Unto Us

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

 

Pastor JJ is recovering from a bound with ammonia, so Pastor Jason Oakes of People of the Free Gift  Ministries preached on this great Christmas passage above. Though any sermons could be given on these two priceless verses, he had three points he wanted us to take with us from these wonderful words of holy Scripture today.

 

First, that God became man. The Creator of the Universe entered into His own creation; that the Divine person of Jesus Christ (the second person of the Trinity – God the Son) was, literally, God with skin on. John 1:14 tells us “The Word (the Christ) became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” The Son of God took on a human body and nature to become both fully man and fully God. This is the Incarnation is what is commemorated and celebrated each year at Christmas. Jesus is the “gift of God” given to those who will receive Him into their heart as Savor and Lord. Colossians 1:27  says, “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

 

Secondly, that His salvation and restoration is” now and not yet”. The blessed Redeemer, by His atoning death, in our place, for the remission of sin (the annulment of the debt we owned. Romans 6:23 explains, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus has taken back all that was lost, but has not taken possession of all just yet. We shall never be more “saved”, then the moment that we first believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; the Lord of all and the Savior of the world. Yet, there is sin still in the world and there is a “second coming” of Jesus to take possession. In Mark 13:26-27 the Lord lets us know, “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.”

Thirdly, Christ, the Messiah was given unto us and unto them ... whom-so-ever shall come. Jesus came, born sinless and lived a sinless life, to be the only accept atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and reconciliation of our relationship with God, our Creator Father in Heaven. Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,  the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” Now, by the mercy and grace of God, our Maker, everyone has the opportunity and chance for forgiveness and salvation. 1 John 2:2 declares, “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” Not everyone is going to Heaven. Sin against God separates mankind from the just and holy God of heaven and earth, and must be dealt with by Him. But God is loving and merciful, as 2 Peter 3:9 clarifies that “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” God did not send His Son just for us who believed in Him now, but also for those who will believe and come to a “saving” knowledge of Jesus Christ. You and I never know when God has someone for us to talk to. Someone who needs to know Jesus.

In John 3:16-17, our Lord and Savior reveals the truth about Himself that,  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Merry Christmas! Brian