Biblical Message of Christmas, The (1983)

The point: Love Christ, the Word of God, the people of God, and the souls of men, finding delight in any display of Christ's glory, exposition of Scripture, promotion of unity, or judicious attempt to bring the gospel.

Martin uses the diverse convictions and practices regarding Christmas within his own congregation to illustrate the challenge of pastoring and preaching on this specific day, setting the stage for his chosen approach.

Looking out over the face of the congregation and noticing that we have not a few visitors amongst us, I'm going to say something that may be of somewhat a shocking nature to you who are visiting with us, and it's this, that sitting in this place this morning are many earnest Christians who, though profoundly one in the great issues that really matter, have vast and deep differences, both of conviction and practice, with respect to the day called Christmas. We are a congregation who, to a great degree, are profoundly, and deeply, and pervasively one in the things that really matter. But with r...

0:13 - 1:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Love Christ, the Word of God, the people of God, and the souls of men, finding delight in any display of Christ's glory, exposition of Scripture, promotion of unity, or judicious attempt to bring the gospel.

He references the 'cabbage patch madness' of the Christmas season to illustrate the pervasive and inescapable social madness that impinges on everyone, regardless of their personal convictions about the holiday.

This is an inescapable fact that impinges upon us on our highways, in our shopping centers, in our places of business, on the radio and TV, and in a special way this year, with cabbage patch madness. And your snicker indicates that you know whereof I speak. But now, what are we to do with this social madness? This social madness, called the Christmas season.

1:34 - 2:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He details the historical facts from Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25, including Mary's betrothal to Joseph, her miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, Joseph's righteous dilemma, the…

Martin clarifies the nature of ancient Jewish betrothal by comparing it to modern engagement, noting that betrothal was far more binding than most people regard marriage today, underscoring the seriousness of Mary and Joseph's commitment.

Now often we're told this is sort of like engagement. Well, as Pastor Clark said earlier this morning, this betrothal was more binding than most people regard marriage in our day. Now there's nothing in Scripture to indicate that the practice of betrothal was a God-ordained arrangement. We simply find it in Scripture as part of Hebrew culture.

10:42 - 11:09 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He details the historical facts from Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25, including Mary's betrothal to Joseph, her miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, Joseph's righteous dilemma, the…

He challenges skepticism about the virgin birth by asking if listeners are prepared to resurrect witnesses and prove them liars, asserting that the 'simple, artless, unembellished testimony' of eyewitnesses and inspired Scripture should be believed.

Now those are the simple facts. And you say to me, Pastor Martin, do you expect me, living in this enlightened twentieth century, to believe that fairy story? My friend, listen. When you're prepared to take upon yourself the awesome task of resurrecting all of the witnesses to these realities, including Joseph and Mary, and prove them liars in a court of law, then you'd better get down off your high horse of skepticism and believe the simple, artless, unembellished testimony of the eyewitnesses to these events and the inspired record of them in the Word of God. Here are the simple facts that c...

22:38 - 23:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Make no mistake on the point of Jesus' precise identity as the God-man, as it is the cornerstone of redemption.

Martin quotes lines from Charles Wesley's hymn 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' ('Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see...') to beautifully summarize the doctrine of the Incarnation and Jesus' identity as Emmanuel.

This great and precious but foundational mystery of the Christian faith that Jesus is man and Jesus is God. And in that one person are the two distinct, unmixed natures forever joined in the One who is the Savior of sinners. We sang this morning, who is this so weak and helpless, child of lowly Hebrew maid? Tis our God.

26:27 - 27:05 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But Matthew Henry went on to say that it's only in the gospel in which we see him as Emmanuel, God with us.

He quotes Matthew Henry's distinction that by nature we see God 'above us,' by the law we see God 'against us,' but only in the gospel do we see Him as 'Emmanuel, God with us,' illustrating the unique revelation of God in Christ for salvation.

That we might have a Redeemer who is God. Apart from which there is no hope, there is no light, there is no salvation. Matthew Henry in his beautiful and quaint way expressed it this way, by the light of nature we can see him as God above us. Look out, the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork.

29:31 - 30:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not stumble at the mystery of the incarnate God, as there is no salvation apart from it.

Martin uses the striking contrast between the infant Jesus' cry and His divine voice speaking worlds into being, and His sucking nourishment from Mary's breast while upholding all things, to illustrate the profound mystery of the God-man.

He whose cry pierces the stillness of that night is the one whose voice spoke worlds into being. He who subsequently sucks nourishment from the breast of a Hebrew maid is the one who himself upholds all things by the word of his power. But you say, Pastor Martin, how can we understand that? We can't.

31:06 - 31:36 Read in full sermon

Driving home: God takes the presence of sin in humanity seriously. So seriously that he is prepared to send his only begotten Son to sinful humanity by way of a virgin's womb.

He contrasts the Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would save them from Roman oppression with the angel's announcement that Jesus would save from sin, highlighting the spiritual nature of Christ's mission.

Now notice, he did not say, he shall save the Jewish nation from Roman oppression. That's what they would love to have heard. Many of them had a distorted expectation of Messiah, that he would come riding upon a white horse and gathering his armies with him, put under foot this usurping power of Rome. No, it is announced from the outset that he is going to come and deal with man's greatest enemy.

35:54 - 36:25 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He clarifies that 'His people' are those chosen by God from eternity, for whom Christ became surety and substitute, and argues that understanding Jesus' mission to save from sin…

Martin uses the analogy of a lock with no key, an arch with no keystone, or a building with no cornerstone to illustrate that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus remain an 'enigma' without the understanding that 'He shall save His people from their sins'.

And you see, this is the key to everything that follows in the life history of Christ. From that obscure childhood to his public ministry, to his open rejection, to his death as a common criminal, to his glorious resurrection and triumphant ascension. Listen, listen carefully. All of the life history of Jesus is like a lock with no key.

38:11 - 38:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Acknowledge Jesus as Emmanuel, 'My Lord and my God,' confessing Him as true God and only Savior of sinners, and understanding His mission to save from sin through His perfect life and awful death.

He mentions the recent announcements of two deaths to underscore the brevity of life and the certainty of death, using this to heighten the urgency of embracing Emmanuel and Jesus as Savior in light of judgment.

Who wants to complete the sentence? As my own mind and heart was sobered with the announcements of the two deaths that have occurred and brought To the fresh awareness That our time is so brief Child of God How could we face The brevity of life The certainty of death The awful reality of judgment If we didn't have Emmanuel God with us God with us God with us God with us to save God with us to deliver And how our hearts should be filled With gratitude to God For his unspeakable gift He shall save his people From their sins Two simple questions Who is Jesus?

45:16 - 46:11 Read in full sermon