The Real Christmas The Real Christmas StoryStory (1 Timothy 1:15-16) (1 Timothy 1:15-16) Christ Jesus Christ Jesus

came into the world to save came into the world to save sinnerssinners -- of whom I am the worst. -- of whom I am the worst. {16} … that in me, the worst of {16} … that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an his unlimited patience as an example example for those who would for those who would believe on him and receive eternal believe on him and receive eternal lifelife..

The choice of Sin The choice of Sin instead of instead of rightousnessrightousness (Romans 1:18) The wrath of God is (Romans 1:18) The wrath of God is

being revealed from heaven against being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of all the godlessness and wickedness of men who men who suppress the truthsuppress the truth by by their wickednesstheir wickedness, ,

(Romans 1:28) Furthermore, since (Romans 1:28) Furthermore, since they they did not think it worthwhile to did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of Godretain the knowledge of God, he , he gave them over to a depraved mindgave them over to a depraved mind, , to do what ought not to be done.to do what ought not to be done.

The choice of human The choice of human “wisdom” instead of “wisdom” instead of ChristChrist (1 Corinthians 1:18) For the (1 Corinthians 1:18) For the

message of the cross is message of the cross is foolishnessfoolishness to those who are to those who are perishing, but to us who are being perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…saved it is the power of God…

(1 Corinthians 1:21) For since in (1 Corinthians 1:21) For since in the wisdom of God the world the wisdom of God the world through its “through its “wisdomwisdom” did not ” did not know him, know him, God was pleased God was pleased through the through the foolishnessfoolishness of what of what was preached to save those who was preached to save those who believe.believe.

Satan blinds the Satan blinds the world to the gospelworld to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4) The god of this (2 Corinthians 4:4) The god of this

age has age has blinded the mindsblinded the minds of of unbelievers, so that they cannot see unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the the light of the gospel of the glory of gospel of the glory of ChristChrist, who is the image of God., who is the image of God.

(2 Corinthians 11:13-14) For such (2 Corinthians 11:13-14) For such men are false apostles, deceitful men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. {14} And no wonder, for of Christ. {14} And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as Satan himself masquerades as an an angel of lightangel of light..

““Believe” in John’s Believe” in John’s GospelGospel

What are you trusting in What are you trusting in to get to heaven?to get to heaven?

(Ephesians 2:8-9) "For it is by grace you (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For it is by grace you have been saved, have been saved, through faith-through faith--and this -and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} {9} not by worksnot by works, so that no one can , so that no one can boast.“boast.“

Christ Good Works

Christ + Works

C W C+W

A suggested prayer of A suggested prayer of faith in Christfaith in Christ

Dear Lord, I realize I’m a sinner Dear Lord, I realize I’m a sinner and could never deserve heaven. and could never deserve heaven. I realize that Jesus, God’s Son, I realize that Jesus, God’s Son, paid the penalty my sins paid the penalty my sins deserved on the cross. deserved on the cross. I now am I now am placing my faith in Jesus Christ placing my faith in Jesus Christ alonealone to receive forgiveness and to receive forgiveness and eternal life. Ameneternal life. Amen

We are loved children of We are loved children of God!God!

(Galatians 3:26) You are all (Galatians 3:26) You are all sons of sons of GodGod through faith in Christ Jesus, through faith in Christ Jesus,

(1 John 3:1) (1 John 3:1) How great is the love How great is the love the Father has lavished on usthe Father has lavished on us, that , that we should be called we should be called children of Godchildren of God! ! And that is what we are! The reason And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it the world does not know us is that it did not know him.did not know him.