Love (Angel)
Notes
Transcript
Wilbur and Orville Wright
On December, 17th, 1903, they flew in Kitty Hawk, N.C. for 12 seconds after 5 attempts
SUCCESS FOUR FLIGHTS THURSDAY MORNING ALL AGAINST TWENTY ONE MILE WIND STARTED FROM LEVEL WITH ENGINE POWER ALONE AVERAGE SPEED THROUGH AIR THIRTY ONE MILES LONGEST 57 SECONDS INFORM PRESS HOME CHRISTMAS.
Sister Katherine told the local newspaper, and that they’d be home for Christmas for interview
He said it was nice, and they’d put something in the paper about the boys
On December 19th, a small article on page 6 read:
“Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors of the “Wright Flyer,” which made several successful flights near here Thursday, left today for their home in Dayton, OH to spend Christmas with their parents.”
Hello! This was the first powered flight in human history!
This season, let’s not miss the good news!
But what is the good news? Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Each candle has two meanings
Light first 3 candles
So far we have the candles of hope (prophets), peace (Bethlehem) and joy (shepherds)
Today is angel candle
Angels are interesting
*Light the 4th candle
At least 2 kinds (cherubim and seraphim)
Fight in armies (good and evil)
Created by Christ (God)
A lot is unknown
But we know their main purpose
Angelos means “messenger”
Same word used for human messengers...
This is the angel candle because of their message
Message is the meaning of Christmas
Before I discuss the fourth candle’s other meaning... summarize Christmas...
Remember last week, we asked Linus?
*Play Video
We talk about “the meaning of Christmas” or “the reason for the season”
One part that stands out as meaning, and it’s easy to miss
Here’s what they said:
Here’s what they said:
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The key parts are “born to you” and “a Savior”
Key parts = “born to you” and “a Savior”
Key parts = “born to you” and “a Savior”
This is the meaning, but doesn’t tell the whole story
This is the “what”, let’s talk about “why?”
I want to help with that
Next year we’re planning A Christmas Carol
If we ever do It’s a Wonderful Life I want to play “Mr. Potter”
Growing up my favorite Christmas movie was The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Here’s a clue, I like stories about people who hate Christmas!
It helps to illustrate the good in Christmas, to see the contrast
We have lit the Advent candles, but now I would like to imagine the “anti-Christmas”
In a sense, let’s look at the world through the eyes of an atheist
Blow out the candles
We know that the first candle represents HOPE
Without Christmas, we have no hope
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- For the wages of sin is death...
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What does this mean for those without Christ?
What does this mean for those without Christ?
For the wages of sin is death...
After your first sin, you have nothing but the rest of this life to enjoy
After your first sin, you have nothing but the rest of this life to enjoy
Because eventually, you have to face the music
Hiding report cards from my parents...
Kevin’s came back up in the toilet
Without Christ, you live like a criminal on the run
We have a short time left, and then we have to pay for what we did
We have a short time left, and then we have to pay for what we did
The second candle represents PEACE
How could we ever find peace without this hope?
Ever have dreams you’re late? Or los
I still have dreams I’m in school and can’t find class...
I still have dreams that I work in the paper mill and I’m late or in trouble
Without hope there is no peace
These are minor stresses compared to an eternity separated from God
Without peace from Christ, we only look forward to pain and misery
Our candle last week was the candle of JOY
Without Christ, why would we have joy?
We would only seek happiness!
Like last week, you’d chase yourself into disappointment
We can agree that this life alone offers little joy
My best friend Robin has always struggled with his faith...
A friend of mine is now saved
As an agnostic (doesn’t know), we’d talk for hours
After his mom’s death...
I asked him what he had to look forward to...
He said “This is it; you make the best with what you have because there is nothing else.”
That is not a statement of joy, peace and hope!
So let’s recap: Without Christ, our existence is hopeless, tormented and melancholy
Without a Savior, we have emptiness, dread and we settle for a disappointing existence
Our end is coming and we have a short life until misery
That is life without the real meaning of Christmas
That is what atheists believe in!
You want to hear something crazy? That was once our path too; and we deserved it!
God does not owe us anything!
That’s one thing unbelievers struggle with most
In truth, Christians struggle with this too
They think that if there is a God, He has to do something on their terms
Show yourself and I’ll believe
Give me good things and I’ll obey
Let me go to heaven because I’m good enough, or at least I’ve done more good than bad
We put it all on our terms; how dare we?!
God could have put all of us on this rotten, stinking earth and let us dissolve away
Like a child who grows up and stops playing with toys
Or someone who tosses bad meat from the fridge because it is no longer good!
In reality, “anti-Christmas” could be called justice
And this should invoke a response in all of us! Me for example...
Often times I feel guilty to preach or lead worship because I know what I am
However, even I have been given this awesome gift of Christ
Therefore I have to preach!
There was a season in NC where I did installations and build furniture
It was TERRIBLE!
Not because the work was bad (it was easy)
Because I wasn’t teaching God’s word!
I understand why Paul said this
Therefore I have to preach, and I understand why Paul also said this
1 cor 9:16
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
Notice this struggle
Notice this struggle
Notice this struggle
Paul preaches because he must, but not because he feels that he is valuable...
He didn’t preach because he’s valuable
He didn’t preach because he’s valuable
I don’t preach because I’m valuable, I preach because of Romans 6:23!
When you receive something you don’t deserve, you have to share it
Remember the second half:
in its entirety looks like this:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The FREE gift of God?
