Understanding The Birth Of JESUS CHRIST

UNDERSTANDING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Scriptural Text: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20; 1 John 4:1-6

INTRODUCTION: The prophesy as to the birth of our personal Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been predicted many years before His birth in the Holy Scriptures as found in Isaiah 9:6-7 and Isaiah 7:14. The Holy Prophets on divine inspiration and revelation were empowered to speak forth as they were moved by the Holy Spirit – 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21. And by the working of God, these prophecies that have outlived many generations came to fulfilment as found in Matthew 1:18-20, 23 and Luke 2:1-20. Christ means – the anointed one, the messiah, the saviour, the redeemer, and the holy one of Israel. Herein in this study, we shall be discussing precisely on the birth of Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION (Study Analysis/Illustration):

A. Scriptural Record Before His BIRTH:

1) Micah 5:2

2) John 1:1-5, 10, 14

3) Colossians 1:14-17

4) Genesis 1:1-4

5) Matthew 22:41-46

6) Isaiah 7:14

7) Isaiah 9:6-7

8). Genesis 3:5

9) Luke 1:31

10) Romans 8:3

B. Scriptural Record To The Promise of His Birth:

1) Genesis 3:15;

2) Genesis 12:3;

3) Micah 5:2;

4) Luke 1:30-33;

5) Isaiah 9:6-7;

6) Jeremiah 23:5-6;

7) Romans 8:3

8). Philippians 2:7

9) John 1:14

10) 1 Corinthians 1:20.

C. The Essence of Acknowledging the Humanity of Christ

1) 1 John 4:1-3;

2) John 1:14;

3) 1 John 5:7-12;

4) 1Timothy 3:16.

5) 1 Timothy 2:5;

6) Philippians 2:8;

7) Galatians 4:4;

8). Matthew 1:1;

9) Romans 8:3;

10) Hebrews 2:14-15

D. Experiences of Christ’s Humanity

1) Physical Body – Matthew 24:39-43; Matthew 27:57-60

2) Natural Growth – Luke 2:40; 52

3) Hunger – Luke 4:1-2; Matthew 4:2

4) Sleep – Luke 8:23

5) Poverty – Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9

6) Weariness (tired) – John 4:6; Hebrews 4:15

7) Sorrow and Distress– Matthew 26:37-38

8) Wept – John 11:35; Luke 19:41

9) Tempted – Luke 4:1-2; Matthew 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:13

100 . . . And such like

E. The Cause of Christ’s Birth: John 18:37; 1 John 3:8; John 3:16; Galatians 4:4-7.

The Scriptural CAUSE and PURPOSE for which Christ came or was born into the world.

1). To FULFIL the divine WILL (Word) of God. Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6, 15; Genesis 1:26-30; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 1:21, 45; 6:14; Acts 3:22-23; 7:37)
2). To SAVE us from our SIN (Matthew 1:21; Romans 5:1-2; Acts 3:26; 4:12; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2:5; Isaiah 53:5-10)
3). To seek and to save THAT which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
4). To give us ETERNAL LIFE (Greek – ZOE) (1 Corinthians 15:21-22; John 11:25-26; 1 John 5:11-12; John 10:10; 17:3)
5). To RESTORE and DEMONSTRATE to us, God’s LOVE to us and for us. (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-7; 15:12-13; 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
6). To RESTORE us to God’s kind of PEACE (Eph. 2:14, John 14:27; Phil. 4:7)
7). To DESTROY the works of satan against our life (Acts 10:38; 1 John 3:8-9; John 10:10)
8). To RESTORE us to a life of ABUNDANT (overflowing) living (John 10:10; Jeremiah 29:11; 23:5-6; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 10:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
9). To RECONCILE us back to God (2Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:1-22)
10). To give us true FREEDOM and DELIVERANCE (Like 1:68-71; 4:18-19; Heb. 2:14-15; Col. 1:13-14)
11). To REDEEM us from the CURSE and EFFECT of the law and the fall of man and unto God’s blessings (Galatians 3:13-14; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 5:9-10; Luke 1:68-75.)
12). To RESTORE us to a place of HEALING and HEALTH (Matt. 8:16-17; 3John 2; Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Pet. 2:24)
13). To give us a TRUE spirit of knowledge and understanding to life (John 17:3; 1John 5:18-20)
14). To PROSPER us (3John 2; 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 6:33; John 10:10; Josh. 1:8)
15). . . . And many others. John 20:30-31; 21:25.

CONCLUSION: Thanks to God for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ Jesus was not born and given (Isaiah 9:6-7), there would not have been any death or resurrection, and glorification, and that means, we would have walked in the darkness of this age and miss the very essence we were created or made. Let us appropriate in our life every reason that made God to give His only begotten son to us especially in this season of Christmas as we commemorate and celebrate the birth of Christ – God’s Love to us.  However, as wonderful as Christmas celebration is, be it known today that Christ is enthroned. He is no longer the:

• The babe in the manger
• The servant to death
• Neither the limited one nor the Christ on the Cross.

He is now the:

• God on the throne (Seated at the right hand of the Father God)
• Omnipotent (unlimited, all powerful),
• Omnipresent (He is present everywhere at the same time) and
• Omniscience (all knowing)

(Rev. 1:10-18; 19:16; Matt. 28:18; Phil 3:21).

Let us enthrone him in our heart, crown Him King of kings and Lord of lords and establish His presence in a daily commemoration and celebration and not just in another one year again.

I challenge and commend everyone who by virtue of grace have been ignited by the spirit of God’s love in Christ Jesus, to arise with faith and earnestly go and extend the good love of God in your hearts to others – that is the essence of a true living. You can begin from your home and the fire will spread to give hope to someone else near you.

I pray you have and enjoy a fabulous and great celebration of this Christmas and may God’s eternal love ever be your portion and prosper your goings during this season as you commemorate and celebrate His love. 2 Corinthians13:14 ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen’

MEMORY VERSE:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins” Matthew 1:21.

Compiled by Revd Chukie MORSI

www.42ndgenerationfoundation.com and www.achievrsfaithdigest.com