The message of Christmas is the message of the coming of the Savior whom God promised long ago as we have seen in the past two lessons. Why then is it so that most of the world has heard some of the news about God’s Son but many have misunderstood who Jesus is and for what purpose He has come? Listen in today as we continue in a series of topical studies prepared especially for this Christmas season to highlight how Christmas is all about Jesus in a message called: God’s Son; Sacrifice and Savior.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 110:1 – 7 (KJV)
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Psa 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
Psa 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:35 – 46 (KJV)
Mat 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mat 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Mat 22:42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. Mat 22:43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, Mat 22:44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? Mat 22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? Mat 22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) All of the “religions” of the world are based on a works righteousness system; but Christianity is based on faith that God the Father in Jesus, Messiah His Son, has made reconciliation for all who believe through the shedding of Jesus’ blood and the offering of His perfect sacrifice for remission of all their sins.
#2) There can never be any real peace in any “behavior based” salvation, since it is obvious that no one knows the entirety of what sin nor righteousness are. (Behavior based justification is in the control of the sinner and is restricted by ignorance to within the scope of our knowledge; where as imputed justification is applied by God to all who accept His promise)
#3) The message of God’s Son, Jesus, Messiah / Christ who came to be “the only acceptable sacrifice” to God for all of mankind, is the only message that can give peace and joy to sinners because only a Priest after the order of Melchisedek could properly represent God and the human family simultaneously and secure righteousness for everyone who trusts in Him.
