This evening across all of Mars Hill Church, and with our Mars Hill Global family online, we celebrate an incredible miracle: God entered into human history as Jesus Christ.
An angel announced this event with the words: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).
Savior. Christ. Lord. The three titles that the angel used to describe the baby each tell us something important about the identity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Savior. All religions and worldviews outside of Christianity have one thing in common: God is not the savior. Either you are your own savior, or there’s no savior at all. In Christianity, God is the hero who rescues his people from death. He is the redeemer who died in our place for our sins. In this season of gift giving and receiving, we must not forget that we give Jesus our sins, and in exchange he gives us his death, resurrection, forgiveness, grace, and eternal life as the greatest gift giver the world will ever know. Have you given Jesus your sin and received his gift of salvation?
Jesus is the Christ. “Christ” means anointed. Jesus is the anointed, rightful King of all creation. One day he will return to inaugurate his kingdom for all eternity, and his people will live with him in perfect joy forever. Do you belong to Jesus’ kingdom?
Jesus is Lord. Jesus is fully God, ruler over all. Everything we have comes from him—everything we have, every dollar we spend, and every day we enjoy are all gifts from him. We either steward these gifts in service to the true Lord, or squander them in an attempt to serve lesser lords. Who is the lord of your life?
What you believe about Jesus changes your life on earth and alters your destiny for eternity. Today, I invite you to hear the Christmas story with fresh ears. Hear the words of Scripture and receive God’s greatest gift: the Savior, Christ, and Lord.
Go to marshill.com/christmas for Christmas Eve service times and locations, and to sign up to watch the online livestream.
