Keeping Christmas Christian, Dec 18, Week Before Christmas Today I am going to be preaching on what "Christmas" is not! OK
Notes
Transcript
OK, IT’S A WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS, ARE WE DOING CHRISTMAS WITH OUR “BRAIN”? OR ARE WE LIVING CHRISTMAS WITH OUR HEART?
OK, IT’S A WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS, ARE WE DOING CHRISTMAS WITH OUR “BRAIN”? OR ARE WE LIVING CHRISTMAS WITH OUR HEART?
BY THE END OF MY MESSAGE TODAY, I BELIEVE YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE FOCUSING ON THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS NEXT WEEK!
BY THE END OF MY MESSAGE TODAY, I BELIEVE YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE FOCUSING ON THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS NEXT WEEK!
Text: Luke 2:11
Text: Luke 2:11
INTRODUCTION: Once the apostle Paul used an inconsistent inscription, UNTO THE UNKNOWN GOD, as a text and transformed it into profound truth. He rescued God’s name and purpose from ignorant worshipers by bringing it into focus of divine truth .
INTRODUCTION: Once the apostle Paul used an inconsistent inscription, UNTO THE UNKNOWN GOD, as a text and transformed it into profound truth. He rescued God’s name and purpose from ignorant worshipers by bringing it into focus of divine truth .
Acts 17:22–34 (NASB95)
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”
The birth of Christ was held in the highest esteem by both prophets and apostles, and was doubtless commemorated by them in some manner. However, the celebration of this event as we experience it today needs to be “rescued” from ignorance and fantasy, and restored to greater Christian integrity and spiritual meaning.
The birth of Christ was held in the highest esteem by both prophets and apostles, and was doubtless commemorated by them in some manner. However, the celebration of this event as we experience it today needs to be “rescued” from ignorance and fantasy, and restored to greater Christian integrity and spiritual meaning.
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY IN CHRISTMAS INVOLVES SEEING THAT WE KEEP TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE INSTRUCTED IN SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY IN CHRISTMAS INVOLVES SEEING THAT WE KEEP TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE INSTRUCTED IN SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.
1. The festive spirit does not quench the Holy Spirit.
1. The festive spirit does not quench the Holy Spirit.
2. We need a “stable faith,” not faith in a stable.
2. We need a “stable faith,” not faith in a stable.
3. We need a saving Lord, not a festive Christ.
3. We need a saving Lord, not a festive Christ.
4. We need “wise men” in the church, not from the East.
4. We need “wise men” in the church, not from the East.
5. We need angelic choirs in the church, not in heaven.
5. We need angelic choirs in the church, not in heaven.
6. Now, we need to hail His second coming most. Do we?
6. Now, we need to hail His second coming most. Do we?
7. We need more than “goose-pimple” religion! aS WE READ IN:
7. We need more than “goose-pimple” religion! aS WE READ IN:
Matthew 13:20 20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
Matthew 13:20 20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
CHRISTMAS MAY BE A SPIRITUALLY STIMULATING OCCASION BY DOING AND FOCUSING ON A FEW THINGS:
CHRISTMAS MAY BE A SPIRITUALLY STIMULATING OCCASION BY DOING AND FOCUSING ON A FEW THINGS:
1. Remembering Christ is the One to be honored, Luke 2:11 “11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
1. Remembering Christ is the One to be honored, Luke 2:11 “11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
2. Making Christmas a soul-searching season,
2. Making Christmas a soul-searching season,
Malachi 3:2–3 ( 2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 “He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
Malachi 3:2–3 ( 2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 “He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
3. Pondering , THINKING, REMEMBERING, HOLDING SPECIAL- God’s wonderful works of love,
3. Pondering , THINKING, REMEMBERING, HOLDING SPECIAL- God’s wonderful works of love,
Luke 2:19 “19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 “19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
CAN WE TRANSFORM FANTASY INTO SPIRITUAL VALUE? OF COURSE WE CAN.
CAN WE TRANSFORM FANTASY INTO SPIRITUAL VALUE? OF COURSE WE CAN.
1. Gifts as the gift of ourselves to God,
1. Gifts as the gift of ourselves to God,
2 Corinthians 8:5 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. ANYONE EVER THINK OF THAT? ARE WE GIVING OURSELVES TO THE LORD DAILY?
2 Corinthians 8:5 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. ANYONE EVER THINK OF THAT? ARE WE GIVING OURSELVES TO THE LORD DAILY?
2. Lights as attractive lives for Christ, WE SOMETIME IN OUR LIVES HAVE PROBABLY DRIVEN MILES AND MILES TO SEE THE “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” HAVEN’T WE? SOME WILL NOT DRIVE TO CHURCH TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT OF JESUS.
2. Lights as attractive lives for Christ, WE SOMETIME IN OUR LIVES HAVE PROBABLY DRIVEN MILES AND MILES TO SEE THE “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS” HAVEN’T WE? SOME WILL NOT DRIVE TO CHURCH TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT OF JESUS.
Matthew 5:16 “16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 “16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
3. Trees as symbols of God-empowered lives, STRONG, RESILIENT THROUGH THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
3. Trees as symbols of God-empowered lives, STRONG, RESILIENT THROUGH THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
Psalm 1:3–4 “3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”
Psalm 1:3–4 “3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.”
4. WHAT ABOUT Fruit as BEING practical IN OUR LIVES? “fruit of the Spirit,”
4. WHAT ABOUT Fruit as BEING practical IN OUR LIVES? “fruit of the Spirit,”
Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
5. HUMMMMMMMM, LETS TALK ABOUT OUR SPENDING A MINUTE, Spending, MORE THAN WE HAVE? MORE THAT WE CAN PAY FOR? WANTING TO SHOW OFF? WANTING TO OUT DO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FAMILY?BECAUSE WE ARE FULL OF PRIDE? BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE BIGGER AND BEST?—a reminder of our stewardship,
5. HUMMMMMMMM, LETS TALK ABOUT OUR SPENDING A MINUTE, Spending, MORE THAN WE HAVE? MORE THAT WE CAN PAY FOR? WANTING TO SHOW OFF? WANTING TO OUT DO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FAMILY?BECAUSE WE ARE FULL OF PRIDE? BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE BIGGER AND BEST?—a reminder of our stewardship,
1 Corinthians 16:1–2 ‘1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”
1 Corinthians 16:1–2 ‘1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”
6. Joy AND ORNAMENTS, THE ORNAMENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OF GREAT PRICE. as heaven’s joy over one saved.
6. Joy AND ORNAMENTS, THE ORNAMENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OF GREAT PRICE. as heaven’s joy over one saved.
7. Ornaments as “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price,”
7. Ornaments as “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price,”
1 Peter 3:4–5 “4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
1 Peter 3:4–5 “4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
AMEN
AMEN
LET’S NOW TURN TO OUR HYMNALS AND SING HYMN # __________
LET’S NOW TURN TO OUR HYMNALS AND SING HYMN # __________