December 16, 2011

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8

Christmas was driven by love.

In these three incredible verses Paul reveals the motive of why Jesus gave up His exalted position and all the privileges of being God and did some serious down-sizing to become flesh and blood. He stepped out of eternity and into time. He came from a serene and secure paradise to a sinful, selfish and savage world.

What would possess Him to do such a thing?

LOVE! No other explanation makes sense.

Not only was Christmas driven by love but it defines love.

Love begins with an attitude - "have the same mindset as Christ". No one loves accidently. No one loves naturally. Love is a decision. You and I love because we choose to love. Even Jesus, Who was God - and God IS love - had to set His mind on leaving Heaven.

Love becomes an action - "He made Himself nothing". Love has to be more than a thought or a feeling. Love has to be demonstrated with cooresponding actions. Love seeks! Love serves! Love sacrifices! The Bible says that God loves us BUT Christmas showed it!

Love bought atonement - "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross"

Love properly expressed results in life-change. Real love is transformational! It changes the heart, it changes the head and it changes the habits. Loving like Jesus loved changed the world! When you receive His love it changes you - it helps you love yourself. Loving yourself enables you to live for God and love others. Paul begins this portion of Scripture by commanding us to love like this in ALL of our relationships!

What drives your life? What defines your life? What difference does your life make?

Christmas demands an answer! Christmas holds you accountable to love! Christ took away all the excuses!

December 15, 2011

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:1-11

So, what have you done for me lately?

That's the world we live in, isn't it?

How often do you hear someone cry out to God in a desparate moment, "God, why don't you do something?" Maybe you have uttered that question before.

Christmas shouts back the answer, "God did something!"

In fact, God did everything! There is nothing more that He can do that He hasn't already done! He sent His ONLY Son to become a man, born as a baby of a virgin, to become the atoning sin sacrifice for your sins. That is all He CAN do. That is all He needs to do. He undid what the first Adam did. He redeemed us from the sins of our first parents. Through His death and resurrection He made it possible for us to be forgiven from our sins and cleansed from our sin nature. By ascending to His Father and sending the Holy Spirit He made it possible for us to live in spiritual power and purity. And, by fulfilling all these prophecies, He proved that the Word of God is true and reliable for you to live by. It is a life-giving Word.

So, on this week before Christmas God wants to ask, "What have YOU done for me lately."

December 14, 2011

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”. Romans 5:1-11

According to this GREAT portion of Scripture, even if you are the Grinch and you don’t believe any of the Christmas story, Christmas means this – GOD BELIEVED IN YOU!

How do I know that?

The verses above clearly say so. There are a number of other portions of Scriptures declaring the same truth.

“But I don’t believe the Bible”, you say.

That changes nothing! He still believes in you!

Christmas happened because God believed in you. He believed you were worth redeeming. He thinks you should have a second chance to be rescued from your sins. He believed it so strongly that He gave His Son in exchange for your salvation. He believes that you are worthy of an even swap – His son for your sins.

Think about that for a moment. Even though you may not believe in God, He believes in you! Even though you may not believe in you, He does! And He is the One Who knows EVERYTHING about you! Imagine all those secrets that you hide from every one for fear if you’re ever exposed you would be flatly rejected by those you love – He knows! And knowing every ugly truth about you He still chooses to believe in you and offers you a chance to be more like Him!

Christmas can make believers out of unbelievers! That is the point of Christmas! God was willing to prove He believes in you in hopes that you would some day be convinced to believe in Him.

Believe it!

December 13, 2011

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:8-10

There are some things you never get tired of.

You never get tired of Christmas and you never get tired of hearing people say, "I love you."

Personally, I never get tired of butter pecan ice cream, but I probably could at some point.

If Christmas and expressions of love are two things you always look forward to, there is a reason. Those two experiences are inextricably connected.

Christmas means so much because love means so much. Love is what Christmas is all about. Love is why Christmas happened. Love is how Christmas happened. Christmas is what love looks like! The Bible makes that abundantly clear:

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Every celebration of Christmas is a reminder of God's love. Every thought of Christmas is a reminder of love. No wonder Christmas has such strong emotional implications! Christmas seems to bring out the best in everyone! Even people who are not people of faith, still love Christmas. People who are not ordinarily in a good mood are generally in a good mood at Christmas.

Retailers love what Christmas does for their bottom line, but beyond that, they find that customers are generally are in a better frame of mind.

Everyone loves Christmas because everyone loves being loved! And Christmas is all about being loved - unconditionally and extravagantly! Christmas brought love down to our level and lifts us up to a supernatural level of love!

