A Savior, Which is Christ the Lord
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 KJVPublish date: 12/25/2016
Foundation scriptures:
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-23
Luke 1:1-80
Luke 2:1-40
1. He humbled Himself.
a. Jesus was equal with God.
b. He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant and the likeness of a man.
c. Philippians 2:5-8 KJV – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
d. He was born in a stable, where the animals were kept, and placed in a manger.
2. He was not celebrated by His own.
a. He was announced by angels.
b. The shepherds testified to His birth.
c. He was worshipped by Gentiles – the wise kings.
d. The star proclaimed Him King: not of an earthly kingdom, but of a heavenly one.
e. Matthew 2:3 KJV – “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
f. The Jews ignored Him.
g. The Jewish leaders told Herod, and Herod told the wise men, where the Messiah would be born – Bethlehem - but did not go looking for Him themselves.
h. Leadership - specifically Herod – did not worship Him, but was jealous of Him and tried to kill Him.
i. Later, as an adult, His own people did not receive Him, because He grew up in Nazareth, and they looked down on Nazarites.
j. John 1:9-12 KJV – “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
3. Angels bring the message.
a. An angel told Zacharias that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son.
b. An angel told Mary that she would bear the Son of God.
c. An angel told Joseph, in a dream, to marry Mary and that her son was to be called Jesus.
d. Angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.
e. An angel warned Joseph, in a dream, that Herod desired to murder Jesus and to take Him and Mary to shelter in Egypt.
f. Jesus could have called more than eighty-thousand angels to help Him, but when He laid down His life, He did it alone.
g. Matthew 26:53 KJV – “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”
4. Obedience to the Will of God.
a. Mary received and obeyed the Word of the Lord to carry and give birth to baby Jesus.
b. Joseph obeyed God to protect the young child Jesus.
c. The shepherds obeyed God to announce Jesus’ birth.
d. The Wise Men obeyed God and did not betray Jesus to Herod.
e. Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
5. He was born to die.
a. He came with a mission.
b. Simeon and Anna recognized Him when His parents brought Him to be circumcised and dedicated on the eighth day.
c. Simeon prophesied to them concerning Jesus.
d. At the age of twelve, He told his parents that He had to be about His Father’s business.
e. At the age of thirty-three, He laid down His life for you and me, and changed history.
f. We celebrate His birth.
g. We celebrate His death.
h. We celebrate the New Life – the eternal life - we have through Jesus.
i. Because Jesus lives in our heart, for us, every day is Christmas.
j. We celebrate Him every day.