Born To Die
Did you know that you are born to die? We are born with a sinful nature. In other words, our parents were sinners, their parents were sinners and on and on all the way back to Adam and Eve. The first parents sinned in the garden of Eden and we’ve all sinned since then. The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). Yes we are sinners. Yes we all die. But there was one born to die, who never sinned.
That’s right Jesus was born 2,000 years ago and He never sinned. Not one time. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was born of the Holy Spirit and of the virgin Mary and His birth was on this wise. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Good Tidings Of Great Joy
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:1-21).
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
Yes, we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, the real meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord. Even though Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting, He willingly came to this earth, the very earth that He created (John 1:1-3). He was born in the manger and yes, He was born to die. Not for His sins, because He didn’t have any. No, He was born to die for the sins of others. For the sins of guilty sinners who repent and put their trust in Him.
Jesus was born a little baby in the manger in Bethlehem. He grew up, learned how to be a carpenter and then He began His earthly ministry when He was about 30 years old. During His whole time on this earth, Jesus never sinned and obviously He never sinned before or after His time walking the earth). Unlike you and I, Jesus never lusted, coveted, disobeyed His parents and He always did the will of God the Father.
The Bible says that Jesus hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes. Please note that He never condoned their sins (nor did He ever condone any sins). But at the same time, He wasn’t afraid to be around them and during that time, Jesus never lusted. Not one time. Can you or I say that? Of course not. Again, we’ve all lied, lusted, stolen, coveted, disobeyed our parents and God. We have all fallen short of God’s glory.
Jesus Willingly Went To The Cruel Cross
Even though Jesus was sinless, He willingly went to the cruel cross to take the punishment of others. Not only was Jesus beaten unmercifully, He also drank the cup of God’s wrath over sin. The Bible says that He is the propitiation for our sins. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9-10). Folks, propitiation means God’s wrath was satisfied. God’s wrath was satisfied when He poured His wrath out upon His sinless Son or God’s wrath still abides upon you. Which is it tonight? He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).
Have Your Sins Been Forgiven?
Oh, have your sins been forgiven by Jesus Christ or are you still a guilty criminal in God’s eyes? After Jesus was beaten beyond recognition and after God poured His righteous wrath out upon His only begotten Son, Jesus did on the cross. His mission was finished. It was accomplished. Jesus was born to die. After Jesus died, He was buried and rose victoriously from the grave three days later. The Lord defeated sin, death, Hell and Satan. That’s why He is the only Savior of mankind. Only Jesus saves.
Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins and surrendered your life to Jesus? If, not what’s holding you back from being saved? Oh, recognize that you are a sinner and that your sins have greatly offended God, who is Holy. You need to see your sinfulness and God’s Holiness. Cry out for God to have mercy upon you. Repent and put your faith in Jesus.
Jesus Was Born To Die
Jesus was born to die. He died in the place of guilty sinners who repent and trust Him to save them. You and I were born to die. We die because we are sinners. We deserve to die. All of us not only deserve to die, we deserve to suffer God’s righteous anger over our sins for all eternity. But God. But God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Don’t foolishly die in your sins and spend eternity in Hell. Instead, repent! Repent and believe the Gospel.
The only way to be saved is to trust Jesus. The Lord said that you must be born again. You and I had a physical birth and we will have a physical death. Jesus says you need a spiritual birth too. For those who aren’t spiritually born again, they die twice and please note the second death is eternal damnation. The pain and torture of the second death lasts forever. You must be born again or you will perish in your sins.
Must Be Born Again
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:3-8).
You must be born again. Please don’t ignore this message tonight. Don’t just think “the crazy guy is at it again.” We are talking about your soul; your eternal soul. You will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. It’s worth spending a few minutes to stop and talk to us. You can be late for wherever you are heading.
You And I Were Born To Die
Don’t harden your heart. Don’t store up more wrath against the day of wrath. Oh, humble yourself. Humbly come to Jesus. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Admit that you have fallen short of God’s glory. Cry out for God to save you. Repent of your sins and surrender your life to Jesus.
Oh, do this today and be saved. The Bible says today is the day of salvation. Don’t put it off. You and I are not guaranteed tomorrow. We are not even guaranteed our next breath. You and I were born to die. Repent and put your faith in Jesus. Be born again. Turn to Christ and live; receive eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus.
(This message was proclaimed in downtown Springfield, MO on December 18, 2020)