It is once again time for the weekend sermon, and I want to thank the Lord for the opportunity to post this message. Thank you for taking the time to read the message this week.
This week, we are continuing with our messages for the Advent season. Today, I want to focus on the question of why did Jesus come to this earth as the infant in the manger? What was it that led the Lord of glory to humble Himself and to be found in the same form as humans?
The answer to our questions begins back in the first book of the Bible. When God originally created the universe, there was no sin that disrupted His creation. God placed humans in the pristine Garden of Eden. They were allowed to have communion with the Lord and with the other creatures that God had made. The Lord asked only one thing of Adam and Eve. He told them that they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Eve was tempted by the serpent, and she ate of the forbidden fruit. She gave the fruit to Adam, and he ate of the tree as well. Sin entered into the world. The Bible says in Romans 5:12 that sin entered into the world by one man, and death passed upon all. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God.
Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. The earth was cursed for man's sake, and all of the universe was tainted by sin.
In spite of humanity's rebellion against God, God provided the promise of a redeemer beginning in Genesis 3:15. Many other prophecies were given throughout the Old Testament letting the people know that the Messiah was going to come.
Jesus was born on Christmas Day in order that He might be the one to take away the sins of the world. Because of Adam's sin, everyone was born under sin and deserved the penalty of sin. God became man in order that He might succeed in every way that Adam failed. Jesus is the man who did what God required. He lived a sinless life. Therefore, Jesus could be the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. He was tempted in all ways like us, yet He was without sin.
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. His death paid the penalty for sins. Through His bodily resurrection from the dead, Jesus conquered the consequences of sin which are death and hell.
Those who place their faith and trust in Jesus are then identified with Him, and they are no longer identified with the sin of Adam. Paul puts it this way in I Corinthians 5:22, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
As we see, Jesus came to save of us from our sins. However, He also came to show us how we are supposed to live in this world. Hebrews 1:2 tells us that in these last days, God has spoken to us in His Son. We are to listen to Jesus. We are to follow His teachings and obey His commandments. Jesus serves as our example of behavior in all things according I Peter 2:21. In Jesus, we have the perfect example of what to do in life. If we follow His teachings and the example of His life, we will not go wrong.
This Christmas season, I hope that you will turn from sin and turn to Jesus if you have not already done soon. I hope that all of us will make a great effort to follow Jesus in all that we do. Amen.
Prayer Requests
I am still not feeling the best, so I ask that you would continue to pray for me. I thank you for your prayers.
Please continue to pray for peace in the world. The situation between Israel and Gaza is horrible right now. We must pray for peace. Please keep praying for peace in Ukraine. Sudan is in great need of prayer.
Pray for those who are recovering from the various natural disasters that have occurred around the world. Pray for those in Tennessee, Acapulco and other areas.
Pray for immigrants and migrants that they will get the help that they need.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Kuwait and Turkey. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue with our Advent theme. I will post the verses on Monday. May God bless you all.
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