A Fresh Look At His Purpose

A Fresh Look At A Familiar Story
A Fresh Look At His Purpose
Philippians 2:5-11

Christmas reminds us of who Jesus is and what He came to do! 

1. The Relevance of Christmas: God Came To Earth

Jesus didn’t start in a Stable (6) 

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15–17, ESV) 

If Jesus really is God and God came to earth, then Christmas is the most relevant event in all of history 

2. The Reality of Christmas: God Became A Man

This is why it is called the incarnation (7-8) 

How Is Jesus Like Us? 

• He was Born like us 

“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.” (Luke 2:7, ESV) 

• He Grew like us 

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52, ESV) 

• He was Tempted like us 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, ESV) 

• He Suffered like us 

“Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”” (Matthew 26:38, ESV)

Jesus became like we are so that we could become like He Is

3. The Reason for Christmas: Jesus Came To Die

Jesus didn’t stay in a makeshift crib (8b) 

Why Did He Allow Himself To Go To The Cross? 

• To Demonstrate His love for us 

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV) 

• To Pay for my sins 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18, ESV) 

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, ESV) 

• To Reconcile us to God 

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” (Colossians 1:21–22, ESV) 

• To set us Free

“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, ESV) 

Christ came to set us free – free from guilt, worry, fear, and purposelessness in life. Freedom to be who God created you to be and to do what God designed you to do. Freedom to enjoy God’s presence forever. 

4. The Result of Christmas: Jesus Is Lord

The cross is not the end of the story (9-11) 

Because of Jesus’ obedience, God has given Jesus the place of Highest Honor

What Does It Mean To Say “Jesus Christ is Lord”? 

• I acknowledge that Jesus really is God
• I believe that Jesus has everything Under Control
• I Commit all of my life to Him 

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV) 

The issue is not, will you admit that Jesus is Lord? The issue is When? 

Making It Personal 

• Have I genuinely received the greatest gift of all the gift of eternal and abundant life only found in Jesus Christ through repenting of my sin and placing my faith in Christ alone as the forgiver of my sin and the leader and Lord of my life? 
• As a follower of Jesus Christ, what will it look like for me to live on a daily basis with Jesus Christ as my Lord? 
• Who can I share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step? 

• Text Next to 803-637-8484 
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”