There is only one way to Heaven, and it is not conceived by man, but provided through a man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Christ child that was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. This is the child.
Last week we were blessed to have the Schwalbe’s here to minister to us. They are a new missionary couple that we will support beginning next year. They minister to the deaf in India by teaching sign language and helping them achieve an academic status that makes them productive in that country. The Schwalbe’s do this in a Christian school environment in conjunction with a church ministry in India. They are excited and enthusiastic about their future. Daniel and Hannah were a blessing to us. They will remain on deputation until May when they plan to depart to begin their first mission’s deployment to the field.
In conjunction with our upcoming new year, we have made some changes to our web site (www.mvbclander.com). We updated a few things and in particular, we updated our Missions web page. We will eventually include a statement of ministry for the missions we support. We have begun with the Schwalbe’s because they are our newest supported missionaries. We plan to update the rest of our missionaries with ministry information for you soon.
On to our message for today. This time of year, you will hear many messages from pulpits concerning the perpetual hope in the day we celebrate as Christmas. Why hope in a day? It will be short lived and expire quickly. Now, I’m not getting Scrooge-ish on you at all. I too greatly enjoy the day and the season for that matter. What I am saying is that this is the only day of the entire year on which some people see any hope, the only day in which they can have joy, the only day that some folks in our world see any happiness, or experience any compassion. In fact, if we look at the statistics – suicides reduce on days such as Christmas. The hope spreads to a point that it actually has a positive effect on even the completely emotionally distraught.
Technically, this prevailing feeling of love and giving begins much earlier than December 25th. Many begin pulling out their Christmas music in October because it is such a wonderful time of year they want to begin enjoying it as soon as possible. Getting people “into the mood” seems to be a very active thing for businesses and for families as well. This is why we have the “getting into the mood” guy trying to put up the Christmas lights on the house. He climbs up into the attic, fends off the year’s accumulation of creepy crawly creatures, and grabs “the box.” All the while thinking, “I know I put those lights away neatly last year.” Now, some are brave enough to open it in the attic. I’m not one of those people. There are too many creepy crawly things that can and seem to want to come at you. You backpedal down the ladder (which gets more and more difficult to do as the years go by) and head to the garage. Set “the box” on the floor, stand up, put your hands on your hips, breath deep, exhale and open it. You note first the variety of fixtures that are there. Many things you have forgotten. You slowly and carefully begin to take out the lights that will adorn your home, so all can see how you “get into the spirit.” You quickly realize that something is uniquely familiar. In “the box” you find, “the wad,” or ball of lights is there again. You are positive that last year you packed them so nicely. You know someone must get into “the box” every year just to ruin your temporary euphoria, by creating “the wad” out of your neatly stowed lights. So begins the Christmas season. If man’s preemptive spiritual exuberance continues to move backward on the calendar, we are going to begin dreading Thanksgiving because we know we have to get down “the box” the next day. What is that going to do to the turkey industry? Nevertheless, I digress.
This is the season of perpetual hope. I say that because the love for one another in this season does not come from an overabundant compassion in the natural goodness of man; but in the love first shown to us in a manger in Bethlehem. I say this hope is in the first gift ever given on Christmas, not in the things the world has restructured this season to become. I say this joy is first in those who have actually received the first Christmas gift; not in those who artificially claim the day a joyous occasion, yet secretly lack contentment due to an absence under the tree.
Our text today, John 3:16, explains the reason we experience love, the reason we hope for a future, and the beginning point of our joy in the Christmas season. John 3:16 is not just the most quoted verse in all of scripture, it is probably the first one we teach any new Christian, and most all our children to memorize. This well known, very much cherished, and long spoken of scripture will serve as our text for today.
