THE THREE-FOLD IDENTITY OF BETHLEHEM’S BABY

LUKE 2:11-14

INTRODUCTION

The Christmas story is majestic and glorious. No other story in the Bible speaks with such clarity about the power and the purpose of God like the birth of Jesus Christ. The fact that God stepped out of eternity into time (Human History) is mind breaking to me. Friends, I read of the shepherds, lowly and undeserving, yet called just the same.

I read of the Angels amazed that the creator was born in the image of the creature.

I read of the wise men and rejoice that these pagans travelled so far and came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and Saviour. I read of the manger and I am reminded that Jesus laid aside certain attribute of His deity, He became man and died on the cross for sinners like me.

I read about His ministry, His death, His resurrection and His ascending to glory and His coming again, it is more than my mind can grasp.

Christmas will always be about the baby born in Bethlehem. Tonight let us look at the three-fold identity of Bethlehem’s baby. Let us see what the angel had to say about who this baby was:

I.   SAVIOR- THE TITLE OF ACCEPTANCE.

1. This child’s mission wasn’t to save the wealthy, or the righteous;

• He came to set the sinners free (Luke 19:10)
• He came for those no one else wanted (Mark 2:17)

1. As a saviour, Jesus provides three (3) essential services to the sinner.
2. We are accepted in Him (Eph 1:6) – (Acceptance)
3. We are delivered in Him, delivered from sin’s penalty, power and presence (Rev.1:5, I Peter 1:18-19) (Deliverance)
4. We are preserved in Him- Those whom Jesus saves are forever saved (John 6:37, I Peter 1:5) (Preservation)
5. Thank God, He came not as a Judge, but Savior (John 3:17)

II.   CHRIST – THE TITLE OF ACCESS.

1. This child came to do more than provide simple salvation.

• He came to allow us to have access into the very presence of the Almighty God.

1. Through Jesus Christ, we can;
2. Approach the Father- Heb.4:16, Jesus is the only means of access (I Tim. 2:5)
3. Appeal to the Father (John 16:23)
4. The Name “Christ” refers to Jesus as the “Anointed High Priest”

• In His ministry as High Priest, Christ addresses the Father on our behalf in two ways:

1. He talks to the father on our behalf (Heb.7:25)
2. He pleads our case before the throne of God (I John 2:1)

III.   LORD – THE TITLE OF AUTHORITY

1. When the Angel called Jesus “LORD”, He was referring to one who was to be in absolute control.
2. This title reminds us that Jesus Christ is to have total control in every area of our beings (Romans 12:1-2)
3. God demands total obedience. True love is shown by obedience to Him. When you love someone, you obey him/her.

• The reason we are here is because of a little infant born into this world 2000 years ago.
• As Saviour, He is worthy of our worship.
• As Christ, He is worthy of our dependence.
• As Lord, He is worthy of our obedience.
• As Jesus, He is worthy of all we can give to Him.

CONCLUSION;

• God gave His only begotten Son for you and me.

In the greatest Bible verse (John 3:16) we observe:-

• God the greatest Lover- so loved to the greatest degree.
• The world- the greatest company.
• He gave – the greatest act.
• His only son- The greatest gift
• That whosoever- The greatest opportunity.
• Believe in Him- The greatest attraction
• Shall not perish- the greatest promise
• But have- the greatest certainty
• Eternal life- the greatest gift.

God’s love is an ocean without a shore

A mountain that has no summit

A country that has no boundary

A river that has no banks

A depth that has no bottom

• In Genesis – He is our creator God,
• In Exodus- He is our Passover Lamb
• In Leviticus- He is our High Priest.
• In Numbers – He is the lifted up one.
• Deuteronomy- He is our true prophet
• In Joshua – He is the captain of our salvation
• 1^st and 2^nd Samuel, 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles, 1^st and 2^nd Kings- He is our righteous King
• In Ezra- Nehemiah- Esther, He is our restorer
• In Job He is our Redeemer
• In Psalms- He is our All in All.
• In Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs – He is our Wisdom.
• In Isaiah- He is our promised Messiah
• In Jeremiah- Lamentation He is our Balm of Gilead
• In Ezekiel- He is our wheel in the middle of the wheel
• In Daniel, He is a stone hewed out of a stone.
• In Nahum, Habbakuk and Zephania He is our stronghold in the time of storms.
• In Haggai- He is the desire of all Nations
• In Zecharia and Malachi- he is the Sun of Righteousness.
• Jesus Christ is our All in All
• Are you saved- tonight is the acceptable time, let Jesus be your Savior, Christ and Lord.