Rev. Dr. A. A. Obe (JP)
December 25, 2022
AND HE WAS BORN
TOPIC: AND HE WAS BORN
TEXT: ISAIAH 9:6-7; JOHN 3:16; LUKE 4:18-19.
Isaiah 9:6-7 – 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
John 3:16 – 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Luke 2:4-14 – 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:18-19 – 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Definition: This is to be brought into life; the act of coming to this life. This is by conception between a relationship of a man and a woman (husband & wife).
Why is His birth important?
It reveals the true nature of who God is (John 2:18; 14:9). (John 2:18 – 18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?)
(John 14:9 – 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?)
It reveals the Grace of God to mankind. (John 1:16-17; Eph.2:18).
(John 1:16-17 – 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.)
(Eph. 2:18 – 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.)
It also reveals the truth of God to us. (John 17:17; John 14:6).
(John 17:17 – 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.)
(John 14:6 – 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
Why was he born?
To take away the sins of mankind (Through his death on the cross) Romans 6:23; John 3:16.
(Romans 6:23 – 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.)
John 3:16 – 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
To redeem man to God. (1Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8).
(1Peter 1:20 – 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,)
(Revelation 13:8 – 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.)
To bring Joy and Gladness to the world
(Isaiah 9:6-7 – 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.)
To heal the sick (Spiritual and physical) of all their sicknesses and diseases.
(Isaiah 53:4-5 – 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.)
To declare the mind of God to the world.
To become the mediator of the New covenant for man (Hebrew 8:6,10).
(Hebrews 8:6 – 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.)
(Hebrew 8:10 – 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:)
To show mankind who He is (By ways of His character, personality and attributes). Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7.
(Genesis 1:26-27 – 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.)
(Genesis 2:7 : 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.)
Conclusion:
Remember that Christmas this year falls to Sunday. The last times Christmas fell to Sunday like this were 2005, 2011, 2016 & again today 2022 after six years (6-5-6 years now). The next time it will fall to Sunday is 2033 (11 years from now).
This calls for a serious flash back of our lives, and how we observe Christmas. “HOW DO YOU OBSERVE IT?” (Both as individuals and as family). Is God in your own Christmas? Do you share Christ with others?
Note: Christ did not just come for merriment on Christmas day. There is a reason for this season.
As I used to say, Christmas means Christ for the masses. Use this time to share the love of God with someone. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Rev. Dr. A. A Obe