The Miracle of the Moment

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

(Following lighting of Advent Candle step to the pulpit, and then just look at your watch until 60 seconds have passed).

(Step to the pulpit, and then just look at your watch until 60 seconds have passed).

Exactly one minute has passed. Isn't it absolutely amazing how long one minute of silence seems, but how short one minute seems when you are doing something you enjoy?

Exactly one minute has passed. Isn't it absolutely amazing how long one minute of

silence seems, but how short one minute seems when you are doing something you

Do you realize that there are only 22 days until Christmas? That means there are approximately 528 hours until we celebrate the birth of Christ. And since it’s already after 10 o’clock this morning we’re actually down to less than 518 hours. That translates into approximately 31000 minutes left to get done all the things we need to do before Christmas arrives. There are presents to purchase and wrap, parties to attend, people to visit, and we only have 31000 minutes left. So, why did we just waste one of those precious minutes just sitting there doing nothing?

enjoy?

As we begin our Advent celebration, I want us to recognize not only the significance of one moment in time but also of the strategic nature of those moments. We would refer to the strategic nature of time as timing—how those moments are strung together to create experiences.

Have you ever stopped to think about how important timing is to everything that exists? Do you plant tomato plants in November? Do you paint the outside of your house in January? Do you go swimming in February? Not around here you don’t, maybe in Hawaii or Florida. But why not? It's not the right time! There is a right time for such activities. I think we would all agree that November and December is not the best time to try starting a diet, right?

Do you realize that there are only 22 days until Christmas? That means there are

approximately 528 hours until we celebrate the birth of Christ. And Since it’s already

Think about the importance of timing in sports. If the timing is off, the quarterback won't connect with his receiver for a completion. It doesn't take a minute to throw off the timing in football it takes seconds or even fractions of a second. If the timing is off by a hair the receiver will arrive at the spot before the ball or after the ball is already passed. Think about the importance of timing for our daily lives. If you have ever missed a flight because you arrived one minute after boarding you know the importance of timing. You are delayed at work, but because of the delay you missed a major accident on the interstate. If you have ever been the parent of a preschooler, you know that if you turn your head for one minute, they can be long gone and into trouble.

Does one minute make a difference? Just ask those who made it out of the Twin Towers minutes before they collapsed. One moment, one sixty-second interval of time, placed in just the right location can make all the difference in the world.

after 10 o’clock this morning we’re actually down to less than 518 hours. That translates

into approximately 31000 minutes left to get done all the things we need to do before

Our theme this year for Advent is Experience the Miracle of Christmas. It’s so easy to get so involved in the activity of the season, so wrapped up in all the decorations and presents and parties, that we miss the miracle of Christmas. This Christmas season let's spend some of those 31000 remaining moments reflecting on the significance of Christ's birth.

Christmas arrives. There are presents to purchase and wrap, parties to attend, people

is an incredible verse. It says,

Galatians 4:4 CSB

When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Did you hear that? God's Word says, "When the time came . . . " At just the right time God sent His Son. That represents the miracle of the moment.

Now this morning I want us to see three things from this story, from the coming of Christ. First:

I. He came at the right moment

to visit, and we only have 31000 minutes left. So, why did we just waste one of those

One of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made is "Miracle on 34th Street." It’s a wonderful, magical tale about an old man named Kris Kringle who believes he is Santa Claus and wants others to believe in him as well. The movie, whether you watch the 1947 classic or the 1994 remake, starts off with a scene where Kris Kringle is demonstrating to a department store Santa how to use a whip for the parade he’s about to ride in. Kris discovers that the department store Santa is drinking and he ends up being asked to fill in for the parade and eventually as the store Santa by Mrs. Walker the director of special programs.

precious minutes just sitting there doing nothing?