When we consider the fact that this is the season of compassion, of giving, of hope, and a time when we all are thankful for the great blessings we receive, we have to wonder how so many people can be so universally affected in their hearts to feel this great joy. After all, it is not natural for man to be feeling happiness and joy on a regular basis. It is not natural for man to look at an irritating thing and dismiss it off hand. However, in these days when we celebrate the Christmas season, we see these things in greater abundance than at any other time of the year. Family members temporarily forget their differences and get together. There is just the overall sense that everyone should be nice to one another. We should open that door, hold our tongue, and just appreciate our time together.
Christmas became an official national holiday for the United States in 1870 after the Civil War under President Grant. However, the day has been celebrated for quite some time before that. Origen (185-232 AD), makes mention of Christ’s birthday in his writings. We also know that in 274 Aurelian, emperor of Rome attempted to make a pagan “Birth of the Unconquered Sun” day that he envisioned would overshadow and therefore co-opt the real annual celebration event, the birth of Christ. In any case, Christmas, though identified with Saint Nicolas during the Civil War by a German immigrant, has and always will be distinctly Christian in origin. What we celebrate, regardless what human secularism attempts to make it, is the birth of the babe in Bethlehem. I contend, this is the reason for all the hope, joy, and love that prevails at this time of year.
Where then do we find a description of this love, hope, and joy that was given to us? First, we should consider the gift itself, a Son.
I. God’s gift is not a day (16a)
God’s greatest gift to any loving parents is a healthy baby. On a day, some 2000 years ago there was just such a gift. Not only was this a blessing to mother and father, this was a first gift of Christmas, a first gift of love, a first and everlasting gift to all of mankind. Two people, Joseph and Mary, were given a son. This was not just some child born to a simple set of every day parents. No this was a son like no other. This son would lead a pure life untarnished by sin. God’s greatest gift, therefore, is not just a child, but also the child. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” This was a heavenly child. This child came directly from the abode of God Himself. This child had another life before He came here. He was conscious of it when He left it, and He was conscious of His meager surroundings when He arrived. This was a child that came from the highest throne imaginable. This child chose to lower Himself to the deepest depths of depravity simply out of love (Phil 2:7-8).
When we think of love, many think of the scripture, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). We should put this into perspective for our instruction this Christmas. Jesus said this out of pure experience. Our scripture says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Do you realize folks that Jesus had already laid down His life in Heaven to be with His friends here when He spoke these words?
The “life” in John 15:13 is a word that means great desire, inner spiritual or emotional driving force. It is a word that indicates, with respect to life, the very spiritual being that is inside each and every one of us. It is not just physical life, for we all desire to continue living; but it is the greatest and deepest spiritual desires that man experiences in life. This coupled with the word that we see translated “lay down” gives us a much deeper perspective. The word can be translated “to bring about” or “to bring upon.” Therefore, the Son of God forsook the heavenly place, His abode for eternity past, and brought upon Himself life in the flesh, purely out of His love for this world. He loves us so much He gave up all of the perfect sinlessness in Heaven just to come down here to be with us.
Think of it this way. Jesus is God. He was in Heaven with purity surrounding Him, with flawlessness surrounding Him, and with no care for food, clothing, or warmth to dampen His spirits at any moment of any day. He was surrounded by legions of angelic beings attending to His every want. He was in a position where He is perfectly cared for as the perfect King of the whole universe. Further, He is the creator, so if there is any single thing He desires, He can simply speak it into existence. There is nothing lacking for Him in any way, in any form, or in any operation. How difficult would it be for you or me to leave this environment to come down here? We consider it a sacrifice for others simply to be permitted into our home – consider giving up all you have worked on, developed and maintained diligently for thousands of years to be born in a manger in first century Bethlehem, to destitute parents.
Think, then, about the tremendous amount of love that is displayed in God’s personal sacrifice just to come to earth and debase Himself in human infancy. Further, to parents with no home and immediately upon His birth, He is placed in a cold, hand carved water trough. They are exposed to the elements and all they had to rest the baby in was a rough-hewn stone, made to hold water for animals. God’s nursery.