The FREE gift of God?
Can you fathom what that means?!
Even for the most wretched sinner, God offers something special!
Who would do something like that?!
We deserve death and suffering, but we are offered a tiny Savior in a manger
*Relight the 3 candles
These represent the reason, or the “why” of the season
We have hope, peace and joy because the Savior is here
We have God’s only Son given as a gift
But again, as I said, that is the “what”, but here is the “why”
To light this fourth candle, we understand the WHY
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Light the 4th candle
Light the 4th candle
The “why” is what today’s candle represents: LOVE
Why did Jesus come? Because God so loved the world!
Break that down into our two parts
The what is “God gave His only begotten Son”
Why? Because He so loves the world!
That’s why our 4th candle is called the Love candle
Honestly, if we want to learn about Christmas, there is no better place than
One passages summarizes both aspects of Christmas (the what and the why)
Christ is the reason for the season, and love is the reason for Christ
There are “Seven Wonders of ”, or Seven ultimate extremes
1. God
The Almighty Authority
2. So loved the world
The Mightiest Motive
3. That He gave His only begotten Son
That He gave His only begotten Son
The Greatest Gift
The Greatest Gift
4. That whoever
That whoever
The Widest Welcome
The Widest Welcome
5. Believes in Him
Believes in Him
The Easiest Escape
The Easiest Escape
6. Should not perish
Should not perish
The Divine Deliverance
The Divine Deliverance
7. But have everlasting life
But have everlasting life
The Priceless Possession
The Priceless Possession
In any good love story, one must overcome something difficult (or impossible)
Romeo and Juliet – Their families
The notebook – Their social status
When Harry Met Sally – Their friendship
Titanic – Their social status and a sinking ocean liner
Casablanca – Her other marriage and WWII
BTW – I Googled all of these movies, I don’t watch chick flicks
The ultimate test of love is how far you will go
God went all the way, for the most insignificant creation
Humans, sinners
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Imagine what this love looks like...
Imagine what this love looks like...
2006 - Matt Swatzell fell asleep
That is a powerful love
Woke to a horrible noise
But imagine forgiving them while they were still in the act!
He hit June Fitzgerald who was pregnant
Her husband was a pastor
You forgive as you’ve been forgiven
They’re still friends
Has to be hard, but notice what God waited for?
NOTHING!
That is Agape love!
Martin Luther King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Or a Godly, sacrificial love
I don’t see how this can not affect us...
“Oh the trees are so nice!” Forget the stupid trees for a second...
To be forgiven even as we sin against God...
We’re surrounded by darkness: black, foresty hills and dim lighting
Let’s look at our status with God
It represents us, where we are and where we naturally want to be
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Have you noticed the stage this Christmas?
Have you noticed the stage this Christmas?
Have you noticed the stage this Christmas?
I love scenes like this in church at Christmastime
The trees and snow make me think of winter darkness
Things are cold and dead
But things don’t stay that way forever right? Change comes!
Just like when Christ came into the world
That’s why Jesus says this about Himself:
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
The darkness of winter reminds me where we were
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
The darkness of winter reminds me where we were
The darkness of winter reminds me where we were
And no longer need to be
But points out a problem
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Men love darkness rather than light
Men love darkness rather than light
Some people never want to leave their cold, dead, dark winter
Why?
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
We recluse and hide in our sin
Notice the back of the stage though
Over the hills and through the trees as light is coming!
The verse on the wall is in the NIV
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
- I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
I think the verse is beautiful, but not in the way it seems on the surface
We recluse and hide in our sin
We recluse and hide in our sin
There is a much sadder cause for this verse
To read it simply, the verse sounds hopeful and joyous
As if to say “We can get out of darkness! Yay!”
It’s hard to leave it
That’s not what this verse means
At this point in John, rulers believed in Jesus because of His signs and wonders
However, they kept their mouths shut because they liked to fit in
But it’s so much better!!
They liked the praise they received in the synagogue
Jesus responds with this
Get out of darkness, for I am here!
That’s how we should react to this gift form God! Get out of darkness!
The light is here so we have no excuse!
Christmas is a season for celebration, and to declare our Savior to a weary world
When the cashier says “happy holidays”, what do you say? Happy holidays right back?!
That means I want your approval just like the rulers wanted the Pharisee’s approval
Say “Merry Christmas” because it’s His season
We don’t have to be militant, but we can be honest
Remember my friend Robin? He got saved!
I was thrilled when I found out!
He said, Greg Laurie did it
But it was you all those years that did the work
He brought up the parable of the sower!
So much at Christmas to be excited for!
Are you angrier about traffic and crowds and your wallet, or excited about His coming?
If you’re excited, is it about presents and family and snow, or the gift of Christ?
Don’t be like the editor that missed the Wright brothers’ first flight!
Waiting to relive Christmas after the mill
Lights, presents, hot chocolate and Santa won’t bring that feeling back
But the love of God, the joy of our Savior... now that’s reason to celebrate!
- For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
So where are you today?
Are you hiding in the darkness, or are you basking in His light?
Because here we are at Christmas (3 days away)
For some of us, it’s the only time of year (maybe Easter) that we remember Him
But the love of God has brought so much to be thankful for!
Don’t let that slip away.
Light has come into the world, so let’s get out of the darkness!
Because during this season, we celebrate our Savior’s birth
Because during this season, we celebrate our Savior’s birth
For He has come to save a broken world, and that means us