From Paradise to the Manger: Why We Needed a Savior
The Power of the Gospel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsThis message focuses on the fall of humanity through Adam’s sin and the universal need for redemption. Pastor Sizemore explains how sin entered the world, breaking humanity’s relationship with God, and how God’s plan to restore creation began with the promise of a Savior. The story of Christmas is rooted in God’s response to humanity’s greatest need.
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From Paradise to the Manger: Why We Needed a Savior
Introduction
The story of Christmas is far more than a tale of angels, shepherds, and a baby in a manger. It’s the story of God’s love breaking through humanity’s darkest moment: the fall. Romans 1:16 reminds us, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” In this message, we will trace the journey from Adam’s transgression to the promise fulfilled in Jesus, unpacking the depth of our need for a Savior and the triumph of grace over sin.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Just A.S.K. by Brian Clark
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Exposition
Our Condition: Broken by Sin
Our Condition: Broken by Sin
Key Thought: Humanity’s fall began with Adam, whose disobedience opened the floodgates of sin, shattering our connection to God.
The First Disobedience
The First Disobedience
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Adam’s act of rebellion wasn’t symbolic; it was literal and devastating. God’s command in Genesis 2:16–17 was clear, but Adam, influenced by Eve and beguiled by the serpent, chose defiance (Genesis 3:4–6).
God’s Command to Adam.
God’s Command to Adam.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
The Fall of Adam
The Fall of Adam
Beguiled by the serpent
Beguiled by the serpent
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Led by his wife
Led by his wife
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Separated from God
Separated from God
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
The result was catastrophic:
• Physically: Humanity lost God’s glory.
• Emotionally: Sin corrupted our minds.
• Spiritually: We became separated from the source of life itself—God.
The Spread of Sin
The Spread of Sin
Romans 5:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Sin didn’t just affect Adam; it infected us all. Romans 5:12 declares, “…death spread to all men because all sinned.” Adam’s seed was no longer righteous but corrupt, reproducing death instead of life.
Adam was given the seed of righteousness
Adam was given the seed of righteousness
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Naked and not ashamed
Naked and not ashamed
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Naked and ashamed
Naked and ashamed
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
Adam seed was now corrupted and they could only produce sin.
Reproduction would only multiply their sin instead of God’s righteousness.
Adam spread the seed of death.
Adam spread the seed of death.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
Adam passed on his likeness and Image of Death
Adam passed on his likeness and Image of Death
1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
All the sons of Adam died and we have the grave yards to prove it.
All the sons of Adam died and we have the grave yards to prove it.
The Consequences: Death Reigned
The Consequences: Death Reigned
Key Thought: Sin’s wages are death, both physical and spiritual, but the law illuminated our need for a solution.
Our corrupt nature causes us to do corrupt things.
Our corrupt nature causes us to do corrupt things.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
The wages of our sin is death just as it was for our father Adam.
The wages of our sin is death just as it was for our father Adam.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The law of God exposes the trespass against God.
The law of God exposes the trespass against God.
The Ten Commandments
The Law of your own conscience
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Any offence of the law is guilty before God.
Any offence of the law is guilty before God.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
The Cure: Life through Jesus
The Cure: Life through Jesus
Key Thought: Where sin brought condemnation, Jesus brought grace, justification, and eternal life.
The Great Exchange
The Great Exchange
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.
The Triumph of Grace
The Triumph of Grace
17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
The Ultimate Gift
The Ultimate Gift
19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Death overcome by the Righteousness of Christ.
Death overcome by the Righteousness of Christ.
20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sin demands a righteous death.
Sin demands a righteous death.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ’s death has reconciled us to God
Christ’s death has reconciled us to God
9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion:
From the tragedy of Adam’s fall to the triumph of the cross, God’s plan has always been about restoring what was lost. Jesus is the ultimate gift, bridging the gap between God and humanity, offering life where death once reigned. This Christmas, let’s remember that the manger points directly to the cross, where our Savior fulfilled the promise of redemption.
Next Steps
1. Pray for Open Doors: Commit to daily prayer, asking God to open opportunities to ask permission to share the gospel with someone in your life. Trust Him to guide you to hearts ready to hear His truth.
2. Build Gospel Bridges: Intentionally invest in relationships by showing Christ’s love through kindness, empathy, and service. Look for ways to connect that naturally lead to opportunities for gospel presentations.
3. Proclaim the Word of God: When the moment arises, confidently share the power of the Gospel using Scripture. Let God’s Word speak truth and life, revealing His redemptive plan for all who believe.
Call to Action
Group Prayer Right Now:
Pray for Open Doors. Ask for boldness to step out in faith and share His truth with grace, love, and humility.
Prayer for the Coming Week:
Pray for specific individuals in your life who do not yet know Christ. Ask God to open doors for meaningful conversations, provide wisdom to build gospel-centered relationships, and create opportunities to share His Word with clarity and compassion.
RGroup Questions
1. Reflection: In what ways does understanding Adam’s fall deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ gift of salvation?
2. Application: How can you rely on God’s grace to overcome specific areas of sin or struggle in your life?
3. Discussion: What steps can we take as a group to share the message of grace and redemption with others this holiday season?
