It is Christmas week! But you knew that, didn’t you? People around the world are celebrating Christmas this week. For many it’s a religious celebration--the birth of Jesus Christ; for others it is non-religious-- Santa, gifts, Christmas tree, day of family togetherness-- and all that. Well, what is Christmas all about anyway? Let’s see.
Greetings to you, my friend. It’s great to have you with us for Bible study In Search of the Lord's Way to become and to be a Christian. Oh say! To become a Christian and being a Christian the rest of your life is the best decision you will ever make. I make no exception to it. “Oh,” you say, “but I know some people who tried it and it failed them.” Oh no, friend, becoming a Christian and living as Jesus taught has never failed anybody. They may have failed in living up to it, but Jesus didn’t fail. In what is called the parable of the sower in Matthew chapter 13, verses 1 to 9, Jesus described four kinds of soil-- or hearts-- in which the seed is sown. And in verses18-23, He described three kinds of hearts which He said failed to produce. There was one that succeeded. He said, “But he who received the seed in the good ground is he who hears the word of God, understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” So, even Jesus knew some people would fail at being a Christian. But, the “honest and good hearted” person won’t fail. If you are that kind of a person, you simply must become a Christian, friend. We’ll tell you how to do that-- the Bible way-- in this program. Say, it’s good to have you with us today. We pray we’ll both be blessed.
Yes! It’s Christmas time again! Someone may be thinking, “What is so great about that?” Well, I’m fully aware that there is no Biblical basis for observance of Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Yet, I’m amazed-- and gladly so-- how His influence remains so universally powerful, even after the passing of two thousand years, and, especially in view of the tremendous efforts to squelch it in America. If the modern man on the street doesn’t believe the incredible story of the incarnation of the Son of God, yet he can get excited about the Christmas celebration of His birth, I would like an opportunity to help him come to believe in Jesus. And to this end, this program is dedicated.
If you think you might want a free CD, or a free audio cassette tape or free printed copy of this message, you may have it by mailing your request to In Search of the Lord's Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083, or to searchtv@searchtv.org. Or, you may use our toll-free telephone number and call us. The number is 1-800-321-8633. The message is streamed, too, at www.searchtv.org. Ken Helterbrand’s going to lead us in singing praises to God now; and then I’ll be back and we’ll read God’s word together.
We will be reading today from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter one, verse 18 beginning. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” We read through verse 23. Now we will go to God in prayer. Holy Father, we are so thankful to You that we had this account and we have the one in Luke about the birth of Jesus-- that You brought your Son into this world to suffer and die for the redemption of man. We pray You will bless our study about this today to the hearts of people. In Jesus’ name we pray it and ask for Your blessings. Amen!
My friend, it’s impossible from reading and studying the Bible to learn even the year of Jesus’ birth, to say nothing of the month and the day. Nor is there any Biblical reference to Jesus’ observance of His birthday-- or any expression of His desire or His will that His disciples observe it. Likewise, there is no mention of such a celebration by the churches of New Testament times. Therefore, since the Scriptures are totally silence about it, we are forced to turn to secular sources for any information we can get about Christmas.
The Encyclopedia of Religion and Religions by E. Royston Pike says of Christmas that “The actual day of the Nativity is as uncertain as the year. From time to time other days than December 25 have been suggested, for example January 6 is still observed as Christmas Day by the Armenian Church, still is. It is argued that the birth of Jesus cannot have taken place in December, since December is that time that it’s cold and rainy season in Judea, and shepherds would be unlikely to be minding their flocks in the fields as the Gospel story relates it.... But in the ancient world December 25 was the winter solstice, the day on which the sun seems to stop in his departing course and start on the return journey, bringing with him lengthening days and hope of spring.” It’s quite a lengthy piece that Pike has about Christmas, but it is very informative and very interesting.
According to him, the “Western Church,” [that would be the Roman Catholic Church, of course] never accepted January 6th date for a celebration of the birth of Christ. It chose December 25th instead, because that was a day that was already being celebrated by many of the ancients as a rather “holy” day. Pike says, the Persians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Syrians, Greeks, Romans, Mexicans, Peruvians, Indians-- well even others were already celebrating something about their gods on December 25th. Bacchus-- or Dionysus, known to the Greeks as “savior,” was born on December 25th, as was Hercules. Adonis was born that day, too-- so we’re told. According to some accounts Buddha’s birthday was December 25th. And the encyclopedia mentions others-- all of which doubtlessly had an influence on the choice of the Roman church for that date for the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Although it wasn’t observed by professed followers of Christ until the latter part of the second century or maybe the early part of the third century (depending on what historian you are reading) it’s almost universally accepted by all denominations of our time-- December 25th. (When I say “denominations” I’m including, of course, self-acclaimed “non-denominational” denominations that are so popular nowadays, too. Some churches go in for great show and pageantry during the Christmas season, as you know.
As I said earlier, there is no Scriptural authority for a church celebration of Christmas as the birthday of the Savior. First, because we can’t know when He was born. Secondly, because if Jesus ever celebrated His birthday, we don’t know how He did it. Thirdly, Jesus never taught His disciples that He wanted it celebrated. Fourthly, the Scripture adequately and completely supplies the man of God with all he needs to every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And the Scriptures are quiet on it. And in the fifth place, because the church we read about in the New Testament just did not celebrate the birth of Christ. Finally-- consequently, churches today who are trying to be churches after the New Testament order in doctrine, in faith, in worship--and all-- well, they do not do celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Now, they do remember Christ the Savior alright, but they do it in the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, as Jesus taught the disciples-- and as they did it in New Testament days on the first day of the week (Acts chapter 20 and verse 7).
