“God Loves Ugly People”
Country Christmas Week Two
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 (NLT) and Isaiah 64:1-12 (NLT)
Romans 5:6-11
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Christmas - the celebration of the BIRTH of Jesus, which is more about the celebration of the INCARNATE Christ sent to earth as the Savior of the world!
Today is “ugly sweater Sunday” - and it’s one thing to feel ugly on the OUTSIDE and laugh at ourselves a little bit for it. But what do we do when we feel ugly on the INSIDE?
Isaiah 64:5-6 (NLT)
5 You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved? 6 We are all infected with impure sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
But here’s what’s odd…an “ugly” people full of sin expected a Savior, the Messiah, who looked much different than them. What the common people expected the Messiah would be:
1. A king (like David)
2. A powerful prophet (like Elijah)
3. A rebellious zealot to overthrow oppression (like Moses)
4. A commander (like Joshua)
5. A wealthy royal (like Solomon)
6. An urban, city dweller (from Jerusalem)
But then, God redeemed the ugliest of sin with the most HUMBLE of ways!
- Jesus was of royal lineage, but from the lowly regarded city of Nazareth
- Jesus earthly family was relatively common and poor
- Jesus was born in a borrowed location
- Jesus was sent to earth as a baby, not a conqueror
Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)
The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
- My sin might be ugly, but my Jesus is BEAUTIFUL
Beautiful Savior. Wonderful counselor. Clothed in majesty, Lord of history.
You’re the way, the truth and the life.
Star of the morning. Glorious in holiness. You’re the risen one, heaven’s champion.
And you reign, you reign, over all.
Beautiful Savior, Casting Crowns, CCLI #3259924
- My past might be ugly, but my future is GLORIOUS
While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13 NLT).
- My shame might be ugly, but my heart can be SET FREE.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV).
- My self-worth might be ugly, but my righteousness in Christ is WORTHY.
Always thanking the Father, for he has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light (Colossians 1:12 NLT).
I am glad God loves ugly people! And I am glad Jesus is a Beautiful Savior!
#RevWhiteHouse #CountryChristmas
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