Sunday, November 26, 2023 AM
MY CHRISTMAS CARD TO YOU: The Greatest Christmas Card
Mike Teel, Pastor
Focal Passage:
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. —Matthew 1:20-24
IT IS AN
NAME – Chosen and Given By God
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:21
1.
CHILDREN
–For the most part the names we give to our children took a great deal of thought on our part, and sometimes even caused a few disagreements along the way.
2. THE
OF A CHILD’S NAME
–We have come to understand that in Biblical times it was the responsibility of the Father to name the child, or the name was derived from the Father.
3. GOD’S
–God being the biological father of Jesus understood it was His responsibility to name Him.
–When we are born again Spiritually, we get a new nature and a new name that is a shared name of our Spiritual Father – We are called Christians – because we are supposed to act like Christ!
Jesus is a powerful name that can change lives!
IT IS AN
NAME – Honored by God
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). —Matthew 1:22-23
1. THE
OF JESUS
–It is such an honorable name that it appears some 500 times in the Gospels and 909 times throughout the New Testament.
–The name Jesus is a New Testament derivative of the Old Testament name “Joshua” and means “The Lord is Salvation” or more specifically “Jehovah is Salvation.”
–The angel announced, “He will save His people from their sins.”
2. IT IS A
NAME
–In other words, we must have a personal relationship with Christ for Him to be able to do His redemptive work in our lives.
–How does this happen?
—First, you must realize you are a sinner. –
23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23
—Secondly, you must realize that your sins have separated you from God –
2But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. —Isaiah 59:2
—Thirdly, Jesus came to pay the penalty of sin –
23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. —Romans 6:23
—Finally, ask Jesus to save you –
13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” —Roman 10:13
Jesus is an esteemed name that can change lives!
IT IS AN
NAME – Empowered by God
23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). —Matthew 1:23
1. IT MEANS “
WITH US”!
–To think that Jesus was the infinite God-man; God in the flesh.
–He was 100% man – necessary to become the perfect sacrifice for us AND He was 100% God.
2. IT HAS THE
TO SAVE US FROM SIN
–This babe born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough to poor parents was destined to be our Messiah, the Savior of the World.
–At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Lord. -
11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:9-11
3. IT HAS THE POWER TO
LIVES
–Prophesy: > 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. —Isaiah 9:2
–Fulfillment: > 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” —John 18:12
–Forever: (and Isaiah continues on) > 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
—Isaiah 9:6-7
It is an exalted name whereby we can be saved.
LIVE IT OUT
Jesus is a powerful and esteemed name that can change lives!
–Has He had the opportunity to change your life?
It is an exalted name whereby we can be saved.
–There is power in the name of Jesus!