This is the time of year when we are reminded that because of the love that God had for us, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus into this world. We know that He did, we know the story of the first coming of Christ and the events that surrounded that special birth. Today, I want us to think about why He came.
I. He Came to be Our Sin-Bearer.
"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (1 John 3:5)
A. Every man, woman, and child born on this earth has a problem with sin.
B. It is a problem that we can do nothing about ourselves.
C. But God took care of the problem by sending His Son into the world to become a sacrifice for our sin.
D. Note: Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
E. Have you received God’s Christmas gift of salvation?
II. He Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil.
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
A. Satan is the originator of sin.
B. But Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil...to destroy or do away with sin.
C. Satan is a defeated enemy...he was defeated whey Jesus said, "...It is finished!"
D. One day Jesus will come again, and then He will cast Satan into the lake of fire and He will be done with him for ever!
E. Satan is like a roaring lion now, but he will be no match for the Lion of the tribe of Judah!
III. He Came to Give Us Eternal Life.
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)
A. Eternal life is man’s greatest need.
B. Without it man is faced with eternal separation from God in hell!
C. How do we get eternal life?
D. Note: 1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
E. It is in the person of Jesus Christ.
F. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He gives us eternal life!
IV. He Came to Be the Savior of the World.
"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." (1 John 4:14)
A. You see, it is not God’s will that any of us spend eternity in hell.
B. God is not willing that any should perish.
C. Potentially, anyone and everyone can be saved!
D. What great news! This is what the angels announced to the shepherds on that first Christmas night.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11-12)
E. Yes, He came to be the Savior of the world, but we must accept Him personally.
We know that Jesus came, and we have looked at the Scriptures to see why he came. The question is have we received Him? Have we said yes to Jesus, and put our faith and trust in Him? Why not trust Him today and find eternal life? If you are saved today, why not take time to thank God for His marvelous gift to us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)