Abner Chou a faculty member of Master Seminary said,

“Happiness is an emotion. Happiness in inherently superficial or temporal and circumstantial. But joy is a perspective; Joy is deep, because it’s an evaluation of what God is doing on the inside (of someone). Joy is based upon truth, and God’s providence at work in your life, so it endures. . . it does not change.”

James 1:2–3

2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.

1. The pronouncement: Jesus is the Vine: The true source of life and fruit (John 15:1-3)

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower.

2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He cleans it so that it may bear more fruit.

3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

2) The Command: Abide in the Vine (Christ)

(John 15:4-5)

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

unless you abide in Me means

How can I create a true loving relationship with my children? Abide in Christ

How to say things that is proper and right without regret? Abide in Christ His Word

How to speak the truth in love? Abide in Christ

unless you abide in Me means

How to know God’s perfect will in marriage and family? Abide in Christ

What is the best solution for a loving relationships in work and marriage and family? Abide in Christ

There is no other way no other solution only by abiding in Christ.

3). The consequence of not abiding in Christ: Separation and death (John 15:6)

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

25 Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;

27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Revelation 21:8: “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Matthew 10:28: “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The Results of Abiding in Christ

(John 15:7-11)

1) Our prayers will be answered (John 15:7)

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

2) God is glorified, we bear much fruit, and we are true disciples of Christ (John 15:8)

8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

3) We are loved by Christ (John 15:9-10)

9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

4) Our joy is complete in Christ (John 15:11)

11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

1) Obedience to the words of God (Luke 2:21-24)

21 And when eight days were fulfilled so that they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days for their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

1) Obedience to the words of God (Luke 2:21-24)

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”

2) Proclaiming Jesus is the Messiah (Luke 2:25-26)

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

3) Jesus is the true Light that saves (Luke 2:27-32)

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28 then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Master, You are releasing Your slave in peace, According to Your word.

3) Jesus is the true Light that saves (Luke 2:27-32)

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And for the glory of Your people Israel.”

“God promised to send a Redeemer (Gen. 3:15)

and “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law” (Gal. 4:4).

The Old Testament said that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 22:18) and David (2 Sam. 7:12–13; Ps. 89:3–4; Jer. 23:5), and Jesus was (Acts 3:25; Gal. 3:16; Acts 13:22–23; Rom. 1:3).

The Old Testament predicted that the Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14), and Jesus was (Matt. 1:22–23).

According to Micah 5:2, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Jesus was (Matt. 2:1).

Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1) predicted that Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner, and John the Baptist fulfilled that role for Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:1–3; Luke 1:17).

Jesus was the prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15–18; cf. Acts 3:20–22); the “priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 110:4; cf. Heb. 5:5–6);

The suffering Servant who bore the sins of His people (Isa. 53:4–6; cf. 1 Peter 2:24);

the ruler of the nations (Ps. 2:6–9; Isa. 9:6; cf. Rev. 19:15–16);

and the one exalted to the Father’s right hand (Ps. 110:1; cf. Acts 2:32–36; Heb. 1:3; 10:10–12). Those are but a few of the numerous Old Testament prophecies the Lord Jesus fulfilled.” MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2009). Luke 1–5 (p. 175). Moody Publishers.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (cf. Mic. 7:18–19). MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2009). Luke 1–5 (p. 177). Moody Publishers.

1) True beleivers will seek to worship Christ the King (Matthew 2:1-3)

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

3 And when Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

2) False believers do not worship the true King (Matthew 2:4-8)

4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A LEADER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”

2) False believers do not worship the true King (Matthew 2:4-8)

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and carefully determined from them the time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

3) True worshippers of the King will seek and follow the King (Matthew 2:9-12)

9 Now after hearing the king, they went their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, was going on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

3) True worshippers of the King will seek and follow the King (Matthew 2:9-12)

11 And after coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi departed for their own country by another way.

The Gospel narrative of the coming of Christ shows that Christmas is a festival of the Birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ. The biblical teachings of Christmas celebration are found in the four gospels with its key witnesses and their testimonies. Appearances of personalities and contributors why Christmas is biblical for Christianity. Several personalities are presented in our passage today: The person of the Holy Spirit, the angel of the Lord, the prophecies of Isaiah, and the life and faith of Joseph and Mary.

1) The Divine Conception of Mary by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-19)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

2)The appearance and message of the angel of the Lord (Matthew 1:20-21)

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the One who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

3) The fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Matthew 1:22-23)

22 Now all this took place in order that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying,

23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

4) The righteousness and obedience of Joseph (Matthew 1:24-25)

24 And Joseph got up from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,

25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

“A skeptic who denied the virgin birth once asked a Christian, “If I told you that child over there was born without a human father, would you believe me?” The believer replied, “Yes, if he lived as Jesus lived.” The greatest outward evidence of Jesus’ supernatural birth and deity is His life.” MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1985). Matthew (Vol. 1, p. 22). Moody Press.

“The virgin birth of Christ is an unmistakable reminder that salvation can never come through human effort, but must be the work of God himself.” Wayne Grudem

1) Believe in God, believe also in Me (Christ) (John 14:1-4)

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 “And you know the way where I am going.”

2) Jesus answered Thomas: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:5-7).

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How do we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.

7 “If you have come to know Me, you will know My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

How to know the way? believe in Jesus

Where is the truth? In Jesus

How to know the truth? believe in Jesus

Where is the life? In Jesus

How to have life? believe in Jesus

Follow thou me. I am the way and the truth and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou must follow; the truth which thou must believe; the life for which thou must hope. I am the inviolable way; the infallible truth, the never-ending life. I am the straightest way; the sovereign truth; life true, life blessed, life uncreated. D. A. Carson

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all so long and have you not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from Myself, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. (LSB) JOHN 14:8-11

What is your understanding of life after death?

