God's Greatest Day
God's greatest day is Christmas, when He reopened the way back into Paradise through Jesus' birth.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes that Christmas is God's greatest day because it marks the reopening of the way back to Paradise through the birth of Jesus. He illustrates how God can use even ungodly figures like Caesar to fulfill His divine purposes, as seen in the census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. The sermon reflects on the loss of Paradise due to Adam's sin and how Jesus, born in humble circumstances, offers redemption and access to eternal life. Stegen encourages listeners to accept God's gift of salvation through Christ, highlighting the transformation from being barred from Paradise to being welcomed back through faith. The message is a call to embrace the joy of Christmas by recognizing the significance of Jesus as the Tree of Life.
Text
Lk 2: 1-7
Many people are saying "happy Christmas" while not understanding why Christmas is happy and why gifts are given. Christmas Day is God's greatest day because He reopened the way back into Paradise.
To the text: Though Caesar was the Emperor of the whole known world and was a pagan man living in his sins, God used Him to fulfil His purposes. This shows us that God is not dismayed by political wickedness and can use even the ungodly to bring about His plans. When Caesar's hand signed the legal document ordering the census he didn't realise that God's Hand was at work. In vs 2 every man had to be counted in his home town. This meant that Joseph, though living in Nazareth, had to go to Bethlehem at the precise moment that Mary was to give birth. The baby in the manger is, in fact, the One who controls the whole universe!
Paradise lost
Through Adam's sin Paradise was lost. He had listened to his wife instead of God. They were both expelled from the garden of Paradise and angels with flaming swords refused them entry. From their enjoyment of the garden they went to the curse outside with all it's sweat, pain, sorrows and the grave. God made sure that human beings could never eat of the Tree of Life while living in sin. Imagine if they could live forever in enmity to God!
Paradise reopened
God's answer was found in the manger! Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances so that He could lift up the lowest of the lowest sinner up into Paradise.
This was the greatest Day of God giving His only begotten Son for us. The locked gates to Paradise have been reopened by this baby in the manger. Jesus Himself is the Tree of Life. We can only be redeemed from the curse of our sins through Him. Now we can eat and drink of Him (as is symbolized in the Lord's supper - eating and drinking of Him because of His death on the Cross). We were blocked from Paradise in Genesis but in Revelations we find that those in Paradise can enjoy the Tree of Life. This life begins here.
From Paradise lost to Paradise regained. Enter in today, through Jesus. No matter what your sins may be and the sorrows of life you have been through you can accept God's gift to you today. If you refuse His gift then you must remain outside of Paradise. For ever!
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. The significance of Christmas
- B. God's greatest day
- II. God's sovereignty over all
- A. God uses even the ungodly to fulfill His purposes
- B. Caesar's role in Jesus' birth
- III. Paradise lost
- A. Adam's sin and its consequences
- B. The expulsion from the Garden of Eden
- IV. Paradise reopened
- A. Jesus' birth and the reopening of Paradise
- B. Jesus as the Tree of Life
- V. Redemption through Jesus
- A. The gift of eternal life
- B. The importance of accepting God's gift
Key Quotes
“The baby in the manger is, in fact, the One who controls the whole universe!” — Erlo Stegen
“Jesus Himself is the Tree of Life. We can only be redeemed from the curse of our sins through Him.” — Erlo Stegen
“From Paradise lost to Paradise regained. Enter in today, through Jesus.” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- We can accept God's gift of eternal life through Jesus and enter Paradise.
- Our sins can be redeemed through Jesus, who is the Tree of Life.
- We must choose to accept God's gift and enter Paradise, or remain outside forever.