Seven Characteristics of True Worshippers

Trevor S Ferguson

October 29, 2016

Micah 6:6-8 (KJV)
⁶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
⁷ Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

James 1:22, 26-27 (KJV)
²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

INTRODUCTION

On any given Sunday morning, thousands of persons gather in churches across the world with the general intent to worship God. In addition, several others gather on Saturday mornings with similar intent, and many persons gather at various times during the weekdays in prayer meetings, bible study, youth services and various other church related activities. A major concern however, is that many of the persons who attend these various services are not demonstrating characteristics of true worshippers. Firstly, many have not had the full experience of New Testament salvation, including baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, and therefore, though sincere in their worship, fall short of what is required by God. Secondly, among those of us who have experienced full salvation, very often our attitudes and actions fall short of that expected of true worshippers. The prophet Micah saw a similar problem in Israel in the 8^th century BC. Israel had become prosperous, but corrupt. Although they continued to attend prescribed services in the temple, their sacrifices had become empty rituals. Needless to say, God was displeased.  James, writing in the first century AD, sought to address similar attitudes, which began to creep into the early church, during a period when the church faced pressures from both without and within.

The writings of Micah and James are clearly instructive to the today. If we put these principles in practice we will avoid many of the traps that leads to false, hypocritical worship and prepare ourselves for the eminent return of Jesus Christ. Today I will use the text from Micah and James to share with us seven characteristics of true worshippers. These characteristics are not to be considered complete or exhaustive, but will serve as a solid foundation as we seek to ensure that those us who take the time to gather in church services, will not be hearers only, but will in fact be doers of the word who offer true worship.

EXPOSITION

Characteristic #1: True worshippers act justly – i.e. we must be fair and honest in our dealings with others (Micah 6:8)

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, justice has two major aspects. Firstly, justice is “the standard by which penalties are assigned for breaking the obligations of the society”, and, secondly, justice “is the standard by which the advantages of social life are handed out, including material goods, rights of participation, opportunities, and liberties.” Justice is therefore a standard for both punishment and benefits, although most persons think of justice mainly in its relation to punishment for wrong. For the Christian, we need to ensure that all ours actions stand up to the principles of justice. We must seek to do the right thing, and to do it all the time. Goods and services must be fairly distributed, giving to each person their due, and not abusing our positions of authority or privilege. This means giving a fair day’s work for a fair days pay, keeping our end of a contract and delivering goods and services on time. Honesty and integrity are also closely aligned with the principle of justice. If we are unable to do something we should say so, rather than making a promise or commitment for something we know we cannot fulfil.

Living justly also means that we are going to say no to back-door deals, and bargains that bypass proper procedures. This includes tax evasion, failing to pay appropriate duties on imported goods and breeches of intellectual property rights. The Christian is expected to live at a higher standard than the world. We can’t expect to exploit others, or be dishonest in our dealings, then turn up for worship and expect that God will find our worship acceptable!

Characteristic #2: True worshippers love mercy – i.e. we show genuine compassion and kindness to others (Micah 6:8)

Mercy in this context has been defined as “one’s consideration of the condition and needs of his fellowman” (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). The act of mercy is performed by one in a position of strength for another who is weak or disadvantaged. The Christian then should show genuine compassion and kindness towards others. This means lending a helping hand to the sick and needy, giving to the poor and dispossessed, as well as helping those who are spiritually week, or those who have fallen and are in need of help. Too often we are cold, disconnected and unfeeling. Like the priest and Levite on the road to Samaria – many of us can walk by people in genuine need and we hurry on to carry out or religious duties.

God is saying to us today – take a step back and look around us – there are many people dying and in desperate need of help. We can’t just pass them by! We must take the time to stop and help!! True worshippers show compassion and concern for others.

Characteristic #3: True worshippers care for those who cannot care for themselves – i.e. we show benevolent love and care to people in need (James 1: 27)

This characteristic is based on James 1:27 which tells us that persons who practice true religion will visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. In the patriarchal first century society, orphans and widows were particularly vulnerable because men were usually the only breadwinners. Persons who practiced true religion would ensure that this special category of vulnerable persons were cared for. It is noteworthy that the word used in this verse for visit is derived from the same root as the word for bishop. This implies that the care to be offered was not only material or monetary support but pastoral-like like care – ministering to their hurts, comforting them in their pain, understanding their struggles, as well as helping with their financial needs. True worshippers cannot neglect the care of those who are most vulnerable in our communities.    