You've got to love it!

December 12, 2011

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11

Everything about the events of Christmas make the world a much better place.

Peace on earth is still an illusive dream but it is actually possible now through the Prince of Peace.

But I want to comment on an aspect of the story that would contribute to world peace even for those who are not very spiritual.

A message of Christmas is this: “give up your rights and take up your responsibilities”.

Think about how much of our culture is corrupted by people demanding that their rights be honored without taking responsibility for themselves or toward others. Can you imagine how quickly our culture would improve if Americans embraced this important aspect of the Christmas message?

Obviously, as this verse declares, Christ had more rights and privileges than anyone has ever had or ever will have! But He voluntarily surrendered His rights and advantages to assume the responsibility of becoming the Savior of the world.

But, Mary, also surrendered some rights and accepted a very heavy responsibility. Had she clung to her rights, she could not have known the blessing of bearing the Son of God.

Joseph, also, refused to cling to his rights and surrendered them to take on the awesome responsibility of parenting the Son of God!

What could happen in your life if you chose to focus on your responsibilities and not cling you your rights?

Choosing responsibility over your rights IS difficult because it means you have to give up something that is natural and live up to something that is supernatural. Taking responsibility means DOING right not having rights. That is why it is so powerful – and so rare.

How would it impact your marriage? How about your parenting?

What would it do for you in the workplace?

Can you imagine what it could do for your church?

If Jesus, Mary or Joseph had clung selfishly to their rights rather than commit to their responsibilities there would have been no Christmas.

Is there an area of your life where you are clinging selfishly to your rights and refusing to take responsibility? How is that working for you? What would happen if you changed?

December 11, 2011

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:8-10

There are some things you never get tired of.

You never get tired of Christmas and you never get tired of hearing people say, "I love you."

Personally, I never get tired of butter pecan ice cream, but I probably could at some point.

If Christmas and expressions of love are two things you always look forward to, there is a reason. Those two experiences are inextricably connected.

Christmas means so much because love means so much. Love is what Christmas is all about. Love is why Christmas happened. Love is how Christmas happened. Christmas is what love looks like! The Bible makes that abundantly clear:

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Every celebration of Christmas is a reminder of God's love. Every thought of Christmas is a reminder of love. No wonder Christmas has such strong emotional implications! Christmas seems to bring out the best in everyone! Even people who are not people of faith, still love Christmas. People who are not ordinarily in a good mood are generally in a good mood at Christmas.

Retailers love what Christmas does for their bottom line, but beyond that, they find that customers are generally are in a better frame of mind.

Everyone loves Christmas because everyone loves being loved! And Christmas is all about being loved - unconditionally and extravagantly! Christmas brought love down to our level and lifts us up to a supernatural level of love!

You've got to love it!

December 10, 2011

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

Christmas means so many things to so many people in so many different ways. Some are very happy and some are very painful. All are very meaningful.

But this morning I want to focus on two things Christmas offers that everyone should welcome because they are in short supply - "good news" and "great joy".

In a culture that has been negatively shaped by the 24/365 cable news cycle, bad news constantly assaults our consciousness. Even as one who is a "news junkie" I would get overwhelmed by the bad news were I not firmly ground in the "good news". So, in a very real and powerful way, Christmas is the antidote for CNN, MSNBC, HNN, and even FOX cable news outlets.

What is that "good news"?

The "good news" or the "gospel" is that God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He bridged the moral/spiritual gap that separated a sinful fallen race from a Holy God. Thousands of years of religion could do it. Centuries of recycled philosophies could not do it. Political power and might couldn't do it. Even the prophets, the promised land and the prosperity of God's people couldn't do it.

But God did it and the angels announced it, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." The good news is that God sent us a Savior! We could not save ourselves because we were the problem! We needed to be saved FROM ourselves!

So how could that be accomplished? How could the great moral/spiritual gap that separated God and man be closed when we could not reach up to God? THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

God reached down to us! God became like us to provide us a shot at becoming like Him! God's Son emptied Himself of all the privileges and rights of the Godhead, checked out of Heaven and slid from eternity into time! Why would someone do that? UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

This unique and miraculous incarnation was the only possible way to reconcile God and man. And only God could pull it off! Come on, only God could think of it! THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

So, what about the "Great Joy"?

That is what happens when you receive the "Good News"! That is the result of believing the "Good News" and being reconciled to God! That is what happens when you get so fed up with the bad news of sin that you repent and turn to the "Good News". "Great joy" is the proof that you have received the "Good news"! It is confirmation that into you a Savior has been born!

How is your joy this morning?