The Spirit of Christmas

John 3:16–17 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Spirit of Christmas

Let me get the monetary things out of the way...

CFC

Christmas charity

We know without me saying that the Spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ himself.... What is Christmas known for. Peace. Good will toward men. A time of giving.

My message today is not about receiving an offering, but a a spirit of giving.

We have celebrated the changing of the seasons. We have had a time of Thanksgiving. And now because of that thanks... we give.

Luke 6:31–38 KJV 1900

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Spirit of Christmas

I want to point out it’s not give and you shall receive. It’s give and it shall be given...

I’m not talking about the giving of finances today. Don’t you think that Jesus would have rather given a cash offering to purchase His church??? Hopefully we all have a good understanding of the value of a dollar. In many circumstances money is cheap. If Jesus could have given an offering we are talking about the guy that pulled money out of a fishes mouth. Jesus probably could have made money grow on trees!

But Salvation could not be bought with corruptible things such as silver and gold...

The Spirit of Christmas the Spirit of Christ… Think about it. The prince of life introduced in a manger. Prepared and launched His ministry to have His name known?… No! He invested in 12 disciples. 12 rather ordinary men. Not princes. Not politicians. Not religious elitists. He invested and gave Himself to them. Think: He had to teach them over and over, they couldn’t pray with him. They couldn’t understand His parables. They couldn’t capture His vision, but He gave and He gave… “Philip. have I been so long time with you and you have not known me?” He called Simon “Peter the Rock” knowing Peter was going to fold like a news paper...

We think Peter, James, and John were His hand picked and His inner circle, but what if it was something else? What if Hes thought these were the worst knuckle heads of the 12! I’m going to have to spend a lot of time with them… He washed Judas’ feet!

When was the last time we gave until it hurt? When have done for someone outside of family and friends? One more time let’s look ath context...

This is the boss speaking... This is scripture forever settled in Heaven!

Closing

Let’s break down the Spirit of our text...

God so loved the World, He gave His only.... whosoever....that the World through Him might be saved