Change of Focus

Sunday, November 18th, 2007

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This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Christmas Potential

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INTRODUCTION

We are still over a month away from Christmas but already the decorations have shown up in the stores, banquets are being planned, lights are going up and Santa Claus parades have started. It’s clear that we entered into Christmas season.I’ve got confess this morning, that when this time comes around each year, I find it harder and harder to know what it is I should speak about. I mean it’s not as if the “story” of Christmas changes – it’s the same – and really, it’s not like people don’t know about the baby the manger, the shepherds, the wisemen and what not from the traditional manger scenes that show up this time of year. And so, I reread the gospel accounts of the incarnation story, hoping and praying for some fresh insight that will have relevance to where we are today.

It’s remarkable that no matter how many times I read the story of the incarnation – you know, what Christmas is really about…God taking on flesh, the immortal being clothed in mortality, and laying as a baby in a manger – no matter how common the story has become – I can never get over the incredible contrast between the incarnation as we read about in scripture and today’s Christmas which is supposedly a celebration of that event. It is this contrast which is frankly the fuel for many sermons and messages that are preached across North America every year during this time of year. And rightly so! We should be reminded of the most significant event in history, next to the creation of the Earth and the fall of man. Of course, the events of Calvary, and the empty tomb on Easter are important in their own right but neither would exist nor matter if it weren’t for the truth of Jesus Christ – fully God – becoming fully man.

So this year, I am once again motivated to speak out of an awareness of the contrast between the incarnation (which really wasn’t the first Christmas…it is the inspirational event that Christmas is supposed to honour and celebrate) and today’s seasonal frenzy. But, in the course of observing these contrasts there is something common between the events that happened in Judea over 2000 years ago and the events happening today in the 21st century. You see, I believe that Christmas holds incredible potential. Now potential, left alone, is a neutral word. Potential can refer to something that could be good or could be bad. The reality is that the potential outcome of our lives is really something that depends on the choices we make in response to the environment we encounter. The more right choices we make the more positive potential our lives will have, the more wrong choices we make the more negative potential our lives will have. In both case, potential becomes reality, as we act upon the choices we make.

Four the next four weeks, I want to share with you the potential that Christmas holds for every single one of us. Yes, at the heart of it all, Jesus really is the reason for the season. Christmas wouldn’t even be existing if it weren’t for the reality of the miraculous baby laying in a manger. Yet I think we can all agree that in our commercialized society, that sentiment is often an add-on thought rather than the primary motivating factor behind what happens with Christmas today. Still, even in the midst of this commercialization there is incredible positive potential for this seasonal event to be a catalyst for good. That’s what I want to focus on. Hopefully, these series of messages will give you glimpse into a way of doing Christmas that will inspire you to seize the potential!

I want to start today by declaring that what influences the choices we make the most is the perspective we hold in life. What is it that our focus is on? What is it that we dwell on? What is it that we value? What is it that we believe in? It is important that we start here this morning because this will lay the foundation for embracing
the positive potential Christmas has to offer.

Let’s read what Matthew wrote in the first chapter of His gospel (1:18-25)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

PRAY

I want to read again verse 23 (reread). God…with…us. I really think, sometimes we miss the significance of those words. The key to discovering and unleashing the positive potential of Christmas is to have the right focus in this season. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary the incredible news that the baby she was going to carry would be like no other baby ever born. His name would be Jesus which means, “God saves us” which is ultimately possible because He is also Immanuel which means “God with us”.

The right focus of Christmas is not presents, it is one person. It is not what we get but on what God gave. It is not the coming of Santa Claus but the coming of God. In order to understand the potential of Christmas we must focus on the person of Jesus Christ – because ultimately He is the source of that potential.

So let’s zero in on the person of Jesus Christ for a moment. The first important observation we need to make is that there is an incredible change of location.

God’s change of location

I want you to understand this morning. That Christmas is a celebration of the first coming of Christ. Whenever I hear the song, “Santa Claus is coming to town” I can’t help but think to myself…”ahh, it’s a cute song – but come on…where is he? He’s been coming for 34 years of my life and he still hasn’t arrived” The thing with Jesus though, is He has come. Max Lucado remarked,

Let’s not lose the majesty of Christmas, somehow the God who created everything, allowed His son to become a baby. -Max Lucado

The one with unlimited power, became powerless in the form of a baby. The One who was wrapped in radiance more piercing that the brightest supernova was wrapped in swaddling cloth. The One who walked the streets of Heaven, would now be born in a cave. The One who had no needs, was now dependant on a young mother.

It’s remarkable to me that God would undergo such an incredible change of location! There are three words that describe the significance of what “God with us” means.

A. Humility
Thinking about the birth of Christ, I can’t help but marvel at the incongruity between who He was and what He chose. No earthly royalty would ever show their humility. That would be too human, too common. Kings have parades & entourages to draw the focus toward them.

Have you ever seen news coverage of Royal Visits (such as Queen Elizabeth II) to a country? They are always characterized by pomp and splendour. There are grand dinners where no expense is spared on dress and entertainment. When the Queen comes to town, everyone knows.

In meek contrast, God’s visit to earth took place in an animal stable, no attendants were present, there was no place for the baby to lay down except in a feeding trough known as a manger. In fact, the event, which divided history and our calendars, went by unnoticed except for a few shepherds who came by for a visit.

