The Gift (Week 4)

The Gift (Week 4) Pastor Lila Clay MAIN IDEA: Christmas shared with others is God’s best plan for us. READ: Ephesians 2:17-2 INTRODUCTION Do you remember this tune? “I'll be home for Christmas, You can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree. Christmas Eve will find me, where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.”[1] The writer of this classic Christmas song shares his longing to go home for Christmas. The lyrics reflect loneliness and we experience the sad realization that he will not be able to be with the ones he loves. THE EXPERIENCE OF LONELINESS IS UNIVERSAL TO US ALL Has there ever been a time when you experienced loneliness? Most of us have. Yet God declared it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). When Jesus came to this earth He not only brought the gifts of salvation and reconciliation, He also brought the gift of community and family. Ephesians 2:17-22 (ESV) has the following words: "And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." LONELINESS IS OVERCOME IN CHRIST JESUS It is not God’s intent for us to be lonely, nor does He want you to remain lonely. In fact, family is His gift to you! Contained within the verse of Psalm 68:6 (ESV) you will find this message, “God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing.” Did you hear these words: God sets the lonely in families. This is His precious gift to you this Christmas. CONCLUSION The holidays can be tough, many experience depression and loneliness. We can make a difference in someone’s life if we will just reach out to others who are struggling? Let the Lord lead you to someone who is lonely and include them in your family festivities. You will not only bless them, you will also be blessed if you do. If you are the person feeling lonely then take heart, ask God to provide, and then take initiative yourself to invite others. Chances are you might know other people who are alone and you all can do something together. As the saying goes, if “you want a friend than be a friend to someone.” What a testimony it would be if the church would once again be as loving and as inclusive as it was in the beginning. What a gift God has given us, may we all rejoice in the gift of fellowship, for God has given us the gift of a Christian family. And that is something worth giving thanks for. ACTION STEP: Find someone who might be alone and invite them to share Christmas meal with you. Make this a habit in the new year to include others.   ------------------ [1]  "I'll Be Home for Christmas" recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby, the song was written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmastime. The song was written by the lyricist Kim Gannon, Buck Ram and composer Walter Kent.