The Results of Christmas (Matthew- Romans- Revelation)
Old Marley was as dead as a doornail. This must be distinctly understood or nothing can wonderful can come from this story I am about to tell…
The Revealing of the Future (Matt. 2:1-11)
The Significance of the Magi
• Who were the Magi?
• Gentiles- not Jews
• Probably astrologers- studied stars and interpreted earthly events from these signs
• Aware of the prophesy concerning a coming King in the land of Judea
The Search of the Magi
• The Magi followed the star- the star led these wise men toward our Savior
• The star disappeared for a time—the Magi went to Jerusalem to the palace of Herod asking where the new king had been born
• The Magi searched diligently for the King—Jesus’ own people had no interest in His birth—the prophecy in Micah had to be told to Herod
• After hearing the prophecy of Micah the Magi leave—the star reappears and leads them to Jesus
The Salute of the Magi
• The Magi found Jesus and His family in a house and immediately worshipped Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
• Gold- Gift appropriate for a King
• Frankincense- Gift used as offering on altars to Deity
• Myrrh- Spice used in the anointing of a body for burial
The Reliance on the Future (Rom. 5:6-11)
One of the greatest passages @ Christian assurance in the entire Bible
His Blood Satisfies our Sin Debt
• We are redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice
• Jesus died for the ungodly
• Forgiveness through His blood sacrifice
• We now stand Righteous because of Jesus
His Death Seals our Fate
• We are justified through the sacrifice of Jesus
• We are guaranteed heaven if we are believers
• The sacrifice of Jesus gives us access to God
His Life Saves our Soul
• We were reclaimed by Jesus
• What was lost is now saved
• What was without hope-- can now look forward with assurance
• Believers will NEVER be condemned to Hell—
*** There are those who believe you can lose salvation- I do not (v10)—if we were reconciled to Jesus while we were enemies—will he not keep us when we believe and follow Him?
John 5:24--- Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Romans 8:1--- There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
The Reality of the Future (Rev. 1:3-7;17-18)
The Faithfulness of Jesus
• Jesus came to earth to live as a human
• Jesus shared His truths with us every day of his earthly life
• Jesus Lived His life as an example to all of us
• This is an image of “Jesus as Prophet”
The Forfeiture of His Life
• Followers of old made sacrifices of pure animals to repent of sinful lives
• A perfect sacrifice was needed to pay the debt of original sin
• Jesus supplied the sacrifice for this offering
• This is an image of “Jesus the Priest”
The Fullness of His Power
• We see a Resurrected King—Glorified—Eternal—Holy
• His authority cannot be resisted—His judgment cannot be avoided--- His majesty cannot be imitated
• This is an image of “Jesus as King”
• I AM—
***He who LIVES
***He who was DEAD
***He who is ALIVE FOREVERMORE
***THE VICTORIOUS SAVIOR—
I HOLD THE KEYS TO HELL--- I HOLD THE KEYS TO DEATH
***THE ONE WITH THE KEYS IS THE ONE IN AUTHORITY
THE LORD JESUS WAS AS DEAD AS A DOORNAIL, BUT TODAY HE IS ALIVE AND ABLE TO SAVE EACH ONE OF US--- this must be distinctly understood or nothing wonderful can come of our existence.
