It was the only job they could get. Shepherds were people who needed a Savior the most!
It was dirty. People considered them scum. Actually, one theologian points out a lot of ex-criminals were shepherds. It was the only job they could get. These were the people who needed a Savior the most. All they did was continue to mess their life up. They were on the bottom of the totem pole!
It’s probably why they were afraid when the angels showed up! They may have thought, “Oh snap! We’re dead. God’s finally caught up with us. This angel is here to destroy me!” But that’s not the case. In fact, the angel says, “Do not fear!”
God had a different message for them. He had GOOD news (regardless of if they deserved it)! And by telling THEM the good news FIRST, God INTENTIONALLY communicates two things:
The Savior has finally come to rescue.
But two, the Savior has come to save ALL PEOPLE - even the worst of the worst. From the bottom to the top!
And after these dirty, lowlife shepherds heard the good news and saw the Savior, it goes on to say...
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The good news (or gospel) was truly good news because they knew better than most, that their lives were broken. And the gospel gave them REAL HOPE!
Why Jesus come as a baby?
Jesus is God - had to be God to live perfect and absorb wrath.
Response:
Response:
That good news for all people didn’t end that first Christmas. It’s hope that’s still offered today!
The Savior is ready to rescue us too. Wherever we are at. Whatever we’ve done. Whatever we’re going through. God loves us. And He’s here to give us hope!
As we close this Christmas service, I’d like to look at our passage for “next steps.” Here at The River Church, we believe the Bible gives us instructions on how to live. So, we let the Bible teach us what to do next...
So, think on these steps...
Reflect on what you’ve heard today. When Mary (the mother of Jesus) heard all of these things, it says she pondered (reflected) - We should too! Think about why we need a Savior. And think about why Jesus came. Think about what Christmas is all about!
Then, know you’re invited to “hear and see” the good news. Just like the shepherds, today, the good news is presented to you as an invitation for you to hear and see the Savior, Jesus.
But most of all, let me encourage you to receive the Christmas hope: Accept the good news for yourself. Don’t just think about it. Receive it. Let the Savior rescue you!
As the worship team comes up, I’ll end with this...
Maybe you didn’t expect to be in church this Christmas?
Maybe you’re surprised that the gospel makes sense for once?
Maybe you’re surprised that God loves you.
Wherever you are, God has a gift for you. It’s a gift of hope. The prophet Isaiah said...
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This is talking about Jesus on that first Christmas. How He would come and how He would rescue us:
Maybe your life is out of control and you need hope: Jesus came to be the perfect ruler in your life.
Maybe you need comfort in this season of pain: Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.
Maybe you feel weak and need strength: Jesus is the Mighty God.
Maybe you feel distant from God and all alone: Jesus can relationally be an Everlasting Father to you, and bring you to His Heavenly Father.
Maybe you’re filled with anxiety, depression, anger, and it’s like the storm in your life just won’t stop: Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
This morning Jesus offers you hope. A hope to be rescued from brokenness. That’s what Christmas is all about. The hope of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Savior. Turn from your old life (repent), and put your faith (trust) in the Savior. And God’s word promises, when you do that, you will be forgiven, and God will give you a new life. And you will have the hope of heaven in your future.
What a gift! What a surprise gift! What’s keeping you from receiving it this morning? We already know how to do this. Three days from now, we’re going to gether before a tree and freely receive gifts with our name on it. Let me assure you, the gospel is a gift with your name on it. Receive it freely!
Let’s pray.
Need a Savior. God’s been promising to send one. Sometimes people think they are better (or more worth saving than others). Shepherds to prove it was for everyone.