Video Transition: Reason for the Season – Skit Guys (4 min)
Series: Unexpected Christmas
Introduction:
Unexpected mistake:
Share about problem with the Bible reference of Mary’s Song last week – How many caught the unexpected wrong Bible reference - were you surprised? – that was my unexpected mistake - the correct verse is Luke not Matthew – did this bother you - catch you off guard and cause some confusion? Just recall Mary’s and Joseph’s surprise and how that must have impacted them. By the way this was one of those other unexpected surprises that happen in life caused by the mistakes of others - yes, we humans make mistakes, but God does not. God loves to surprise us, but he knows what He Is doing.
Unexpected surprises I encountered this week:
Last Thursday at our ministerial meeting Adam shared how his church did a live nativity and gave tours telling the Christmas story of Jesus - he was surprised to discover that out of the 200 people they took through the nativity journey about 50 told him they had never heard the story before. Can I remind you this season to not assume everyone you talk too knows the story of Jesus and Christmas.
Friday night we had an unexpected surprise too a car on 171st hit the power pole and our lights went out - the three of us were watching the movie The Preachers Wife” and out goes the power. So we decided to drive down to see the accident and then we decided to go get hot chocolate and drive around and look at Christmas lights which was a blast - can I say It again. “ Expect the unexpected and then do something In the midst of the unexpected and get ready to be pleasantly surprised. Remember your reaction to the unexpected determines you’re attitude! You’re attitude will determine you’re actions and If you become a blessing through the God surprise.
So, get ready to be surprised and then used by God to be a blessing to others!
Thesis of Series: Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday season. The original Christmas season was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God. God loves doing the unexpected – so we should learn to expect the unexpected from the Lord – He loves saying “surprise”! Maybe even the word “Tada!”
The Challenge for us this Christmas Season: “Can you decide to expect the unexpected from the Lord this season?” or let me word it this way “Are you willing to expect the unexpected because God is predictably unpredictable this Christmas Season?”
Let me also ask: “Are you praying to be surprised by Him?”
Last week we heard about the unexpected news of Jesus conception by the Holy Spirit and all the challenges that went with this surprise for Mary and Joseph.
T.S. - Today I want to talk about our unexpected part of this Christmas season and how God does like to surprise us and then use us to make a difference In someone’s life.
Sermon: Our Unexpected Part!
Thesis: Do you want God to surprise you this Christmas Season? Then may I suggest you do something unexpected! If we call ourselves Christians then we do have a part in God using us to be a part of something unexpected. The Bible Is clear that God uses us to Impact other people In a unexpected positive way so that we can be a blessing to others.
Introduction:
Question: What is our unexpected part this Christmas Season? I see 3 things we need to focus on.
1. It’s to give with a cheerful heart and make sure our hearts treasure is Jesus and not money or things. I call this the Unexpected Treasures!
2. Another unexpected part of Christmas is centered in on our words and not so much our gifts we give, our words make more of an impact on peoples lives than our gifts. We will call this the Unexpected Words!
3. Lastly my unexpected part is how will I treat difficult people this Christmas season! Will I choose grace and love or the silent treatment and conflict? We will call this the Unexpected Grace!
T.S. - These three unexpected points are critical to understand and focus on If we want to be a blessing to others this season. Let’s look at point 1:
I. Unexpected Treasures: Christmas will test the condition of our heart with God and highlight what we really treasure in our hearts.
a. Acts 20:35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
i. The Bible Is clear In telling us that we are to bless others who are In need. It’s God’s heart to use us to help others.
b. Christmas season will always test our hearts. The way we act and react at Christmas will reveal what it is we believe and treasure. It will test our hearts treasure chest of life!
i. Your heart is attached to whatever you treasure the most and it’s the thing by the way you are willing to sacrifice for!
1. Christmas season always has a way of revealing peoples hearts and treasures. Why, Because It Involves giving, money, gifts, family gatherings, conversations around meals and goodies.
ii. To be clear Money is a tool and should not be a treasure of our heart - God uses money to bless people and expand the Kingdom. God even blesses people with money so they can bless others. But for some money is the root of all kinds of evil. Why because it has a stranglehold on a person’s heart and character and actions. This Is usually revealed around Christmas.
1. A famous Christmas character we have heard about at Christmas is the character of Scrooge from “A Christmas Carol.” How many have heard of Scrooge?
a. When you think of Scrooge what jumps out at you about his character and his heart treasure? If you cannot recall let me remind you with all the stories and versions of Scrooge In 4 min!
i. Video Illustration: Here is a reminder of all the people who played Scrooge over the years so get ready for - A Christmas Carol in 4 min!
b. Scrooge was and is known for his greediness and having a heart entangled and trapped in money and in things.
i. The story is obvious Scrooge’s hates Christmas and giving because of hurts from his past which distorted his view of life and Christmas. Bitterness by the way will always do this - It will take root In your heart and change what your heart treasures.
