The Privilege of Christmas

Explanation

Privilege. Do you feel privileged? Some do - some don’t. We are more privileged than we realize and it’s not because we live int he USA or because we have great jobs, great families, etc. We’re privileged because we know a person who has changed the world and changed our lives.

Privilege. Do you feel privileged? Some do - some don’t. We are more privileged than we realize and it’s not because we live int he USA or because we have great jobs, great families, etc. We’re privileged because we know a person who has changed the world and changed our lives.

· Privilege. The word at the heart of - Privileged not because of where we were born or the opportunities we have had but because who we know. We are the most blessed people in history.

Privilege. The word at the heart of , but a word that Peter’s audience would not expect to hear. Suffering believers – “I know you are hurting but don’t forget how privileged you are. You have an eternal home in Christ – put your eyes on what you have.” Christmas is all about privilege – the privilege of God coming to us to make us His own.

Privileged not because of where we were born or the opportunities we have had but because who we know. We are the most blessed people in history.

Privilege. The word at the heart of , but a word that Peter’s audience would not expect to hear. Suffering believers – “I know you are hurting but don’t forget how privileged you are. You have an eternal home in Christ – put your eyes on what you have.” Christmas is all about privilege – the privilege of God coming to us to make us His own.

· Suffering believers – “I know you are hurting but don’t forget how privileged you are. You have an eternal home in Christ – put your eyes on what you have.” Christmas is all about privilege – the privilege of God coming to us to make us His own.

Peter to believers: “You’re suffering? Think about the prophets and angels.” What kind of advice is that? “Tommy, I’m really hurting right now.” “Well, think about the prophets and angels.” What kind of comfort is that?

· Suffering not in vain – God uses suffering to refine. “Tommy, I’m really hurting right now.” “Well, think about the prophets and angels.” What kind of comfort is that? A reminder that these early believers, in spite of their persecution, lived in the greatest time in human history because they knew Jesus.

Why think about the prophets? Told about Jesus but never knew Jesus. Searched and inquired carefully. They wanted to know who this Messiah was – how God’s redemptive plan would work, but they never got to see the completed puzzle, just a piece here and there. How does the virgin birth fit? The suffering Messiah? Bethlehem? Etc.

· Prophets – told about Jesus but never knew Jesus. Searched and inquired carefully. They wanted to know who this Messiah was – how God’s redemptive plan would work, but they never got to see the completed puzzle, just a piece here and there. How does the virgin birth fit? The suffering Messiah? Bethlehem? Etc.

Prophets reported what God told them, in the Spirit of Christ – God’s Spirit moved them to reveal God’s truth, and they suffered for it. Isaiah prophesied naked for three years. Daniel prophesied in exile. God took Ezekiel’s wife away from him. Hosea had to marry a prostitute. Jeremiah beaten and put in stocks.

· Prophets reported what God told them, in the Spirit of Christ – God’s Spirit moved them to reveal God’s truth, and they suffered for it. Isaiah prophesied naked for three years. Daniel prophesied in exile. God told Ezekiel how he would suffer for his message.

The prophets suffered for a promise they would never see come to fruition, but they suffered hoping for better days for God’s people.

· The message God gave the prophets was so great and so wonderful that the prophets who would never see the ultimate fulfillment of their prophecies were willing to suffer in order for us to know that the Father was sending His Christ to deliver us from our sins.

The suffering prophets foretold of a suffering Messiah who would be glorious. – born in the backwoods of Bethlehem, born of a virgin () – who would be wonderful, counselor, etc. (), who would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities () - The Messiah would bring a new covenant - new promises from God. According to , the Messiah would bring an end to sin.

· The suffering prophets foretold of a suffering Messiah who would ultimately be glorious. Michah 5:2 – born in the backwoods of Bethlehem, born of a virgin () – who would be wonderful, counselor, etc. (), who would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities () subsequent glories.

