Merry Christmas!

God Sent His Son

(1 John 4:9-10, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 25, 2016)

[9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us,

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through him.

[10] In this is love,

not that we have loved God but that he loved us

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The Birth of Jesus – The Love of God Made Manifest Among Us

The birth of a child – a manifestation of father and mother, yet more... image of God

God has commanded mankind from the beginning to “be fruitful and multiply.” The miracle of new life has always been a moment of wonder for parents—the unveiling, unwrapping, of a gift that is even more than a living pet. Who is this little one that has just been born? Where did he or she come from? The child shows signs of both father and mother, and yet is not just a combination of the two. The baby is a new self and even bears the marks of a heavenly father with an immortal soul.

Every child is a gift.

What a wonderful gift God gives to parents all over the world! To have a little one that is of you and of the one that you have chosen to love and serve... But also to have the duty and privilege of raising up this new being who is of God.

The birth of Jesus – a very unique manifestation

As amazing as this always is, the gift of a Messiah baby was more miraculous. In the case of Jesus, God was the only father. He was an entirely new beginning. Not just of a unique person, but of a whole new world and a completely new way of life beyond sin and death.

So that we might live through Him

A birth with a purpose

Parents should receive every child as heaven-sent. Jesus was heaven-sent in a new way. He was God from all eternity, now made man. Why did the Lord do it? In order to give a gift to you—a gift of a new universe where you could live without sin forever. Without the gift of Jesus, there would be no way for God to be God and for you to live in an unstained world. With the gift of Jesus there was now a way for you to live through Him.

The propitiation for our sins

How would that purpose be achieved? Propitiation for our sins

Jesus was born to be a propitiatory sacrifice. He became the second Adam—but now a representative man forever without transgression for what Matthew calls “His people.” This would be the only way for God to take people from the first world—so infected by sin, and to bring them to a new world without misery and death. He would take the just penalty that we deserve and atone for our sins. God's righteousness could be thus preserved and your rescue could be fully secured. This was a gift of God that you could never have given to yourself—a gift to be received by faith alone.

Not that we have loved God but that He loved us

What do we take home with us this Christmas morning – Not that we have loved God but that He loved us.

There are two dangers of self-preoccupation that you don't want on your Christmas list this morning. First, you cannot save yourself. That is a gift you could never have given since you do not have what it takes to be your own propitiation. Second, your part in receiving the gift cannot be permitted to eclipse the joy and love of God in giving the gift. As soon as we understand that we are to receive the gift by faith—that there is something we do—that we believe, there is the danger that we could imagine that our love for God is the primary story of Christianity. That is not the case. As John says in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” This is a great Christmas take-away for us. His love for you is primary in every way. Your faith, your love, and your obedience is responsive—and even these good aspects of a changed life are His gifts to you. But first God loved you and gave His Son for you—for us.

We can use the gift of who we are to receive from the Lord... and to give.

What then are we to do with this precious gift of self as those who have been fearfully and wonderfully made? We can receive the Lord again and give away the gift of who we are to God and to others each day that God gives us.

Old Testament Reading—Isaiah 9:6-7

[6] 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.

[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Christmas Reading—Matthew 1:18-25 – [18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

[23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.