(Archive of other audio sermons)
(Archive of other audio songs)

or

25 December 2002 - "What if Jesus never came?" - Christmas Day 2002, message by Rev Erlo Stegen

John 15: 22 & Luke 2: 10 & 13

Have you ever wondered: "What if Jesus had never come"?What would it be like in your life, home and heart?

An example is the story of a pastor who dreamt of what it must be like if Christ had never come The Christmas Card.

Just imagine if Jesus had never come. Think of the darkness in you and you in the darkness. But though Jesus did come, there are millions who have never experienced salvation; who still live as though Jesus had never come.

Years ago, Bing Crosby was world famous for his song "White Christmas". He owned a huge cattle ranch, where he got his son, Lindsay to help him. Unfortunately, "White Christmas" was only a song to Bing, it was never something he experienced in his heart. (Read more here)

This is what it's like for those who do not know God. Christmas becomes a time of alcohol and other sins.

At the birth of Jesus, the angel told the shepherds: "Do not fear" Do not fear your enemies, your friends, even the angels.

"I bring you tidings of great joy" Those tidings are the gospel. The angels came to evangelise, even though Christ had not come for them but for us human beings. Do you know this "great joy". If you are still bothered by sin, then you only know temporary and finally harmful pleasure and not the great joy the angel spoke of.

Why the great joy? Because a Saviour has been born. Never again do you need drugs or alcohol or anything else to make you happy. You have a Saviour.

"Glory to God. Peace on earth" How glorious it must have been to hear the angels praising God, happy on our behalf at the birth of Jesus.

Perhaps you have relatives or friends who still walk in darkness. Don't you want to proclaim this peace to them? If the angels could rejoice on our behalf and proclaim this message to us, how much more we to whom this message is directed.