Christmas Questions: Why Did God Became Man? 

John 1:14

Welcome to December, for me this is the official start of the Christmas season. For most retailers, it began sometime in mid-October! Let me say up front that I love Christmas! I have always loved Christmas. One of my favorite stories of Christmas is by Charles Dickens; 'A Christmas Carol' speaks of a transformation that took place in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge. Many familiar phrases have remained from that story. 'Bah, Humbug!' You know there are still some 'Scrooges' who want to ruin Christmas for others.

I would like to begin a series of messages this morning on "Questions of Christmas". But I don't want to waste time with foolishness like "Can reindeer really fly? Do elves make all the toys at the North Pole? Does Santa really know if we've been bad or good?" I want us to consider biblical questions that will help us understand and be able to communicate to our children, grandchildren, and everyone else what Christmas is all about.

Twas the season of Christmas, And all through the house.

The children asked questions, Of me and my spouse.

About the real Christmas, Not Santa and stuff,

Just a few little questions, But man, were they tough.

Like, why would an Almighty God, Become man?

Was it really a part of His great Master plan?

And all the earth's people, Why would He choose,

The nation of Israel, We call them "the Jews."

"Why Judah?" they asked, Seeming just a bit snide.

Would God have picked him And all of his Tribe?

And then there's the puzzle Concerning the town.

Why choose a small village, Not a place of renown?

Then lastly they asked, "and what of that manger?

For a King and a God No birth could be stranger!"

They had me you see, I had nothing to say.

And I needed answers Before Christmas Day.

Then quickly, it came . . . As my mind, I did search

The pastor was answering Those questions at church.

So momma and her notebook And I with my 'Sword'

Packed up all the kids And jumped in the Ford.

"We'll find it in church!" I said in a huff.

"The real Christmas story, And not this world's fluff." (to be continued)

Question #1 Why did God become man?

This is an important question for us if we want to understand what Christmas is all about. This first question is about the incarnation, God becoming flesh. It isn't a question of whether or not He did, but rather why did He become man? The Bible makes it clear that He did!

(John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

This morning, let me give you four reasons why God became man.

I. He became POOR so we could become RICH.

(2 Corinthians 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

A. Grace = God's Riches At Christ's Expense

1. It is because of His grace…

2. Grace = unmerited favor

3. God saw us in our need, and was willing to pay the ultimate price of redemption.

4. Because He was willing to become poor, we can enjoy the riches of His grace.

B. Jesus willingly left the glory of heaven, the privilege of dwelling in the very presence of God the Father, and He became a man.

1. Amazing isn't it?

2. But He did it all for us!

3. He became a man that we might become the sons of God.

(John 1:11-12) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

C. Have you believe on His name?

II. He EMPTIED Himself so we could be FILLED.

(Philippians 2:7-8) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

A. "Made Himself of no reputation"

1. That phrase literally means He emptied Himself.

2. He chose to lay aside His glory and power, that He might take upon Himself the form of a servant.

3. The creator became the creation.

4. Unbelievable? No, that's just how much He loves us.

(Ephesians 3:19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

B. "That ye might be filled with the fullness of God"

1. He completes us…

2. He provides what we lack…

3. That is why He became man!

4. That we might be filled with the fullness of God.

5. Does this sound too good to believe?

6. Listen to the next verse.

(Ephesians 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

C. Have you been filled with His fullness?

III. He gave up His IMMUNITY to sin so that we could escape the PENALTY of sin.

(Hebrews 2:17) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

A. The One who was without sin was made sin for us.

(2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1. God views sin SERIOUSLY, and a price must be paid to ATONE for sin.

2. Only a HUMAN may pay it, because it is humanity that has SINNED.

3. Only GOD is able to PAY it, because humans are imperfect.

4. Therefore the only way that humans' sin may be paid for, is by God becoming a PERSON, and paying the PRICE as a person.

(Galatians 4:4-5) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

B. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…

(1 John 3:5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1. God took my sins, and charged them to Christ's account.

2. And He takes Christ's righteousness and places it to my account.

3. That is the basis of our new relationship to God.

4. All our sins, past, present and future have been paid for by Jesus' death.

5. They are no longer on God's record books.

6. Instead, when God looks at my account, He finds me to be - in actuality and fact - as righteous as His son.

7. God made Him to be sin for us so that we could be made the very righteousness of God.

8. Not in our BEHAVIOR, but in our BEING - that part of us that goes to heaven, the "real me."

Twas the season of Christmas, And all through the house.

The children asked questions, Of me and my spouse.

The first one was Why Did God became man?

Was it really a part of His great Master plan?

But now I could answer, No more need I search,

Because I had listened, This morning at church.

The Babe in the manger, He truly was God.

He took upon flesh, A real human body.

He emptied himself With man became level.

He even stood face -to- face, With the devil.

He did it because, There was no other way,

An imperfect man, For sin cannot pay!

He was perfect in life, And as everyone knows,

He died for us all, And then He arose.

And then with a twinkle, I said, sounding trite

"Merry Christmas to all, Question one, I got right!"

Why did God become man?

• He became POOR so we could become RICH.

• He EMPTIED Himself so we could be FILLED.

• He gave up His IMMUNITY to sin so that we could escape the PENALTY of sin.

All of this and more He did for you and for me. Have you placed your faith in Him for salvation? Come today and trust in the One who gave His all for us.

Christian, this month is a wonderful time for us to share the real message of Christmas with those around us. Will you dedicate this month to doing that?

As we bow before God this morning, let us thank Him for His unspeakable gift!