As we begin our Advent celebration, I want us to recognize not only the significance of

Now most people are so engrossed in the developing story at this point that they miss the miracle that takes place in this opening scene. If you’ve seen the movie and you don’t know what I’m talking about, don't feel bad, the characters in the movie didn't recognize it either. But think about it. Was it just by chance or coincidence that Kris Kringle was there at the parade that day? No! That represents the miracle of the moment. At just the right time, Kris Kringle showed up at the parade and rescued not only the parade, but the jobs of Ms. Walker and countless others. Ms. Walker failed to recognize the miracle of the moment. She failed to realize the significance of hiring Kris Kringle to be the store Santa at the time.

one moment in time but also of the strategic nature of those moments. We would refer

The Bible says, "When the time came to completion, God sent His Son . . . " But the reality is, most people missed the miracle of the moment. Most people didn’t recognize the significance of Christ's birth at the time. And why would they? People were much too busy to pay any attention to the young girl giving birth to her first child out in a stable there in Bethlehem.

At just the right time in history Jesus was born. The coming of Christ into the world was not a matter of chance or coincidence. His coming was part of God's divine plan established before the foundation of the world. In his book Be Free, Warren Wiersbe writes, "Historians tell us that the Roman world was in great expectation, waiting for a deliverer, at the time Jesus was born. The old religions were dying. The old philosophies were empty and powerless to change men's lives. Strange new mystery religions were invading the empire. Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were everywhere. God was preparing the world for the arrival of His Son." (Warren Wiersbe, Be Free, p. 90) Any of that sound familiar? Sounds a lot like our modern culture doesn’t it? Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger. New mystery religions. Sounds like God is preparing the world again doesn’t it? And He is. He’s been preparing the world for the second coming of Christ since the end of the first coming. But let’s get back to our Advent story.

to the strategic nature of time as timing—how those moments are strung together to

create experiences.

We’ve talked about this before in here, but from an historical perspective, the Roman Empire had helped prepare the world for the birth of Jesus. The Romans had constructed roads that connected city to city, which made travel easier. All roads ultimately led to Rome. The world was at peace under Roman rule. Roman laws protected the citizens and Roman soldiers guarded the peace, the Pax Romana. Thanks to both the Greek and Roman conquests, Latin and Greek were known across the empire which made communication possible with almost anyone from all over the known world. The Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah were completed. At just the right time God sent His Son.

But not only that, not only did God send Jesus at just the right moment, second this morning I want you to see that:

Have you ever stopped to think about how important timing is to everything that exists?

II. He provides at the right moment

Many people will be content to go through the motions. They will endure the busy activity of this season without ever experiencing the miracle of Christmas. And they may even have fooled themselves into thinking they are happy or content. But some this holiday season need nothing short of a miracle. The good news is that God comes to us at just the right time with just what we need for the moment.

Do you plant tomato plants in November? Do you paint the outside of your house in

Psalm 145:15 CSB

All eyes look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

January? Do you go swimming in February? Not around here you don’t, maybe in

says, "All eyes look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time." says, "All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time." : "I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil." God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly what you need. At just the right time He will come to you and provide what you need for the moment. His timing is always perfect.

Psalm 104:27 CSB

All of them wait for you to give them their food at the right time.

says, "All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time." : "I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil." God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly what you need. At just the right time He will come to you and provide what you need for the moment. His timing is always perfect.

Deuteronomy 11:14 CSB

I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and fresh oil.

: "I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil." God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly what you need. At just the right time He will come to you and provide what you need for the moment. His timing is always perfect.

God knows exactly what you are going through, what each and every one of us are going through. He knows exactly what we need. At just the right time He will come to us and provide what we need for the moment. His timing is always perfect.

God not only came at just the right time, He continues to come to us at just the right time. Just when we need Him most, He is there.

Hawaii or Florida. But why not? It's not the right time! There is a right time for such

Romans 5:6 CSB

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

says, "For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly." When do you need a miracle? When you have no more options and no more resources; that’s when you are in a position to receive a miracle from God. He has promised to come at just the right time and provide just what you need for the moment. When we are utterly helpless, Christ still comes to us today.

When do you need a miracle? When you have no more options and no more resources; that’s when you are in a position to receive a miracle from God. He has promised to come at just the right time and provide just what we need for the moment. When we are utterly helpless, Christ still comes to us today.

And then finally I want us to see this morning that:

III. He says now is the right moment

activities. I think we would all agree that November and December is not the best time

It seems we are always waiting for just the right time to do something. We are waiting for just the right time to make that commitment of our life to Christ as Savior and Lord. Maybe you are waiting for just the right time to commit to a closer walk with Christ. Maybe you've been waiting for just the right time to give up that bad habit, or to start working out, or whatever else you’ve been waiting for.

to try starting a diet, right?