Not is that a contrast to the presentation of Earthly royalty in our world but is also a contrast to the circumstances that take place in the celebration of Christmas today. Although sometimes people wish too, you really can’t escape Christmas in today’s society. Yet on the morning of the incarnation, the world had no idea what was happening.

Why did God choose to come to this planet in such a humble way? He did it because He was creating potential.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

B. Approachability
It’s hard to comprehend, that God would be laying in a manger. But in doing so, He became accessible and approachable in a way that hadn’t been experienced by any human since creation. In the Old Testament God was anything but approachable:

• When Moses came upon the burning bush, he was commanded to remove his shoes for he was on Holy ground.
• Isaiah tells us that when he was brought into the throne room of God he cried “Woe is Me I am undone” fearing that death was at hand
• The Jewish children knew the lessons well, “Touch the Ark of the Covenant and you die”, “Enter the Holy of Holies and won’t come back out alive”.

However, in this amazing scene of the incarnation there is a new born baby? What could be more approachable? Have you ever noticed how people react when a baby is in the room? People have a desire to touch, hold and talk to a baby. The baby becomes the centre of attention.

I wonder what it must have been like for the shepherds when they first saw Jesus? When they arrived at the stable, they find no sentries to guard the entrance, no one to announce their present to the king. All they find is a father, a mother and the baby – waiting to greet the world.

Christmas is the time when the Son of God became man so, that men may become the Sons of God. – CS Lewis

For thousands of years it was understood that sinful man and a Holy God could not exist together, but on this special morning God was teaching us once again He was approachable.

The potential of Christmas is that you can approach the King of the Universe, that He is accessible to anyone who will come to Him.

The third word that describes the significance of what “God with us” means is…

C. Courage
Have you ever noticed the courage that was displayed during the events of the incarnation?

• Mary – she would give birth to the Messiah, as a virgin, having never slept with a man. Her only explanation? An angel told her this would happen. God had not spoken directly to Israel for 400 years and now He was speaking through a young unwed mother… Mary displayed incredible courage in her obedience.
• Joseph – He would take care of Mary – he would make her his wife, and he too would have only the word of an angel for assurance. Joseph demonstrated courage and stood by Mary regardless of public opinion or scandal.

The most courageous person had to be Christ Himself. Listen to how Paul described the life of Jesus…

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

I wonder what it must have been like when Jesus experienced hunger, pain, or rejection. The Christmas carol “Away in the Manger” gives us the idea that the manger was a safe place for a baby, but in truth, by becoming a baby he exposed Himself to all the frailties of a human, including that of death. Why was Jesus so courageous? Because of His love for you and for me. Because He wanted to create potential.

Christmas is a celebration of God changing His location for this brief time in history (compared to His eternal existence) so that the potential for His greatest desire could be birthed. His change of location created the potential of our change of position. Let me explain

Potential: Our change of Position

In the Garden of Eden at the beginning of History there is perfect harmony. The first man and woman are enjoying fellowship with their creator. Yet in Genesis 3, harmony quickly changes to chaos. Sin, introduced by the serpent brings about changes in the relationship between God and His creation. One word defines the change – separation. This separation brought several consequences:

A. Physical Death
First, Adam and Eve experienced the aging process that would eventually lead to their physical death. In their perfect state, they knew no pain, but because of sin their bodies began to deteriorate. There would be aging and suffering. Soft skin would give way to wrinkles, eyes would dim and eventually death would come.

B. Curse on creation
Secondly, because of sin, all of creation was affected. In the first two chapters of Genesis 1 there is a phrase that God speaks repeatedly, “It is good.” God’s creation was good; God designed a perfect creation for His servant Adam – no shortcuts, no leftovers. Yet when sin was introduced – all of creation was affected. Thorns and weeds started growing next to flowers and fruits. Animals began to hunt each other. It took incredible effort for the ground to bring forth a harvest. Storms and natural disasters wreaked havoc on the planet.

C. Spiritual Death
The third result of sin was the severance of the relationship between God and man. Before sin, Adam and God enjoyed an intimate relationship – even walking in the garden together. Adam and Eve’s spirits were alive to God and they were able to connect and communicate with Him hindrance free. But sin severed that connection. After the introduction of sin, throughout history God appeared in many forms from a burning bush to a small voice whispering in the quiet but sinful man would never walk with God again on this planet.

D. Sacrifice
Finally, the fourth result of sin was one of sacrifice. After God had banished Adam and Eve from the garden, he replaced their leaf clothing with animal skins. God was teaching Adam and Eve that they could not cover, atone or pay for their own sins. It was a debt they could not pay. In replacing their feeble attempts to cover themselves with leaf clothing with animal skins God had to shed the blood of an innocent animal. Thousands of years before Jesus was born, God was giving a lesson on the importance of innocent blood to be shed to atone for the debt of sin. While the shed blood of pure animals was practiced throughout the Old Testament as the way of covering sin it was only a temporary remedy that always pointed to the permanent remedy affected by the Messiah. The one that the angel Gabriel announced to Mary,

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

Friends, there are many consequences that resulted in creation because of the introduction of sin. As a result our position when we are born into this world is that of death and separation from God. However, God does not want us to stay there. He wants to more than anything else for every single person in His creation to be repositioned from sinfulness to righteousness, from death to life, from separation to restoration, from brokenness to wholeness.

