Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Today we are celebrating God’s wonderful gift of love to all who believe. Jesus Christ is God’s gift of love for you! 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

God sent Jesus on a mission of love with a message of love!

Jesus came with a mission… to bring the Good News of salvation to a lost world! The angels said to the shepherds abiding in their fields on the night Jesus was born, 10 …I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Who likes to get good news? I love good news. We live in a world where we can be bombarded with bad news, and the problem is that bad news can cause great sorrow. Who needs it? But good news causes great joy! Who needs that? I do- sign me up! What exactly is that good news? We are all in need of a Savior and in Jesus, we have the Savior we need!

Why do you think this good news went first to shepherds? Shepherds weren’t necessarily high on the social ladder; they were dirty, lowly, some even criminal. For the most part, they were outsiders. Maybe God took this good news to them because, like the shepherds of that day, we are all dirty, lowly and desperate in spirit because of our sin and failures. Now, we have a Savior! That is GREAT news for us! Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? If not, do it today. It will make this your best Christmas ever!

Jesus came with a message… to share God’s love with a desperate world. (Read John 3:16-17 again). That little baby, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, would grow up… and when He grew up, He would clearly reveal the depth of God’s love for you and me; He would stretch His arms wide to show how much He loves you! In fact, He would die for you! John recorded these words from Jesus… 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

He wants to call you friend! He wants a relationship with you! He wants to be present and active in your life. Centuries before Jesus was born, this was God’s plan, shared through His prophet Isaiah: 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14. Immanuel means “God with us.” Jesus is not just a romantic, Christmas figurine in a nativity scene on your grandma’s coffee table that you were not allowed to get near! He came to be near to you. He came to call you friend. He came with a message of love. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

So how do you respond to Jesus’ mission and message of love? Look at how the shepherd’s responded when they heard this good news…

Experience the Good News. (Luke 2:15-16). When they heard this good news, the shepherd’s didn’t delay; they said, “Let’s go!” And they hurried off to see Jesus! How about you? Are you ready to experience Jesus? Don’t delay… admit your sin, invite Jesus to be your Savior and choose to follow Him today!

Share the Good News with others! (Luke 2:17-18). The shepherd’s didn’t keep this good news to themselves. It wasn’t a “private matter” for them. They shared what they had seen and experienced with others… and people were amazed! Why? Because it was good news that people were desperate to hear! And good news causes great joy! Will you share this Good News with someone who does not yet believe?

For much more, click here to listen to Advent - Christmas is Coming - Part 4 - Love.

Merry Christmas!