What if Jesus Hadn't been Born?

December 25, 2022
Series: Christmas
Book: Hebrews

Speaker: Ps Daniel Abu

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Introduction:

Regardless of what one might believe as to the exact date of Jesus’ birth, December 25th, somewhere between 6 and 4 BC, 33 AD, whatever it is, one thing that we can all agree upon is this… JESUS WAS BORN, and it cannot be denied that Jesus of Nazareth has been the most powerful influence in the history of the world. If someone drastically changed
their life in a positive way, we would ask one of two questions: are you dying? Did you meet Jesus? Why? Well because everyone knows that only Jesus Christ of Nazareth has that kind of transforming power. Period!

So, what if Jesus had never been born?
Let’s look at this question from 3 aspects: Economics; Seasonal; and Hope for Humanity
1. Economic. In an article – Economics of Christmas is typically a high-volume selling season for goods suppliers around the world. Sales increase dramatically as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate. It has been estimated that the Christmas Industry is over $5T business industry. That’s gifts; cards; parties; food; movies about Santa Claus, Easter bunny, Home Alone 1 and 2, and all those Christmas movies wouldn’t exist. Even in ICA, we have 3 Christmas Celebrations. So, if Jesus hadn’t been born, then NO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.

2. Seasonal. Just imagine that there was no Christmas, in a place like Russia in December where you have snow and cold and everything is gray and glooming, Christmas trees and decorations light up the streets and transforms what would have been a depressing situation into a happy and joyful one. My wife told me a story about when sometimes ago she wasn’t having a good day at all, but when she came out of the metro and saw a fully decorated Christmas tree, it really brightened her day. So, if Jesus hadn’t been born, then NO CHRISTMAS TREES and the year will end just like that, cold, grey, dirty and depressing.

3. Hope for Humanity. I am an African, and historically, we are an idol worshipping continent. So, this means that Pastor Daniel would probably be a chief priest of some African idol, leading the sacrifice of only God knows what. I would not know what the real God is like. From the beginning of human history, we’ve always wanted to know who God is, and God revealed what he is like by sending his Son. (Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel – God with us”.). Jesus said, (John 14:9 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father); and (John 10:30"I and the Father are one). If Jesus had not been born, I would have no knowledge of what God is like.

                A. If Jesus hadn’t been born, there would be no salvation from sin (Hebrews 2:1-3; 9-13)

Hebrews 2:2&3 “… if every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape…?”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
As you can see, if Christ hadn’t been born, His death on the cross as a permanent atonement for our sins would never have taken place, so there would be no forgiveness, no redemption, no justification, and no salvation. There would be no adoption, no sanctification and no future glorification. AND most importantly, there would be no eternal life.
If Jesus hadn’t been born, these saving realities would never have happened.

                B. If Jesus hadn’t been born, there would be no victory over death (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Every morning, I send the Bible verses, and a little prayer point. And usually, it starts like this: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of life. Please forgive us our many sins, and then I move on the prayer point connected to the Bible verse of the day. You won’t believe how many people are not happy with such prayer points. BUT it is somewhat shocking to consider the average number of people who die every day—over 180,000 people. That is 7000 per hour,
130 per minute and 2 souls enter eternity every second. If the Lord tarries, death will one day be a reality for all of us. So, that you are alive today, listening to this sermon or reading it, is something to be thankful for. Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Hebrews 2:14-15 “   … that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
If Jesus hadn’t been born, there would be no victory over death. We would still be slaves to the fear of death, and rightly so because we would have had no future but hell. But because Jesus came, Jesus was born so that we would not fear death because Jesus conquered death for all those who trust in Him.

               C. If Jesus hadn’t been born, there would be no mediator between God and man (Hebrews 2: 16-18)

Just think about it like this. How would you pray if Jesus hadn’t been born? Jesus did not come for the angels, even though they wanted to see this mystery. How would you approach God in all His majesty? But because Jesus was born, are able to do all these.

Hebrews 2:17 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Jesus was born. Like us to help us overcome sin because the only way there could be a true mediator between God and man is if that mediator were on equal footing with both parties involved. Christ alone can be that mediator because only He can relate to God as God and, because of His incarnation, to us as a human being.
Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being  [j] tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Conclusion:
If Jesus had never been born, we would have no salvation from sin, no victory over death, and no mediator between us and a holy, righteous, wrathful God. But because of the incarnation, we have something that even the angels can’t fully understand. We have grace, redemption, salvation, sanctification, and the hope of glory. We have a place in the family of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What if Jesus had never been born? I wouldn’t want to live in that world.

So, there are reasons to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

7 Reasons to Celebrate
The world at its present shape might tell you that there is no reason to celebrate Christmas, but I have 7 reasons why I celebrate Christmas and so should you:
1. God did! – 2. Angels did! – 3. Shepherds did! – 4. Wisemen did! – 5. Mary and Joseph Did! – 6. The Early Church did! – BUT 7. Satan did not!

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