Christmas: an Event in History
A Christmas Sermon from Titus 2:11-14
Originally preached Dec. 14, 1958
Scripture
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our …
Sermon Description
Christmas can come and pass without Christians truly questioning what the season means. This is a tragedy because Christians can easily adopt the world’s view of Christmas if there is not proper effort and diligence. The world will celebrate the season with a vague principle called the “Christmas spirit” – general benevolence and encouragement to each other to be a little nicer than before. Or the world will tout a gospel of peace where nations, political leaders, and governments are addressed about their bombs and armaments. But how does the apostle Paul react to the coming of Christ? What does the celebration of Christmas mean to him? In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “Christmas: An Event in History,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul reacted with the deepest feelings, emotions, and praise at the appearing of the Son of God. This praise and shouts of joy were because of an actual event in history that took place. God’s grace appeared, not in a teaching or principle primarily, but in a real person whom Paul declares is the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to ascribe to the “facts” of Christmas without losing the joy that the event should bring.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christianity is based on historical events and happenings, not just ideas or philosophies. The grace of God has appeared through real events in history.
- The central historical event is the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into the world. The message of Christmas is that God's dealings with humanity center on the person of Jesus.
- Jesus Christ is the "great God and our Savior." He is the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. Though invisible in glory, He "appeared" by becoming incarnate as the babe of Bethlehem.
- The incarnation of Christ was the only way for God's grace and salvation to be made known to sinful humanity. Because of our sin, God could not simply forgive us by decree. Christ had to become man, live a perfect life, die an atoning death, and rise again to reconcile us to God.
- The incarnation and atonement of Christ should be the most important truth in our lives. If it does not move us or change us, we do not truly understand or believe it. We must look to Christ alone for salvation.
Sermon Q&A
What is the True Message of Advent According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What is the central message of Christmas according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Christmas is not merely about goodwill, peace on earth, or a teaching to follow, but the historical fact that "the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared" in the person of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that Christianity is fundamentally based on a historical event - God Himself entering human history. Lloyd-Jones states: "Christianity is not a philosophy. It's not a teaching, it's not an idea. It's not primarily a way of life. What is it then? It's an announcement. It's a proclamation, a declaration... of a great fact of an event."
How does Lloyd-Jones say people misunderstand the Christmas message?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several common misunderstandings of Christmas: 1. Many see it as "just some vague festival of goodwill, good cheer" 2. Others view it primarily as a time to promote peace on earth 3. Some reduce it to merely a set of teachings or a philosophy 4. Many focus on its implications rather than the central event itself
He attributes these misunderstandings to sin, which "affects our thinking" and "prevents a man from seeing the truth." Lloyd-Jones laments that "there is literally no single subject which is so completely misunderstood as the message of this book, and in particular, perhaps the message that we normally associate with this season of the year."
Who does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say Jesus really is?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is emphatic that Jesus is "the great God and no one less." He explains that the baby in Bethlehem is "the second person in the blessed Holy Trinity," who is "co-equal, co-eternal with God the Father." Lloyd-Jones stresses that Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem - rather, He "appeared" there. As the preacher explains: "When you and I were born, we began then that point... But that isn't the term that you use about this babe. The term that you have to use about this babe is this, that he has appeared... he always was in glory without beginning of days."
Why does Lloyd-Jones say the Incarnation was necessary for salvation?
Lloyd-Jones argues that the Incarnation was the only possible way for God to save humanity. He states: "God could not deal with your problem and mine and grant us forgiveness and salvation and deliverance by just speaking." The reason is the seriousness of sin - "Sin is in the very warp and woof of our natures" - and God's holiness, justice and righteousness. God "has pronounced judgment upon sin and he cannot go back on his word." Therefore:
"There was only one way whereby mankind could be dealt with by grace and pardoned and forgiven and restored and reconciled to God... He sent his only son and the Son came... He took on him our nature. He had to to stand in our place to receive our punishment, to be smitten for our transgressions."
How should Christians respond to the true message of Christmas according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the true message of Christmas should evoke profound emotion and transformation in believers. He challenges his listeners: "Is this to you the most important thing you know? Is this to you the most wonderful thing you know?" He states that if someone truly believes the Christmas message, "this is everything. It will move you. It will grip you. It'll control the whole of your life."
He concludes that proper understanding of this message will, as the apostle says, "teach you to renounce ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously and in a godly manner in this present world." The proper response is to "look at him" - to take time to "consider it, to stand before it, to meditate at it" and "realize his love for you and what he has done for you and for your salvation."
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.