What is your theological belief regarding life here on earth and life in heaven?

Is there life after death?

If I die will I go to heaven?

Will my body be resurrected from the dead in the last days? Or will I taste death in this life?

What is the meaning, I am the Resurrection and the Life?

Why did Jesus claim He is the Resurrection and the life?

The Setting: Lazarus was dead (John 11:17-19)

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away;

19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother.

Martha believed God can heal or raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:20-23)

20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

22 “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha believed Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:24-27)

24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

The I AM statement is a statement how to know the name of God (Exodus 3:14). This is the name of God.

The I AM statement is one of the names of Yahweh Elohim.

‌The I AM is a statement of the existence of God in eternity (before Abraham I am

The I AM statement is a revelation that there is a loving and kind God who wants to save and have an everlasting relationship with God

The I AM statement is a covenant keeping God

The I AM statement is a statement that there is no other God besides Him. He God who saves the people of Israel.

I am the Resurrection and the life

Those who will believe will never die and will have everlasting life and live forever.

Those who die God will raise them up again and again and in the future or in the last days but live forever.

Those who also believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah will never die but live for forever.

Those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God will also never die but live for forever.

Those who believe that Jesus Christ is the One coming back again either in rapture and in His second coming will never die but live for forever.

John 11:39-40

39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

JOHN 10:11-13

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches and scatters them. 13 because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

JOHN 10:14-16

14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

16 “And I have other sheep, which are not from this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

17“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.”

18“No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

I AM THE GATE / JOHN 10:1-10

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 “But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 “When he brings all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 “A stranger they will never follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. 7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

D. A. Carson summarizes the symbolism of “light” throughout the Bible: The light metaphor is steeped in Old Testament allusions.

1. The glory presence of God in the cloud (Ex. 13:21-22; Ex. 14:19-25).

2. The Israelites sing, ’The LORD is my light and my salvation’ (Ps. 27:1).

3. The word and law of God is a light to guide the path (Ps. 119:105; Pr. 6:23);

4. God’s light is the revelation (Ezk. 1:4, 13, 26-28) and salvation (Hab. 3:3-4).

5. ’Light is Yahweh in action, Ps. 44:3’.

6. The servant of the LORD was appointed as a light to the Gentiles (Is. 49:6).

7. The LORD would be the light for his people on the last days (Is. 60:19-22)

8. The promise of continual light on the last day (Zechariah 14:5b-7).

9. Isaiah 9:2, 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

Jesus claimed He is the Light of the world (John 8:12-13)

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are bearing witness about Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

How did Jesus explain the Himself as the Light of the world?

John 1:4, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 1: 9, There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

John 12:35, Jesus therefore said to them, “For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Matthew 4:16, “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, And to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a light dawned.”

John 3:19, “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.

1 John 1:5, And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Jesus claimed He is the Light of the world (John 8:12-13)

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are bearing witness about Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

John 12:46, “I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.

1 John 1:6-7 : 6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1st reason, Jesus knows where He came from (John 8:14-15)

14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

15 “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.

2nd reason, Jesus was with God

(John 8:16)

16 “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.

3rd reason: Jesus and the Father testified about the Light (John 8:17-19)

Exposit: 17 “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true.

18 “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”

19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”

Light is a wave, moving at 186,000 miles per second. This wave can hit the retina of the eye, and when it does that, it makes things visible. It illuminates things. All colors depend on light. Where there is light, we see. Where there is no light, we do not see. It is high-speed energy that hits the eye and makes things visible. When you think about light in that way, you are seeing it or viewing it in a way that is directly applicable to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is divine power in the spiritual realm, making things visible.

When the Light, the spiritual light of Christ, hits the living soul, which would be equal to the open and functioning eye, everything is illuminated in the spiritual realm. The Light, according to John, is none other than the life - that eternal life who is the Lord Jesus Christ - who is the Word that comes from God. He is the Word because in Him, God speaks. He is the Life because through Him God gives life. He is the Light because by Him everything in the spiritual realm is illuminated. Apart from Him, there is no Word from God. Apart from Him, there is no life. And apart from Him, there is no true understanding - all is darkness.” John MacArthur

1. Jesus was the giver of eternal life (John 6:26-27)

26 Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.

27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, set His seal.”

John 1:1–2 (LSB)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

2. Jesus is the Messiah sent by God the Father (John 6:28-29)

28 Therefore they said to Him, “What should we do, so that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

3. Jesus was the bread of God that gives life to the world (John 6:30-33)

30 So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform?

31 “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

31 “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Moses has not given you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

4. Jesus is the Bread of life (John 6:34-35)

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 4:13–14 (LSB)

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst—ever; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 7:38 (LSB)

38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Isaiah 49:10 (LSB)

10 “They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will guide them And will lead them to springs of water.

Revelation 7:16 (LSB)

16 “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;

WHY DO WE NEED TO COME AND BELIEVE THE BREAD OF LIFE:

1. Jesus is the giver of eternal life (John 6:26-27)

2. Jesus is the Messiah sent by God the Father (John 6:28-29)

3. Jesus is the true life to the world (John 6:30-33)

4. Jesus is the Bread of life (John 6:34-35)

John 6:48–58 (LSB)

48 “I am the bread of life. 49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 “This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and also the bread which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” 52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 “This is the bread which came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”