LOOKING FOR HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS!
Colossians 1:24-29
INTRODUCTION: In Colossians 1, the apostle Paul says that God commissioned him for a purpose: Colossians 1:25-27. This morning we looked at “Christmas Vacation” to see the dysfunctional family the Griswold family. Tonight we will look at another Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” When George Bailey begs Mr. Potter for a loan, Mr. Potter says “You’re worth more dead than alive!” George is not a praying man but as he contemplates suicide he does pray: “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you can hear me, show me the way!” That is when Clarence Oddbody, his guardian-angle appears. George wishes he had never been born and Clarence shows him what would have happened if he had never been born. Our question for today is “What would our lives be like if Jesus Christ had never been born.
I. OUR CALANDERS WOULD ALL BE DIFFERENT!
Our bulletins that were passed out this morning all have a date on them: December 21, 2025. “Anno Domini” means “In the year of our Lord.” Luke 2:1. Until the birth of our Lord time was related to the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus. But after the birth of our Lord things changed. B. C. stands for “Before Christ,” but from His birth on it is “In the year of our Lord!” Without the birth of our Lord there would be no calendar based on His birth.
II. WITHOUT THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS, WOMEN REMAIN JUST PROPERTY!
Second, without the birth of our Lord Jesus, women remain property. In His lifetime Jesus gave women more importance than the rest of the world had ever seen. In ancient cultures, women were property of their fathers first and then of their husbands. Because of the way Jesus treated women, the apostle Paul wrote: Galatians 3:26-28. So without Jesus birth women would still be property.
III. WITHOUT JESUS CHILDREN WOULD NOT BE VALUED!
Third, without Jesus, children would not be valued! In the first century, abortion was legal and normal! Babies were often left in the woods for animals to devour or were sacrificed to pagan gods. But that all changed “in the year of our Lord!’ Christians began to cherish life as a sacred gift from God: Matthew 19:13-15.
IV. WITHOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS SLAVERY WOULD STILL NOT BE ERASED!
Fourth, without the birth of Jesus slavery would still be all over our earth. Many early Christians owned slaves but as the gospel continued to spread slaves were set free. The Bible does speak of slavery: Colossians 3:22; Colossians 4:1. Christians both owned slaves and were slaves owned by others: 1 Timothy 6:1-2. In our nation it was Christians who moved to abolish slavery.
V. WITHOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST POVERTY WOULD NEVER BE ALLEVIATED!
Fifth, without the birth of Jesus Christ poverty is not alleviated. Poverty has always been a part of life and Jesus said “the poor will always be with us.” Matthew 26:11; Matthew 19:21. Are you selling your possessions and giving to the poor? Matthew 25:34-40.
VI. WITHOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST MEDICAL CARE DOES NOT IMPROVE!
Sixth, without the birth of Jesus Christ medical care does not improve. In 325 A. D. the Council of Nicea made a declaration: “for every new church that was planted, a new hospital would also be started. Luke 7:22-23. Yes, one life can make quite a difference.