Birth.....Death.....Resurrection I. Introduction. A. The Old Testament revealed that a Messiah was coming to this earth. B. The Messiah would be both man and God. C. The Messiah would be a saviour for all men: Jew and Gentile. D. The Messiah would be born, live, and die within a period of less than 33 years. E. Apt description: John 1:29. II. Body. A. Jesus Christ is born. 1. The prophecy: Isaiah 7:14. 2. The fulfillment: Luke 2:4-7. a. Of a virgin: Matthew 1:18, 20(saviour) b. Hence: Matthew 1:21. 3. The Bible is silent as to the date of this birth. 4. The word of God does not empathize the birth except in the initial record of the gospels. 5. The Bible is silent on observing His birth. 6. The word of God is silent on instructing what to do to so observe. 7. Christmas as a religious holiday is an invention of men, not God: II John 9. 8. In reality, Christmas is a secular holiday-- nothing more. 9. We rejoice in the birth, but do not "celebrate" as many in the religious world. B. Jesus Christ is put to death. 1. Read Mark 15:22-25, 33-39. 2. All of the cruelties of men are now manifested. 3. Why did he die? a. Did only good in life. b. Told only the truth. c. Showed compassion, mercy, kindness and caring for all of Humanity. d. Never uttered an unkind word or spoke words of evil. e. He died because of you and me and the billions who have lived since: Romans 5:7. f. The Centurion said it: Matthew 27:54. 4. In His death, He shed His blood for our salvation: Hebrews 9:22. 5. Note: Matthew 26:26-28. 6. Disciples remember each first day: Acts 20:7. 7. Hence: I Corinthians 11:26. 8. Each first day, disciples meet God's requirements. a. Not monthly, bi-monthly, yearly--or daily- -but each first day. b. The sacrifice was made--this is the memorial. C. Jesus Christ is raised. 1. The account: Luke 24:1-9. a. Some doubted; some disbelieved; some accepted. b. Thomas convinced: John 20:24f. 2. The hope of every Christian: I Corinthians 15:12-14. a. Paul's preaching: I Corinthians 15:3-4. b. Remembering His death: we believe in His resurrection. c. Hence: I Corinthians 15:17-18. 3. The resurrection is in the mind of Christians constantly. 4. However, the book of God contains no instructions to set aside a day(Easter) for observance. 5. As Christmas, one may observe as a secular holiday(but remember it occurs on the first day of the week). 6. Christians remember the death, burial and resurrection each first day. III. Conclusion. A. The return of Christ: I Thessalonians 4:16-17. B. The fate of the physical earth: II Peter 3:10. C. Jesus died and was raised for you: what have you done for Him? -James L. Yopp