Give More

Intro

Sermon Bumper

We are continuing the Advent Conspiracy this morning. As we said when we kicked off the Conspiracy, we were going to give a few suggestions each week of charities or causes for you to consider supporting along with the Advent Conspiracy.

Give PAOC

Share Word Global (formerly Gideon’s Canada)

Last week we talked about spending less. Spending less on stuff that ends up in a pile or broken. Spend less time finding the perfect gift or making the perfect meal. Spend less on the stuff that doesn’t last.

This week we shift to Give More. Now when put these two idea side by side, they seem to contradict each other when we think of Christmas the way we have typcially done it. How can I give more if I am spending less? The whole drive of Christmas is to spend more so you can give more.

In light of the idea of Give more, I want to start with this question:

What was the most meaningful gift you have ever received?

now, to take some of the pressure off, I don’t want spouses to make eye contact as you contemplate this question. I know some of you know what you think is the most meaningful thing you’ve ever given, so don’t pressure your spouse into saying the right answer.

I know what one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever given my wife is. The year we started dating, I bought some water bottles for Michelle, and we got a certificate explaining I had bought these water bottles on her behalf to go towards this well. The reason I know it was meaningful is because it remained stuck on the door of her old room, and everytime we visited she would see it and get a big smile on her face.

what is the most meaningful gift you have ever received?

What Did God Give Us?

To help us grasp the idea of Give More, we are going to go back to a classic Christmas story from the Gospels. Turn to Matthew 1 if you will, and we will look at the story of Jesus birth, but from the perspective of Joseph.

Matthew 1:18–23 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Poor Joseph

You gotta feel for Joseph a little bit in the beginning of the story. He is engaged to Mary, and suddenly finds out that she is pregnant and he’s not the father. Then, she tries to convince him that the child is from God. Sure it is Mary.

This scenario is all kinds of bad. Joseph’s reputation is on the line. Mary could be executed for being immoral, especially if it is found out that Joseph isn’t the father. The fact that Joseph is trying to do this quietly is no doubt trying to separate himself from what is perceived as an immoral woman, and but still in love with her and trying to keep her alive.

With everything going on, it was going to take an angelic visit to convince Joseph that things weren’t actually bad, but this really was the plan of God all along.

The other incredible thing was the fact that none of the religious leaders picked up on what was going on. This very scenario was prophesied, and the religious elite were supposed to have the Old Testament memorized. Of all the passages to have highlighted in their minds, this one should be near the top. A virgin will bear a son. Mary is claiming to be a virgin with child. HELLO!!!

But the most important part about this story is the close of the prophecy. She will bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (God with us).

At this moment in history things were starting to get a little desperate for the people of God. There had not been a word of prophecy in over 400 years. Israel had been under constant enslavement by other nations and empires. Things are getting dark, and people were starting to lose their way.

In this moment, when people needed an intervention from God, what was his response? He gave himself to us. God entered into the story of humanity and became a man like us, walked among us, talked to us, because God wants to be in relationship with us. He doesn’t want us following rules and going through the actions. He wants to be in relationship. To remind us of this, to pave the way for us to have relationship with him, he entered the story.

God with us.

In what areas of life do you need to experience more Immanuel?

Are there areas of life you have kept God out of for some reason? Are there areas of life that you just need to be more mindful that God is walking with you through it? Where do you need more Immanuel?

We Were Designed for Relationship

In the same way God came to earth to have relationship with us, we are called to be in relationship with each other.

Even in the midst of the distraction of stuff and the commercialism of Christmas, the one things we can’t away from is how Christmas is about being together.

The challenge for us is to make the most of the time we have with each other.