In recent years-- I mean in the last quarter century or so-- there has been a growing desire by a rather small percentage of our American society who has been working diligently to “take Christ out of Christmas.” Need I say that, “They are unbelievers?” Of course, you know that already, don’t you? They are not concerned about the origin of Christmas. Neither does the pageantry of the churches concern them as it does some of us. They are “secularists.” They’re people who would like very much to rid America of every religious influence. They have been successful, too, by ridding our public educational system of virtually any influence of God and of Christ and the Bible. They have succeeded in removing the Ten Commandments and other ebenezers from public places. Lest they offend these few people who might not be believers, some merchants refuse some traditional non-commercial religious activities to occur on their premises. While there is a non-religious aspect of Christmas observed by many Christians (one of whom I am which), Christmas still bears His name. And if they can succeed in removing it, it will be a giant victory for a tiny group of unbelievers. Oh! I wish they were believers in God and in Jesus Christ whom He sent. With their zeal for their conviction of things the church of Jesus Christ could turn the world upside down!
Even though I don’t believe Christ the Savior was born on December 25th, and I do not celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus, my friend, I’m glad and I rejoice in His incarnation-- that He was born as He was of Mary the virgin in Bethlehem just as the Bible says and as we read awhile ago. First, because of the purpose for which He came into this world. When He was being criticized for inviting Himself into the home of a lowly, despised tax collector, a sinner, He said, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19 and 10). You see, friend, I was lost too! No, no, no now, I was not lost because I was born that way-- born a sinner and lost; and neither were you. The Bible says, “The soul who sins, he shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. But if a wicked man may turn, turns from all his sins which he has committed, and keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:20-21). You see, I repented. And in obedience to His statute I was baptized for the remission of my sins according to Acts 2:38-- and was forgiven. You can do that, too, my friend. Oh, I hope you will without delay!
Friend, I’m so glad Jesus was born of the virgin as we read in Matthew 1:18-25; that He became flesh” (John 1 and 1, verse 14) and lived in this world as we must live here. I’m so glad He was tempted in every way we are tempted, yet He lived without sin. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, (the Bible says) that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who (like you and me) are tempted” (Hebrews chapter 2, verses 17-18). Not only that, He also stands ready to be our Advocate with the Father when we sin (1 John chapter 2, verses 1 and 2).
Thirdly, I’m glad and I rejoice that He was born of a woman because He taught us the best way to live this life that has ever been introduced to the family of man. He said, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). See? Jesus said it, as I have been saying it; the life He gives is the more abundant life. For hundreds of years the Ten Commandments were accepted as the highest moral law known to man. Then came Jesus and said to a Jewish audience, “You have heard that it was said of those of old, that you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21 and 22).
And, “You have heard that it was said of those of old, that you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew chapter 5, verses 27 and 28).
Again, He said, “Furthermore it has been said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery (Matthew chapter 5, verses 31 and 32).
Well, Jesus went to the heart of the matter, didn’t He? “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). Well, there’s more. Read it for yourself in the greatest sermon in all of world literature, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters five, six and seven.
Finally, I’m glad Jesus was born of the virgin because in that birth He took on the form of humanity which led Him to die on the cross for us-- and you and me. He made atonement for our sins; not for ours alone, but for the sins of all mankind. And in so doing, Jesus became the gift of God’s love and grace. God was the sinned against-- the offended one. He climaxed His work of creation by creating man and woman. And He gave them the entire garden for habitation-- what a beautiful place-- and for food-- with one small exception. They were forbidden to eat of the tree that stood in the midst of the garden. The penalty for doing so would be death. They ate of it and they died spiritually. “Death” means “separation.” They were driven out of the garden-- alienated from God. And God was gracious in pronouncing sentence upon the serpent through whom the temptation came, He promised a redeemer-- the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Jesus Christ is that redeemer. He is the gift of God’s grace. So, all who come to God by Jesus Christ are saved-- reconciled to God. If you have not been so, I sincerely and lovingly hope you will. Please don’t wait too long. If we can be helpful, please let us hear from you at once. Let us pray. Thank You, Father, for sending the Savior so that we might be reconciled to You. In His name we pray, Amen!
I personally don’t celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Christ. And I certainly don’t believe the church who is sincerely trying to be a church after the New Testament pattern ought-- or will-- do so. But, I do believe that Jesus was born of the virgin-- just as Isaiah prophesied some centuries before it happened (Isaiah 7:14). And that faith gives me a great-- oh, a very, very, great rejoicing, and reason for rejoicing. Yes! I’m glad! I’m glad because He fulfilled all of those Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. He said He did in Luke 24:44; and I believe He did.
Many of those things He fulfilled in spite of the fact that they were beyond His personal control-- circumstances which surrounded His birth and His death, for example. He must be the Son of God, friend! And, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In closing that great “Sermon on the Mount” He said, (watch this now, friend; here is what Jesus said) “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Oh say, friend, have you listened and received His word into your heart? I know you believe in Him just as I do. Would you conform your life to His will and start living for Him? Would you be baptized in obedience to His word? He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Would you? I’m praying you will.
If you would like a free CD, or a free audio cassette tape or a free printed copy of the message today about Christmas simply mail your request to In Search of the Lord's Way P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083. Our e-mail address is searchtv@searchtv.org. Or you may call and we’ll pay for the call. The number is 1-800-321-8633. You may visit our website at www.searchtv.org. There’s a lot of interesting information there about our program and our ministry. We plan to be back next week at this time; and we hope you will, too. God bless you. We love you.
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