When you think of a gift of love now, please consider these truths. First, that God loved us so much He gave up His life in Heaven in order to be with us. Then, not just to be with us, but to experience the simplest life there was – a life of poverty. God gave up a universe of opulence in order to show His love to us in person. This is the first gift of Christmas. God loves us so much He is willing to forgo everything He rightly deserves, to be with those who rightly deserve nothing. The first gift of Christmas was God’s love. With a love this permeating, this powerful, this selfless and this universal we must now see how the love of God permeates all mankind at this time of year. It is His perfect love that we see coming forth. Though God’s love can affect all mankind universally, only the Christian has His love is within them. Therefore, Christian you should display His love all the more.
In this love, too, is the hope we find in Christmas. It is not a hope in one another, but a hope that comes from outside ourselves. It is a hope that is for us, but it is not a hope for materialism. This hope is a hope of eternity.
II. God’s greatest promise is not materialistic (16b)
The hope that we feel and see exhibited on any given Christmas day is a hope that everyone knows exists. It is a hope that people all over the world actually have heard tell of – a great promise. It is a hope that is born purely out of the love we discussed earlier. It is a hope that comes and is given freely; but it is only truly provided in faith. That is to say, though everyone knows of this hope, and everyone actually hopes for this very thing, few will actually receive the actuation of this hope. The hope we are discussing is eternal life.
God’s gift was given out of love for a purpose. The purpose of the gift is to provide a vehicle for a great promise. The promise is eternal life as opposed to eternal death. Death is separation. If we study the scriptures, we find we can construct a definition of death. In a previous study (click here for the notes), we did this very thing and developed the following definition from our study:
“Death is a consequence of sin that results in separation from an existence on earth (death of the body), from God by choice on earth (the choice to reject Him for the world), or permanently from God for eternal judgment.”
The promise is that we do not have to suffer separation from God eternally. The choice is that we either believe in the Son (“that whosoever believeth in Him”) and then accept the promise of eternal life (“should not perish, but have everlasting life”).
The irony in the world is that “the season of perpetual hope,” as it has been called is rightly named. It is a season of perpetual hope in that God gave hope of everlasting life to any person who accepts His Son as Savior for their lost soul. It is perpetual in the fact that as long as you or I live, we have the opportunity to make this decision, and that opportunity is available to every human born on our planet. The opportunity will never expire as long as there is an earth, and there are people on the planet. Yet, ironically man routinely denies, or flippantly discusses where this hope came from and the purpose it serves. Man does this, but seldom considers the totality of their thoughts or comments. Man seldom investigates the real meaning and source of this perpetual hope. He craves it, cherishes it, but sees it only as temporal when anyone can have it for an everlasting time. For man, there is hope that we will see things better if we get something that pleases us under the Christmas tree. Also, we hope that we give something to someone that they enjoy. The hope then is that we have a better temporal outlook. The hope for most men is truly just something that happens here each year and it has to do with some reciprocal materialistic giving.
The true hope though is otherworldly in origin and purpose. Man seeks this eternal hope, the hope of a wonderful eternal life, and knows it is possible. Every one who celebrates Christmas and sees the great love of God in Christmas knows there is something eternally special about the spiritual condition of our world at this time of year. Something special had to happen to make this hope permeate throughout all of mankind on the planet. It is not just an American holiday. Christmas is celebrated in most major countries around the world. Those who do not celebrate are noticeably humanistic in their overall operation such as China, North Korea, Iran, Turkey, and Japan.
The true hope in this season is the purpose of the Christ Child’s birth – to provide an avenue for eternal life for all mankind. This is a hope man has had for thousands of years as Christ Himself said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (Jn 8:56). Ladies and gentlemen, the hope for mankind arrived as an infant in Bethlehem, was laid in a manger and the heavens rejoiced (Lk 2:13-14). Their proclamation in verse 14 is telling, “on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The child, Jesus of Nazareth, brought this peace and good will with Him in the perfect love that permeated His whole being. This is the love of God, the perfect peace, the good will toward all men, and the hope of eternal life.
