1. Merry (1,989th) Christmas! Pethos………………Slower!
Merry 1,989th Christmas. (AD 28 to now).
Tonight we gather here, along with people around the globe, to consider what the birth of Jesus means…
Briefly intro Simeon on Jesus’ 8th day. Luke 2:29-32: “Now, Lord, you are releasing your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Why many of our fathers sang:
“Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled [pause]
Joyful, all ye nations, rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem…”
The Gospel is a pronouncement of something that has been done. “It is finished.”
It is for God first that he might be both just and justifier…and it is for the justification of sinners second.
Anselm (died 1109).
“Why God Became Man”. Cur Deus Homo.
Sin must be righted.
And this no sinner can do.
Only man ought; only God could.
Something greater must be offered than all that was lost, and it must be offered voluntarily, and not as debt. Now if it is so that only man should make this offering, and if it is so that only God could, “Then necessarily one must make it who is both God and man.”
“…Mere obedience would not be a gift of this kind; for every rational creature owes this obedience as a duty to God. But death Christ was in no way bound to suffer, having never sinned. So death was an offering that He could make as of free will, and not of debt…”
Jesus told Pilate...
If we see it. If it is glorious. Then perhaps we are his.
[Advance]

2. The history of the church’s redemption
The promise given reveals how God always saves his people- grace
One story
Creation & The Fall. ?
The Law given here reveals our sin nature, and shows our need for the Savior
It’s been about 4,017 years even just from our father Abraham
Abraham. ~2000 BC
Genesis 17:4- He will be the father of many nations
Moses. ~1450 BC
Psalm 33:12- Blessed is the nation God has chosen
Jesus. ~AD 28
Genesis 3:15- The Gospel, through a child, is 1st announced
Jew & Gentile
Jesus was born in Israel, a descendant of Abraham through Judah’s bloodline.
Paul tells us in Galatians 3:16 that “the Seed” was Jesus himself.
Jesus (life by him) is the promise made to Abraham…and the answer to the first Gospel announced in Genesis 3.
[Advance]
(Animation): It is one story.

3. Abraham and Christmas
“10 Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” … 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:10b-11 & 13-14)
Intro title: “Abraham and Christmas”.
From Galatians 3- What grace, law and Christ mean to us?
[Advance]
Animated text: “10 Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” … 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:10b-11 & 13-14)

4. How Christmas comes to us (3 passages)
16 “…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”)… 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:16-17a & 22-25)
“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but…what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 5 to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-2a, 5)
“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.5 to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. 8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” (Romans 4:1-8)
Box 1: “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
[Advance]
Box 2: “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but…what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 5 to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-2a, 5)
Box 3: 16 “…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”)… 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:16-17a & 22-25)
16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”)… 22 Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:16-17a & 22-25)

5. Invitation to repentance…and closing prayer.
Merry Christmas!