2 Corinthians 6:2 CSB

For he says: At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!

says, "I heard you in an acceptable time, and I helped you in the day of salvation. Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation."

Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ. Jesus said in

Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ. Jesus said in , "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!" Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ and receive God's gift of salvation. Now is the time to recommit to your marriage and family. Now is the time to renew your commitment to walk in close fellowship with Christ. This Christmas season, this Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ into this world. We focus on that gift that was given by God, so many years ago. Don’t let this Christmas season pass by in a blur of shopping, and parties, and presents, and all those other things that don’t really matter in the big picture of eternity.

Think about the importance of timing in sports. If the timing is off, the quarterback won't

Mark 1:15 CSB

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!" Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ and receive God's gift of salvation. Now is the time to recommit to your marriage and family. Now is the time to renew your commitment to walk in close fellowship with Christ. This Christmas season, this Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ into this world. We focus on that gift that was given by God, so many years ago. Don’t let this Christmas season pass by in a blur of shopping, and parties, and presents, and all those other things that don’t really matter in the big picture of eternity.

Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ and receive God's gift of salvation. Now is the time to recommit to your marriage and family. Now is the time to renew your commitment to walk in close fellowship with Christ. This Christmas season, this Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ into this world. We focus on that gift that was given by God, so many years ago. Don’t let this Christmas season pass by in a blur of shopping, and parties, and presents, and all those other things that don’t really matter in the big picture of eternity.

One moment in time can determine an eternal destiny. In the movie we talked about at the beginning this morning, it was that one moment when Kris Kringle was there when they needed to replace the intoxicated Santa Claus. Without giving anything away for anyone who may not have ever seen the movie, that one moment changed the lives of everyone who was involved. In the Christmas story, it was that one moment when Christ was born into this world, in a manger, in a stable, in a little backwoods town that was populated by a bunch of shepherds. That one moment made it possible for the lives of every person who has ever lived to change. That one moment set in motion the plan of salvation that God had for us. What will you do with the moments that are left in your life? What will you do with the 31000 or so moments that are left in this Christmas season? Will you spend them focused on the commercialism that has taken over Christmas, or will you spend at least some of them focused on the real reason that we have to celebrate, the coming of the Savior into the world?

connect with his receiver for a completion. It doesn't take a minute to throw off the

Would you pray with me?

timing in football it takes seconds or even fractions of a second. If the timing is off by a

hair the receiver will arrive at the spot before the ball or after the ball is already passed.

Think about the importance of timing for our daily lives. If you have ever missed a flight

because you arrived one minute after boarding you know the importance of timing. You

are delayed at work, but because of the delay you missed a major accident on the

interstate. If you have ever been the parent of a preschooler, you know that if you turn

your head for one minute, they can be long gone and into trouble.

Does one minute make a difference? Just ask those who made it out of the Twin

Towers minutes before they collapsed. One moment, one sixty-second interval of time,

placed in just the right location can make all the difference in the world.

Our theme this year for Advent is Experience the Miracle of Christmas. It’s so easy to

get so involved in the activity of the season that we miss the miracle of Christmas. This

Christmas season let's spend some of those 31000 remaining moments reflecting on

the significance of Christ's birth.

Galatians 4:4 is an incredible verse. It says, "When the time came to completion, God

sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law" (HCSB) Did you hear that? God's

Word says, "When the time came . . . " At just the right time God sent His Son. That

represents the miracle of the moment.

I. He came at the right moment

One of the most beloved Christmas movies ever made is "Miracle on 34th Street." It’s a

wonderful, magical tale about an old man named Kris Kringle who believes he is Santa

Claus and wants others to believe in him as well. The movie, either the 1947 classic or

the 1994 remake, starts off with a scene where Kris Kringle is demonstrating to a

department store Santa how to use a whip for the parade he’s about to ride in. Kris

discovers that the department store Santa is drunk and he ends up being asked to fill in

for the parade by Mrs. Walker the director of special programs.