On the day of the birth of Christ, God’s all-powerful love came to earth and spread across the globe. One can only take advantage of this great love, live in this wonderful hope, and exist in eternity with God if they accept Jesus the Christ. One has to believe in Him to live with this hope eternally. You have to believe Jesus Christ was born, that He lived a perfect life, that He was crucified, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day to live eternal life in the body as described in the scriptures. Without this belief, without accepting these truths and having complete faith in them you will never really experience the love of God, or the hope of His eternal life.
Further, Christians who believe (being distinguished from those who claim Christianity but do nothing in life to seek the things of Christ) should be telling the truths of this season of hope to the world around them. The real Christian, the believer in Christ, needs to be telling everyone the reason why everyone can be so happy, and that it is not about presents. It is about God who came down to earth from heaven in the form of a child and brought with Him all His love, all His hope, all His joy, and the natural power that emanates from Him poured itself out upon the world in that one night in these three emotions we experience.
What of the joy during these holiday times? Isn’t there this perpetual joy that comes with Christmas too? Surely, the joy we feel is actually the giving we do and that is not from God, that is all us. We do the giving; God has nothing to do with that does He?
III. God’s greatest ambition is not to judge (17).
Many people would not consider looking at John 3:17 as a passage from which to preach a Christmas message. Why not preach a message from the Gospels? We all adore hearing the first Christmas story. We normally only hear it once a year, but we can count on that story. The story though tells of the event, but today we are looking at causes and purposes, not just historical fact. Today we want to consider the “why” in the Christmas story and we have seen two very specific “whys” already. We have seen the immeasurable love of God that drove Him to sacrifice all He held dear to come and give us a promise. Further, we have seen what that promise is – a hope of eternal life with Him in His glorious Kingdom. Now we consider the last why or purpose in God coming to this earth as a helpless infant so many years ago.
When we consider meeting God face to face, it is for many a terrifying proposition. It is so terrifying that we hide regularly just as Adam and Eve hid in the garden before they were cast out for their sin. We try to hide, but God knows where we are, what we are doing, and who we are with. Predominantly, we try to hide either in denial of God, or in attempts to make God something we can tolerate or mold to our liking. We try to hide because we know that we are not worthy of being in the presence of such a perfect heavenly being as the Creator of the universe. We hide ourselves because we know we have failed either our selves, or others around us.
People hide in many different ways. Some hide in their work, losing themselves there because their life outside of work is unrewarding or, worse yet, downright unpleasant. When we do not have work or anything productive to consider in life, many hide themselves in drugs or alcohol because they see no other escape. At least they can blot out a piece of the horrid daily routine. It is a sad commentary for many in our world who give themselves over to these types of compulsions.
People also hide from themselves because they are afraid of what they see there. They see that they are capable of horrid things or even being anti-social in their overall attitude, and it scares them because their peers seem so jovial. Some people hide in comedy such that they attempt to laugh their way through life and make all things fun. Whatever the reason, man hides regularly from his real self because he knows inherently he does not measure up, he cannot measure up, he is incapable of perfection, and he seeks virulently to hide from this fact. Most times, this destroys man.
You might ask, “Pastor, what of the joy that we heard tell about earlier in this message? What of the happiness? I thought we were talking about Christmas and this perpetual joy that is apparent at Christmas?” Ladies and gentlemen, that is the Joy – that you do not have to hide any more. In verse 17 we read that, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” That is the joy.
See folks, all those people who hide do so because they know that some day they will have to “meet their maker.” Everyone talks about it. Everyone refers to it, and mostly very flippantly. However, few people actually look forward to that day. Most of the people of the world mention it, then skip to the next subject so they do not have to dwell on it. Many when you talk of “meeting your maker” will give some superficial answer that they believe everyone will go to Heaven. Immediately behind this is normally an admission that, “Everyone has sinned, doesn’t the Bible say that too?” This is an attempt to bolster one’s personal position around others, or at least place us on an equal plain with other men. The admission though is equally as poorly thought out as the first. These people have no joy when they talk of afterlife, because they know they will not have it. However, God provided for it, and provided in abundance because He provided for the world’s salvation.
