During this season of Advent I reflect on just how awesome the birth of Jesus Christ is to us as Christians. The Son of God being linked to the lineage of David, yet being Born of God. Having no earthly conception, Mary the Mother of Jesus bears the holy child.
His entrance was not grand as some would expect it to be. The simplicity of his appearance is what makes it all the more astonishing. This High Priest, Savior of the World and King of Kings coming into this world for one purpose – to save us from our sin.
His purpose. Our Redemption.
It’s a juxtaposition of complex and simple all at the same time.
But to a world who knows him not. To anyone who may have missed the beautiful message of the Gospel. To those who think there is no hope in this life. To anyone who is seeking an alternate way. To those who may have bought into a false sense of redemption. This small baby born in a manger came for you – he came to redeem you. He came to save you. He came to bring you into His family. To become a part of His body. To house his Spirit inside of you. To give you life. To guide you. To bring hope to your hopelessness. This is the Gospel.
The Gospel of Your Salvation
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile
We are Sinners in need of a Savior:
Romans 3:22-23: This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
If we continue in Sin the payment is Death:
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God sent His Son to save us:
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
We must turn our hearts to Jesus to be saved:
Romans 10:9-10: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Jesus says repentance is necessary:
Mark 1:15: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 13:3: “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
His Blood – Our Faith – His Gift
Ephesians 1:7: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
He Seals us with His Spirit:
Ephesians 1:13-14: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.
We are a New Creation in Christ:
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
He has a Plan for us:
Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Mark 16:15-16: He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus Christ has done the work. It is Finished. Come to Him and experience Redemption. He’s waiting now.
