Facts About Jesus’ Birth
21 December 2014 am – Hebrews 2:9 –Christmas – Scott Childs
Introduction: Despite the claims of abortionists, the Bible assures us that human life begins at conception (Psa 51:5; Psa 139:13-16; Gen 25:22-26). Normally, about nine months later, that conceived life is born into this world. Jesus was the only exception to that rule. His life did not begin at conception. He has always existed as the eternal God!
No one knows for sure when Christ was actually born. Some claim it was in March or April. Others are confident that he was born in December, possibly even on the 25th. Well it really does not matter and we will never know until we get to heaven.
Transition: While many details about that first Christmas are left untold, our text describes three facts about Jesus’ earthly birth that are important for us to remember.
1. He was made a little lower than the angels
a. Jesus’ earthly conception was not His beginning.
1) We know this by the meaning of the word “made”.
a) The word translated “made” does not mean, “created” but “decreased or made lower.” God did not create Jesus when He was conceived; He lowered the second person of the Trinity a little lower than the angels to become a human for 33 years.
b) We call the birth of Christ, His incarnation. However, He did not begin at the incarnation. He only decreased His position to become the God-man.
2) We also know because scripture says Jesus was eternal.
a) John states that Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning.
(John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
b) Jesus himself declared his eternality.
(John 8:58) “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
c) The apostle John also wrote that Jesus was eternal.
(Revelation 1:8) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
b. At Jesus’ birth, he decreased in position not deity.
1) He was voluntarily lowered below his created angels (2:16)
a) What humility! He did not lower himself to the level of his created angels but even lower to the likeness of man.
(Hebrews 2:16) “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”
b) Lower still, He took on the form of a servant.
(Philippians 2:7-8) “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
2) Jesus remained in that lowered state until His resurrection.
2. He was born to fulfil God’s plan
a. God planned that Christ would suffer and die
1) He virtuously died. Being pure, He could die for our sins.
(2 Corinthians 5:21) “For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2) Jesus voluntarily suffered for us.
a) He suffered because He loved us.
(1 John 4:10) “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
b) He willingly gave himself to die.
(1 Timothy 2:6) “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
3) Jesus vicariously suffered death for us. “Vicarious” means “instead of.” Christ died that we might not have to.
(Romans 5:8) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(1 Peter 3:18) “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God . . .”
4) Jesus victoriously conquered death for us. Because He lives, we can live eternally.
(Romans 6:9) “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57) “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
b. When Jesus fulfilled God’s plan, He was exalted.
1) He was crowned with glory and honour (He 1:3)
2) He was given a name above all others.
(Php 2:9-11) “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
3. He was born to taste death for every man
a. Never forget that by grace Christ died for us.
1) God’s grace is divine help.
a) Without God’s gracious help, we would all be eternally lost.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
b) God offers His saving grace to all people.
(Titus 2:11) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
2) God’s grace is undeserved.
a) God’s grace offers help to do what we cannot do our selves – we cannot cleanse our sin. No matter how good you try to live, you still sometimes sin, and you can never erase one sin by being good.
b) It also offers help that is totally unmerited. Even in our best state, we are still guilty sinners.
(Isaiah 64:6) “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
b. Remember that Christ tasted death for every man.
1) Jesus died a terrible death on a Roman cross. He also suffered the payment for your sin and mine. He paid for the eternal hell that we deserve. He suffered the wrath of God that was rightfully ours.
(Romans 5:8-9) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
2) He paid the sin’s punishment for every person, not just a select few.
(1 Timothy 2:6) “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
3) He offers eternal life for all who will believe
(Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
(John 1:12) “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:”
Conclusion: The true story of Christmas is that Jesus left heaven and became a man. He came to die to fulfil God’s plan to redeem man from his sin. He graciously died for my sin and yours. He now offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will repentantly receive it. Have you received Christ’s gift? If not, receive it today!
If you have received Christ, are you sharing the true meaning of Christmas with others? Do not hide this truth — it is a matter of eternal life and death.
Song: Come to the Saviour – 254, Rescue the Perishing – 432