In this then is the joy – that man does not have to be judged for his multifaceted iniquities, his sin. From the first lie told, and onward throughout life, man is disqualified from Heaven, and he knows it. The joy is that God did not send Jesus to judge the world, but to save it. Through the Christ child, that little babe that we rejoice in every year, we have salvation. This little child born in the most meager of estate was given as a gift of love, providing the greatest promise mankind can ever imagine. He remains among us to provide joy to all those who would believe. This joy, then, just as the love and the promise of eternal life, can only be experienced in its full brilliance by first accepting Jesus’ atonement on the Cross at Calvary. There is only one way to Heaven, and it is not conceived by man, but provided through a man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Christ child that was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. This is the child.
We sang a song to open these services, “What Child is This?” We read in this poem:
“Good Christian, fear: for sinners here, The silent word is pleading…
The King of Kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him…”
This describes the joy we should have. This babe in Bethlehem brought with Him such great joy for the Christians that they no longer fear the judgment of God – because He came to save, not condemn. Equally, we Christians fear for the sinner, as we know the silent Word of God at that very moment was pleading with the people of Israel that they would believe in Him. The heart of the Christian, indwelt with the Holy Spirit, and infused with the love of God therein, enthrones Him and worships Him on High. The Christian experiences great joy at this time, exaltation above anything this worldly planet can offer.
We plead with the sinner that they might have this great joy. We yearn for their understanding of the great gift of love God has provided. This is the joy of Christmas, and is the great joy that all mankind feels during this period every year. This is where joy stems from – the joy that man does not have to be judged for His sins because Christ was sent to save, not to judge. This is joy, that we can be forgiven for all our sins and that they have been paid for. This is joy, that someone loved us enough to give Himself as atonement for our sins such that we do not have to suffer the wrath of God. This is joy, that we can live a life free from the burden of sin; we no longer have to hide from God, but we stand behind Christ. As God sees Him and His righteousness as it is applied to our account -this is joy.
We should be telling everyone we know about this great joy.[1] Elisabeth Elliot, in quoting C. S. Lewis, wrote,
“All joy,” C.S. Lewis wrote to a friend, “(as distinct from mere pleasure, still more amusement) emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings.” Those wantings lie in the deepest places of our being, and they are for the kind of joy that, according to Lewis, is “the serious business of heaven.”~ Elisabeth Elliot, All That Was Ever Ours
This is exactly what the birth of Christ is about; this is that joy. Man inappropriately attributes the love, hope, and joy of this year to a materialistic thing, presents. Man misses the real originating point of these overwhelming feelings of happiness and contentment, compassion and forgiveness. Man, as he normally does, attributes it to what he thinks and ignores God, the true originator of these feelings and experiences. God gave, so we give.
Christian, if you did not understand this before now you know where true love comes from. Now you know where true hope comes from. Now you know where true joy comes from. Now you must tell all. Tell every single individual you see and talk to. It is their only hope to have this hope, this love, and this joy throughout the year. Jesus is our only hope. Never forsake Him, for He will never forsake you.
[1] The people around us who are without Christ think that what they describe as the “joy” that they feel, is a specific result of the desire to give presents or have time to enjoy with family, etc. I am arguing that none of that is the reason for love, hope, and joy. Instead, the soul in each person yearns for release at this time specifically because it knows it can have the true joy – eternal life and the escape from judgment. It may be hard to think of a wicked soul wanting release, but we know that the rich man pleaded with Abraham for his brothers from the other side of the abyss (Lk 16:27). I am somewhat amazed, but equally understanding (Jer. 17:9) at why more people are not saved during this season.
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