THE BEST GIFT – From Captive to Christmas
Luke 2:10-14
INTRO
A. Alan Gross rescued last Wednesday after serving 5 years of a 15 year sentence in Cuba
1. Regardless of politics on Cuba, thrilled for Alan and family
2. First words to daughters in U.S. – “I’m free!”
3. Alan in time will settle back into his routine, but life will never be routine again …
4. Received the best gift ever – his freedom
B. Today we think of Christmas
1. Today we think of Christ
2. We celebrate his birth
3. But can’t fully appreciate Christmas unless we first come face to face with our captivity
C. The Best Gift – From Captive to Christmas … (text to follow)
I. OUR DESPERATE CONDITION
A. Rom. 3:23 – For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
1. For all have sinned
a. That word “all” means “all” … everybody, total, no exceptions
2. And the verdict in our trial has come back – “GUILTY, YOUR HONOR!”
B. Rom. 6:23a - For the wages of sin is death
1. After the verdict comes the sentencing
2. “THE DEATH PENALTY, YOUR HONOR!” … one size fits all brand of punishment
C. “Tony, you really know how to spread holiday cheer” … “How about a BAH HUMBUG”
D. But do your best to imagine a death that brings an eternal separation from God
1. No basic needs met
2. No majestic mountain peaks, powerful ocean’s waves, gorgeous sunsets
3. No joy of a baby’s laugh, no warmth of a family’s love
4. No hope when life goes sour – we are in a permanent curdle
5. No song for our hearts
6. No praise on our tongues
G. Hard to grasp – we’re Americans … we pretty much have everything
1. People are suffering terrible things around the world, but not us
2. We can hardly imagine in this life what awaits the condemned in the next life
H. But let that sink in – WE’RE DOOMED!
II. (After OUR DESPERATE CONDITION) GOD’S GREAT COMPASSION
A. Rom. 6:23b - but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B. Movie opening Christmas Day – “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand
1. Louie Zapperini … Juvenile delinquent, Olympic runner, WW II bombardier, record-breaking plane
crash survivor at sea, POW in Japan
2. Life for Louie and fellow prisoners, a living hell
3. Clung precariously to life and hope
4. First, stolen glances at newspapers and war’s progress
5. Second, high level American aircraft, flying overhead
6. Third, American bombing raids on Japan
7. Still hope was tempered by “Kill All” policy
8. Fourth, POW camp abandoned by Japanese guards
9. Fifth, air drops of food and supplies that were so great, had to signal to stop the drops
10. Eventually, full freedom and the trip back home
C. In our world, rumors begin to spread among the condemned
1. “There is a way out”
2. “They say help is on the way”
3. “And help is named Christ Jesus”
4. “They say the “kill all” policy will be overturned”
5. “They say we will receive the best gift ever!”
D. Stay with me on the B.C. side of Christmas
1. Our wages are death and eternal torment
2. “The rumors say we’re going to be rescued”
III. (After OUR DESPERATE CONDITION, GOD’S GREAT COMPASSION) THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS
A. “We are going to be rescued but what is the plan?”
1. Rescue attempts take time and planning
2. But in the fullness of time, God sent in a one-man rescue team with more stealth and courage
than the best Navy SEAL
3. And that one-man team was … an innocent baby boy
B. Isa 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the
captives and release from darkness for the prisoners … to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead
of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
C. Luke 2:10-14 – HAVE CONGREGATION STAND
1. Now it’s a party!
D. Now we can celebrate the death of our dungeon … the death of our chains … the death of our death
1. Now we can fully celebrate the birth of our King … the birth of our rescue … the birth of our
salvation
E. So with the twinkle of every Christmas light … with every bite of baked ham and pecan pie …
with every present given and received … with every holiday hug … CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY
OF YOUR SAVIOR!
1. Join me in celebrating, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS” …
CONCLUSION
A. Louie Zamperini was rescued, did return to U.S., did get married and start a family
1. But he was still a captive
2. Drank and drank heavily to deal with emotional scars and the nightly nightmares
3. Recurrent dreams of being attacked by the meanest of the guards …
4. The last straw of many straws seemed to be when he dreamed of strangling the guard …
B. Wife was set on divorce…
1. She went to tent crusade in L.A. of a little-known young North Carolinian named Billy Graham.
2. Came home and said divorce was off
3. Begged Louie to go … once
a. Twice, (woman caught in adultery) but got up to leave at invitation
4. Stopped in his tracks and reminded of a promise …
5. Turned around and went down saw dust aisle and gave heart to Christ
6. He was rescued … no more nightmares
C. In the midst of our celebration, remember there are still more prisoners who need to be set free
1. Maybe you are still a captive
2. Let Him rescue your heart and your life
3. Identify with Him in believer’s baptism