The corruption of sin in our world compelled Jesus to come to this planet as a baby to grow up into a man and face the cross at which His own blood would be shed in order that the potential for our change in position might be created. You change your eternal position through Jesus Christ. This is the focus we must have in this season, This is the perspective we must embrace. We can let many perspectives shape what potential we’ll embrace this season but I encourage you to focus on the person of Jesus Christ. Celebrate the incredible potential that was created by God choosing to courageously humble Himself, and become approachable in the incarnation that His greatest desire might be possible. That our positions would change from being children of a lost world to citizens of the Kingdom!

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Pace

Sunday, November 25th, 2007

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This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Christmas Potential

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INTRODUCTION
Read Luke 2:1-7 (and pray)

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their 5th attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight.

Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – “We have flown for 12 seconds – we will be home for Christmas!”

Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him that they would be home for Christmas if he would like to set up an interview.

He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys. On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper:

“WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”

The most important story of the year – man’s first flight – and the editor missed it!
(illustration from “A Right Pace” by Alan Tison)

I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. As I mentioned last week, already trees are going up, decorations are filling our homes and stores, festive music is beginning to be played on the radio, Santa Claus parades are happening and the commercial Christmas advertising is in full swing.

However, in the midst of the Christmas rush, in all of our gift buying, in all of the things we do during the Christmas season…have we missed the potential of Christmas? Last week I reintroduced to you the event that was the catalyst for the Christmas celebration. The incarnation (“God with us”) was all about creating potential for mankind to be restored to a right relationship with God. It’s this potential that we need to be reminded of every year when we come into this season.

Last week I laid the foundation for realizing this potential and that is to ensure that our focus is rightly placed on Christ during the Christmas season. This week, I want to take the next step in sharing flesh out one of the resulting influences this potential can have in your life. And that involves the word pace.

To be honest, Christmas tends to be a time when the pace picks up, there are gifts to buy, homes to decorate, parties to attend, meals to prepare, people to visit, sometimes it makes us just tired thinking about Christmas.

To the casual observer the events surrounding the incarnation have a bit of a hurried pace as well:

• Mary discovered she is pregnant and runs to her cousin Elizabeth’s home to share the news.
• Caesar Augustus demands a census of the Roman Empire; all citizens are required to return to the city of their birthplace. Suddenly all roads of the Empire are filled with travelers for this census.
• The shepherds upon hearing the angelic announcement of the birth of the Christ Child “Hurry off” to Bethlehem.
• Soon the magi (wisemen) see the STAR, and begin a cross-country trip from the east.
• King Herod, full of jealousy and fear, believes this Christ child is a threat to His kingdom and issues a decree that all boys under the age of 2, living in the vicinity of Bethlehem are to be killed. This causes a time of hurriedness, as parents flee from Bethlehem to escape Herod’s wrath.

Certainly it appears that people in the days of the incarnation would have some understanding of the symptoms (both positive and negative) of Christmas rush that modern man experiences: anxiety, excitement, tiredness, uncertainty, crankiness, frustration, depression, edginess etc.

Yet, the apostle Paul would later write about the first coming of Christ this way:

4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

Notice Paul’s choice of words under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “but when the time had fully come”. In other words, when the time was just right – when God’s timetable matured to that exact moment…

• He chose a little town called Bethlehem
• He chose a couple known as Joseph and Mary
• He chose the setting of a animal’s shelter

The events surrounding the Incarnation were not arranged by chance or by happenstance but by the divine orchestration of God’s sovereign plan. Every critical piece of His plan was in place for the coming of Christ to occur as it did.

When looking at the definition of the word pace you’ll discover that it’s core meaning is to describe the intervals between one thing and another. For example: to live at a fast pace means that there is more “somethings” happening in a shorter period of time; to live at a slow pace means there are less “somethings” happening in a longer period of time. Pace – the intervals between those somethings is greater at a slow pace than at a faster pace. Another example is to talk about the “pace” or footsteps of individuals (i.e. he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig).

Today I want to present the idea that there is potential at Christmas for your life pace to be altered. Remember, last week I highlighted that potential is a neutral word. In of itself potential is neither good nor bad – it’s the choices we make in response to our environment and as a result of our perspective that results in either positive or negative potential. Focusing on the person of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season gives us a right perspective that builds positive potential in our lives. In doing so positive life pace becomes possible. Positive life pace is only possible when the pace of life is on God’s timetable. In other words, the intervals between “somethings” happening are at God’s discretion rather than on our determination.

A. THE PRICE OF PATIENCE

Inevitably when we talk about God’s timing, or God’s pace of doing things, we must talk about patience because patience or the lack of patience contributes to positive or negative potential in the interval. In order to embrace God’s pace of doing things we need to grab a hold of God’s gift of patience. For many people, the first image that enters our mind when we think of the word patience is the last long line we waited in! However, patience is not simply waiting, patience is waiting with anticipation. Listen to the words of David as he cried out to the lord in Psalm 40:

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalms 40:1-5 (NIV)

David wasn’t just waiting – he was waiting with anticipation that God would respond. Therein lies the hidden truth of Godly patience – you can only anticipate something if you believe or trust that it will happen. David emphasizes this as he wrote (note vs 3 and vs 4).

The price of patience is trust.

Let’s go back to the waiting part for a moment. Do you find it difficult to wait for something? Especially something you know is obtainable?

