Introduction
When our daughter, Karis was born, I was excited.
Holding my daughter in my arms for the first time was such a special experience.
As long as she was in the hospital, doctors and nurses were constantly taking care of her.
But once we came home, we didn’t know how exactly to take care of a tiny baby at home!
Our life changed after Karis came into our lives.
A baby changes everything, especially in a mother’s life.
Once a woman conceives, her travel habits, food habits, and dressing habits change gradually.
Once, the baby arrives in this world, there’s a huge change as well.
Constant diaper change is a new normal.
You forget about sleep for the first few months.
Money just disappears into thin air.
Mothers forget to look at themselves in the mirror for ages.
The father can’t pursue his hobbies as he used to before the baby arrived.
A baby changes everything!
Well, more than two thousand years ago, a baby came into this world.
This baby grew up to be an adult and changed the whole world.
The world would never be the same again because of this baby.
Today’s text talks about the arrival of this baby.
Would you take God’s Word and turn your Bibles with me to MATTHEW 1:18-25 (READ)?
I have entitled today’s sermon as: “A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING!”
CENTRAL PROPOSITION OF THE TEXT: Not needed as this is a topical sermon.
THE PURPOSE BRIDGE: To encourage members of EAGC to live changed lives in light of Christ’s advent.
FALLEN CONDITION FOCUS: Already dealt with above.
CENTRAL PROPOSITION OF THE SERMON: Gladly submit to Jesus even as He changes you.
I. A BABY CHANGES OUR PRIORITIES.
Once you have a baby, your priorities change radically.
Your priorities change in at least 2 aspects:
A. Time.
A baby changes the way we spend our time.
After a baby comes, a lot of time is spent with the child.
Since the baby is totally dependent on the parents, they have to give time to the baby.
Before Karis was born, I used to come home from Bible College and work for 3-4 hours on my thesis, sermon preparation, classes, and other things.
However, these days, I hardly get about 30-45 minutes to work after I come back from Bible college.
Initially, it was difficult, but now I’m delighted to spend time with Karis.
Even Jesus changes the way we use our time.
Since we belong to Jesus, we need to change the way we spend our time.
Disciples of Jesus make the best use of their time: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil (read Ephesians 5:15-16).
We need to redeem our time and use it wisely.
We need to spend time reading God’s Word (Ps. 1:2).
We need to “pray at all times” and fellowship with the Lord (Eph. 6:18).
We need to take time to fellowship with God’s people (Acts 2:42).
We need to utilize our time in serving the body of Christ according to the gifts we have received (1 Cor. 12:7).
We need to invest our time in sharing the gospel with the lost (Mk 1:38).
We need to be busy serving Jesus as we know that He is going to come back soon (refer Rev. 22:20).
We must follow the example of Christ in doing God’s work: “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (refer John 9:4).
B. Treasure.
A baby changes the way we spend our money.
We try and make sure that we meet the basic needs of our children.
We think less about spending on ourselves.
We forgo purchasing something for ourselves and make sure that our kids are taken care of.
Even Jesus changes the way we spend our money.
Since the Father gave His Son, Jesus as the “inexpressible gift” (2 Cor. 9:15), we need to give for the Lord’s work.
Many people spend a lot of money on Christmas.
Some people even make debts to purchase new clothes for themselves and indulge themselves in pleasure.
But this Christmas, use your money to bless others.
There are several ways to do that.
This Saturday, we have Pre-Christmas celebrations at Neredmet.
We are reaching out to several non-Christians on this day.
Invest in God’s kingdom by giving for this outreach.
Think of ways that you can bless others who are not so privileged as you are.
It is a blessing to bless others.
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want (Proverbs 11:24).
The Bible says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17).
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:27).
A baby changes our priorities.
II. A BABY CHANGES OUR CHARACTER.
A baby changes many aspects of our character.
You learn to be patient when there’s a baby at home.
If you’re a good parent, you’ll be conscious of your speech and conduct.
As a new father, I learned that a baby literally kills selfishness within you!
You can’t be a good parent and still be selfish.
Even Jesus changes our character when He comes into our lives.
We can become holy because of what Jesus had done on the cross for us.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17).
Jesus really changes our lives.
The things that we loved before we got saved will become repulsive after we taste the goodness of the Lord.
He changes our hearts.
When Jesus comes into our life, we will be enabled to practice Christian virtues.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love (2 Peter 1:5-7).
We will maintain a godly reputation (Titus 2:7-8).
Our lives will be characterized by God’s love (read 1 Jn 3:14).
We will love God and love people (Mt. 22:37).
Ultimately, we will make efforts to become like Jesus because that’s His goal for our lives (Rom. 8:29).
QUOTE: Talking about the importance of Christ-likeness, Rick Warren says, “Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like himself before he takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility and our ultimate destiny.”
A baby changes our character.
III. A BABY CHANGES OUR AFFECTIONS.
That’s so true.
A baby makes your heart soft.
In many families, a baby brings peace amongst divided family members.
A baby makes our life truly colorful!
A baby’s cute smile, cute cooing, cute expressions, and cute words bring so much joy to our hearts.
Though parenting is extremely tough, it’s very rewarding.
ILLUSTRATION: {Once I asked my friend as to whether he was getting grey hair because of the tensions he had as a Dad.
He replied that the opposite was true.
He said that because of his little daughter, he gets relief from all his worries.
I learned that it’s true after I became a father.}
After a long day’s work, a cute smile from Karis makes me forget the pressure, disappointment, and discouragement in ministry.
Even Jesus changes our affections.
When Jesus came into this world, he brought immeasurable joy into our lives.
Jesus gives joy even in the midst of trials and difficulties.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4).
When Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we can experience a joy that is “inexpressible”: Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory (1 Peter 1:8).
No force in heaven or on earth can snatch the joy we have in the Lord: So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22).
Because of Jesus, God’s people can experience more joy than those who are materially prosperous: You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound (Psalm 4:7).
A baby changes our affections.
IV. A BABY CHANGES OUR FUTURE.
A baby changes our future plans.
Many mothers resign from their jobs to take care of their newborn child.
Parents have to make many sacrifices in raising a child.
When a husband and wife plan their future, they have to always think about their children first.
No matter what my wife, Susan, and I plan, we always think about how our plans will affect Karis.
Even Jesus changes our future.
In fact, Jesus changed the future of humanity itself.
QUOTE: H. G. Wells, a historian said, “I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
Because Jesus came into this world and died for our sins, we are adopted as God’s children (Eph. 1:5).
Since Jesus came into this world, we don’t have to spend our eternity in hell (Jn 3:16).
Since Jesus came, we can have a right standing with God (2 Cor. 5:21).
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
Since Jesus came, we can live with God forever (Jn 5:24).
Since Jesus came, we won’t experience sorrow, pain, disease, or death in the future: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 21:4).
Lord Jesus Christ changes the future of creation too: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more (Revelation 21:1).
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Conclusion
CENTRAL PROPOSITION OF THE SERMON: Gladly submit to Jesus even as He changes you.
Have you really experienced the change that Jesus brings?
Don’t be excited about celebrating Christmas if your life is not yet changed.
Give your life to the Lord and experience the true joy of Christmas.
To those who are saved, I appeal to you to allow the Spirit to change your priorities, your character, your affections, and your future.
Praise God for the transformation that you’ve already experienced.
But realize that the Lord wants you to be radically changed until you start to reflect Him in your thoughts, attitude, words, and actions.
Yield yourself to the Lord for a life-changing and joy-bringing transformation!
