The Gift: The Gift of Liberation

The Gift: The Gift of Liberation!

Opening Illustration:

The other day I saw a news story about a Christmas do-gooder. You will see from the story that he saw a man needed help so he did what any normal person would do, he helped! Watch this video.

Play Video

Now I know that this video is pretty funny. It seemed pretty obvious that this was merely a dummy hanging from the house and if you are familiar with the Christmas classic, “Christmas Vacation”, then you will know what the home owners were going for in their decorating. Yet there is a deeper more meaningful thing that took place here. Sure, the news anchor was making fun and laughing, but did you hear the desperation of the man seeking to save someone’s life? This would be Good Samaritan ran to what he thought was a person who was about to die, ripped the ladder from the bushes and placed it just in the reach of the dummy. Did you hear his words, “Can you reach it…can you reach it”, speaking of the ladder? He was desperate to bring salvation for the “man” hanging from the roof.

When I watched this video I of course laughed but then I started thinking of the spiritual implications. Here you have what was thought to be a man hanging by a thread, clinging to life, and he offered him salvation. Can you reach it! Today we are talking about humanity, clinging to life, hanging by a thread, and God brought us salvation that we could finally reach in the person of Jesus Christ! So, fill in this first blank this morning. 

Christ Has Put Freedom In Reach!

Point:

If you remember, we have been on a journey though John 1 during the Christmas season. 3 weeks ago we talked about the first gift that Christ has given to us. Life and animation. Our very being, our life and breath is a gift from Him. Second, we talked about the light of life that has shown through the darkness of our world. Jesus is illuminating and revealing. God’s third gift in John 1 is Jesus’ love. Jesus loves you. He died for you and came for you. This morning, we are talking about freedom. Jesus offers to us this morning salvation within reach. Our salvation does not come in the form of a ladder, rather a cross. It all started in a manger. 

This Christmas God Wants To Gift You With

Animation, Illumination, Affection, and Liberation!

Scripture Reading:

So, let’s get started this morning by reading from the Apostle John’s Gospel. 

John 1:14-18 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

This Christmas Remember That Jesus Is…

I. Approachable vs. 14

John 1:14-18 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…

Illustration:

The summer residence of the Queen of England is Balmoral Castle in Scotland. When Queen Victoria was there she sometimes took a walk outside the grounds of the castle disguised in old clothing. Her bodyguard John Brown followed her. As she walked down the road she came to a flock of sheep driven by a boy. He shouted at her, “Keep out of the way, you stupid old woman.” The Queen smiled, but said nothing. A moment later her bodyguard came up to the boy and said, “Be quiet, that is the Queen.” “Well,” said the boy, “she should dress like a queen!”

Point:

Jesus certainly did not come dressed as a King. Scripture tells us that even though He was in the world, and that He made the world, that the world did not know Him. Jesus came in such a humble manner that His contemporaries barely recognized His deity. People did not recognize Him and others tried to have Him destroyed. Herod did his very best to kill Him, but he couldn’t. The same is true today, people still do not recognize Jesus, they do not receive Jesus, and some are trying to blot Him from history. 

Point:

Have you ever wondered why Jesus came so low? Why did He dress Himself in the clothing of a poor peasant instead of being who He really was…a King! Jesus came low so that we as humans could approach the throne of grace with confidence. He came low so that we could have a relationship with the Most High. 

Point:

Isn’t it beautiful that when speaking of Jesus coming to earth, that John tells us that He became flesh and dwelt among us! John says that he personally beheld the glory of Christ! John tells us he lived with Christ and personally saw His glory. John was not writing about a theory of philosophy. He was there! He lived with Christ! He saw Christ’s glory himself! He knew that Christ was the eternal Word made flesh because he saw Christ, because he saw Christ’s glory himself.

I John 1:1-2 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

Point:

John also calls Jesus the Word of Life! Jesus was not someone that John saw, but he also knew Jesus and fellowshipped with Jesus. He had a friendship with Jesus! After all, John was the one whom Jesus referred to as “the beloved disciple”. John’s desire for us this morning is that we can know Jesus, have fellowship and friendship with Him. 

I John 1:3 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

Point:

Remember to know Jesus, to have fellowship with Him, to have friendship with Him, you must accept him. You can’t be a Herod and try to remove Him. You can’t be the innkeeper and disregard Him. That’s not how this works. Jesus has extended the ladder of salvation and it is up to you to reach it, accept it, and trust it. 

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

This Christmas Remember That Jesus Is…

I. Approachable

II. Incomparable

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Point: 

Brothers and sisters, there is no one like Jesus. There never has been anyone like Him and there will never be anyone like Him. Remember when John Lennon said that the Beatles would be bigger than Jesus? How did that work out? Jesus still bigger. In college I remember that Tiger Woods Dad said that Tiger would be more famous than Jesus. Not quite. 

