Memory Verse:
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
While the series suits the season, don’t expect topics like gingerbread houses, snow angels, or holiday romance. There are plenty of shows on Netflix and Hallmark for that kind of stuff! Here at church, we like to keep the focus on what really matters—our spiritual journey. As we approach Christmas, it’s crucial to reflect on the eternal importance of Christ’s birth. Why did God send His only Son? What did Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection accomplish? And how does this promise of the Messiah relate to sin—both in the world and in our individual lives?
To grasp the gift of Christ, we must understand the weight and reality of sin.
It’s easy to lose focus during the holidays. Maybe, like me, you’ve pondered questions like:
“Why does Prime’s 2-day shipping take five days when the warehouse is 10 miles away?”
“If my neighbors skip Christmas lights this year, can I get out of it too?”
“How did I miss the fact that Mariah Carey attempted to copyright herself as the Queen of Christmas’?”
Humorous as these distractions are, they highlight how easily our hearts wander. Christmas often presents a tension for believers: the celebration of fun traditions and reflecting on the greatest gift ever given: the fulfillment of over 300 OT prophecies, a savior born to a virgin who came to not break but to fulfill the law.
We can’t properly appreciate the gift of Christ if we do not understand, recognize, and reconcile sin in our lives.
Sin is so ingrained in us, we often fail to recognize it.
John 3:16-17
“Sin: the inability to comply with God’s MORAL LAW through attitude, actions, or nature.” Wayne Grudem
God’s laws reflect His unchanging character and are divided into three types: ceremonial, civil, and moral. These are largely addressed in the first five books of the Bible.
Ceremonial laws: were temporary guidelines for atonement (offerings such as burnt, peace, trespass)
Civil laws: Governed the nation of Israel (e.g., property and marriage laws). These were designed to maintain a healthy equitable community. Think leviticus – what do you do if someone steals your donkey.
Moral laws: God’s eternal commands reflecting his unchanging character. These are provided throughout scripture. Here are some examples: The Ten Commandments prohibited both acts such as stealing and the attitude of coveting. The Sermon on the Mount prohibits sinful attitudes such as jealousy, anger, and selfishness. In fact, he states that attitudes are equal in offense to the action.
Both Ceremonial laws and civil laws are no longer in effect. Because Jesus, as the ultimate sacrifice, provided atonement for the sins of the world and the Church has replaced the nation-state of Israel. This leaves us with the moral law.
The inheritance of sin: we are all counted guilty because of Adam’s sin
Two Clear Patterns in the Old Testament: humanity’s rebellion and God’s pursuit of individual hearts
- Genesis 4: Cain murders Abel and mocks God
- Genesis 6: Wickedness prevails on the earth, but verse 8 tells us, Noah found grace in the eyes of God.’
- Genesis 7: The Flood demonstrates God’s righteous character
- Genesis 9: God blesses Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. He makes a covenant to never flood the earth again. Things are looking better, right? God even marks his covenant with a rainbow. Nope: Noah plants a vineyard and gets drunk. Then, Ham, one of his sons, disrespects Him in his tent.
- Genesis 11: The Tower of Babble. We learn that at this time the earth had one language.
Genesis 11: 3-4
Isaiah 1:4
We can’t fully appreciate the sacrifice of Christ without understanding the doctrine of sin
Just as Adam’s sin is imputed to us, so is Christ’s righteousness.
Romans 5: 19-21
Isaiah 1:18
Key Takeaway: Only Christ Can Make Our Sins White as Snow.