Message to early believers – glory comes through suffering – If the prophets suffered for the message of the Gospel that they did not understand, and if Jesus suffered, you can expect to suffer as well.

· Message to early believers – glory comes through suffering – If the prophets suffered for the message of the Gospel that they did not understand, and if Jesus suffered, you can expect to suffer as well.

Prophets prophecies came to pass – Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again – and appointed apostles to preach the good news of the Savior. That’s what they did and the Gospel spread throughout the Roman empire and world. These believers knew Christ because of the proclamation of the Messiah largely due to the apostles. The message not contained to Israel but spread, but spread in suffering. Apostles suffered to proclaim the good news. Prophets suffered, Jesus suffered, apostles suffered, believers suffer – but doesn’t change privilege. Doesn’t change the fact that we are children of the King who have a living hope.

· Prophets prophecies came to pass – Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again – and appointed apostles to preach the good news of the Savior. That’s what they did and the Gospel spread throughout the Roman empire and world. These believers knew Christ because of the proclamation of the Messiah largely due to the apostles. The message not contained to Israel but spread, but spread in suffering. Apostles suffered to proclaim the good news. Prophets suffered, Jesus suffered, apostles suffered, believers suffer – but doesn’t change privilege. Doesn’t change the fact that we are children of the King who have a living hope.

The salvation that the prophets did not fully understand and that the apostles and early preachers proclaimed – the angels gaze at in wonder. The angels do not experience salvation! They do not experience grace, forgiveness, changed lives, refining, etc. They look at us and see how God saves us and how He uses suffering to make us more like His Son and they are amazed.

· The salvation that the prophets did not fully understand and that the apostles and early preachers proclaimed – the angels gaze at in wonder. The angels do not experience salvation! They do not experience grace, forgiveness, changed lives, refining, etc. They look at us and see how God saves us and how He uses suffering to make us more like His Son and they are amazed.

The salvation of Jesus which the Prophets longed to understand, that the apostles preached, and that the angels gaze at in wonder is what we understand, experience, and enjoy every single day of our lives. We may suffer like the prophets, apostles, and our Lord, but we live with the privilege of knowing and understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Peter to us: you are more privileged than anyone in the world even in your suffering. How do we live as a privileged people?

· The salvation of Jesus which the Prophets longed to understand, that the apostles preached, and that the angels gaze at in wonder is what we understand, experience, and enjoy every single day of our lives. We may suffer like the prophets, apostles, and our Lord, but we live with the privilege of knowing and understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Peter to us: you are more privileged than anyone in the world even in your suffering. How do we live as a privileged people?

Don’t neglect the privilege.

Today, you can know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. You can experience real privilege.

· Today, you can know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. You can experience real privilege.

· Experience privilege by repenting of sins and trusting Christ in full surrender. Trust that He lived for you, died for you, and rose again for you.

Experience privilege by repenting of sins and trusting Christ in full surrender. Trust that He lived for you, died for you, and rose again for you.

Christianity is not an intellectual exercise. Not just believing the right things.

· Christianity is not an intellectual exercise. Not just believing the right things.

· Christianity is not behavior modification. It’s not learning to live right.

Christianity is not behavior modification. It’s not learning to live right.

Christianity is not a mystical experience. Not feeling the right thing or holy goosebumps.

· Christianity is not a mystical experience. Not feeling the right thing or holy goosebumps.

· Christianity is full surrender to the One who lived for you, died for you, and rose again for you.

Christianity is full surrender to the One who lived for you, died for you, and rose again for you.

Don’t presume on the privilege.

· Privilege can either spoil you or humble you.

Privilege can either spoil you or humble you.

· Spoiled people want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Do you expect that from God? No hardship, no difficulties – an easy life. Do you say things like, “I don’t deserve this. I don’t drink. I don’t cuss. I’m faithful to my spouse. I go to church regularly. God owes me good.” Everything worthwhile is an uphill climb.

