Audio File: 

2012-01-08 PM - Ps Shadrack Motswai.mp3

Sermon Notes

Introduction

God is a relational suppreme Being. His divine desire has always been to be with humanity forever. His creation, man disobeyed and got separated from Him but God through Jesus Christ His son reconciled us to himself and this time the reconciliation is sealed and is eternal nothing will ever separate man from him again

Prophesy

MATTHEW 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Prophesy fulfilled and confirmed

LUKE 2:7  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

JOHN 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Do not lose focus! It is all about the birth of Jesus the Son of God. Emmanuel-God with us.

The birth of Jesus Christ/Christmas

What does it mean to us?
Is it a festive season, Xmas, holiday? No not at all.

It means more than all that
It means knowing and understanding that God is with us- Emmanuel.
It means that there is new  birth in God (that I can be born again) and new life with God (I can start a new life of faith in God) John 3: 3 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. 
Christmas means the birth of Jesus Christ.

It was unique in the sense that it was foretold by prophets (Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others) and the law of the Lord (Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel..
The prediction was so laser pin -point accurate.(time, place and a virgin) Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.

The time of Jesus birth concluded the old calendar and ushered in the new calendar (BC/AD.)
Jesus Christ birth, life, death, burial and resurrection were announced simultaneously. Isaiah 53:1-10; Luke:2:34: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Luke:2:35 Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

• It means forgiveness and deliverance
• It means the right to become God’s children by faith
• It also means the right to do wonders in the name of Jesus, to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick to raise the dead and baptize those who believe in Jesus Christ the Messiah.
• It means the right to minister and prophesy.
• It means the end and the beginning: stop, think, change/repent and go/live.
• It means receiving salvation.

Luke:2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luke:2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luke:2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luke:2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luke:2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

• It means the right to freely receive and to freely give.
• It means the crushing of the Satan’s head and restoration of man’s dominion.
• It means the power to repent, stop sinning and start living for Jesus Christ.
• It means the ability to can start from scratch, the ability to believe and the ability to be successful
• It means the ability to repent and believe the gospel Mark 16:15-16:Rom.1;16; Mark 1:15; Rom.8:12-13
• It means Christmas Cross where the greatest gift was displayed for everyone to see and receive by faith.
• It means Emmanuel, the High Priest ,Good news the warfare is accomplished the iniquity is pardoned, the redeemer is here, the wonderful counselor is here, the mighty God is here, the  everlasting father is here, the prince of peace is here, the Alpha and Omega is here and the real ruler is here with us. Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6

Repentance  is the key to be born again:

Matthew 4:17; Matthew 3:8,11;Matthew 9:13

1.(Hebrew word):nacham means to be sorry as in Genesis 6:6; Exod. 13:17: Job 42:6: Jonah 3:10
2.(Hebrew word):shuwb means to turn back 1kings 8:47; Ezekiel 14:6
3.(Hebrew word): nocham means to regret Hosea 13:14
4.(Hebrew word)nichum means compassion Hosea 11:8
5.(greek word): metanoia means a real change of mind and attitude toward sin and its  cause not merely the consequence of it. Luke 24:47
6.(Greek word):metanoeo means to change the mind for the better morally  and to change the attitude toward sin Luke 13:3
7.(Greek word); metamellomai means to regret consequences of sin not the cause Matthew 27:32Cor.7:8
8.(Greek word): metameletos means irrevocable Rom.11:29 2Cor7:10

What about Santa Clause?

He was a Christian who used to help the poor and to many he is an idol to those who worship him and are committing idolatry.
Yes he gave gifts to poor people.
He has nothing to do with Christmas-he must not substitute or take the place of Jesus Christ
He lived, died and was reburied.
Jesus Christ is a Gift not only a giver of gifts
Jesus Christ lived, died, was buried and is alive He is to us the ( SYTE ) same, yesterday tomorrow and for ever
Who do you want to believe Santa Clause the dead one or Jesus the living one?
Who do you want to remember in Christmas Santa Clause or Jesus Christ?

Away with Santa viva Jesus Christ viva

Conclusion

Believe in Jesus and enter into the new year of your life with God
Let Christmas be your key to 2012
No Christmas no 2012
Christmas must unlock your 2012 and usher you into 2012