We live in a world where patience is LACKING.
We live in a culture of instant gratification. If we see it we buy it. “90 days same as cash” is music to our ears. Waiting is just not a part of our culture – or at least not something that is considered good. If we’re hungry we can zap things in the microwave for a few seconds (one of the fastest growing aisles in the supermarket is the frozen dinner section). For when we need money we have our ATM machines. We can communicate anywhere at anytime with the instant connection provided by cell-phones, email, text and instant messaging. We have instant rice, instant coffee, instant pudding. Television teaches us that no problem is too large that it cannot be resolved in 30 minutes and no illness is too serious that it cannot be healed in 30 seconds.

I think we could agree that we live in a culture where patience is lacking and no more is needed then to look at the frenzy surrounding today’s Christmas!

Now let’s look at how God’s pace is exemplified in the incarnation. It was there that we can see the price of patience taking root in individual’s lives.

Paying the price of patience…

Joseph and Mary discover God’s plan through an Angel. Fear gives way to excitement, which eventually leads to patience. Nine months would pass before the promise was fulfilled. Meanwhile in Jerusalem an aged couple, named Zechariah and Elizabeth are being rewarded for their faithful patience in the birth of a son named John; John would be the forerunner of the Christ Child and would announce His imminent coming to the rest of the world. For 400 years God was seemingly silent and now all of a sudden He is moving in a might way where both His son and the forerunner to His son would be born in the same year.

Next to suffering, patience may be the greatest tool God uses to conform us to His will. Patience requires us to wait upon God, even when He is silent. The only thing that sustains our patience through the interval of His pace is our trust in Him. Isarel went through nearly 400 years of God’s silence and when God spoke, it was to a young man and woman who might have not been totally prepared for what would be spoken to them – yet nevertheless accepted His direction. Joseph and Mary patiently submitted to God’s plan, they patiently waited for the birth to occur, they patiently traveled to Bethlehem and when there was no room at the local inn, they patiently accepted the next available lodging (a stable), knowing that God had the best plan. No complaining, no doubts, no fears – simply trusting God.

What is the potential of Christmas? The potential is that your life pace could get turned right-side up. Instead of living life on your terms and in your timing – you will live life on God’s terms and in His timing. Inevitably when we make Christ our focus and when we put our trust and faith in Him there will be an interval where God builds into us patience. And it is in this interval where we discover if we really do trust Him!

Are you willing to pay the price of patience? Are you seeking God’s will in your life, your schedule, your spending decisions? Are you practicing patience with other people this season? Modern day Christmas is probably the one time of year where our patience is put to the greatest test!

Paul wrote,

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

In the hurriedness of this Christmas season, God may want you to wait and discover His will for your life. Joseph and Mary were patient and God used them to fulfill His divine plan.

The price of patience is trust but it isn’t a blind trust. God has given us reason to trust Him. Our trust isn’t only that He will do what He said He would do BUT is based on the fact that God has already done things He said He would do.

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalms 40:5 (NIV)

Our trust is in God’s FAITHFULNESS…

Mary and Joseph were patiently waiting the birth of the promised child in Mary’s belly. They trusted that what He said was going to happen would happen – but their trust was also based on what God had already done in sending His angel as a messenger.

Christmas and the life of Jesus should be a reminder to us that God is faithful to His word and to us. There are over 300 predictions made in the Old Testament – prophecies made hundreds of years before the birth of Christ – that came true in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yes, God is always faithful – but is always according to His timetable, His pace!

The LESSONS of Patience

Have you ever wondered why God chose to come to the world in the form of a baby? I believe one of the reasons is because babies move at their own schedule. No matter how much we long for the baby to come, it still takes 9 months for a healthy baby to be born. After the birth of a baby, patience is needed to help the baby talk, walk, and eat. In fact, a baby’s survival is based on our patience. Patience is one absolutely necessary trait when caring for a child. Yet with all the work, all the time and sacrifice one gives to a child, we still call the birth of a child a blessing. Why? Because in the process patience opens the doors to so many other important lessons and rewards.

There are several lessons we can learn from the patience as illustrated in the incarnation:

a. Waiting is easier when you are WITH someone.
In the events surrounding the incarnation, you seldom see anyone alone:

• Mary and Joseph are together
• There were several shepherds in the fields who received the good news from the angels
• The wisemen traveled in a caravan.

It’s interesting that the only person who is alone in the story is King Herod. Matthew’s gospel tells us that Herod met with the Wisemen in secret to discover the birth of Jesus. Left alone with his thoughts, Herod began to distort the situation and his fears soon led him to issue the decree which brought about the death of many innocent children.

It is always important to have someone with you while you are waiting. The write of Hebrews writes:

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

As believers we are ultimately all waiting for the second coming of Christ, but in the process of anticipating His return we are to encourage one another for the purpose of growth and discipline.

b. Waiting is easier when you know the END is NEAR.
While Joseph and Mary didn’t understand all of what was happening in their life, they knew enough to know God was bringing about salvation to all mankind. When the angel visited Joseph, he was given specific instructions which indicated to Joseph that salvation was at hand.

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:21-23 (NIV)

The interval became easier, and patience came more readily because Joseph and Mary knew that salvation was near.

As believers, our lives should be less stressful as well, for we know everyday draws us closer to the return of our Lord. When we learn to embrace life at God’s pace – not ours – the intervals between happenings are filled with patient trust, not urgent anxiety.

