Text: Luke 2:9-11 What is Christmas? Celebration / commemoration of the birth of Jesus (also called the nativity) Origins (brief history) — all dates you will find are after the first century (this is significant) Earliest evidence of a celebration for Jesus’ birth on December 25th is in the middle of the 4th century Current [...]

Text: Isaiah 53 He Did Not Have the Appearance of a King (v. 2) Man often superficially judges according to appearance (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7) God expects us to judge righteously (John 7:24) Man of Sorrows (v. 3) Jesus lived as a man (John 1:14) — necessary to fulfill God’s plan (Hebrews 2:14-15) In His life [...]

Text: John 11:35 Jesus Displayed Emotion We have emotions because we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) We must control our emotions (1 Peter 5:8) Emotions are a response to conditions — they are not a goal (emotionalism) God Allows Human Suffering Jesus had the power to heal Lazarus & end his [...]

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18; Luke 9:23 The themes associated with Christ’s cross extend to ours as well. Love “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) Jesus laid down His life for us (John 10:17-18) Our following Christ & enduring all things must be done in love (John 14:15; Matthew 22:36-40) Grace Man’s condition before the [...]

Text: Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor Jesus is the great teacher (Matthew 7:28-29) His message is of divine origin (John 12:49-50) His words lead to eternal life (John 5:24; 6:68) Mighty God Power of Jesus displayed in Creation (Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16) While on earth, Jesus demonstrated power over creation (Matthew 8:26-27) The deity of Christ [...]

Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16) Prophet (John 1:1,14; 12:49-50) Savior (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 3:14-15) Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25) King (John 18:36) Judge (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Darkness Fell Upon the Land (Matthew 27:45) In Scriptures, darkness is used to depict evil, sin, separation from God Man is in darkness & without hope when he rejects Christ (John 8:34-36; Hebrews 10:26-29) The Veil of the Temple was Torn in Two (Matthew 27:51) Veil separated holy place from the most holy place (Exodus [...]

Text: Galatians 6:14 The Cross of Christ A symbol of death (Acts 2:23) A symbol of rejection (Matthew 23:37; John 19:15) A symbol of humiliation (Hebrews 12:2) A symbol of rebellion (John 19:12) A symbol of submission (Philippians 2:8) Our Cross (Luke 9:23) A symbol of death (Romans 6:3-6,11) A symbol of rejection (1 Peter [...]

Hebrews 1:1-2 He Speaks to Us through His Son Jesus is the spokesman for God (John 18:37) Son of God — through Him, we see the Father (John 1:18; 14:8-9) Creator — “through whom… He made the world“ (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17) Deity “radiance of His glory… exact representation of His nature“ (Colossians 2:9) Redeemer “made purification [...]

Text: John 18:37 Jesus Claimed to be a King (John 18:36-37) Some Mock His Kingship (John 19:1-3) Some Reject His Kingship (John 19:14-15) Some Affirm His Kingship, but with Ulterior Motives (John 19:17-22) We Must Accept Jesus’ Claim