Christmas Changes Everything

Pastor Jason

Christmas 2024 • Sermon • Submitted 5 months ago • Presented 5 months ago

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Christmas matters because it represents the fulfillment of God's eternal plan to bring hope and salvation to a broken world through Jesus Christ.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction:

[Begin with energy and a smile.]

"Alright, church, it’s Christmas season! The lights are twinkling, the carols are playing, and peppermint seems to be in the air everywhere you go.

It’s festive, it’s fun… but have you ever stopped, in the middle of it all, and asked yourself: Why are we doing all of this? Why does Christmas actually matter?

We put so much effort into making Christmas perfect. We hang lights, decorate trees, bake cookies, and wrap presents—often at the last minute, if you’re anything like me. We watch those cheesy holiday movies where everything somehow works out under a blanket of snow.

But what happens when the lights come down, the cookies are gone, and all we’re left with is an empty house and a credit card bill?

For some, Christmas is about nostalgia—warm memories of family traditions. For others, it’s about the gifts. And for many, let’s be honest, it’s just about surviving the season.

But here’s the truth: Christmas isn’t just about traditions, gifts, or even those feel-good moments. It’s not just a holiday that comes and goes.

Christmas is the defining moment in human history—the moment when God Himself stepped into our broken world.

It’s the arrival of hope where there was none, salvation for the lost, and the glory of God shining into the deepest darkness.

Without Christmas, we’d still be sitting in the dark, weighed down by sin and searching for meaning.

But Christmas is a declaration: God didn’t leave us in our mess. He stepped into it to rescue and redeem us back to Himself.

So today, let’s step away for a few moments from the busyness of the season and focus our ears our thoughts and our hearts on what truly matters.

We’re diving into Luke 1:68-79, where Zechariah sings a powerful song about what Christmas really means. After months of silence due to doubting God’s promise, Zechariah’s voice was miraculously restored at the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he erupted in praise, declaring that God’s long-awaited plan of redemption, victory, and salvation was unfolding through the coming Messiah, Jesus.

This morning as we walk through this prophetic proclamation from Zechariah, I pray you’ll see not only why Christmas mattered back then but why it still matters today.

Are you ready? Let’s go!"

Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke chapter 1 verse 68 where Zechariah begins to Speak!

Luke 1:68 (ESV)

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

I. Christmas Opens the Door to Freedom (Luke 1:68)

Zechariah along with many of the Jewish people where longing for God to speak again. They were crying out for God to step into their lives once again.

And Zechariah knows that the time has finally come

and so He declares Blessed be the God of Israel …

This statement overflows with hope and joy because it proclaims a truth that changes everything:Our God has not abandoned uS! He has come to redeem His people.

What Does It Mean to Be Redeemed?

The word redeem means “to set free by paying a price.” It’s the image of a prisoner being released from captivity or a slave bought and set free with nothing left to pay.

Redemption is costly—it requires someone to step in and pay a price the captive cannot pay on their own.

This is exactly what God has done for us through Jesus. Before Christ, We were enslaved to sin…

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Sin isn’t just the bad things we do; it’s a condition of the heart, a rebellion against God that leaves us separated from Him and hopeless.

But here’s the good news of Christmas: God didn’t leave us in that bondage. He came to redeem us.

lthink about…

The Cost of Redemption

Eph 1 :17 declares,

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

The price of our freedom wasn’t silver or gold—it was the precious blood of Jesus. Your redemption Cost Jesus His own life

1 Peter 1:18-19 echoes this truth:

1 Peter 1:18–19 (ESV)

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

The baby born in Bethlehem wasn’t just a heartwarming story; He was the Lamb of God who would one day shed His own blood on the cross to pay the full price for our sin.

Christmas marks the beginning of God’s plan of redemption unfolding in human history.

Think for a moment with about the freedom Redemption Brings into our lives.

What Redemption Brings

Redemption Brings

1. Freedom from Sin’s Power

– John 8:34

John 8:34 (ESV)

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

Before Jesus, we were trapped, unable to escape sin’s grip. But redemption breaks those chains.