CONCLUSION

I want to finish with two examples of how you can seize the potential for living at God’s pace this Christmas season.

a. take inventory of your schedule
How much of what you have planned is absolutely necessary or is simply time filler? Ask yourself, “Am I too busy doing Christmas that I’m not celebrating the incarnation?” Are there times carved out in your schedule to “Be still” and know He is God? How much of what you do during the Christmas season is focused on Christ and His coming?

b. recognize opportunities to live at God’s pace
There is incredible potential in the Christmas season to embrace a life at God’s pace and to build patience.

• Before opening the gifts on Christmas day, read the Christmas story of Luke 2:1-19 to your children. Help them (and you!) slow down and remember it is not about the gifts, but about God. Take some time to change the focus off the toys and onto the King.
• Start a tradition of reading the Christmas cards you receive in the mail and praying for the family that sent the card.
• Take the opportunities to spend time with your church family at the Christmas Eve service

If your focus is on Christ. If you recognize the potential of Christmas and embrace it you will find that life lived at God’s pace dramatically changes the priorities of your life.

The lesson for today? God’s timing is always perfect.

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exchange

Sunday, December 2nd, 2007

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This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Christmas Potential

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INTRODUCTION

Read Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:8-14

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

For the last two weeks I’ve been promoting the idea, the belief I have that there is amazing positive potential residing in the Christmas celebration that exists because of the foundation of Christmas which is the historical account of the incarnation – “God with Us”

It is a story that pretty everybody in this part of the world is familiar with to some degree. But what many don’t realize is that we each have a part in this story! You see the incarnation – upon which Christmas is based – isn’t a complete story. How it ends in your life depends on you. The chain of events that happened over two thousand years ago were initiated by God’s choice to make His salvation available to everyone including you and me. He created potential, the possibility for a relationship with Him. But our part is what we’re going to do with the offer.

In looking at the story of the incarnation, you can’t help but notice that there different responses to the circumstances that happened. Responses that are foretell similar reactions we find today with people who come face to face with the Christmas potential.

Let’s start by looking at the response of King Herod and Jerusalem when they heard the news of the special baby.

Response of King Herod and Jerusalem…

Some observations:

First, notice that the news of the baby was delivered to King Herod (and Jerusalem) by some wise men (who were perhaps unwitting messengers sent by God to the people of Jerusalem – notice that the star first led them to Jerusalem [vs9]) Ultimately it was God who was delivering this message to the people of Jerusalem.

Second, notice that scripture records them as being disturbed. There are many ways of translating or describing the meaning of this word: agitated, troubled, inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, disquieted, restless, stirred up, anxious or distressed, perplexed (Strong’s Greek Number 5015). Whatever way you choose to describe the emotional behaviour of the people of Jerusalem, it is important to note that there was something about the Magi’s search that set the presses rolling and the gossip mill running and this disturbance led to their response. Why were they so disturbed? Well let’s look at King Herod first.

King Herod’s response…

Recall the magi’s question, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

I think there’s some important background information we have to look at in order to understand why this question would be so disturbing to Herod.

Background information on Herod “the Great”:

The Bible records history. It has proven itself an accurate and reliable record of people, events, and places. Independent historical accounts verify the Bible’s descriptions and details of many famous lives. One of these was the father of the Herodian family, Herod the Great.

Herod is remembered as a builder of cities and the lavish rebuilder of the temple in Jerusalem. But he also destroyed people. He showed little greatness in either his personal actions or his character. He was ruthless in ruling his territory. His suspicions and jealousy led to the murder of several of his children and the death of his wife Mariamne.

Herod’s title, king of the Jews, was granted by Rome but never accepted by the Jewish people. He was not part of the Davidic family line, and he was only partly Jewish. Although Israel benefited from Herod’s lavish efforts to repair the temple in Jerusalem, he won little admiration because he also rebuilt various pagan temples. Herod’s costly attempt to gain the loyalty of the people failed because it was superficial. His only loyalty was to himself. (taken from Life Application Bible Study Notes – Character Study of Herod the Great)

Into the life of this man comes these men from the East with their question about the one who has been born King of the Jews. Note that they did not question if this king had been born but where he was. They spoke with absolute conviction that this king had indeed already been born!

So, why would Herod be disturbed then?

1. Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David and he knew it! Therefore many Jews hated him as a usurper. If this baby really was an heir – there could be a threat to his power.
2. Herod was ruthless and as is the case with people who are relentless and are careless about the enemies they make to gain power – there is always the worry and concern that someone is plotting to get him out of power.
3. Herod didn’t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure as that could further enflame the discontent in the territory he was overseeing and any rioting or rebellion that got out of hand could draw the attention of Rome and cause him to lose his place of power.
4. If these Magi were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome), they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power in the area away from Ceasar. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would be easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.

In the end Herod’s response was to reject the news of the baby.
Notice I didn’t say that He didn’t believe that what the magi was saying was true. BUT Herod chose not to accept the news. Rejection is very much the response of people who don’t believe something to be true but it is also the response of people who don’t want something to be true – even though they know it is.

Of all the reasons I brought forward for why Herod would be troubled by this news there is one thing that stands out. And that is that this baby threatened Herod’s identity – He was king – and if this baby was king somebody would be going. Herod spent most of his life rising to power through ruthless and cunning and despicable means. Listen to me closely – Herod had built his entire life around His rule as King and in turn his life depended on his kingship. Without it, he was nothing and he would be defenseless against those he trampled to get there. Herod had defined himself by his title and position as king.

Ultimately Herod’s response to the disturbing news of the wise men was to try to cover up and actually prevent this baby from becoming king. When you read further in the story you find him sending his soldiers to kill every boy in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two and under.

