THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
(December 2010 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)
INTRO TO TOPIC:
I love Christmas – it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
Discuss: Family memories, favourite Christmases.
Looking forward to my family coming for Christmas this year.
But – what is Christmas all about?
• Survey in our Christian club: top three answers: presents, a Christmas tree, and snow!
Some of the results I have gotten on Facebook include:
• spending money on things you don't want to buy but you do it anyway
• it's a time for caring and sharing, and helping those in need
• spending time with family & friends and feasting; and watching my son's eyes and the excitement of Christmas morning
Is this what Christmas is all about?
• My favourite response was: it is a time to forget yourself, your problems and your concerns and think of others and how to show Christ in all you do.
This morning I want to talk to you about the spirit of Christmas!
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS:
“Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).
• The first Christmas happened 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born!
KEY TEXT – THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS:
“Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.” (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
• In Canada, we don’t we’re rich, but the truth is, we’re all rich.
• If you own a car, you’d be considered rich by most people in the world.
• The point isn’t ‘yahoo, we’re rich’, but what are we going to do with it?
• If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
• More than 1 billion people do not have access to safe water!
THE BIG IDEA: What is the true spirit of Christmas? To do good, be rich in good works, and to give generously to others.
1. DO GOOD:
Jesus said: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28).
• This is a radical statement! It kind of makes you stand up and say, “Huh?”
• Jesus tells us to pray for those who curse us – I have a hard time praying for those I love!
• PRACTICAL APPLICATION: How can we do good? AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
o By blessing people. Never pass up an opportunity to pray for someone.
o A kind word, a hug, a smile or a simple hello can mean so much!
o Choose to walk in forgiveness. We’re coming to the end of the year. Let go of past hurts and offenses and start the New Year with a clean slate!
o Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for evil to prosper is that enough good men do nothing.” The Bible talks about “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good…” (Acts 10:38).
2. BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS: (Message Bible = be rich in helping others).
“To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” (Luke 6:29-30).
• Jesus adds: “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (Matt. 5:41).
• Turn the other cheek, go the extra mile – this is RICH in good works!
• PRACTICAL APPLICATION: How can we be rich in good works? AUDIENCE
o Get involved serving – in the local church and in the community.
o I lead a Christian club at our high school, do the Lord’s Prayer at BEYS, and do a monthly chapel at Eastgate. Let’s let our lights shine in the community!
o Do you have a snow blower? Clean the driveway of one of your neighbours!
o If you see someone in need, help them! “Give to EVERYONE who asks!”
o We need lots of help in the church – ushering, greeting, nursery – can you help?
3. GIVE GENEROUSLY: (Message Bible = be extravagantly generous).
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.” (Luke 6:31-34).
• Even a sinner (someone who doesn’t know God) will lend to those who can repay them.
• But God wants our generosity to be extravagant - giving more than is necessary or wise.
• Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).
• When we do this, we are blessed as well!
• PRACTICAL APPLICATION: How can we give generously? AUDIENCE
o The first thing the Bible says about giving is to tithe to your local church (Mal. 3:10). This refers to the first 10% of your income. Many Christians just stop here.
o God also wants us to be generous in giving to others, especially the poor!
o “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.” (Prov. 22:9).
o “the godly are generous givers.” (Ps. 37:21b). To be a Christian = to be generous!
o There are many opportunities to give: Our Christmas hamper program; Costa Rica kids sponsorship; the local food bank; Siloam Mission & Union Gospel Mission.
WHY SHOULD WE DO THIS?
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:35-38).
• Jesus said, “I want you to do good, be rich in good works, and be extravagantly generous givers because that’s how I am, and you’re my follower.”
• That’s what our Heavenly Father is like – and we want to be like Him.
• Our generous giving should cause our community to say, “What’s that all about?”
• Our generosity allows people to see God’s generosity. This is the spirit of Christmas:
• “For God so loved the world that He GAVE… Jesus!” (John 3:16).
• The spirit of Christmas – is the Spirit of Christ – to be like Jesus!
CHALLENGE:
Let’s do good, be rich in good works, and give generously. This is the spirit of Christmas!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
