Jesus Christ

1. Every year, I choose a topic to study for ministry and sermons to wrap up the year. In 2023, I focused on the Great Awakening and Holiness movement from the 18th to the 19th century. From the mid November until now, I read books about key figures like George Whitefield, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, A.B. Simpson, A.W. Tozer, and Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Though they had different perspectives, all of them agreed that Revival or Spiritual Awakening isn't something humans can create—it depends entirely on God's visitation to humanity. They also emphasized turning to the Bible, God's Word, and its message about Jesus Christ. Similar to Zwingli in the 16th century, who centered on Jesus Christ and the Bible, these figures returned to Jesus and sought the baptism of the Spirit. For them, the Spirit's baptism wasn't a mystical experience, nor was it about speaking in tongues or prophecy. Instead, it meant responding to God, repenting of sins, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, and fully surrendering to God.

2. In the 16th century, Europe was preoccupied with appearances and papal authority. By the 18th century, England was more concerned with morality and religious culture than genuine faith. These two periods have commonalities. Sermons became moral lessons, and churches focused on increasing their congregations. Churches and pastors became spiritually lethargic, neglecting the spiritual needs of their congregations. In this atmosphere, George Whitefield and John Wesley introduced a Gospel revolution. They began preaching about the significance of justification and sanctification. Jonathan Edwards emphasized true repentance and the essence of religion. This sparked a significant spiritual movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to the formation of the Alliance Church, the Pentecostal Movement, and the evangelism efforts of Billy Graham. All of these were influenced by the teachings of George Whitefield, John Wesley, and Jonathan Edwards. When they directed their focus to the Word of God and Jesus Christ, the transformation was not a result of human effort but the work of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel isn't just a story; it's the account of God's work in Jesus Christ. It holds the power to transform people into God's holiness and change their perspective to align with God's. When people hear the gospel, it brings about transformation—a work of God. Therefore, pastors and churches should consistently share the gospel. If we cease spreading it, people may stop following Jesus. Without declaring God's word, people might turn to the law and sets of regulations and instructions instead of the love and life found in Jesus Christ.

3. Today, the children performed the Nativity story, recounting the birth of Jesus. My prayer is that through this performance, children can learn about Jesus, and we can all reflect on the true significance of His birth. In the present day, Christmas decorations have turned into a significant industry and custom. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the true meaning of Christmas. The focus tends to shift towards Santa Claus, who brings physical presents. As mentioned earlier, if we neglect to spread the genuine meaning of the gospel, people may focus on its outward appearance, turning it into a mere cultural tradition. Christmas has evolved into a major industry and cultural celebration in Canada over the years. However, it's essential to remember that Christmas is not solely about Santa or a grand holiday; it's about Jesus Christ and God fulfilling His promise. Through the birth of Jesus, God initiated the fulfillment of His plan for salvation. In today's sermon, let's delve into the significance of Jesus' birth and His divine work. Let's turn our attention to Luke 1:1-4.

Luke 1:1–4 NKJV

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

4. Do you know how many gospels have been discovered nowadays? While we are familiar with the four gospels in the Bible, there are actually over 100 gospels. Luke, for instance, mentions that he carefully studied many narratives and accounts before deciding to write a well-organized story about Jesus. During Luke's time, there were at least 50 gospels. Even though these various gospels focused on Jesus and his works, scholars in the fourth and fifth centuries examined them and chose to include only the four gospels in the canon. The reason behind this decision was that these four gospels uniquely concentrate on Jesus Christ, God's fulfillment, and His resurrection.

5. These four gospels offer a well-rounded view of Jesus. Matthew and John, two of the writers, were direct disciples of Jesus. On the other hand, Mark and Luke, the other two writers, were indirect—they belonged to the second generation of Jesus's disciples. Mark likely received information about Jesus from Peter, while Luke might have learned from Paul and Barnabas. As a result, two accounts come directly from Jesus's initial disciples, and the other two originate from their followers.

6. In any case, these four gospels offer a well-rounded view of Jesus, which is why we refer to them as Mosaic, like pieces of a puzzle. Since the essence of the gospel is Jesus Christ, reading all four gospels allows us to understand Him better. Now, in the Gospel of Luke, we encounter an intriguing expression. Luke highlights the work of the Holy Spirit even before Jesus was born. From Luke's perspective, the entire sequence of events leading up to and including Jesus' birth was guided by the Holy Spirit. In his view, the Holy Spirit played a significant role in everything just before Jesus' birth and the actual event itself.

