On Christmas Day we are not just celebrating any baby; we are celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the world! The reason why God became a man was to reconcile sinful man to Himself. The Bible says that we are all born in sin and separated from God; if we die in our sins, God will send us to hell. The Gospel (or good news) is that God the Son (Jesus) became a man, suffered and died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day. If we will repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Christ alone, then God will grant to us the gift of eternal life. That's the good news of Christmas: a Savior is born (Jesus means "Savior")! "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) What is the Gospel? The following is from Creation Ministries International: "Can we be good without God?" by David Anderson Atheists and Christians often debate such questions. In this case, the politician’s answer is true: it really does depend upon what you mean by ‘God’ and ‘without’. In fact, atheists not only can, but must be (at least to some extent) good without believing in God—even if they hate God with every inch of their being. If they are really made in the image of God as the Bible teaches (Genesis 1:27), then that fact must have some results. They, like all of us, are fallen (as explained in Genesis 3), but even so must still have an in-built sense of the reality and the importance of right and wrong. The very fact that atheists routinely argue that this or that is moral or immoral, and that such matters are important, bespeaks that fact. Unless that were so then the Bible would start to look suspect. When society comes across someone who really does seem to have mostly wiped out the ideas of right and wrong from their mind, we label them as insane and lock them in padded cells. We don’t just say, ‘If that’s what you like, then we’ll respect your choice.’ Read more: http://creation.mobi/can-we-be-good-without-god Related: Good Without God? - Answers in Genesis Can Kids Be Good Without God? - Answers in Genesis Can man live without God? - GotQuestions God With Us by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
One of the most familiar passages in the Bible—familiar because of its frequent appearance on Christmas cards and in Christmas sermons—is also one of the most profound and mysterious passages in the Bible. I am referring to Isaiah 9:6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Read more: http://www.icr.org/article/8484 To say that most people are underwhelmed by the magnitude of Christmas is an understatement.
I don't think that most people grasp the magnitude of what happened 2000 years ago. Most people were living in spiritual darkness and then with the birth of Christ it was as though someone turned on the light switch! The light had come! Those who had grown accustomed to the darkness and loved the darkness hated the light and wanted to turn off the light. Just like then, there are many people today who wish that they could turn off the light of Jesus and also those that reflect His light. But those who reject the light stand condemned and unless they come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, will remain in darkness forever! 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:16-21) The Eternal Word 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John’s Witness: The True Light 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own[d] did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word Becomes Flesh 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14 New King James Version (NKJV) THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN (WVW-TV) It makes me sad that so many people reject the greatest news ever: the free gift of eternal life. I think that so many religious people have been inoculated to the Gospel by their religion. They have been deceived into believing that they are being saved by religious rituals and works. Satan is not opposed to religion; he has successfully used religion to blind the minds of many. How I pray that God would remove the scales from their eyes and reveal the truth to them and then they can truly have joy this Christmas and always. The Greatest Gift is Rejected by So Many by Mike Gendron
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Eternal life is a free gift of God's grace and anyone who tries to merit the gift has nullified God's grace (Romans 6:23; 11:6). Without this wonderful gift mankind faces eternal separation from God and everlasting punishment (2 Thess. 1:8). This is because God is holy and righteous and must punish sin (Habakkuk 1:12; Exodus 34:6, 7). Everyone has sinned and falls under the judgment of God (Romans 3:10, 23). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus paid the death penalty for all who repent and believe in His substitutionary atonement (Roman 5:8). Our only access to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Since it is impossible for man to become righteous before our Holy God, He offers us the righteousness of Christ as a gift (Romans 5:17). Christ's righteousness is our necessary passport to enter heaven (2 Cor. 5:21). The gift of eternal life is free to us because Jesus paid such a great price for our redemption (Titus 2:13-14). The gift can only be received by repentance and faith (Acts 3:19, John 3:36). Once you receive the gift, it is irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Salvation is available to those who receive it by grace and not by righteous deeds (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Those who receive the gift of eternal life are adopted into God's eternal family and nothing can ever separate them from God's love (John 1:12; Romans 8:28-29). Have you ever received God's gift of eternal life? If not, today is the day of salvation. God does not promise anyone tomorrow. Repent from your dead works and receive this precious gift with empty hands of faith (Heb. 6:1; Eph. 2:8-9). The only thing you can bring to the cross of Christ is your sins. Let go of your religious deeds, your filthy rags of righteousness and your good works and sacraments. The Lord Jesus is sufficient to save you completely and forever because the only cure for your sin diseased heart is His precious blood that was shed to purify all sin (1 John1 :7). Follow Jesus and He will lead you into all righteousness and peace! www.pro-gospel.org The Word Became Flesh - Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul
This album is a musical interpretation and celebration of the incarnation of the Son of God. The biblical narrative from creation through the fall to redemption is retold as familiar hymns, Christmas carols, and new choral pieces are performed, resulting in an epic presentation of salvation that resonates in mind and heart. Listen: http://renewingyourmind.org/broadcasts/2015/12/25/the-word-became-flesh |
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