Redemption restores us back to God

2. Restoration to God (dont read)

Redemption isn’t just about being freed from something; it’s about being freed to something.

Through Jesus, we’re brought back into relationship with God.

Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

It’s Through Redemption we now have a way back to God

But not only that -Redemption also secures an

3. Eternal Hope

– Redemption is not temporary; it’s forever.

In John 10:28 Jesus proclaim

John 10:28 ESV

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

When God redeems us We become His. Our eternity becomes secure in his perfection - Meaning there is nothing that could ever separate your from the eternal love of God!

Illustration ( trapped in a dark Prison)

Imagine being trapped in a dark prison with no way out.

Every effort to escape fails, and the weight of despair grows heavier with each passing moment.

Then, one day, someone comes, pays the price for your release, and flings the door open wide.

That’s what Christmas is about. I

It’s the moment when the prison door of sin swung open, and God said, “I have come to set you free!

This is what Zachariah is proclaiming When he cries Out God has come to redeem His People!

Transition to Point 2

Zechariah’s song doesn’t stop with redemption.

In the next few verses, he celebrates the victory and purpose that this freedom brings.

II. Christmas Brings Victory Over Our Enemy (Luke 1:69–75)

listen as Zechariah continues his song of praise in verse 69

Luke 1:69 (ESV)

69 and {God} has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

The "horn of salvation" is a powerful image.

In Scripture, a horn symbolizes strength, power, and victory, much like a bull raising its horn in triumph after a battle.

Israel would blow the horn to announce the coming home of the victors from battle,

For Zechariah a Jewish man, this symbol of a raised Horn represented a declaration of deliverance and freedon.

It represented victory over the enemy.

By calling Jesus the "horn of salvation," Zechariah declares that God has raised up a mighty Savior to secure ultimate victory over our greatest enemies.

So Who Are the Enemies?

Zechariah’s song isn’t about deliverance from political oppression or Roman rule, though many in his time would have hoped and prayed for exactly that.

Zechariah’s prophecy speaks of a far greater deliverance: a victory over the spiritual enemies that enslave all humanity—sin, death, and Satan.

Listen to Zachariah’s Prophecy of the victory Jesus will have over these enemies in verses 69-75

Luke 1:69–75 (NLT)

69 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, 70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. 71 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. 72 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— 73 the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

Friends Zechariah understood that

Jesus Brings victory over Sin

– Sin is the ultimate oppressor, enslaving us and separating us from God.

Romans 6 warns us that sin desires to make us its slaves and Without Jesus, we are powerless to overcome it’s grip on our lives.

but whats even worse is that sin doesn't just want to ensalved us it wants to own us forever. it wants to separate us from God for all eternity.

Friends that is spiritual death

Death

– Death is the consequence of sin.

Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

Without a Savior, we are condemned to eternal separation from God.

The greatest enemy of mankind is death -because it is final.

We are appointed once to die and after that our eternity is sealed for ever!

Jesus brings victory over death, and and As Zechariah proclaimed he also brings victory over the one who hates us most and that is Satan.

Satan

– Satan is the enemy who seeks to destroy us.

1 Peter 5:8 describes him as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

He uses sin and death to keep us in bondage, desiring to rob God of His glory by keeping humanity, God’s image-bearers, far from Him.

Church when Jesus came He drove the final nail in satan’s coffin-d sealing His fate in that eternal lake of fire.

This means that he has no dominion over you any more!

Jesus is the victor over sin death and Satan

I love what 1 Cor. 15:55-57 declares

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (ESV)

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas matters Because it is Jesus coming to our rescue.

The Results of Victory

Notice How in verses 74-75 Zechariah the freedom that is ours Because of the victory Jesus will bring.

Luke 1:74–75 (ESV)

74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Freedom to Serve – Jesus didn’t defeat our enemies so we could live aimlessly. He set us free so we could serve God with joyful hearts.

Did you notice how we get to serve? Without Fear.