Luke 1:41 NLT

At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:67 NLT

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

7. Zachariah and Elizabeth had already been filled with the Holy Spirit, an event that occurred before Jesus' ascension. According to Luke, people had already encountered the Holy Spirit and witnessed His work. Another individual experienced the Holy Spirit after the birth of Jesus, specifically during his circumcision.

Luke 2:25–27 CSB

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,

8. According to Luke, those filled with the Holy Spirit were able to comprehend the birth of Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah, and they prophesied under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Luke's perspective, understanding and recognizing the birth of Jesus was not achievable through mere literal signs alone. It holds true that delving into the Bible or participating in worship cannot solely be accomplished through personal effort. As an example, one of my friends has read the Bible three times, yet he remains unconvinced. He views Jesus as a genuinely good person and a prophet, similar to figures in other religious groups.

1 Corinthians 12:3 AMP

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed! And no one can [really] say, Jesus is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:8–9 NIV

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me;

9. In the study of Christian history, there are several crucial periods for Christianity. The first occurred in AD 323 when Constantine declared Christianity one of the state religions in Rome. Another significant moment was around AD 500 when the New Testament was recognized as the Canon. However, in my view, the most pivotal periods for Christianity were the 16th-century Reformations which is the beginning of the Protestant Churches and the 18th to 19th-century Great Awakening. Despite these movements being led by Christian groups and churches, they originated from elites who earnestly studied the Bible. Figures like Martin Luther, Zwingli, and Hubmaier, who were priests and Bible teachers, played key roles during the Reformations. Serious study of the Bible led them to gain fresh perspectives and question the established norms of the church. Similarly, John Wesley and George Whitefield, both students at Oxford University, grappled with their sins and inner struggles during their Bible studies. They began proclaiming the genuine message of the Gospel based on the Bible and guided by the Holy Spirit. Jonathan Edwards, a master's degree student at Yale College, experienced a spiritual transformation at the age of 19 when he listened to a sermon by George Whitefield. These individuals, considered elites due to their serious study of the Word of God, shared a common zeal and passion for God's kingdom and the Word of God. The Holy Spirit, recognizing their fervor, aided them in understanding and experiencing Spirit Baptism. With the assistance of the Spirit, they uncovered the true essence of the Gospel. For them, the Gospel was not a mere fairy tale; it held the power to transform their lives. It served as a force that made them recognize their sins and their need for Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel, they discovered authentic joy and enthusiasm for the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

10. I've shared my conversion story multiple times. It happened after a three-day prayer meeting where I experienced Spirit baptism. Following that, I developed a keen interest in learning about Jesus and the Bible, leading me to read the Bible three times within six months. The reason I'm confident it was Spirit baptism is that, despite attending church for ten years, I had little interest in Jesus and the Bible before the prayer meeting. The figures like Wesley, Whitefield, and even Martin Luther initially approached Christianity as a part of their religion and culture. Before their experiences of Spirit baptism, they viewed the Bible primarily as study materials.

11. Let's go back to the Gospel of Luke. Here's my thinking: when Luke wrote his Gospel, Luke, being part of the second generation of the disciples' group, likely read various accounts of Jesus. When he decided to write his own version, he probably aimed to share a more accurate understanding and view of Jesus. In Luke's belief, Jesus is the Son of God, both true man and God. However, some people only saw Jesus as either a man or God, unable to accept both aspects simultaneously. Additionally, the Jewish community did not believe Jesus was their awaited Messiah. According to Luke, these misunderstandings stemmed from people not relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their preconceived notions and limited understanding prevented them from grasping Jesus and His fulfillment. From Luke's perspective, just as the disciples of Jesus began their work after being filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 3, those filled with the Spirit could comprehend the significance of Jesus' birth as the coming Messiah.

12. Hence, the true significance of Christmas becomes clear when we are filled with the Spirit, just like Zachariah, Elizabeth, and Simeon. Without the Spirit, Christmas may turn into a mere holiday, marked by family gatherings, gift exchanges, and delicious meals. If we don't seek the Spirit's guidance, Christmas might become a cultural celebration focused on customs like Santa Claus. Following the example of Zwingli, John Wesley, and George Whitefield, who earnestly sought Spirit baptism, let's also seek the help of the Spirit. Let's ask for Spirit Baptism to comprehend the genuine meaning of the gospel and the birth of Jesus. Christmas goes beyond cultural festivities; it is the day of salvation and the fulfillment of God's promise in us. Jesus is our Lord, and in Him, we find life. Immanuel, God is with us!