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.
If it’s not about the things, and it’s not about you, what is it all about?
3. It is all about Jesus.
It is all about the big box in the middle! Jesus… He is the center of Christmas, He is the center of human history, and whether you bow the knee to Him or not… He will prove to be the central figure of your life.
As we go through life we make a lot of important decisions.
What College or University will I attend?
What career path will I go down?
Which marriage proposal will I accept?
Will I have children or not?
Private or public or home schooling?
Mini-van or SUV?
Of all the decisions you will make in this life, the most important one is what you will do with this Jesus of Christmas fame.
Jesus did not come to give a nice holiday from work.
Jesus did not come to provide a religious crutch to the weak.
Jesus did not come to show us how to live a better life or to teach us great lessons.
Jesus came for you.
He came for you because whether you realize it or not - you are in big trouble.
Most of us think that if there is a god, then he must grade on a curve, and based on that we assume that we will be okay, I mean I’m not perfect, but I’m basically a good person right?
Matthew 5:46-48
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Leviticus 19:1-2
The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ’Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
James 2:10-11
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
You are in big trouble… and so am I!
You stand condemned by birth into a fallen race, a fallen family, the family of man.
Well that’s horrible news. I don’t feel very Christmassy at all after this. Why would you preach such awful news at a Christmas concert?
I thought it is all about love? I came here to be built up, to be loved, to gain self esteem, Pastor you are not being very loving this morning.
What kind of love plays nicely with people who are staggering toward slaughter?
I love you too much not to tell you the truth.
This is why it’s all about Jesus.
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him."
This is the good news.
Jesus has done it for you. He has kept the law. He has lived perfect and holy. He has suffered the penalty we deserved and because of Him we can be born into a new family!
Don’t miss it!
