Keeping Christmas Christian
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Read to Congregation vv. Luke 2: 1–14
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).
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 CELEBRATION NEED TO BE OF JESUS, NOT OF TODAY’S “MADHOUSE.”
CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY IN CHRISTMAS INVOLVES SEEING THAT CELEBRATION NEED TO BE OF JESUS, NOT OF TODAY’S “MADHOUSE.”
We need to make sure the festive spirit does not “squash” the Holy Spirit.
We need to make sure the festive spirit does not “squash” the Holy Spirit.
We need a “stable faith,” not faith in a stable.
We need a “stable faith,” not faith in a stable.
We need a saving Lord, not a Christ made of man’s festivities.
We need a saving Lord, not a Christ made of man’s festivities.
We need “wise men” in the church, not from the East.
We need “wise men” in the church, not from the East.
We need angelic choirs both in the church, and in heaven.
We need angelic choirs both in the church, and in heaven.
Now, we need to hail Christs’ second coming most. Do we?
Now, we need to hail Christs’ second coming most. Do we?
We need more than “goose-pimple” religion!
We need more than “goose-pimple” religion!
Matthew 13:8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
Matthew 13:8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!
CHRISTMAS MAY BE A SPIRITUALLY STIMULATING OCCASION BY, “LET’S TAKE A LOOK.”
CHRISTMAS MAY BE A SPIRITUALLY STIMULATING OCCASION BY, “LET’S TAKE A LOOK.”
Remembering Christ is the One to be honored; Luke 2:11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Remembering Christ is the One to be honored; Luke 2:11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Making Christmas a soul-searching season, have we taken this time to “search our souls” this Christmas Season?
Making Christmas a soul-searching season, have we taken this time to “search our souls” this Christmas Season?
Pondering (think about deeply) God’s wonderful works of love, Luke 2:19 “but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”
Pondering (think about deeply) God’s wonderful works of love, Luke 2:19 “but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”
WE CAN TRANSFORM TODAY’S FANTASY INTO OUR SPIRITUAL VALUE BY SEEING:
WE CAN TRANSFORM TODAY’S FANTASY INTO OUR SPIRITUAL VALUE BY SEEING:
Gifts as the gift of ourselves to God,
Gifts as the gift of ourselves to God,
2 Corinthians 8:5 “they even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
2 Corinthians 8:5 “they even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.”
Let’s begin to see our actions show the Light of Christ in all we do starting this Christmas.
Let’s begin to see our actions show the Light of Christ in all we do starting this Christmas.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Psalm 1:3 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Psalm 1:3 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Fruit as practical “fruit of the Spirit,”
Fruit as practical “fruit of the Spirit,”
Galatians 5:22–23 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! .
Galatians 5:22–23 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! .
Let us begin spending generously on others in need—a reminder of our stewardship,
Let us begin spending generously on others in need—a reminder of our stewardship,
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.
Joy as heaven’s joy over one saved. Does God want us to be so happy when the fruit begin to come about? Luke 15:7 tells us:
Joy as heaven’s joy over one saved. Does God want us to be so happy when the fruit begin to come about? Luke 15:7 tells us:
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
AMEN
AMEN