THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION

Trevor Ferguson

December 24, 2023

 

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV

[18] Now 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.

[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

[20] But 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.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Luke 2:6-11 KJV

[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

INTRODUCTION

Christmas is celebrated all over the world, and in many countries, it is the biggest holiday of the year. All over the world, people pause to celebrate this ‘most wonderful time of the year’. Christmas is universally regarded as a happy time. It’s a time to connect with family and friends, a time to share gifts, a time to enjoy meals together, a time to remember the less fortunate, a time for worship, and a time for fellowship. For many, however, Christmas is seen mainly as a time for merry making, a time to attend parties, a time for dancing, a time to imbibe alcoholic beverages, and a time ‘just having a good time’. In all these festivities, many miss the true reason for the joy associated with Christmas.  

 

The essence of the joy of Christmas is that Christmas brings good news, good news of great joy. But what is this good news? Luke 2:10-11 summarizes this well. Look at what it says: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. So then, Christmas is good news to all people, because Jesus was born!

 

Let’s pause to point out though that the birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth. Matthew 1:23 tells us that he would be born of a virgin and that his name would be Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Now, Matthew places great emphasis on the virgin birth. Note that verse 18 states that while Joseph and Mary were engaged, she was found with child “before they came together”. Verse 25 also states that Joseph “knew her not” till she had brought forth her firstborn son. The New Living Translation makes this even clearer stating in verse 18: “But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit”. Verse 25 states that: “he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born”. The emphasis on the virgin birth was to point out that Jesus was the Son of God, conceived through the power of the Holy Ghost for the purpose of bringing salvation to all mankind.

 

Jesus was born to save! This is clearly stated in Matthew 1:21 and Luke 2:11. Let us look at what these verses tell us again. Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”. Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. So then, Christmas is all about the good news of salvation!

 

Today I want to use this opportunity to remind us of a few key points of the doctrine of salvation.

 

EXPOSITION

POINT #1: ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE IN NEED OF SALVATION!

Salvation may be defined as “the deliverance from the power and effects of sin”. We need deliverance from sin because sin enslaves us, and ultimately, leads to death. Death here speaks to spiritual death (i.e., separation from God), physical death, (i.e., separation of body from spirit), and eternal death (i.e., total and final separation from God).

 

The bible emphatically states that all men are sinners. Since the fall, all humanity inherited Adams fallen state, and as such we have a penalty of death hanging over our heads. There is no exception to this fallen state. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Romans 6:23 further states: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul also states in Romans that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God and that all must face God in judgment.  He further declares that ignorance of God’s law will not serve as an excuse, because God has revealed Himself in His creation of the world. Romans 1:20 states: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”. Psalm 19 states that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork”. From this we see that there is clear evidence for God in his creation and all men have had opportunity to seek after God. Given God’s self-revelation in nature, all men stand guilty before God, and all are deserving of the penalty of death!

 

Death, however, is not what God desires for man! On the contrary, God desires to have fellowship with man! The fall of man was counter to God’s ultimate plan and therefore He had to devise a way to bring man back to Himself. God had to devise a source of salvation and a way of salvation.

 

POINT #2: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF SALVATION

Jesus was God’s plan for salvation from the beginning of time. In Genesis 3:15, we see that at the same time that God was pronouncing judgment upon the serpent and the woman, He gave the promise of a redeemer. He stated that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent and so procure redemption for Adam’s fallen race. Jesus’ birth was in fulfillment of this first great Messianic prophecy. He was the seed of the woman! According to Luke 1:35, it was the Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary and caused the child to be conceived in her womb. As such, Jesus had both a human nature and a Divine nature. As such, he could therefore be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and being without sin, he could be our redeemer. Jesus, the Son of God, was born to give us access to salvation. He is the source of our salvation.

 

POINT #3: JESUS IS THE WAY OF SALVATION

While the Christmas story focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, this was only the initial step in God’s plan for salvation. Given that the penalty for sin was death, someone had to pay the price for our salvation. In order for this price to be paid, blood had to shed. Hebrews 9:22 states “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. Thankfully, God had a way the to bring this to pass without our individual deaths. John 3:16 tells us that God gave his son to pay the price for our sins: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Isaiah 53:5 states: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”. Jesus, therefore, became the substitutionary sacrifice for human sin. It is through His death, burial, and resurrection that He purchased our salvation and now gives us access to the throne of God. 

 

Let me point out that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus himself declared that He is the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through him (John 14:6). The scriptures clearly show that there is only one way to God and that way is through Jesus Christ. Therefore, all of us who seek salvation must come through Jesus Christ!

 

POINT #4: JESUS IS THE ONLY NAME FOR SALVATION

In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah declared, “Behold a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel”. Isaiah further declares in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father and the prince of peace. Matthew 1: 21 states: “And she shall bring forth a son and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Note the emphasis on “his name” in these three verses.

 

The name Jesus literally means Jehovah-Saviour, or Jehovah is Salvation. It incorporates all that the name Jehovah denotes and adds to it the attribute of salvation. Therefore, Jesus is the saving name of God; salvation comes through Jesus’ name! Acts 4:12 states: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Repentance and remission of sins is preached in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47). Baptism is correctly administered in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). The Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus (John 14:26). Healing occurs in Jesus’ name (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 4:10). Deliverance comes in Jesus’ name (Luke 4:18).

 

In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul describes the name of Jesus as “a name which is above every name”: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus is therefore the greatest revelation of the name of God. Salvation comes only through the name of Jesus!

APPLICATION & CONCLUSION

Having therefore established that all are in need of salvation and that the way of salvation is through Jesus Christ, let me remind us of the basic message of salvation in the New Testament as stated in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, 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”. Let me encourage all today to accept this wonderful plan of salvation today. This is a free gift offered to all.  It’s the best Christmas gift you could ever get. Accept him today!