Characteristic #4: True worshippers walk humbly – i.e. we humble ourselves daily before God in fear and reverence (Micah 6:8)

Humility can be defined as “the personal quality of being free from arrogance and pride and having an accurate estimate of one’s worth”, (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

There is no place for haughtiness and self-righteousness in the church of God, yet today many Christians think of themselves as being overly important and that because of their acts of righteousness they are indispensable. The true worshipper, continues to recognize that we are unworthy of the mercy and grace that has been bestowed on us, and that if God should mark all our sins we would have no place in the kingdom of God.

Take note that James also reminds us that God resisteth the proud, but gives grace to the humble and also admonishes us to humble ourselves in the sight of God and he will lift us up. True worshippers walk humbly!

Characteristic #5: True worshippers are doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22)

Many churches are filled with persons who come to hear and to be stirred or even entertained by the word of God, but not many of the hearers go home and put what they have heard into practice. Many persons study the word or God and are intellectually stimulated by it, but fail to convert that interest or stimulation into practice. James reminds us that it is pointless to be only a hearer and not a doer of the word. The man that is a hearer and not a doer continues in his sin, but the doer of the word is blessed in his deeds. Let us also remember also the admonition of Samuel to Saul: To obey is better than sacrifice and to harken than the fat of rams. No amount of good deeds can take the place of true obedience. True worshippers are doers of the word!

Characteristic #6: True worshippers control their tongue (James 1:26)

James devotes almost an entire chapter (James 3) to dealing with the issue of the tongue, demonstration how important this aspect of our Christian walk is. The essence of his argument is that if we claim to be righteous but don’t control our tongue, we are just fooling ourselves. Numerous lives have been destroyed by an unrestrained tongue, as professing Christians spread gossip, lash out in anger, engage in harsh and unnecessary criticism, spend time murmuring and complaining, and passing judgment on others. As Christians let us remember to use our speech to encourage and uplift others rather that criticizing and tearing down. Let us all learn to control our anger and be always governed by the words of Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The true worshipper controls his tongue!

Characteristic #7: True worshippers avoid all aspects of worldliness (James 1:27)

Worldliness may be defined as a way of living that is based on or governed by the principles, drives and philosophies of the world system. The world system is dominated by materialism, power and pleasure and is in constant antagonism with the kingdom of God. The worldly person adopts and accept the principles of the world system as normal, and accepts the pursuit of worldly pleasures as normal. Worldliness is the opposite of godliness; therefore, a true worshipper cannot embrace worldliness.

A true Christian cannot have as his main drive the pursuit of material possessions – You cannot serve God and mammon. God must have preeminence! Serve God. Use money (for righteous purposes).

True worshippers must choose carefully the places we go and the activities we participate in. We cannot be in church one Sunday and be parading almost naked on the streets, the next Sunday. This cannot be acceptable to God.

Finally, as true worshipper must take care of the way we dress and adorn ourselves. Our outward appearance should reflect our inward holiness, and should be guided by the principles of the word of God, rather than by the standards of the world. True worshippers keep themselves from being polluted by the world!

CONCLUSION

So today we have reflected on the characteristics of true worshippers. We have shown that the true worshipper acts justly, loves mercy, cares for those who cannot care for themselves, walks humbly, is a doer of the word, controls his/her tongue, and avoids all aspects of worldliness. This list is neither complete nor exhaustive, but is a great foundation on which to build. Additionally, we are being reminded that in order to be true worshippers, we must accept full New Testament salvation, through repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. I implore everyone within the hearing of my voice to practice true worship. Only then, can we be assured of salvation and be on our way to heaven.

The Certainty of the Resurrection

Trevor S Ferguson

March 28, 2016

1st Corinthians 15:1-8 (KJV)

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

⁵And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

⁶After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

⁷After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Summary: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact, established in history, and is supported by evidence from reliable eye witnesses. The presence and operations of the Holy Ghost in the church continues to give evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the future resurrection of the saints.  

INTRODUCTION

It is very important that all believers have a clear understanding of the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. It is also very important that persons who are not yet believers be exposed to a clear documentation of the principles of Christianity. Most of us are aware of the Christian basic teachings concerning the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. Most of us also accept these teachings as being true, but few have critically analyzed them.

Now why is critical analysis necessary? The world we live in is becoming increasing antagonistic to the accepted teaching of the Christian faith and sooner or later some of us will be challenged to provide an argument in support of the veracity of our faith. Indeed Peter, instructs us in 1^st Peter 3:15 that we should always be ready to give and answer to every man that ask us to give a reason for the hope we have.

