Purpose of Christmas

This post is message 3 in our series "What is the Purpose of Christmas". Enjoy.

ILLUSTRATION- George Mason’s life was consumed by his work. He lived alone, which only added to his work addiction.

Although he had only a few friends, each Christmas he received several invitations to spend Christmas Day with one of them. He always declined their offers. This particular Christmas was no exception.

On Christmas Eve, after all of his employees had left, George went into the office vault to get a little extra cash. To his shock, the heavy door of the walk-in safe shut behind him.

Desperately, he pounded on the steel door. But no one was around to hear. Even the custodian had left early do to some last-minute Christmas shopping.

The lonely miser consoled himself: “I can make it until morning” he thought.

But then he remembered that the next day was Christmas day, and then the day after that was Boxing Day, meaning it would be two full days before anyone would back at the office.

Panic began to set it. He tried to figure out if he would have enough air to

last him two—or more—days.

Then he remembered that the vault had recently been installed and was supposed to have a safety air hole built in somewhere.

He felt around in the dark and eventually found the emergency feature in a corner near the floor.

On December 27^th, early in the morning, the chief cashier arrived, and, as was his routine, he unlocked the vault, but didn’t open the door.

George Mason, exhausted, faint, hungry, and thirsty, exited the safe without being spotted.

By the time he went home, showered, dressed and returned to the office, no one suspected a thing. Life went on as usual—except for one thing: George Mason had missed Christmas.

It occurred to me this week that some people will end up missing Christmas just like George Mason had missed Christmas.

Some people will go through “the hustle and bustle” of the holidays; attend the parties and the functions, but will still miss the purpose of Christmas.

You see, Christmas is more than gifts, Christmas is more than holidays. As we discovered last week, Christmas is a time to celebrate!

“…the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of

great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10, NIV)

Christmas is a time to celebrate the truth that Jesus exchanged His room for a shed so we could exchange our shed for His home.

At Christmas we celebrate the truth that God came near. This is the first purpose of Christmas: we celebrate the good news of great joy that is for all the people!

But there’s more. We are also celebrating the fact that Christmas is a time for salvation.

The second announcement that the angel made to the shepherds that night long ago was: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, NIV)

The angel made sure to remind the shepherds that the Child that was recently born was given to them:

“…. A Savior has been born to you…” (Luke 2:11b, NIV)

We are reminded that this Child has been born to us; Jesus came to this earth for us.

Isaiah reminds us: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us…. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6, NLT2)

The God-Man was given to and for us….But why?

Why would the angel remind the shepherds—and us--- that the recently born Child was born for them—for us?

ILLUSTRATION- Have you ever traveled to a location that you have never travelled too before?

            Beth and I don’t travel all that much, but when we do, we have a “rule” that we follow. I drive and she tells me where to go. (Who knew a woman had so much power over a man!)

            You see, I have very little sense of direction, so anytime we are travelling in a car—to a known or an unknown location—I must listen to her give me directions.

            After about the 5^th time of me asking her if I am going the right way, she will say, something to the effect of—“do you trust me?”—and I will respond with—“I’m trying.”

            When we finally arrive at our destination, I will remark at how we arrived safe and sound, and as I do that, from the corner of my eye, I notice that she has turned to face her window to try and hide the smile on her face, as she says: “I told you so….”

            I don’t know the way, so someone – in this case, my wife—has to tell me

the way to go.

            The Bible says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Pr. 14:12, NIV)

            Each person on the planet thinks they know the way, but we will ultimately end up getting us lost, because we are lost.

            This is why Jesus came to this earth. He has come to find—and rescue—those who are lost.          

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17, NIV)

            Christmas is a time to celebrate that Jesus has come to this earth to save us, to bring us back to God.

            You see, our sin separates us from Almighty God, but because Jesus has come to this earth, we can be set free from our sin:

            “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, NIV)

            God sent Jesus to save us from our sins. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.”

            God sent Jesus to be our Savior, but God also sent Jesus to be our Lord.

            God did not send Jesus “just to” save you from your sins; God sent Jesus to

be the Lord of your life.

