The Reason for Christmas

·34 min·3 clips

Pastor David Wilson claims the first Christmas sermon is found in Genesis 3, not the Gospels.

The episode opens with Pastor David Wilson directing listeners to Genesis 3, claiming it contains the first Christmas sermon. He reads the account of Adam, Eve, and the serpent's temptation. Wilson uses a law professor analogy to illustrate that society seeks solutions without understanding the root problem. He identifies the problem as sin, listing contemporary issues like teenage pregnancy, abortion, and political unrest as manifestations. The host defines Christmas as being about a problem and a promise. He analyzes Genesis 3 to show the progression of sin: starting with Eve's dialogue with the devil, which leads to distortion of God's word, doubt, denial, deception, and desire. Wilson explains Satan's three weapons from 1 John 2:16: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. He describes how sin results in disgrace, spiritual death, and dismissal from Eden. The promise is found in Genesis 3:15, the first prophecy of a savior who will bruise the serpent's head. Wilson cites mathematician Peter Stoner's calculation that the odds of Jesus accidentally fulfilling eight prophecies are one in a hundred quadrillion, illustrated by a marked silver dollar in Texas. He explains the conflict between Christ and Satan as an unseen spiritual war. The virgin birth is emphasized as necessary for Jesus to be a sinless savior, referencing Isaiah 7:14. Wilson clarifies that Mary is not to be worshiped but was part of God's plan. He interprets the bruising of the heel and head as Satan's temporary strike at Calvary versus Christ's ultimate victory. The host connects Jesus' crucifixion to Isaiah 53, explaining the atonement and torn temple curtain. He concludes that Jesus came to give life, not start a religion, and invites listeners to accept salvation through faith in Christ's resurrection.

As heard by us

A Christmas sermon moves from Eden's fall to the hope of the empty tomb.

Christmas starts in a surprising place: Genesis 3. The message follows the serpent's deception, the pull of forbidden fruit, and the choice to eat, then carries that fall toward Jesus and the empty tomb as the basis for hope, heaven, and reunion beyond death.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when Christmas feels familiar, but Genesis 3 suddenly sounds like the place to begin.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Southcrest Baptist Church