The introduction to the gospel account of Luke provides a context for the discourse today and emphasizes the importance of us being certain of our faith. Look at what Luke says (from the NIV):

¹Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)

Let me highlight a few points from this passage:

(1) The tenets of the Christian faith as recorded in the scriptures are based on the account of eye witnesses of the events.

(2) Luke had carefully investigated the accounts of these eye witnesses to verify that they were in fact true.

(3) Believers need to be sure of the things that we believe. In order to be sure we must carefully examine the facts concerning the things that we believe and come up with a conclusion that can stand up to both theological and philosophical scrutiny.

Today we will reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and analyze the evidence upon which we can declare that the resurrection is a historical fact, and upon which we can hang our faith and remain confident in the God of our salvation.

EXPOSITION

The book of first Corinthians is one of the earliest books of the New Testament and was written sometime around AD 55 or 56. In chapter 15 Paul reiterates the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith and provides an extensive discussion on the doctrine of the resurrection. In verses 3-4, Paul restates the essentials of the gospel message, i.e., Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried and that he rose again, according to the scriptures.

The use of the term “according to the scriptures” here refer to the Old Testament prophesies concerning the passion of Christ. For example Isaiah 53:8-10 says “He was taken from prison and from judgment … he was cut off out of the land of the living, … he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; … he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin …” Similarly Psalm 16:10 said concerning Christ “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”  Scholars have identified more than 80 Old Testament prophesies that were fulfilled in Jesus’s death burial and resurrection. These prophesies and their fulfilment provide convincing evidence that that Jesus is the Messiah and truly the Son of God.

The focus of Paul’s argument in 1^st Corinthians 15 however is the resurrection. Apparently, there were some in the Corinthian church who were disputing the resurrection of the dead. This chapter was geared at correcting these misconceptions. I will share with us four points in support of the certainty of the resurrection. Three of these are derived from the arguments of Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15 and the forth is from prophesies of Jesus and John concerning the Holy Ghost.  

POINT #1:  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact supported by credible and reliable eye witnesses.

Verses 5-8 provides a list of eye witness who saw the risen Saviour. This list includes Peter, James, the Apostles, 500 persons, many of whom were alive at the time of Paul’s writing, and lastly by Paul himself. Let’s look briefly at these witnesses and why their evidence should be considered reliable.

Peter had denied Christ during the passion and was quite disillusioned. In fact, he had given up on Jesus and returned to his old occupation as a fisherman. It would require a very compelling experience for him to give up his fishing career for a second time and follow a Jesus who by all accounts had failed in his mission. This compelling experience was seeing, sitting with, and eating with the resurrected Jesus.

James was the half-brother of Jesus and before the crucifixion did not believe in Jesus. However after the crucifixion we see James as an active member and leader of the earlier church. Again it was the experience of seeing the resurrected Jesus that caused this transformation.

Paul too was a non-believer! He converted to Christianity after a miraculous encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. If Paul had not seen the resurrected Jesus, he would most likely have continued as a persecutor if the church.

Little is known about the 500 brethren, but the fact that many were still alive and could refute or corroborate Paul’s claim, gives credence to his statements.

POINT #2: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is theologically essential. Without the resurrection there is no basis for the Christian faith.

Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then Christ is not risen. If Christ is not risen, our preaching in in vain and our faith is in vain, we are found to be false witnesses of God and we are still in sin. If we as Christians do not have the hope of the resurrection, then we are of all men most miserable! In verse 20 however Paul declares again that now Christ is risen has become the firstfruits of them that slept. In that he rose from the dead, we have a hope that those who die in Christ will one day also rise from the dead and live with Christ forever.

POINT #3: The resurrection of the dead is philosophically plausible

In verse 36, Paul compares the resurrection the dead to that of a seed which is sown and cannot come to life unless it dies, but if it dies it will bear again. This is similar to the teaching of Jesus in John 12:24 where he states that “… Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Paul also raises the issue of the plausibility of the resurrection in his address to king Aggripa in Acts 26:8 when he ask the question - Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Here both Paul and Jesus are suggesting that one should not be perturbed with the concept of the resurrection, it is a natural extension of the concept of birth and death and a natural extension of the concept of sowing and reaping. If we believe that God created the world out of nothing; if we believe that God is omnipotent, then raising the dead is no big thing for God. We can therefore conclude that the resurrection is plausible. The fact that most of us have not seen it does not mean it does not exist!

