Missing It

Dakota Community Church

December 14, 2008 (am)

Missing It

Galatians 4:4

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

John 1:10-12

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

You’ve come to church, you’ve enjoyed the food and friendship, you’ve sung the Christmas carols, you’ve watched the kids Sunday school presentation and now in conclusion you listen to me. Is it possible that you can be this close to the true meaning of Christmas and still not get it?

What’s it all about Charlie Brown, and are you certain you are not missing it?

1. It’s not about the things.

It is so easy at Christmas; and in life in general, to get totally distracted by the things life has to offer. The big gift is sitting right there in the middle of the room, but all the other little gifts are so colorful and intriguing aren’t they?

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:16-21

"The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ’What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

"Then he said, ’This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ’

"But God said to him, ’You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Matthew 16:26

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?

Can you believe someone was trampled to death this Christmas by people rushing to get things at a Wal-Mart?

Our society and many of our churches may have turned greed into an acceptable even admirable religious virtue; but Jesus has not changed His position.

Have you made the tragic mistake of thinking that Christmas has something to do with getting more things?

How about life itself? It’s not about things.

“Well”; you may be thinking, “Pastor Dan, that doesn’t make me happy. I like things… especially at Christmas.”

To that I would respond with even more news that is unlikely to make you happy.

2. It’s not about you.

Such a hard pill to swallow isn’t it, especially for you post moderns.

You might be thinking it’s all about you if…

• You cannot let someone else have the remote control

• You pick up the last piece of chicken, take a bite and then say, “Does anybody want this?”

• You know all the words to the song “I Did It My Way.”

• Your favorite picture at home is the mirror

• You’re on a date and say, “Enough talk about me…let’s talk about what you think of me.”

Christmas is not about you …your works …your philosophies, or …your feelings. Neither is life.

It is not about you having your best life now, in fact if you do have your best life now you are really going to be disappointed with your next life then!

It’s not about you finding happiness.

It’s not about you getting better and better.

It’s not about you finding your special purpose.

It’s not about you having a better career, a more solid marriage, or a greater sex life,

Christmas is not about you. Life is not about you. Christianity is certainly not about you.

Mark 8:34-35

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.