Quote: George Dillahunty “Yes He Is Sermon”

"Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mahomet, and Napoleon. Without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and Divine than all philosophers and scholars combined. Without the eloquence of schools, He spoke Words of Life as never were spoken before or since and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet without writing a single line. He has set more pens in motion and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and sweet songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times. Born in a manger and crucified as a malefactor, He now controls the destinies of the civilized world and rules a spiritual empire which embraces [more than] one-third of the inhabitants of the globe. There never was in this world a life so unpretending, modest, and lowly in its outward form and condition, and yet producing such extraordinary effects upon all ages, nations, and classes of men [and women]. The annals of history produce no other example of such complete and astonishing success in spite of the absence of those material, social, literary, and artistic powers and influences which are indispensable to success for a mere man [or, woman]."

Point:

What separates Jesus from everyone else? First, Jesus is perfection. He was and is perfect in every way. Perfect in action. Perfect in word. Perfect in thoughts. Perfect. Because of His perfection, He is glorious. Next, Jesus is different and better because of His purpose. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission from the Father. God’s expectation of His Son was sacrifice and Jesus met that mission head on and succeeded. Lastly, Jesus was packed full of grace and truth. 

Point:

I did some research about the two Roman rulers during the times of Christ. When Jesus was born Augustus Caesar was in power. He was the one who ordered the census that sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Then there was Tiberius Caesar. Tiberius Caesar was in power during Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection. In both cases, each man believed that he was a god. He demanded worship from Rome and all the occupied states. These men ruled with an iron fist and it was not unusual to punish people for their lack of worship or respect. 

These men who were called gods among the people were a lot of things but one thing they were not was graceful. The people knew not to expect grace from the King!

One last thing about these men. Both tried to write other rulers out of the history. They alone wanted to be remembered and they often lied about their exploits to improve their standing in historical texts. If one killed 10 thousand, the next Caesar would say that he killed 100 thousand. 

The people knew that the King or Caesar were many things, but truthful was not one of them. They did not possess grace and there was no truth in them.

Point:

John, in verse 14, wants the reader to know that Jesus, the King of Kings, was full of grace. Full of mercy and forgiveness. He was also full of truth. Jesus is God and as God cannot be compared to anything or anyone. His greatness cannot be surpassed or overtaking. Jesus Christ is more than just a superhero. He's more than just "super," actually. He is the Alpha and the Omega, and everything created in the universe was created by Him and for Him. Yet, despite His immense and immeasurable greatness, He is good and kind, with no darkness in Him.

Jesus is real

Jesus is sinless

Jesus is personal

He is eternal

Jesus is truly amazing!

Luke 1:32

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David…

This Christmas Remember That Jesus Is…

I. Approachable

II. Incomparable

III. Available 

John 1:14-18 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Point:

Friends, because of Jesus, we have available to us everlasting salvation! According to Scripture, Jesus is the only place that we can find ultimate liberation from sin and hell and the ultimate place to find salvation. 

Jesus is the Word. The Logos. The final authority. 

He excludes all other “words.” If He is “the Word,” He excludes the thought of the ancient rabbis that He was an impostor. If He is “the Word,” He excludes the Muslim idea that He is a mere prophet. If He is “the Word,” He excludes the Jehovah’s Witnesses view of Him as a mere created being. If He is “the Word,” He excludes the liberal view of Him as merely a great example. If He is “the Word,” He excludes the “Spirit-Christ” of many Pentecostals and Charismatics. For, as Dr. Criswell said, “Basically, the word has reference to a unique communication” – and that unique, one of a kind, communication to man is Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God! All that we need to know about God and man is spoken to us in the Holy Scriptures by Jesus – the Word of God. This Word came to liberate us from our sin, our shackles and ourselves. 

Point:

Jesus is the ladder that God sent to us. He put Him in our reach. Salvation had come and had come so close that all we had to do is reach out and grab it. 

Closing Illustration:

The other day I was watching the local news and saw that a house in Mobile had burned down. It was a sad story because the house was a total loss. No one died thankfully but could you imagine losing everything right before Christmas? The story showed the house with the roof burned off and the blackness of soot left on every wall of the house. The stunned family was happy to be alive but the gravity of being homeless was starting to set in with the family. 

Imagine if you will a different scenario. Imagine that family who had lost everything was swept away by the fireman and taken to a brand new home in the finest of neighborhoods. In that home was the best furniture, the nicest clothes, two new cars, and a refrigerator full of food. When the family shows up to the house the real estate agent is there with all the papers. In the same night the family lost everything they would gain everything and even more. 

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

I do wish that would happen here on earth but it happens everyday in heaven doesn’t. Our home, heading for the fires of hell. God swoops in from heaven and saves us, gives us a new home, a better home. What a trade!

Have You Accepted The Greatest Christmas Ever!