Over the past few weeks, our Pastor has been preaching on the necessity and importance of Christ's 1st coming to earth (His birth). So, I thought that seeing as Christmas is almost upon us I would share a few of the points outlined in the sermons. :)
The Necessity of Christ's 1st Coming
1 John 4:11-21
Jesus did not just come to be a part of a nativity scene, or part of a holiday; His purposes in coming to earth were much greater than that.
Why did Jesus come to earth?
1) He came to be our sin bearer. (1 John 3:5)
The Necessity of Christ's 1st Coming
1 John 4:11-21
Jesus did not just come to be a part of a nativity scene, or part of a holiday; His purposes in coming to earth were much greater than that.
Why did Jesus come to earth?
1) He came to be our sin bearer. (1 John 3:5)
Note that in the verse, the word "manifested" is used. This infers that our Lord was pre-existent. He was manifested (made known to us) that He might take away our sins. John 1:1-3 - the Word always was, but then He became flesh.
Jesus' primary purpose in coming was to deal with the root problem of sin. He came to be our sin-bearer so He could take away or sins. (John 1:29, 1 Peter 2:24)
Have you trusted in the Saviour?
Ps. I love this song... it has such a great message! <3 :)
2) He came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)
Jesus was manifested to destroy the power of the devil. The devil is real, we mustn't underestimate him lest we get caught off guard. "Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might" God has provided us the weapons of our warfare that we might walk in victory. The devil is a defeated foe, his powers are limited, and his time is short. We don't fight for victory, but in victory.
3) He came that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)
Jesus came to give us eternal life. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead. Christ came to give us life, spiritual life, eternal life! The gift of eternal life is the greatest gift of all, and God offers it to us free through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)
4) He came to appease the righteous wrath of a Holy God by an acceptable offering. (1 John 4:10)
Because of God's holiness, He must deal with sin. Jesus came to be a propitiation. His blood was shed for us. His offering is the acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He came to atone our sins.
Hebrews 9:1 - Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins. The Israelites of the Old Testament had to sacrifice regularly. But, Jesus' sacrifice was a perfect sacrifice! It was complete, and once for all. (He is the perfect Lamb of God) Jesus satisfied God's righteous judgement through His sacrifice on the cross, and because of this, God can show us grace and mercy! We can have a free pardon!
Praise God that He does not give us the just deserves of our sin! Instead, He offers us grace and mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
5) He came to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14)
Christ's sacrifice was not a partial one. He paid for all people's sin, everywhere!
Luke 2:10-11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
---------------------
This short series of sermons has been a blessing to me as I listened, and I hope it is as much of a blessing to you as you read it. (And I hope my notes made sense ;) I often get home and have to decipher my hurried writings!)
May God bless you all this holiday season!
Hannah
Ps. I love this song... it has such a great message! <3 :)
