Christmas with Paul series Archives

Christmas with Paul: The Purpose

This week we’ll finish with our study of what the Apostle Paul said about Christ’s birth. While Paul never wrote at length on the subject, he does tell us some things that are critical to understanding who Christ is and why He came. In 1 Timothy, Paul outlines the key doctrines Timothy needs to teach in order to combat the false ideas infiltrating the church in Ephesus. One of those doctrines explains the purpose for Christ’s birth.

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
1 Timothy 1:15

Let’s break down this verse because once again, Paul tells us quite a bit in a very small space.

The Affirmation: It is a trustworthy statement, deserving of full acceptance

The introductory clause is used only in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. (It appears 5 times. Look for it when you read.) It notes a key doctrine for the beginning preachers to emphasize. When Paul uses it, he tells us something about our salvation (soteriology, remember). It means that what follows is a non-negotiable tenet of the Christian faith. In this case it is GOSPEL plain and simple. It the purpose for Christ’s coming.

The Purpose: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Paul likes this order, Christ Jesus, for Jesus’s name. It highlights the anointed King and Redeemer who became the man Jesus.

Christ came into the world. Paul also uses the same kind of language John uses to underscore Jesus’s pre-existence. He was with the Father, then He came into the world (see John 3:19, 9:39, 16:28 and others). Christ wasn’t born into existence the way the rest of us are. In Bethlehem, the angels announced, the shepherds witnessed the Incarnation of the eternal God.

To save sinners.

His purpose wasn’t to teach us the Word of God clearly. Although He did. His purpose wasn’t to show us how we are supposed to live. Even though He did that too. He didn’t come to heal the sick or raise the dead. He didn’t even come to reveal the religious hypocrisy so rampant His day. These are all good things, no question, but they pale in comparison to Christ’s true purpose in coming — to save sinners. He came to do the thing no one else could do. No one else could pay the debt we owed. Because of His great love, God protects us from His own wrath … by enduring it Himself though Christ. Sometimes, that fact is simply overwhelming.

The Reality: Sinners, among whom I am foremost of all

Paul wasn’t using false modesty to gain some sympathy points. On the contrary. He got it. He had spent enough time studying the Scriptures to see the holiness of God and the egregious violations we commit against Him. Paul’s statement comes from humility and deep, deep gratitude. God help us have that same attitude.

We’ve seen that through prophecy and the plan of God, there was a panacea made available to us. That was the purpose for Christ’s birth. For Paul, Christmas is the Gospel. But then, everything is the Gospel. May that Joy overtake us this Christmas and remain with us in the New Year!

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’ incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Charles Wesley, 1739

Christmas with Paul: The Panacea

By Paula Wiseman

When we think of Christmas, we think of the gospels or maybe the Old Testament prophecies that told of Christ’s coming. This Christmas season let’s dig a little deeper and see what the Apostle Paul said about Christ’s birth. While Paul never wrote at length on the subject, he does tell us some things that are critical to understanding who Christ is and why He came. Galatians is one of Paul’s earliest letters. In it he tackles some major doctrines including Christology (who Christ is) and soteriology (what salvation is). Toward the end of the book, he explains Christ’s birth, His coming in the flesh, was the panacea, the cure-all, the solution, to our greatest problem.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5

The Problem

Exclusion – Ever since that day in the Garden, when mankind, through Adam, rebelled against God’s most basic command, we have been excluded. It began as Adam and Eve were excluded from His presence in Eden. It continues to eternal exclusion from His presence in hell.

Edict – God decreed that anyone who ate of the tree in the center of the garden would die. (Gen. 2:17) Later, He reiterated the soul that sins, it shall die (Ezek. 18:4, 20). We are under a decree of death.

Enemies – Not only that, but because of our rebellion, we have made ourselves God’s enemies. (Col. 1:24, Romans 5:10).

To put it bluntly, we were hopeless. We can’t undo our sins. We can’t do enough good works to pay for them. Unless God Himself took action we had no way out of the mess we were in.

But God took action. Substitutionary atonement on a breathtaking scale.

The Panacea

Paul says God sent His Son. Better than His personal representative, because of the triune nature of God, He came Himself to do what we could not — to redeem those under the curse because of the law of God.

The punishment wasn’t erased, mind you. God’s justice was satisfied. His holiness and righteousness were maintained. The penalty was paid. We were set free.

And then it gets better.

