Christmas Is Jesus (He Is Lord )
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord, affirming His unity with God, and surrendering to His lordship for true salvation and blessing.
Colin Peckham preaches about the great mystery and miracle of the 'unio hypostatica', the genuine unity of true God and true man in Jesus Christ, emphasizing the historic truth of the Virgin Birth despite modern skepticism. He highlights the Council of Chalcedon's affirmation of this unity without confusion or division. Peckham explores the humility and submission represented by women, contrasting it with the pride and defiance of men, illustrating how God manifests Himself in humility. He urges believers to bow before the King of kings, removing pride and rebellion from their lives to experience the joy of worshiping the Lord of all the earth.
Text
At Christmas time we are reminded of the great mystery and miracle which the theologians call `unio hypostatica', the genuine unity of true God and true man in Jesus Christ. Today the doctrine of the Virgin Birth is relegated to the realm of mythology, and some theologians who appear otherwise evangelical reject this great truth.
However, we may joyfully cast in our lot with the historic church, and say in the words of the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) that this unity is `without confusion, without change, without division, without separation'. Whatever the modern day theologians may say, the Scripture says, 'a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel', -which means GOD WITH US! (Isa. 7:14). They attempt in various ways to resolve the mystery into human comprehensibility, Quite frankly, should we be able to explain the mystery, we would be greater than God!
Jesus Christ cannot be explained! He has no bounds. His qualities are inexhaustible. He is the Everlasting One. Throughout eternity we shell yet be learning more of our blessed Master.
Note that in this unity God did not choose man in his pride and strength, but man in his weakness and humility as represented by woman. The male with his abilities and responsibility for directing the human race must now retire into the background. In man's power and defiance, (as represented by the male) he did not meet God. In man's lowliness, submission and humility (as represented by women) God manifests Himself.
'God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble'
Many years ago the proud king Herod the Great sought the newborn Babe with murderous intent. He never found Him. But this Babe was revealed as the King of Glory to those who brought their gifts to Him and humbly, adoringly, worshipped.
As we bow in His Immediate Presence; as we prostrate ourselves before this King of kings clothed in the form of a little child; as we consciously remove from the throne of our lives all that which is rebellious, proud, and sinfully ambitious, He manifests Himself to us, and as Lord of our lives, He fills us with Himself and sets the joybells ringing.
Here is true joy, - In the worship of the Lord of all the earth.
He is LORD!
Because He exists He is Lord!
When He appears He is Lord!
Only thus can He be known, for this is His essential Being. To think therefore of Christ as Saviour and not as Lord is erroneous. To presume that we con accept Him as Saviour and not as Lord is a misnomer. In His salvation He is Lord. To accept Him therefore without bowing to His lordship and following in His ways is a farce. We deceive ourselves! No!
When we accept the LORD Jesus Christ as Saviour It is an acceptance of Him as One who occupies the Throne of our life and directs its affairs. Less than this is not in accordance with His person nor with our encounter with Him as LORD. Only as He is Lord in our hearts will we know the full blessing of a life made free to serve Him. Then our beings. harmonised under His Lordship will thrill with myriads of angelic voices as we magnify our great and glorious Head. the Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
Bow at this moment in His Presence. Yield your being to His Lordship, and you will live to praise Him through eternity! God bless you as you do so!
Sermon Outline
- The Mystery of the Virgin Birth
- The Scripture's Testimony
- The Incomprehensibility of Jesus Christ
- The Significance of Jesus' Lordship
- God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble
- Jesus' lordship is essential to His salvation
Key Quotes
“Whatever the modern day theologians may say, the Scripture says, 'a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel', -which means GOD WITH US!” — Colin Peckham
“God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble” — Colin Peckham
“He is LORD! Because He exists He is Lord! When He appears He is Lord!” — Colin Peckham
Application Points
- Recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and surrender to His authority and sovereignty over our lives.
- Acknowledge the incomprehensibility of Jesus Christ and His boundless qualities.
- Accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and yield our being to His lordship for true salvation and blessing.