The Greatest Gifts...Christmas painting sermon

JESUS: He shall save His people from their sins.

Tis the season for giving!...or getting, depending on your personality. Ask any child what their most favorite part of Christmas is and without hesitation, most will say "Presents!"
Well, approximately 2,000 years ago, God the Father gave the greatest gifts to His Son and also to us.


According to Matthew 1:21-23, God gave the gift of a name. In v. 23, He was called Emmanuel which means "God with us". This name conveys His nature. He was 100% man, yet 100% God. John 1:14 tells us that "the Word" became flesh and dwelt or tabernacled among us. The Old Testament tabernacle was where man would go to meet God. However, Jesus fulfilled that type in that He took on a robe of flesh and became the tabernacle and meeting place with God. He bridges the gap between God and man.

In v.21, the Father gives Him the greatest name that could be given: Jesus. Jesus is His personal name; a name which describes His office and work. Jesus is the Hebrew equivalent of Yeshuah, which in its strictest sense means, "salvation" or "Savior".  What a powerful majestic name...a name above all names! In this name, sick were healed, demons cast out, salvation is given, life is given and one day every knee will bow to the One who bears it.

Along with this great name, the Father gives a commission: "thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall SAVE His people from their sins." The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. His mission was to save sinners. This will have absolutely no impact on you unless you understand who you are. You're not just a good person who occasionally does bad things...No, you're a detestable, wicked, depraved sinner who sometimes does good. In Adam, and his transgression, we were hurled into a life of sin and spiritual death. Not only did we inherit his depraved nature, but we inherited his guilt. By one man's transgression all were condemned. We are in desperate need of a Savior.

Jesus accomplished this salvation by His one offering of Himself. Where the blood of bulls and goats failed and were only a reminder of sins, Jesus actually accomplished salvation through His death, burial and resurrection. He can now legally declare a sinner righteous based upon His atoning work. He is the appeasement of God's wrath for every believer.

Not only was He given a commission, but with His name, He gave a promise. "He SHALL save His people from their sins." Shall save is the Greek word "sodzo" which is rendered in the "indicative" mood. This verb mood means that it is a matter of FACT! It will actually take place. It's not a "hope so" or "maybe" salvation...No, it's absolute! If it were dependant upon some condition, it would have been rendered in the "subjunctive" mood. But, when God says He shall save His people, you can absolutely count on it!

With this promise, we have security in Christ. In John 6:37, Jesus says, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to Me and he that cometh to Me, I will in no way cast out." Notice the order: 1. the giving of the Father...2. those who are given, come...3. those who come will never be cast out. How does this provide security? Well, our security's basis is in the fact that we were gifts from the Father. How much do we as fallen creatures sentimentalize and value gifts from our children or our parents? The most insignificant item becomes precious to the receiver of the gift because of the love for the one who gave it. In the same manner, this perfect God will not cast you out because of His special relationship with His Father. We, who have no goodness or merit on our own, and who were at one time invaluable, suddenly take on infinite value simply because of the One who gave us.

Lastly, the Father gives to us an opportunity. "He shall save HIS PEOPLE from their sins". To the first century Jew, this would have been incredible news. The Romans held them under tight rule and taxation and like Simeon, many were looking for the consolation of Israel. However, this great declaration goes much deeper and broader than the deliverance of a physical seed of Abraham.
Throughout the Old Testament, it was prophesied that the Messiah would be a light, not only to the Jewish nation, but to the Gentile as well. What glorious news is proclaimed here! We, who were at one time strangers from the covenants of promise and without hope in this world, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. By His death, burial and resurrection, He offers salvation to whosoever is willing...whosoever is thirsty...whosoever is hungry! If you see yourself as ruined in sin, unable to help yourself, and tired of eating and drinking from food and water that can never satisfy, then look to Christ! Put your trust in the only Savior of the world. He offers Himself freely! He promised He will save His people. So, now, the question is , are you His people?

We'd like to thank Friendly Ave. Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC; Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Randleman, NC; and New Heights Baptist Church, Trinity, NC for allowing us the opportunity to proclaim the good news through this painting/sermon/song. Please remember us in prayer as we will be at Trinity Baptist Church, Fort Mill, SC on Dec. 26th.

To purchase an original 18x24 canvas painting like the picture above visit Jeremy's website. The cost is $100 for an original...this is not a print.