Jesus Came into the World
22 December 2013 AM – 1 Timothy 1:15 – Scott Childs
Introduction: I recently read the following statement on an Australian web blog. “For Christians, December 25 has long presented the birth of their Son of God and Saviour… But does this mean only Christians should celebrate Christmas, as this meaning requires belief in Jesus and God? No doubt many will have this view, but in a present day Australia, the season has transcended its origins… In the end, it doesn’t matter how or why you celebrate Christmas, the message of sharing, caring, and togetherness runs at a fundamental human level, and this is how December 25 should be spent.” (Colour added)
While this opinion is widely accepted today, it ignores the fact that the birth of Jesus is the only reason for the season. If Jesus had not been born, we would have no Christmas. However, it is sad that many who DO believe that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus do not really know why Jesus came into the world.
Transition: In 1 Timothy 1:15, the apostle Paul said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” This verse tells us three facts about Jesus’ coming to earth. If you act on these facts, they will not only transform your Christmas but your whole life.
I. 1st fact Jesus Existed Before He Came into the World
A. Jesus did not begin his existence in Bethlehem
1. Human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13).
2. Jesus, being God, has eternally existed.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
3. The Holy Spirit of God placed Jesus in the womb of Mary (Matthew 1:20).
4. When Jesus was born, the Bible says he was “manifest in the flesh” or made visible in the flesh (1Timothy 3:16).
5. Because Jesus is God, all the angels worshipped Him at his birth.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
B. Jesus came from heaven to earth
1. The word “came” means, to come from one place to another.
2. Jesus left the splendour of heaven and was born among animals and lived in poverty.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
The Jesus who was born in Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago was the eternal God the Son.
II. 2nd fact Jesus Came Because Sinners are Doomed
A. Every human has a common problem with sin.
1. Sin is any failure to meet God’s standard of perfection. Sin includes lies, anger, dishonesty, cheating, fighting, swearing, stealing, adultery, coveting, murder, and any other imperfection.
2. No one is perfect. We have all sinned against God.
If you had a beautiful, expensive, hardwood, dining room table, how many nails could I pound in the top of it before I ruined its looks and its value? All it would take is just one. From that day onward, it would be marred. This is a good picture of sin. Whether you are a little sinner or a big sinner, sin has marred your life. It only took one sin to ruin your perfection.
3. Even the apostle Paul admitted that he had a sin problem. In fact, he saw himself as the chief of sinners.
4. The Bible says in,
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
B. Sin has terrible eternal results
1. Because God is perfect, He cannot allow any sin into heaven. That means that no one will ever enter heaven based on the good life he has lived. Living a religious life cannot make you perfect. Being baptised cannot make you perfect. Being kind and loving cannot make you perfect. No amount of good can erase even one of our sins.
2. All who are imperfect will miss heaven and go to hell, the lake of fire, forever.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
3. Every human ever born is doomed. That is very bad news, but the Bible does not stop there.
III. 3rd fact Jesus Came to Save Sinners like You and Me
A. Jesus came to earth with one mission
1. Jesus came to save or deliver sinners from hell. This is the wonderful reason for the season.
2. He did not come to condemn sinners. We were already condemned by our sin.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; …
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; …
3. God loves us so much that He made a plan to save sinners. God the Father sent God the Son to earth to become a man so he could live a perfect life and then die an eternal death for every human.
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
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.
4. Only Jesus can make you righteous or perfect.
5. Jesus paid the entire sin-debt for the human race.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
6. The sin-debt has been paid, but it must be individually received.
B. Only Jesus Christ can save sinners
1. Because I sinned against my holy Creator, I cannot possibly make myself perfect again. I cannot earn my way into heaven.
2. I certainly cannot make anyone else perfect.
3. Only the eternal God could pay the eternal sin-debt for the entire human race. Because Jesus is the eternal God, He was able to pay for my debt and yours.
4. The only thing left for us to do is to admit our need for Jesus’ payment and believe on Him. You must believe that only Jesus can pay your sin-debt. He paid the price in full. If you trust Him plus your good deeds, you are saying that Jesus did not pay the price in full and you will miss heaven.
5. When you humble yourself to admit to God that you can do NOTHING to earn heaven, and believe that Jesus paid your debt in FULL, then you can by faith receive that priceless gift.
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:
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Conclusion: The three facts about Christmas that we have examined this morning can change your life: 1) Jesus existed before He came to earth, 2) Jesus came because sinners are doomed, 3) Jesus came to save sinners like you and me.
Jesus did not come to earth to be a good example for us. He came to solve a problem that we could not solve. He came to die to make sinners perfect. He now offers to apply His payment to your life, but you must admit the need and believe on His payment alone. If you have not done that, you can this morning. I am not talking about joining our church. I am talking about receiving God’s gift and being saved from hell. It is God’s Christmas gift!
Song: Just As I Am – 249