APPLICATION:
- some people choose to reject the good news because it threatens their identity – now your identity may be based on your job, or your family, or your position in society, or your possessions…

- some people just don’t like the idea that they are a sinner or that they are lost or that they are doomed and will seek to cover it up any way they can…maybe it won’t be on the level of Herod’s cover-up but nevertheless their rejection becomes an active force in pushing away the good news of Christ.

People in Jerusalem’s response…

So there we have the first response – Herod rejected the news of the baby.

But Herod wasn’t the only one disturbed by the wise men’s question. I find it astonishing that verse 3 says, all Jerusalem with him was disturbed!! You would think that the people of Jerusalem who were predominately Jews would have been delighted at the news of Jewish King – one that actually deserved the crown. One that would lead them out of Roman oppression! Yet the Bible clearly says that the people of Jerusalem were disturbed. Why?

• I believe that it is because the baby threatened the status quo – it threatened their sense of security. It was not what they expected!! Perhaps the inhabitants of Jerusalem had grown comfortable with the way things were and became scared of the upheavals that would be sure to happen if there was a challenge to Herod’s kingship. Certainly they had experienced the wrath of Herod the Great in the past and maybe they weren’t anxious to go through it again. Whatever the case this baby threatened their sense of security. Isn’t it ironic that this baby actually was the security of God?

• I also find it interesting that the Priests and teachers of the law were the ones who gave Herod the location for the birth of the Messiah – they knew the truth and yet they chose to ignore it. How come they didn’t send anyone with the wise men to Bethlehem? Maybe because the figured they had God all figured out…

• This was the response of the people of Jerusalem THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE THE GOOD NEWS. (Let someone else deal with it…)

APPLICATION
Some people become so used to the way things are that they choose to ignore the good news rather than risk change even though they know the evidence verifies it’s truth.

Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their lack of understanding.
These are the people who keep putting off the decision to choose because their waiting for the right moment, or they’re not sure what’s going to happen, or they don’t fully understand yet.

These are the people who have questions about God that never seem to get answered to their satisfaction. These are the people who want a logical explanation for all the illogical stuff that happens in the world and a supernatural God just doesn’t fit in the picture.

There are some things that God does that we simply cannot understand and instead must grasp in faith. That is why the Bible says that faith is a gift from God. That is why Jesus said in John 6:29 that the work of God is to simply believe in the one He sent. Ultimately your relationship with God must begin not in understanding everything about Him but in trusting Him for and in everything and simply having faith in Him!!

The irony of this is that for Christians who have put their faith in God through Jesus Christ they find the idea of sharing the faith scary because they don’t have all the answers. The truth is that we don’t have all the answers only God does and all we are asked to do is to be His witnesses…

Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their arrogant “knowledge”
Some people ignore the good news because they feel they’ve already got God all figured all out. “After all, if we’re basically good people a loving God wouldn’t send us to hell would He?”

Some people are so sure that they’ve got God all figured out that they begin to come up with formulas to greater blessings or step by step plans for cashing in on the “manna” God can provide. They’re so sure that they know what to expect that they miss out on what God actually does in the unexpected (much as Priests and teachers of the law did in Jerusalem). Friends, there were some people who thought they had God all figured out in Jesus’ day and Jesus called them Pharisees.

The whole incarnation event (which includes the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ) is not about making your life better it’s about rescuing you from death to life. It’s not about making you richer in worldly wealth or health but about introducing the wealth of God’s kingdom into the poverty of the world. It’s not about condemning you to your sin and your sorrows and eternal destruction it’s about saving you from the depths, rescuing you from death, and making possible an eternal relationship with the creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, our Heavenly Father – Hallelujah and Amen!!

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 (NIV)

Yes, there are those who choose to ignore the good news of the incarnation. But there is one more possible response that I’d like to look at today – and we learn about this response from the unlikeliest of sources – the shepherds…

Response of the shepherds…

(briefly recap the background of the shepherds receiving the news from scripture.)

Some observations:
• They believed that what the angels said was true (v15 – “…Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened”
• They hurried off (v16)
• They spread the news
• About what the angels had told them about the child (v17)
• All who heard them were amazed (v18)
• They returned glorifying and praising God for all the things thy had heard and seen.

What was the shepherds response? They believed and received. They didn’t reject the good news because it might change their identity. They didn’t ignore the message because it might change their life. But they believed and received what the angels said even though they didn’t fully understand, without the hindrances of false expectations and with a faith that is birthed in the hope of God’s salvation and the potential He created.

CONCLUSION

Friends, there is positive potential available in Christmas and that potential depends on what we exchange by our response. Let me clarify,

Believing the good news of Jesus Christ will redefine your identity
The shepherds left their flocks to go see the baby. Some fishermen left their nets to follow the man, Jesus. Maybe you thought you could follow Jesus without losing anything in your life – well guess again – there is an exchange that happens…

Take up your cross

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

What does this mean? It means – are you ready to…

Lose your family?

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:26-27 (NIV)

Lose your material possessions?

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Mark 10:21-22 (NIV)

Leave your job (fishermen, shepherds)

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

You see the thing is – we might not actually lose our job or lose our family or lose what we have when we decide to follow Christ – the point is that none of those things will keep us from following him. Like it was with Herod and the people of Jerusalem. Taking up your cross refers to the laying down of everything you do, have, and are in your life on the cross of Christ and taking up everything that Christ does, has, and is in exchange.

