There’s a moment in history that changed the narrative for the entire human race. Religious or not, the world is different than it would be had Jesus never been born 

There was a moment in time when a line separated everything before it, from everything that came after it. There was a moment when God’s wrath was aimed at every person who had rebelled against holiness, justice, peace and love. Then there’s a moment when a baby showed up in the world who would take all of that wrath on himself so that everyone who had sinned could experience holiness, justice peace and love.

That was the day that Jesus was born.

[Genesis 3:15]

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

[Isaiah 59:1-2]

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”

God is on one side and we’re on the other. What is the line down the middle? Our sin

[Romans 5:12]

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”

1. We Are Born In Captivity

[John 8:34]

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”

[Romans 5:15-21]

“But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.  And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.  Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.  Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.  God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.  So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

[Matthew 5:17]

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

[Romans 3:19-20]

“Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”

2. Jesus Sets Captives Free

[Romans 3:21-22]

“But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”

[Romans 6:15-16]

“Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

[Philippians 3:5-6]

“I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin – a real Hebrew if there ever was one! …As for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”

[Philippians 3:7-8]

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”

[Luke 19:8-9]

“Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much! Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.”

The entire Bible is a rescue mission. Mankind draws a line between himself and his Creator and the Creator builds a bridge over that line. That’s what happened at Christmas. God delivered the concrete and steel needed to bridge the gap between us and himself.

You, like me, have your own prisons. There are things we have created in our pursuit of meaning, value and purpose. 

• These things have become our captors
• They threaten to keep us on the other side of the line from God

I’m wondering what your prison is…

• Anger/Hate
• Self-loathing Pity
• Greed/Pride
• Lust/Porn
• Approval/Acceptance
• Addiction/Regret
• Pain/hurt from your past
• Loneliness/Depression
• Worry/Fear

Maybe you have everything and no one. You’ve been scrambling up the ladder so long you never stopped to make sure it was leaning against the right wall. No one here is too far gone. God is a faithful bridge builder and he’s invited you to cross over today.

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Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?

2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?

3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?

4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?