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Introduction
Introduction
How much thought have you really given this year to what you are about to celebrate?
The incarnation of Christ into the world was more than just a supernatural event, it was the pivotal moment of human existence on this planet.
Had God not sent His only begotten Son when He did, where would this planet be now?
There is no doubting that we have the greatest news on earth, that God became flesh.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
He lived a perfect life
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
A preacher once asked his congregation;
“What does Christmas mean to you?”
(1) The Saviour or Santa?
(2) Gifts or God?
(3) Celebration or Christ?
Make this Christmas the best Christmas of your life by making room in your heart for Christ.
Make the Christ of Christmas the king of your life at this time of the year.”
Pentz, C. M. (1970). Evangelistic Sermon Outlines (p. 67). Baker Book House.
If we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves becoming frustrated and even bitter during a time that is supposed to mark the most blessed event of all time.
The older I get, the more I am convinced that even followers of Christ lose the real reason for celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Bling
Christmas Bling
Americans spend on average around $1000.00 on Christmas each year.
71% of U.S. holiday budgets are assigned to gift purchases.
Sales grow exponentially every year in the U.S. for the past decade.
48% of Americans start shopping for Christmas before the end of October, some start even earlier.
Canadians tend to spend $1000 more than Americans per year on Christmas.
Christmas spending accounts for more than one sixth of all retail sales each year.
How important is the financial aspect of Christmas to you?
What I mean specifically is this; if absolutely nobody got you any gifts this year, would it somehow lessen the reason you celebrate the arrival of hope for mankind?
Or conversely, what if the gifts you gave were not well received?
What if nobody showed up for your party?
What if people didn’t enjoy your party or food, would that ruin the celebration of the birth of God in the flesh for you?
So many people are caught up in the materialism of this season that it seems that it is irrevocably tied to the event.
But for you and I as believers it should not be so, it cannot be so…
He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The desire for stuff or things can take us far away from the pursuit of God Himself.
We must be resolute in the determination of our hearts before we enter into any situation, but especially those situations that come pre-packaged with commercialism and peer pressure.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Dark Vs. Light
Dark Vs. Light
The reasoning behind the message is simple.
If we spend time chasing fleshly desires, we will reap accordingly.
Since there are only two kingdoms that we need to concern ourselves with, it makes things pretty simple for us as believers.
The first kingdom is the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Heaven.
Everything emanates from there, and ironically, the power that we encounter within the opposing kingdom was originally derived from this kingdom.
Light is such a wonderful thing.
We don’t really appreciate it until we don’t have it.
Just think of how many times you would kill yourself trying to get through your house after 4:30 in the afternoon this time of year if you didn’t have a light to turn on so you could see where you were going!
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Light is a very precious commodity, but it is so very often taken for granted.
Ask anyone that has ever been in battle enlisted in any branch of the military the importance of light.
It is absolutely terrifying not knowing what direction or where danger may be lurking.
But when light is shed on the situation suddenly everything changes.
The very first command that God spoke into the Creation was this
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Prior to that moment there was chaos, and no hope of change within that terrorizing environment.
Once God brought light to the chaos, hope became a reality.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Jesus tells us in Scripture:
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
To put it as simply as I can this morning; if you feel hopeless or despondent today it is because your choices have brought more darkness rather than light into your life.
I don’t want to waste too much time talking about what darkness brings. Basically the opposite of hope.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
From Busy to Blessed
From Busy to Blessed
It is easy with everything going on to get overwhelmed.
Plays, dinners, presents, visitations, decorations, cards, and shopping can send even the best of us right over the edge.
When did we let Christmas become such a huge production that in many cases overshadows the true purpose for celebration?
But what if we were to set out to celebrate the Light that was brought into the world when Jesus was born as a first order of priority?
Would some people get upset with us because we have chosen to not comply with the commercialized version of the celebration of Christ’s birth?
Sure…
Should that deter us from walking in God’s provision of Light?
No
The busyness that people find themselves in at this time of year reminds me so much of a situation that happened while Jesus was still at the height of His earthly ministry.
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
While it is hard to find those that are willing to give of themselves to help with events especially within the parameters of the Church, it is even more important to keep Jesus first in all things.
Unburden yourselves if you have come under a heavy load today.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Realize that the reason for this season is about HOPE. One life brought light into the darkness when there was no way for us to ever overcome the evil we had brought upon ourselves.
And that one life is still bringing hope and light to the darkest situations.
Let’s not get caught up in the traditions of Christmas
Let us proclaim the Jesus as the One that gave us light and can destroy darkness wherever it is found.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.