Spoiled people want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Do you expect that from God? No hardship, no difficulties – an easy life. Do you say things like, “I don’t deserve this. I don’t drink. I don’t cuss. I’m faithful to my spouse. I go to church regularly. God owes me good.” Everything worthwhile is an uphill climb.

· Do you have an attitude of entitlement?

Do you have an attitude of entitlement?

· Or, does privilege make you extremely humble because you realize you don’t deserve anything God has given you. God chooses to give you the privilege of being His child.

Or, does privilege make you extremely humble because you realize you don’t deserve anything God has given you. God chooses to give you the privilege of being His child.

· When you do not presume on the privilege you say, “God, whatever your will is for my life, even if it is walking through the fire for my good, let your will be done.”

When you do not presume on the privilege you say, “God, whatever your will is for my life, even if it is walking through the fire for my good, let your will be done.”

· , “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

, “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

· Rhyme to my boys: “Don’t pitch a fit, be thankful for what you get.”

Rhyme to my boys: “Don’t pitch a fit, be thankful for what you get.”

Don’t waste your privilege.

Possible to waste your privilege.

· Possible to waste your privilege.

· Every time you neglect an opportunity to share Christ with someone you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you neglect an opportunity to share Christ with someone you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you push God to the back burner of your life instead of taking time to invest in your eternal relationship with Him you are wasting your privilege.

· Every time you push God to the back burner of your life instead of taking time to invest in your eternal relationship with Him you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you neglect your church and the opportunity you have to be a part of this community for the purpose of mutual edification and Gospel mission you are wasting your privilege.

· Every time you neglect your church and the opportunity you have to be a part of this community for the purpose of mutual edification and Gospel mission you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you complain and criticize instead of encouraging others and lifting them up you are wasting your privilege of being blessed to be a blessing.

· Every time you complain and criticize instead of encouraging others and lifting them up you are wasting your privilege of being blessed to be a blessing.

· Every time you hold on to bitterness and past hurt instead of forgiving and reconciling broken relationships you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you hold on to bitterness and past hurt instead of forgiving and reconciling broken relationships you are wasting your privilege.

· Every time you refuse to take advantage of investing in the next generation (your kids and grandkids) for the sake of the Gospel you are wasting your privilege.

Every time you refuse to take advantage of investing in the next generation (your kids and grandkids) for the sake of the Gospel you are wasting your privilege.

· Every time you hold on to your own sin and live in rebellion against God instead of confessing your sin and walking in restored fellowship with the Lord.

Every time you hold on to your own sin and live in rebellion against God instead of confessing your sin and walking in restored fellowship with the Lord.

· Are you wasting your privilege? Will you look back on your life and say, “There was too much wasted time?” (Ill. – Funeral – man writing his final writing – “I’m angry, I’m disappointed, I’m sad that I didn’t do more that matters.) Will that be me? Will that be you? Will you look back and say, “I wasted the privilege.”

Are you wasting your privilege? Will you look back on your life and say, “There was too much wasted time?” (Ill. – Funeral – man writing his final writing – “I’m angry, I’m disappointed, I’m sad that I didn’t do more that matters.) Will that be me? Will that be you? Will you look back and say, “I wasted the privilege.”

· Unbeliever – turn to Christ in full surrender and experience the privilege of knowing Christ.

Unbeliever – turn to Christ in full surrender and experience the privilege of knowing Christ.

· Believer – How will you live as a privileged child of God this week? What is your next step of obedience or faith? To develop an intimate relationship with Christ? To reconcile a relationship? A renewed commitment to the work of the body of Christ? Turning from a particular sin? Don’t waste your privilege. Repent of entitlement.

Believer – How will you live as a privileged child of God this week? What is your next step of obedience or faith? To develop an intimate relationship with Christ? To reconcile a relationship? A renewed commitment to the work of the body of Christ? Turning from a particular sin? Don’t waste your privilege. Repent of entitlement.