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV)

Christ died and rose again so that He might be your life!! And is that going to result in a change of identity?…you bet! Is that going to disrupt the status quo? Definitely.

The shepherds changed from sheep men to God’s men (his messengers), from keepers of lambs to heralds of the lion of Judah. They no longer had their identity based on being shepherds. They now knew they were privileged messengers of God! Even thought they went back to tending flocks you can be sure that they were ready to do whatever God asked them to do because being a shepherd didn’t define who they were. Just imagine what God wants to do with you!!

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outcome

Sunday, December 9th, 2007

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This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Christmas Potential

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INTRODUCTION

Read John 1:1-18For the past three weeks I’ve been sharing with you a series of messages entitled Christmas Potential. I began the series by talking about how we can learn to recognize this potential by focusing on Jesus Christ. It is a potential that was created in the incarnation – when God sent His son to earth to dwell among us, “God with us” so that the possibility of having a one on one relationship with Him would be initiated.

In the following week I then talked about how the incarnation occurred in the perfect timing of God and that embracing God’s pace (or timing) in your life involves patience. Embracing the potential of Christmas produces the test of trust in us as we learn to be patient in living at God’s pace. As our priorities become realigned there will be times where we simply have to trust Him for the outcome.

Last week we visited the story of the Shepherds, the Wisemen and King Herod to learn about the different responses that existed during the events of the incarnation. Compared to today there are similar responses found among people during the Christmas season. There are those who will reject the potential Christmas brings, those who will ignore it, and then of course those who will believe and receive the good news Christ brings. Embracing the potential of Christmas will result in a change of identity because you become a child of the King and Christ is your life.

The thing about potential is that the word describes something that could be but not necessarily something that is. In other words, potential can be lost if it is not enabled. If I held up a match and a candle I could describe the match as having the potential to ignite something. I could describe the candle as potential energy in the form of light and heat that could be released if it was ignited. However the potential will mean nothing unless it is enabled. Once I strike the match and light the candle then the potential that was in each becomes something real.

We enable Christmas potential when we receive the gift God sent to this world and when we embark on the journey of becoming more like Christ. Today I want to conclude this series by describing the outcome of that potential. What happens when Christmas potential is allowed to run its’ course in individual lives? What happens when Christmas potential is enabled and curried in the life of the church?

REAL FORGIVENESS

The first real outcome of enabled Christmas Potential is forgiveness. The angels announced to the shepherds,

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (NIV)

John in the introduction to His gospel presents Jesus as the Word becoming flesh and as one who “came from the Father, full of grace and truth”. The nature of grace is that it is expressed regardless of whether the recipient deserves it. Because of God’s grace Jesus came as the Saviour of mankind!

Why do we need a Saviour anyway? Well let’s think about the word saviour for a minute. A Saviour is someone who saves or rescues someone from something. That means that if Jesus is given that title he must be rescuing people from something. What is it He’s rescuing us from? The Bible teaches us that He rescues us from the penalty of Sin which is death. In the eyes of God, death is so much more than mere physical destruction. Death is existing apart from Him. Those who exist apart from God have no contact with Him who is the source of life, love, joy, peace, and every good thing. Jesus was sent to rescue mankind from that existence which the Bible describes as Hell – a literal place that’s defining characteristic is the absence of God.

Jesus came so that it may be possible for us to be connected to the one who is our source of life and to be reconnected in relationship with our Heavenly Father who wants that connection to happen in the first place. He wants us to rescue us from the penalty of sin and restore us to a right relationship with our Creator. Here’s the thing, you can only be in right relationship with God when you are perfect before Him. Jesus took care of sin so we could be perfect before God.

A little boy wrote a letter to Santa Claus that said, “Dear Santa: There are three boys living at my house. Jeffrey is two, David is four, and Norman is seven. Jeffrey is good some of the time, David is good some of the time, and Norman is good all of the time. I am Norman”

You know the problem with that? Not one of us is a Norman. None of us bats a 1000. None of us are always perfect or right. In fact, if we were somehow able to project on the screen behind me everything we’ve ever though, said, or done, most of us would be extremely embarrassed. We all live with a sense of regret because none of us are perfect. That’s why we need a saviour.

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Saviour” (source unknown)

Enabling the potential of Christmas unleashes the forgiveness of God in your life. The most priceless gift anyone could receive is the gift of a clear conscience.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

We enable this potential by having a right relationship with Jesus Christ. The declaration is in John 3:16…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)

…and the explanation is in the next two verses…

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:17-18 (NIV)

Enabling the potential of Christmas produces forgiveness. A forgiveness that is made possible not because of anything you and I have done but because of everything Christ has done.

REAL PEACE

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Psalms 119:165 (NIV)

Peace is a word that our world uses a lot, but most people do not have the foggiest idea of what real peace is like.

