DECEMBER 3, 2023
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Philippians 2:5-12
I. First is the relevance of Christmas
verses 5-6 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God.
He had always been God by nature.
Col. 1:15-16 – Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all, and in fact, Christ Himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth.
II. The second is the reality of Christmas.
Verses 7-8 – He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man.
Amplified Bible – He became like men and was born a human being.
How Was Jesus Like Us?
1. He was born like us (Luke 2:6-7)
2. He grew like us (Luke 2:52)
3. He was tempted like us (Heb. 4:15)
4. He suffered like us (Matt. 26:38)
III. Thirdly, we see the reason for Christmas.
Verse 8 – He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on the cross.
Why did He do it?
1. To demonstrate God’s love.
Romans 5:8 – God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
2. To pay for our sins.
II Peter 2:24 – He personally carried the load of our sins in His own body when He died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life.
IV. Notice the result of Christmas.
Verses 9-11 – Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
What Does It Mean To Call Jesus Lord?
• Acknowledge
• Believe
• Commit
Rom. 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.