1) the Story Begins Before the Story Began (1-8)

Gospel Christmas Story

John 1:1-18

Main Idea: The Christmas story is the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

1) The Story Begins before the story began (1-8)

a) The Gospel and the Christmas story began before creation.

b) The beautiful story of creation takes a dark turn as humanity rebels and sins against God.

c) The first clue to the mystery of the Gospel comes in Genesis 3:15.

d) God was not caught off guard. Christmas was not God’s “plan B.”

e) The gift of God’s redemption was still wrapped in mystery looking forward to the baby born in Bethlehem.

2) We cannot save ourselves (9-11)

a) The commandments the book of Exodus reveals that all of us have sinned.

b) The sacrifices in the book of Leviticus reveal we cannot remove our sin.

c) We cannot make enough sacrifices for our sins, and cannot save ourselves.

d) The Christmas story calls us to turn away from ourselves and look to God for salvation.

3) The Real Christmas Story (12-13)

a) The Christmas story is the Gospel.

b) Our role is passive; God’s role is active.

c) God is the One who acts, the One who Will, the One who saves.

4) The Redeemer who puts on flesh (14—18)

a) The mystery is now revealed.

b) We have received grace upon grace.

c) The Christmas story is the Gospel

Review:

The good news of the story of Christmas:

a) God created us to be with Him.

b) We rebelled against God and sinned.

c) We couldn’t fix our sin ourselves.

d) God’s plan has always pointed to Christ, who paid the price for our sins.

e) If we turn from our sin and place our faith and trust in Christ as Lord we have eternal life with God that begins today and never ends!

5) Application

a) How can you make your celebration of Christmas more about the gospel?

b) Which of your Christmas traditions point toward the Gospel?

c) Who are you going to share the gospel with this

Christmas?

For This Week

Read

Psalm 51

Consider

Summarize this Psalm in your own words.

How is this Psalm fulfilled through Jesus Christ in your life?

How does this Psalm encourage you to share the gospel with others? (12-14)

Do

Write a brief summary of the Christmas story as the gospel of Jesus Christ that you might share with a friend or family member this Christmas season.

Look for an opportunity to share the gospel Christmas story, or write a gospel Christmas letter and share it with a friend or family member.

Pray

God, give me the opportunity and the words to share the true Christmas story with my friends and family this Christmas season.