• For some peace of mind means drinking until they’re so drunk and numb that they can no longer feel the pain in their hearts.
• For some, peace means hopping from one relationship to the next, to the next, to the next, hoping that somebody will fill the void in their life. But nobody ever does.
• For some, peace means staying busy all the time so that at night they just kind of collapse into bed and do not have to think. Because anytime they are quiet, those haunting thoughts, those fears, and that terrible loneliness come caving in, and they do not like that feeling.
• For other people peace means working and working, becoming a workaholic and overachieving, so they can get all these attributes of success to prove to the world that they are somebody! But inside they’re saying, “I don’t’ really feel like somebody.”
• For other people peace means trying New Age gimmicks, like gazing at crystals, or using aromatherapy, or sitting in a lotus position and going, “Ommmmm.” But that’s not peace either

Real peace is having a relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and becoming friends with God. Once Christmas potential is enabled…

• Real peace is knowing that no matter what I do, God will not stop loving me.
• Real peace is knowing that no matter what happens, God will never leave me alone, He will always be with me.
• Real peace means that no matter what happens in the New Year, or in the years to come, I know that God is going to be my strength in the midst of it.
• Real peace is living by God’s Word so I can avoid a lot of the needless hang-ups, hurts and habits that mess up my life.
• Real peace is teaching my children God’s Word as a foundation of life, so as they grow I can see them make decisions that build their lives rather than tear them down. That is real peace.

Real peace is knowing I have a right relationship with God.

There are four things that rob us of this peace and all four are glaringly obvious during our society’s Christmas season:

1. Guilt
Good guilt helps us recognize something that’s not right with us in what we said, or did. Bad guilt is accepting blame for something we had no control over.

Good guilt motivates us to change – bad guilt keep us locked in a cycle of feeling sorry for ourselves.

Good guilt is dealt with – bad guilt is dwelt on.

The thing about guilt is when it we dwell on “being guilty” rather than dealing with it – we’ll be without peace.

When it comes to our position with God we don’t have to walk around with guilt.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 Psalms 103:11-12 (NIV)

2. Grief
Grief is another robber of peace. Some people are be in major pain right now, because Christmas brings up all kinds of hurtful memories. You may remember the loss of a loved one, or a parent who abandoned you, or a divorce you went through, or the death of a spouse or child. You have grief that robs you of joy and peace of mind. If that is the pain that you’re carrying then understand this morning that God cares about your hurt. He sees it, and He knows all about it. You were never meant to carry that grief all on your own. God says to cast all your cares on Him, and He will care for you. Give Him your worries and troubles, and receive the gift of peace.

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
 Psalms 103:13-14 (NIV)

God knows our limits, as a compassionate god He is willing to lift our burdens if we have a relationship with Him.

3. Grudges
Grudges also rob us of peace. Grudges cause us to be resentful. We feel guilty when we hurt others, but we become resentful or grudging when others hurt us. The truth is – you will be hurt in life, whether its’ intentional or not. How you respond to that hurt will determine your level of peace in life. For your own sake and your own peace of mind, you’ve got to let go of those hurts because resentment and grudges hurt you more than the other person.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
 Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

4. Greed
Finally, there’s greed. When what you have just isn’t enough compared to what you want – discontent will forever be your friend. How do you counter this? Two ways – be content and be generous. Remember that God will always bless us with what we need and with what we can use to help others. It is a principle of the kingdom that our giving should always outdo our getting. The truth is that when you are bit by the greed bug you will always find yourself wanting more than what you have.

But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)

REAL LIFE

Here are some facts of life:

1. We’re all going to die someday
Of course, that isn’t a very pleasant thought but it’s true. We don’t need to be morbid about it, or always be worrying about it, but the fact is that all of us, each one of us, is going to die someday. Tomorrow, next year, ten years from now – we don’t know – but we do have the certainty that it will happen.

2. We are going to spend more of our life on the other side of the grave than on this side.
We may get sixty, seventy, eighty or even 100 years her on this earth. However, on the other side of the grave time loses meaning because there simply is no measure for “everlasting”. Now, only a fool would go through life unprepared for something he knows is inevitable. It does not make sense to know that someday you are going to die and not be prepared for it!

Friend’s you are not ready to live until you are ready to die. Fortunately, the good news is, God sent His son Jesus Christ so that we could be ready. When we put our faith and trust in Christ we will find life…

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
 Romans 1:17 (NIV)

God, in Christ clears up my past, takes care of my present, and secures my future. You will never find that in anything or anyone else anywhere.

In light of the everlasting life promised to us by Christ (for those who believe in Him), and the fact that we’re going to be spending more and that side of physical death than on this side – wouldn’t it make more sense that we invest in things that have eternal value than those that have temporal value? Probably one of the closest illustrations to the reality of this question is the demonstration of gift giving and gift value we see in today’s Christmas gift exchange. How many gifts given during the Christmas season have worn out, or been tossed out by the time Christmas rolls around again the next year? Canadians will spend over $20 billion dollars during the Christmas season. That’s a whole lot of money isn’t it? Imagine what a difference could be made in our world if instead of spending our money on gifts that won’t last we invested in things that actually made a difference. The potential list for those kinds of gifts is virtually limitless.

The truth is Christ has come that we may have life and have it more abundantly but we only experience that abundant life when we allow Him to transform what we live for and how we live!

CONCLUSION

Christmas is really the celebration of an invasion. God invaded earth over two thousand years ago as a human being. If God had wanted to communicate to cows, He would have become a cow. If God had wanted to communicate to ants, He would have become an ant. If God had wanted to communicate to dogs, He would have become a dog. But He wanted to communicate to human beings, so He became one of us – a human being. We can look at Jesus and say, “That is how God wants me to know and live life. That is what God is like.” By getting to know Jesus, I understand it is not about a religion, but a relationship with God. The Bible says Jesus came to seek and to save. You are the target of His pursuit. You matter to God. Your problems matter to God. Your pain matters to God. Your potential matters to God.

I challenge you this Christmas to recognize and discover the inherent potential God has created for you to find.

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