Christmas (Part 2): Why it Happened
Posted on December 25, 2011 by Unknown
John 3:16-21 - Last week we looked at how it was that Jesus, the Son of God, would be brought to this earth. On this wonderful special day we look at the even more central question... why?
The answer to this question is found on every page of scripture, yet this morning we will look at probably the most well known of scripture passages. John 3:16
On this Christmas day, we must understand that Christ is the Father's gift to us, who's birth and death sacrifice was determined from the beginning. So we ask why?
God gave his only son, Jesus Christ, at Christmas to ...
1. ... die on a cross.
Mark 10:45 - from the start it was determined that Jesus was sent and born on this earth that he might die on a cross.
2. ... become a sacrifice for our sins.
He who's very word made creation. He who is eternal was to die, not as some hero or martyer, but as a sacrifice for our sins. We are not able to be like that. We are not worthy of being such a sacrifice.
3. ... make a new relationship with God possible.
Throught that sacrifice we have become children of God, a new people for his glory.
Three observations about the death of Jesus:
1. The cross reveals how corrupt we are.
We ask, could there have been another way? Is the sacrifice of a son really the only path? But this is also true, the answer all through scripture. This is the scandelous night, that we loved our sin so much, that so terrible is the horror of our sin, that yes, the sacrifice of a perfect lamb, the life of a perfect son, was the only thing worthy of atoning for this evil heart of ours.
2. The cross reveals the depth of God's love for us.
There was no obligation that God do this for us. This was no token demonstration. God held back nothing, but gave the most valuable thing in all creation to demonstrate his great love for us. God is love!
3. The cross reveals the promise of a news abundant life.
We are the recipients of this great and awesome love, and that love gives us the most valuable of gifts, the gift of eternal life. Not just living forever, but to live in abundant life, in fellowship with the most valuable of relationships, our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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