The Hope Of A Redeemer

      "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,"

declares the LORD.      Isaiah 59:20  TNIV

   Imagine what the world would be like if God, in the person of Jesus Christ , had never come to earth.  By having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we are transformed by His love.  We can know the love of a personal God.  Without Jesus, even Mary His mother, would have died in her sin-  without hope of everlasting life.

Read:  Ephesians 2:1-10

         For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace      Isaiah 9:6  NKJV

I.  The Essence Of Christmas 

            1 John 5:11,12  eternal life is in His son

*  we know what God is like- because we know His son Jesus

*  Jesus Christ gave us a living picture of who God is

            Colossians 1:15,16  it is by Him that all things exist

*  God came to us wrapped in a human body to live among us

*  He came to die for us so that we might be forgiven of our sins

*  He died for us so that we would realize our eternal hope

            John 14:1, 27  there is no need to fret or fear

II.  Emmanuel- God With Us    

*  He was here 2000 years ago, and He is present this moment

*  we have a God who cares deeply about us personally

*  He showed us what caring and compassion should be

*  He showed us what true (agape) Love is by dieing for us

            Matthew 20:16  His value system revealed

*  He taught us that our value to Him was more than anything else

*  we have been transformed by His mercy & grace

*  we have been renewed by His love- to love others

*  we can forgive because He forgave us our sins

*  we can give because He showed us what giving really means

            1 John 3:1  He lavished His love upon us !

*  a redeemer promises a new life- it means we have a hope

*  Christmas means that Christ has given us the gift of eternal heaven