The Cost of Christmas

Luke 15:1-8

Hear the Word of the Lord

1 Thes 5 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Let us Pray

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Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Reading of 2 Scriptures

Silent Prayer…Amen

Introduction

My name is Brian Hayes and it is good to be back with you on the Sunday in which we rejoice in the work of Jesus!

I want you to turn to someone, if you are watching this with someone, if not just say it out loud. Tell someone something that you are thankful for.

We do this as a form of prayer at campaigners followed by everyone saying hallelujah!

I am thankful that I once was lost, but now i’m found. Hallelujah.

Challenge you to rejoice this week. Do it and make it fun. God loves silliness and a glad heart, he loves when we approach him with joy and laughter.

On that note I want to share a story with you all about laughter

Story of Darren at Saranac

I didn’t understand what he valued

he over reacted and I probably crossed a line and it became an awesome joke that Jesus used that week. Brought us all together.

When something is lost, you either recognize it’s value or you don’t. I want to share with you all this story from the Gospels about rejoicing in something that was lost but then found.

Luke 15:1-7

vs 1 Tax collectors and sinners

they wanted to hear Jesus

Luke’s gospel, we know is to Theopholis and the church.

Why does Luke continually focus on outcasts and sinners? Why should we care what Luke focuses on?

It reveals something about God’s heart. It is for those who are lost and broken. Are we not those lost and in need to heart Jesus again? The only difference is that we know we are broken and in need of or savior.

Vs 2 Pharisees and Teachers of Law

complain about Jesus

Are we rejoicing this Advent Season or Complaining

I want to stop and say something before we continue. This season has been hard and holiday seasons can be difficult with the loss of loved ones. This sermon is not designed to help you cover up hurt and pain, but to see rejoicing in the midst of pain.

Parable vs 3-7

Leaves the 99 to find the 1

Graciously puts it on his shoulders and carries it back

“Rejoice with me”

It is God’s desire to rejoice over his work in this world and for us to rejoice with him.

We might not understand his work, but we will always have the choice to rejoice *in the work the Lord is doing* or remain frustrated like the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law.

We must always remember that Christmas Costs something. God became flesh to find his people who have wondered away. This is why we rejoice. We were lost but now we are found. This is the cry of Lukes gospel and the cry of Luke chapter 15. God loves us so much that he moved into the neighborhood, full of grace and truth to redeem those that seek rebellion.

Cost of Christmas

We cannot rejoice without accepting that our rejoicing cost something.

Rejoice happens the most in Luke and Isaiah (apart from the psalms) and these 2 books most closely focus on God’s redeeming plan for those on the outside. Those far away from God.

Luke 1 with the coming of Christ, a few times in the middle. Chapter 15 Rejoice is everywhere.

Story of lost sheep, story of lost coin, story of lost son

Rejoice because what is lost is found.

Do not separate the birth of Christmas with God’s redeeming plan for his world.

Christmas is not just about Gifts and Baby Jesus. Those can be packed up and forgotten

Going out to eat is not about ordering food and watching it sit on the table. It is about enjoying the meal. Enjoying what we you just ordered.

So it is with Christmas and this Advent season. Rejoice for Jesus was born, he walked with sinners and outcasts, he revealed God’s kingdom, he willingly laid down on a cross to pay for our sins and our redemption, he was raised by the power of the holy spirit to conquer sin, satan, and death, sent his holy spirit to empower us and one day he will come again.

We celebrate the beginning because we know the end. Celebrate because what what was once lost, has now been found.

The New International Version Chapter 61

I delight greatly in the LORD;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Jesus delights in you, so rejoice! For great is his love and faithfulness.

Let us pray

And this time, Oh, God, we pray to you for those who are in special need. We pray for...

Here these prayers now as we pray together as your people. Praying the prayer that you taught your people.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Jesus taught us it is more blessed to give than to receive so let us present our tithes and offerings to the Lord.