By Missionary Rich Fulton
Missionary to Ireland
Text: (Hebrews 2:14-17) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. {16} For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. {17} Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Introduction One of the great truths of Scripture is the incarnation of the Son of God Christ Jesus has always been the Son of God, but only 290 centuries did He add to His nature human flesh God's unspeakable Gift was wrapped in flesh, and paid for in the Blood of Christ
The King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave himself to you and me. The Bible calls Him, "the unspeakable gift!" The incarnation of Christ is one of the several topics related to Jesus Christ in the second chapter He is Lord of salvation He is Lord of creation He is Lord of dominion Now, He is Lord of Incarnation
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ
I. v. 14, the first purpose for the incarnation was in order to destroy the devil
II. v. 15, contains a second purpose to the incarnation of Jesus: the deliverance of believers; (where deliverance is from whatever sinful practice has bound you)
III. v. 16, contains a third purpose to the incarnation of Jesus: to fulfill the OT Scriptures,
whereby He is the Seed of Abraham. (This is shown also in v. 17, where it says that it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethen. Bohoved means "obligated." He was obligated, due to the OT Scriptures. He had to fulfill them, and thus He became flesh)
IV. v. 17 contains a fourth reason for the incarnation. It made it possible for Him to be a merciful and faithful high priest
V. v. 17, also contains a fifth reason for Christmas: in order that He might make reconciliation for the sins of the people
This then is the true meaning of Christmas:
The destruction of the devil The deliverance of believers The fulfilling of the Scriptures (to be the Seed of Abraham) The making of a merciful and faithful High Priest The reconciling of man to God
Give Him the greatest gift you could ever give; give Him yourself!
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