Introduction:   God’s greatest gift was The Lamb Of God (that taketh away the sin of the world). May the Lord help us to see why Jesus, and His birth are so special. God’s gift…the Lamb of God:

I.          WAS A SPECIAL LAMB (V. 20)

 A.                His Conception Was Special

This is an essential doctrine! Without a virgin birth, we do not have a sinless Savior and we have no hope of salvation. It is impossible to be saved and deny the truth of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ!

B.        His Conduct Was Special

From the day Jesus came into this world until the day He ascended back into Heaven, He was a Person of very special characteristics.

·         Miracles - He fed multitudes, open blinded eyes, heal the sick and even raise the dead. Everything He did marked Him as being special.

·         Messages - When Jesus opened His mouth, people marveled at the things He said. Even when He was only 12, the doctors of the Law were astonished at Him.

·         Methods - Even the way Jesus carried Himself set Him apart from all the others around Him. Never did He stoop to the level of His enemies, but He always kept His Father's will the center of His focus.

C.        His Claim Was Special

What was the claim that Jesus made that was so offensive to these people? The answer to that question is two-fold.

·         Jesus Claimed To Be The Son Of God - Just as the doctrine of the virgin birth is essential to salvation, so also is the doctrine that Jesus is the Son of God. Until a person comes to the place that they are willing to confess Jesus to be the Son of God, they cannot be saved!

·         Jesus Claimed To Be God - John 14:9; John 8:58; John 10:30 - This claim was even more offensive to the Jews that the other one! By making this claim, Jesus was telling them that He was eternal, that He was their God. 

II.        WAS A SACRIFICIAL LAMB (V. 21)

The Lamb of God came into this world for one purpose. He was special Lamb, but He came to be sacrificial Lamb.

A.        He Was a Spotless Lamb
Before any lamb could be offered as a sacrifice, it had to be examined thoroughly and be declared spotless, Num. 28:9. Not only was Jesus the Son of God, but He was the sinless Son of God, 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:22. He was a pure Lamb dying for a wretched world.

B.        He Was A Submissive Lamb

Jesus wasn't forced into His role as a sacrifice. He willingly submitted to all that He endured. When He did speak, it was to pray for the forgiveness of His tormentors. Jesus was surrendered to the Father's will. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus could be found in prayer calling for the Father's will to be done, Luke 22:42.

C.        He Was A Sacrificed Lamb

All the rest meant nothing unless this part was fulfilled. It wasn't enough for Jesus to be sinless and surrendered. He had to suffer and die before sin could ever be done away with, Heb. 9:22. Thank God, on that cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins and literally became sin for you and me that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him!

III.       IS A SAVING LAMB (V. 21)

If the story ended here this would be a sad story to tell. There would be no reason to celebrate Christmas and no need to come to church. There would be no salivation and no hope for our souls. But, thank God, the story doesn't end there! Three days after Jesus died on that cross, He came forth, alive, from the tomb. Since this is true, I want to show you what the Lamb of God can do today.

A.        He Has Power To Save Sinners

There are three basic things that He will do in the heart and life of every sinner that will come to Him by faith.

·         He Can Cleanse Sin - When you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept His death and resurrection as the payment for your sin debt, He washes you in His blood and your sins are no longer an issue!

·         He Can Convert Souls - The human soul is a wicked thing, (Jer. 17:9). It is lost and undone and cannot have fellowship with God. But, when Jesus is believed on for salvation, Jesus Christ converts (makes new) the soul and brings it near to God.

·         He Can Change Sinners - When He saves someone, He also changes that person. (Cor. 5:17) Jesus takes the worst sinners and turns them into the best saints. 

B.                 He Has Power To Secure Saints

When Jesus saves a soul, He does it for all eternity! If He can save you then He can keep you saved! If He can't keep you then He can't save you to begin with. After all, that was His greatest miracle!

Conclusion:     Christmas is about you coming to know God. After all, that is why God sent His Son into the world!