POINT #4: The presence and manifestations of the Holy Ghost in the church is evidence for the resurrection in today's world

I would like to premise this on two statements from the gospels: John 16:7 and Matthew 3:11.

John 16:7 says “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist in speaking about the coming Messiah says “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

It is clear from these and other scriptures that Jesus is the giver of the Holy Ghost. In the upper room discourse from John 13 -17, Jesus clearly spoke of his impending death, but promised that he would be back. Note that he spoke of two ways in which he would come back. In John 14:1-3, he speaks of his return in the end of time when he would take his followers with him to his father’s house – i.e. heaven. Prior to that however he would return as the Holy Ghost. Look at this this excerpt from John 14:16-19

¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. ¹⁹Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Based on this passage, it is clear that the coming of the Holy Ghost was contingent on Jesus being alive. Therefore if we see the operation of the Holy Ghost in the church today, this is clear evidence that Jesus is alive.

Now ladies and gentlemen, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a specific event, accompanied by observable phenomena as see in the book of Acts. A detailed study of the book of Acts will show that when believers receive the Holy Ghost they begin to speak in tongues as the spirit empowers them. This is a specific observable phenomenon, and hundreds in the church today can testify that they have received this experience.

Let me point out that dead men don’t send gifts, so if Jesus promised to send the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost came, we must also conclude that Jesus is alive! This is the reason we are gathered here on this Resurrection Sunday. We know, we are assured, we are convinced that Jesus is alive!

We accept the statements in the bible by faith. We accept the historical records of the church by faith. But we add to that our personal experience. Paul spoke of the witness of the apostles, the witness, of Peter and the witness of James, but more than all, he spoke of his personal testimony, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Similarly today, we accept the evidence of scripture and the testimony of others, but we have had our own experience, and can testify that Jesus is alive!

CONCLUSION

So then, now that we have shown conclusively that Jesus is alive and active in the church, what should we do?

For the saints the admonition of Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15:58 is most appropriate: “… be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  

For those that are not yet saved, I give you the same answer that Peter gave to the Jews of the day of Pentecost: “… Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

God bless you today. In Jesus name!

The Person and Purpose of Christmas

Trevor S Ferguson

January 2, 2016

Matthew 1:18-21 (KJV)
¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)
¹What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
²God forbid.

Summary statement: Christmas is all about Jesus Christ and His ability to save people from sin!

INTRODUCTION

Although Christmas is celebrated all over the world, most Christmas celebrations fail to focus on Jesus Christ or to consider the real meaning of the Christmas season. For many, Christmas is all about giving and receiving of gifts or a time for fun and festivity. For those who take time out to reflect on Jesus Christ, the reflections are sometimes superficial, with a focus on a baby in a manger, or the fact the Mary and Joseph could find no room in the inn. Other reflections include the challenges faced by Mary and Joseph in light of Mary’s unusual (and for many, unbelievable) pregnancy. Others may speak of the wonder of the angelic visit to the shepherds in announcing the birth of Christ and marvel at the wise men from the east as they followed a star to find the place where Jesus was born. In addition, we sometimes speak of the unbelief and redemption of Zacharias, or the pronouncements of Simeon and Anna when Jesus was presented at the temple.

One topic that is not often discussed in our discourse on the Christmas story is that of human sin. I would like to suggest however that, when we think about it, this was the main reason for Jesus coming into this world. Another topic that is not often addressed is the  true identity of the baby in the manger – i.e. that this was the Great God and Creator of the Universe who had enveloped himself in a robe of flesh and came to dwell with humankind, so that he could deliver us from the power and devastating effects of sin.

Today, I want to challenge our minds to reflect more deeply on the person and the purpose of Christmas, as I bring to your remembrance that Christmas is all about Jesus Christ and his ability to save people from sin. I want to challenge those who are not yet saved to make an appropriate response to God’s precious gift to you this Christmas by accepting His generous offer of salvation. I would also like to remind you that there is a gift available to all today, which is more precious than any gift you might have received this Christmas and that this gift is the gift of the Holy Ghost.

EXPOSITION

Let us first look at the PERSON of Christmas.