Now most people are so engrossed in the developing story that they miss the miracle

that takes place in this opening scene. If you’ve seen the movie and you don’t know

what I’m talking about, don't feel bad, the characters in the movie didn't recognize it

either. Was it just by chance or coincidence that Kris Kringle was there at the parade

that day? No! That represents the miracle of the moment. At just the right time, Kris

Kringle showed up at the parade and rescued not only the parade, but the jobs of Ms.

Walker and countless others. Ms. Walker failed to recognize the miracle of the moment.

She failed to realize the significance of hiring Kris Kringle to be the store Santa at the

time.

The Bible says, "When the time came to completion, God sent His Son . . . " But the

reality is, most people missed the miracle of the moment. Most people didn’t recognize

the significance of Christ's birth at the time. People were much too busy to pay any

attention to the young girl giving birth to her first child out in a stable there in Bethlehem.

At just the right time in history Jesus was born. The coming of Christ into the world was

not a matter of chance or coincidence. His coming was part of God's divine plan

established before the foundation of the world. In his book Be Free, Warren Wiersbe

writes, "Historians tell us that the Roman world was in great expectation, waiting for a

deliverer, at the time Jesus was born. The old religions were dying. The old

philosophies were empty and powerless to change men's lives. Strange new mystery

religions were invading the empire. Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were

everywhere. God was preparing the world for the arrival of His Son." (Warren Wiersbe,

Be Free, p. 90) Any of that sound familiar?

We’ve talked about this before in here, but from an historical perspective, the Roman

Empire had helped prepare the world for the birth of Jesus. The Romans had

constructed roads that connected city to city, which made travel easier. All roads

ultimately led to Rome. The world was at peace under Roman rule. Roman laws

protected the citizens and Roman soldiers guarded the peace, the Pax Romana.

Thanks to both the Greek and Roman conquests, Latin and Greek were known across

the empire making communication possible with many from all over the world. The Old

Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah were completed. At just

the right time God sent His Son.

II. He provides at the right moment

Many people will be content to go through the motions. They will endure the busy

activity of the season without ever experiencing the miracle of Christmas. But some this

holiday season need nothing short of a miracle. The good news is that God comes to us

at just the right time with just what we need for the moment.

Listen to these promises from God's Word to see His character reflected in these

actions. Psalm 145:15 says, "All eyes look to You, and You give them their food at the

proper time." Psalm 104:27 says, "All of them wait for You to give them their food at the

right time." Deuteronomy 11:14: "I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the

autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil." God knows

exactly what you are going through. He knows exactly what you need. At just the right

time He will come to you and provide what you need for the moment. His timing is

always perfect.

God not only came at just the right time, He continues to come to us at just the right

time. Just when we need Him most, He is there. Romans 5:6 says, "For while we were

still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly." When do you need

a miracle? When you have no more options and no more resources; that’s when you

are in a position to receive a miracle from God. He has promised to come at just the

right time and provide just what you need for the moment. When we are utterly helpless,

Christ still comes to us today.

III. He says now is the right moment

It seems we are always waiting for just the right time to do something. We are waiting

for just the right time to make that commitment of our life to Christ as Savior and Lord.

Maybe you are waiting for just the right time to commit to a closer walk with Christ.

Maybe you've been waiting for just the right time to give up that bad habit. Second

Corinthians 6:2 says, "I heard you in an acceptable time, and I helped you in the day of

salvation. Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation."

Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, "The

time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good

news!" Now is the right time to make that commitment to Christ and receive God's gift of

salvation. Now is the time to recommit to your marriage and family. Now is the time to

renew your commitment to walk in close fellowship with Christ. This Christmas season,

this Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ into this world. We focus on that gift that

was given by God, so many years ago. Don’t let this Christmas season pass by in a blur

of shopping, and parties, and presents, and all those other things that don’t really matter

in the big picture of eternity.

One moment in time can determine an eternal destiny. In the movie we talked about at

the beginning this morning, it was that one moment when Kris Kringle was there when

they needed to replace the intoxicated Santa Claus. That one moment changed the

lives of all those involved. In the Christmas story, it was that one moment when Christ

was born into this world, in a manger, in a stable, in a little town full of shepherds. That

one moment made it possible for the lives of every person who has ever lived to

change. What will you do with the moments that are left in your life? What will you do

with the 31000 or so moments that are left in this Christmas season?

Would you pray with me?