Christ's Birth Explained!

II Corinthians 9:8 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.

Paul is using the picture of Christmas to encourage the church at Corinth to give to the poor
saints as they had committed to a year earlier. He started off by using the example of other
churches that were following the real meaning of Christmas as well. They first gave their selves
to the LORD and then unto those that were in need, just as God had done and is described here in
verse 8. I guess John stated it one of the best ways in

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Let’s take a look
at this verse and find “Christmas in a Nut Shell”.

1. The Reminder – V8a - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Paul reminded them of what they already knew. God’s Grace, His Unmerited Favor, Kindness
A) John 1:14-17 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. John bare witness of him,
and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me:
for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law
was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
B) Romans 3:21-25 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God
C) Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
D) I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me.

2. The Richness – V8b - that, though he was rich

Can you imagine just how rich Jesus was before coming to earth at His birth? The King!

A) Psalm 24:8-10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in
battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of
glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Haggai 2:8
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

B) Luke 19:37-38 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the
mighty works that they had seen; 38 saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the
Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

3. The Reduction – V8c - yet for your sakes he became poor,

Now think about Christ laying aside all the riches with the Father to become poor. But why, why
did He do this ? It was for You and Me!

A) Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
B) 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) Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 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.

Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many.

Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned
with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

4. The Reason – V8d - that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Here is found the real reason for Christmas. He came to give Himself upon the cross to make
us RICH. He gave to us that what we could not and cannot to give to ourselves.
A) Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
B) John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
C) Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of
God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
D) Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
E) Titus 3:7 that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.
Conclusion – Have you received the gift of God? Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9