So complete was God’s solution to our problem, His cure for situation, that He then adopted us into His family. Think of it. When felons are released from prison in our society, they are given the most meager resources to start anew. A few dollars. Perhaps a change of clothes. Maybe a bus ticket.

Not so with God! He opens His arms and welcomes us as lavishly as He welcomes His Son. We can respond like John: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1).

Before we were even aware of our desperate state, Jesus worked out our redemption and salvation.

This panacea, though, would not be available if Christ had not been born of a woman, born at Christmas!

Christmas with Paul: The Prophecy

By Paula Wiseman

When we think of Christmas, we think of the gospels or maybe the Old Testament prophecies that told of Christ’s coming. This Christmas season let’s dig a little deeper and see what the Apostle Paul said about Christ’s birth. While Paul never wrote at length on the subject, he does tell us some things that are critical to understanding who Christ is and why He came. The book of Romans is Paul’s great treatise on what the gospel is and what it means for Jews and Gentiles. Not surprisingly it begins with the birth of Jesus as fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, specifically the prophecy given to David. An once again, Paul uses very few words to tell us quite a bit.

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,
Romans 1:1-3

The First Promise

In Genesis, God Himself makes the first promise and prophecy of a coming Redeemer.

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15

Last week we saw how the coming of Christ was the key piece of God’s eternal plan. Here, Paul shows us that from the beginning, God revealed that plan through the prophetic word.

The Prophecy of the Son

Even more amazing than the fact that God would send a Redeemer was that the Redeemer would be none other than the very Son of God. Paul says so every chance he gets, but he is pulling from his knowledge of the Old Testament too. Psalm 2 tells us:

“I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Psalm 2:7

All of Psalm 2 looks forward to the rule of the Son and His Kingdom. Which brings us the final point in Paul’s declaration about the Christ.

The Prophecy of the King

In stating that Jesus was born a descendant of David, Paul refers to the prophecy given to King David in 2 Samuel 7.

“Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”‘” 2 Samuel 7:16

The gospel is not just our salvation. The Good News also includes the coming Kingdom which establishes Christ’s rule over all creation. It is the consummation of our redemption. But the eternal kingdom is a continuation of the earthly kingdom of David.

As Paul shows us, the fulfillment of that astounding prophecy (and so many others) was set in motion at Christmas.

Next week, we’ll learn about the solution to a problem we didn’t realize we had.

Christmas with Paul: The Plan

By Paula Wiseman

When we think of Christmas, we go to the gospels or maybe the Old Testament prophecies that told of Christ’s coming. This Christmas season let’s dig a little deeper and see what the Apostle Paul said about Christ’s birth. While never wrote at length on the subject, he does tell us some things that are critical to understanding who Christ is and why He came. In Romans 9, Paul outlines God’s plan of redemption by highlighting Israel’s role.

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:4-5

The Not-Christmas Part of the Plan

Paul says quite a bit in a very short space. While each of the items deserves an extensive explanation, we’ll just stick with a skeleton of the plan. (Of course, feel free to chase your own footnotes. It’s good stuff!)

The Adoption – In grace, God chose a people to call His own. And the Old Testament makes clear His people were to be a light for all people to come to know Him.

The Glory – God showed His glory to Israel and then dwelt with them.

The Covenants- God entered into an unbreakable relationship with His people.

The Law – God revealed His character and holiness through His Law. His plan also prescribed a way of life that would set His people apart from all others.

The Worship – The sacrifices, feasts and offerings underscored the worthiness of God and the poverty of His people. The worship celebrated all the aspects of His character and His works.

The Promises – God made promises to His people that He would remove their sins so that they could enter into His rest and their inheritance.

The Patriarchs – These (the promises, the worship, the Law, the covenants, the glory, the adoption) have been passed down so they were not limited in scope by time or geography, but reflect the eternal, unchanging God who declared them. The patriarchs set the example of faith, trusting God would do all that He promised.

The Christmas Part of the Plan

The key piece of God’s plan was removing the sins of a sinful people. His justice demanded the sins must be paid for. He couldn’t simply indulge us and look away. His love moved Him to protect us from having to make that awful payment.

His grace … and the Incarnation, that is Christmas, resolved that conundrum. God took on flesh. I know, it sounds crazy. God laid aside His glory long enough to become one of us so that He could then become one with us.

While he doesn’t spell it out explicitly, Paul tells us that at Christmas, the Plan leaves the drawing board. Faith has its first taste of sight in the manger in Bethlehem.