Matthew in his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ is careful to establish the true identity Jesus Christ. He begins with a listing of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing Jesus’s descent from Abraham, through 42 generations, until we come to Joseph, who was legally the father of Jesus. Matthew’s genealogy proved that Jesus was Jew, a descendant of Abraham and more specifically a descendant of David. As such, he had legal rights to the Davidic throne and was fully qualified to be Israel’s Messiah. In verses 18-23, he further shows that Jesus was not only the son of David, but was in fact the Son of God. He first declares in verse 18 that Mary was “found with child of the Holy Ghost”; in other words, Mary was pregnant, but this was not a ‘normal’ pregnancy, because the source of her pregnancy was the Holy Ghost. Of course, this was difficult to believe and Joseph had problems accepting this. But while he struggled with this problem, contemplating to divorce her privately, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him and confirmed the words Mary had spoken to him – Mary was still a virgin, “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost”. He further instructed him that he should call his name JESUS.

Let me hasten to point out that this name Jesus was no ordinary name. The name Jesus is derived from the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew name Joshua, which literally means Jehovah-Saviour or Jehovah is Salvation. It incorporates all that the name Jehovah denotes and adds to it the attribute of salvation. We know that the name Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew equivalent of the verb “to be” and therefore means the Self-existing One, the “I AM”, who always was, now is and always will be! Therefore Jesus is the Self-Existing One, the Great Creator, who has now become our Saviour!

It is noteworthy that the two Joshua’s of the Old Testament foreshadowed the saving power of Jesus Christ. The first Joshua was Israel's captain on the occasion of their first settlement in the Land of Canaan after their bondage in Egypt. After succeeding Moses Joshua led Israel from victory to victory and so brought them into the Promised Land

The second Joshua was Israel's high priest at their second settlement in the land after the bondage in Babylon. Thus both were thus associated with great deliverances; but neither these great men had given the full rest of true salvation to the people of God as stated in Hebrews 4:8; They were only able to procure for them political freedom and a land they could call their own. Salvation from Egypt and from Babylon were only types of the great salvation from sin which was to come through the Christ of God.

Before dealing with the salvation that Jesus wrought for us, let us look at the second name mentioned for the Messiah in Matthew 1. Verse 23 tells us that this son which was to be born of Mary was in fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophesy which had declared that this son to be born (of a virgin) was “Emmanuel”, that is “God with us”! Thus Jesus was the Jehovah God of the Old Testament patriarchs who had now come to dwell with us. This is the PERSON of Christmas. He is our Emmanuel! He is God with us!

Let us turn now to the PURPOSE of His coming. This is explicitly stated in the last clause of verse 21 “… for he shall save his people from their sin”. Herein lies that challenge – the basic problem of humanity is sin, but most persons are not willing to admit it! We inherited the sinful nature from Adam, and without Divine intervention are destined to keep on sinning! The scriptures clearly declares that “there is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10) and that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As a result without God, all humanity stand condemned under the curse of sin and is destined for both physical death and spiritual death. The great news at Christmas time therefore is that Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin! If he had come to deliver Israel from Roman oppression and set up an earthly kingdom, we, especially the Gentiles, would still be “without hope and without God in the world”! Jesus came however, not just to deliver from earthly oppression, but to deliver from the power and effects of sin. He came to save us.

Listen to these verses say about him:

Psalm 130:7-8 (NIV): ⁷O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. ⁸He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

John 3:16-18 (KJV) ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Luke 19:9-10 (KJV) ⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

It is abundantly clear, the purpose of Christmas is to recognize that Jesus was born, with the purpose to bring salvation to lost humanity, to save his people from their sin! Such a recognition requires a response: As Paul asked in Romans 6:1, the question is being asked today: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin? This is a question that requires and answer from one and all. If you recognize that the great God of heaven, came down to earth, was born as a babe, subjected himself to all the limitations of fallen humanity, including the indignity of being born in a manger and being crucified on a cross, all this, so that He could bring salvation to you and to me, what is the appropriate response? I declare to you that there is only one appropriate response to this revelation – that is to accept the free gift of salvation offered to one and all.

What is so amazing is that Jesus, having had to pay a high price to purchase our salvation, now offers it to us freely. The prophet Isaiah invites us, “… come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price”; he further challenge us: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”. Isaiah 55:7 (KJV). This offer of salvation is available to one and all today!

CONCLUSION

We have declared today that Christmas is all about Jesus Christ and His ability to save mankind from sin and that this offer of salvation is available to one and all! If you are not yet saved, now is the acceptable time! The message of salvation is the same as that preached on the day of Pentecost – Repent of you sins, accept water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and seek for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Only by doing so would we fully acknowledge the person and then purpose of Christmas!

I challenge you to make that decision today, In Jesus name.