            By its very definition, the word “Lord” means: “a person who has authority, control or power over others.” (dictionary.com)

            When the word is applied to Jesus, it means: He has authority, control or power over His people.

            Based on this definition, I want to ask you if Jesus is the Lord of your life? Does He have authority, control and power over your life? Is Jesus your Master?   You see dear friends; it’s either all or nothing with God. God doesn’t want 18% of your life. God doesn’t want 55.6% of your life. God wants 100% of your life.

It’s all or nothing with God, so what are you giving to God: all, or nothing?

            God doesn’t want to be part of your life, He wants to be your entire life, and allowing Him to be your Savior and your Lord will ensure that God is your life.

            Jesus reminded us that: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NLT2)

            You can substitute the word “money” for anything:

            You cannot serve both God and self.

            You cannot serve both God and sex.

            You cannot serve both God and work.

            Whatever gets your attention has got you; whatever you think about when you allow your mind to run wild, that is what is the Lord of your life.

            Jesus did not come “just to” save you from your sins. Jesus didn’t endure unspeakable hardship and torture, just so you could live any old way you want to.

            Jesus endured unspeakable punishment, torture and death so He could have your all.

            You cannot serve two masters. You’ll either serve the one true God, or you’ll serve a substitute. Either one will be the Lord of your life.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Jesus can be the Lord of your life.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that He can be your all;

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that He can take you where you need to go.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that you can have life, now.

            Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)

            You see dear church; Jesus didn’t come “just to” be your Savior. Jesus didn’t come “just to” you from the fires of hell; Jesus came to be your Lord.

            He came to impact every decision that you’ll ever make.

            He came to help you walk through every storm that you will ever face in this life.

            Jesus came to help you in your dark days; Jesus came to help you in your brightest days… Jesus came to be your Savior and your Lord.

            Because Jesus was given to you and for you, He wants to be the Lord of your life.

            Author and Pastor Craig Groeschel wrote: “you can know the story of Christmas without knowing the Savior of the world” (Twitter)

            It is possible to go through the holiday season—attend all the parties, attend all the Christmas concerts, get that gift that you have been asking for, and still miss the purpose of Christmas.

            So don’t leave today without meeting Jesus as Savior. Don’t leave here today unless you ask Jesus to cleanse you from your sins.

            The Bible says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)

            Because all are lost, all need the One who knows the way; we need the One who is capable of being our Savior, Jesus Christ.

            But I also don’t want you leaving here unless you know Jesus as the Lord, as

your Lord.

            Jesus longs to be the Lord and Master of your life. He longs to direct you, He longs to change you, He longs to speak to you, He longs to help you. He longs to do life with you.

            Not only has Jesus come to be the Savior of the world, but He has also come to be the Lord of the world, the Lord of your world.

            This Christmas, you can receive the gift of salvation. For this is what it is. It is a gift from God to you. You can open this gift, and you can experience the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ as Savior.

            But you can also know Jesus as Lord, as the One who has come to do life with you.

            If you have received Jesus as Savior, but have yet to make Him the Lord of your life, you are selling yourself short. He longs to do more in you than just save you from hell.  He longs to be your Master.  

            If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, you must start there. You cannot make Him your Lord, unless He is your Savior.

            To receive Jesus as Savior, to receive Jesus as Lord is very simple, you must follow the words of Scripture:

            “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.

¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”  (Romans 10:9-10, NLT2)

            Jesus longs to be your Savior and your Lord. He longs to move in your life.

            Will you allow Jesus to forgive you of your sin? Will you allow Jesus to cleanse you from the burden of guilt that you are carrying? Will you confess that Jesus is your Savior?

            Will you allow Jesus to be the Lord of your life? Will you allow Jesus to influence each and every decision that you make from here on out? Will you allow Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord?

            If you want to take a step of faith and make this Jesus your Savior and your Lord, as the band comes and leads us in our closing song, I invite you to stand, kneel, bow, sit or come forward and receive Jesus, both as your Lord and Savior.