Freedom from Fear – Because of Jesus’ victory, we no longer have to live in fear—fear of death, fear of judgment, Fear of falling from Grace, Fear of failure, or even fear of Satan’s schemes.

But notice how we serve. ‘ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

“

Freedom to Walk in Holiness – Jesus’ victory empowers us to live lives that reflect God’s holiness.

Christmas isn’t just about celebrating the baby in the manger; it’s about celebrating the victory that the baby grew up to win for us when He gave His life for ours on that cross and redeemed us back to God!

Transition to Point 3

In the next two verses, Zechariah shifts his focus to his newborn son, John, who will later be known as John the Baptizer. In these verses He gives us a glimpse of John’s role in preparing the way for Jesus.

He says in verses 76-77

Luke 1:76–77 (ESV)

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,

Zechariah is proclaiming that His son John has a god ordained purpose for his life tt prepare the way fro Jesus the Messiah by pointing them to the Salvation He will bring mankind

III. Christmas Cancels the Debt of Sin (Luke 1:76–77)

These verses highlights an incredible truth Jesus came to cancel the debt of sin.

Sin isn’t just a list of wrong actions; it’s a condition of rebellion against God that separates us from Him.

Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Sin puts us in debt to God—a debt we could never repay. Every wrong thought, word, and action stacks up an insurmountable bill. and In

romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Forgiveness of Sin

Here’s the good news: Christmas announces the arrival of the One who came to pay our debt in full. Christmas announces the arrival of the one who came to forgive our sins

1 Peter 1:18–19 explains:

1 Peter 1:18–19 (ESV)

On the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of our sin and declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Jesus didn’t overlook our sin—He paid for it with His life.

and because He paid our debt in full He has the right to forgive us all our sins,

What does this forgiveness mean?

Psalm 103:12 (ESV)

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

His forgiveness erases our sin completely.

Our debt is gone, not minimized or delayed.

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Christmas reminds us that God didn’t just overlook our sin debt - He came to pay it in full and redeem us completely back to himself!

Have You Embraced His Forgiveness?

Let me ask you: Have you accepted the forgiveness Jesus offers?

Knowing the truth of christmas is not enough-

Romans 10:9 declares

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

In order for your life to be redeemed, in order for your sins to be paid in full You must confess your sin and accept Jesus as your Savior.

Don’t let this Christmas season pass without receiving the greatest gift of all—freedom from your sin through Jesus Christ.

Finally

Zechariah closes his song with this breathtaking proclamation in verses 78-79

Luke 1:78–79 (ESV)

78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

IV. Christmas Brings the Dawn of a New Day (Luke 1:78–79)

This imagery of Jesus as the sunrise, the dayspring, reveals the heart of Christmas:

Before Jesus came, the world was trapped in spiritual darkness.

The people of Israel had been waiting for centuries for the promised Messiah, enduring silence from God for 400 years.

The weight of sin and the fear of death pressed heavily on them.

Yet even in that darkness, God’s promise stood firm.

This is the hope of Christmas: God’s light entering the darkest places of our lives.

Jesus declares in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Friends, No matter how dark our circumstances may seem, His light overcomes it all.

No matter how great our sin may be- His light over shadows them all.

Because of Christmas, the darkness of death no longer has the final word.

Jesus has brought us out of Darkness and placed us in His light He has led us out of Hopeless and into His eternal peace!

Bring It Home

Christmas isn’t just a season—it’s a declaration. It’s God’s proclamation that darkness will not win.

It’s the moment when God sent His Son to redeem us from sin and cancel our debt.

It’s the moment when Jesus came to defeat sin, death, and Satan.

It’s the moment when God’s light broke through the night, bringing hope and peace.

So, as we celebrate this season, don’t miss the heart of Christmas.

Embrace the freedom, forgiveness, and peace that Jesus offers.

Step into His light, and let that light shine through you so others can see the hope of Christmas.

Church family this Christmas season let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify Your God in Heaven. May our actions and our attitudes and our words be a conduit that makes and equips more disciples of Jesus.

Pray

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