2. Money – or financially prosperity is not the meaning of life or the focus of life! Yes, some people are great givers to the Kingdom of Heaven but it is because their money which they are good at making is a tool but not an entrapment to them– the truth is they control their money not their money controls them. They choose to use their money to be a blessing.
a. By the way money can be a blessing or a curse depending on the condition of your heart.
iii. The truth is how we spend our money reveals our hearts and its treasures.
1. Scrooge had a heart which was entangled and gripped by greed and money. His hearts condition could not allow him to see the true meaning of Christmas and the purpose of giving.
2. Question: Is there a Scrooge in you? No seriously?
a. Highlight the movie:
i. There Is a scene from “A Christmas Carol” with Scrooge and Jacob, Jacob is the former co-worker of Scrooge. Jacob is talking about how he forged his own chains in life!
ii. Jacob Marley states to Scrooge – “I wear the chain I forged in life, I made it link by link, yarn by yarn. I put it on by my own free will, (yes) my own free will.”
1. Reality Check: We all forge our own chains in life. Some forge chains that keep them in bondage to Satan. Some form Chains connected to how they use their money. Some form Chains by having uncommitted spirits and choose to isolate themselves from others. Some forge Chains of wickedness. Some forge Chains of being a good person, but never having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Some forge chains about the purpose and meaning of life.
2. But the key point here Is have you forged your own chains - If so what do they look like and feel like around your neck?
a. Family fighting
b. Unforgiveness
c. Bitterness
d. Isolation
e. Depression
f. Addictions
g. Marriage conflict
h. Greed
i. Selfishness
j. Pride
3. Can you think of other chains?
a. Fleshly chains of bondage?
i. Porn
ii. Sex
iii. Lies
iii. Jacob starts telling Scrooge he has a chance to change - to break off the chains he too has forged - he says, “You have a chance and hope of escaping my fate.”
1. He was letting Scrooge know he can choose to break off the chains and find joy and happiness again – It’s not too late.
2. Reality Check: Each of us has a chance to turn from our own ways and go the direction of Jesus Christ or to continue along the same path that you are taking wrapping more and more chains around yourself. But change Is possible.
iv. The best way I know to break the chains off we create and forge ourselves like self-centeredness or greed is a thing called “sacrifice.”
1. Sacrifice has the power to break our our own forged chains.
2. Romans 12: 1-2: 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3. Sacrifice has the power to break off the bondage of greed, self-centeredness and materialism and Ignite a heart of giving.
a. The Christian way of life was role-modeled by Jesus and His willingness to sacrifice for us so our chains could be broken off - Scrooge and another Christmas character we all know is The Grinch and both have similar stories which follow the path of redemption or renewal! They move from the point of having their hearts in chains to having their hearts set free from their chains and changed – their experiences In a sense are rebirth – a revelation - a born again experience – it’s like they get to start over in their life by the end of their stories! But the key to their chain breaking Is sacrifice for others - a change of heart.
4. Grinch like Scrooge allowed the hurts of the past to shrink his heart – these past hurts and their attached bitterness lead them to lose the spirit of Christmas. The chains they forged robbed them of the blessing of the Christmas season.
a. It caused them to no longer care for others - they believed isolation was the way to go to live their lives!
b. They no longer gave to others and instead withdrew more and more from others.
i. But in the case of the Grinch a little girl (Cindy) helps him see the error of his ways and how he too has chained himself with his own chains.
ii. I love the part in the movie where the Grinch’s shriveled heart starts to grow again when he discovers Christmas is not found in stores or gifts or décorations:
1. Video clip from Wingclips: How the Grinch Stole Christmas – scene where his heart grows (3 min).
2. Question: Does your heart need to break free from the self Imposed chains?
v. Question: Is there a little Grinch in you? If so, maybe you need to let your heart grow this Christmas Season by giving sacrificially.
1. One way to make your heart grow is to be a blessing to others: We want to suggest to you that there are 12 ways to be a blessing this Christmas Season to others – if we really want to die to self and find true joy and happiness then we have to choose to change and be a blessing this season. If we want set free from our chains we need to allow our hearts to grow.
a. You each are going to receive an envelope in a moment:
i. Everyone gets an envelope with a handout of 12 ways to be an unexpected blessing to others this season and there are 12 random envelops which will have two gift cards inside of them.
1. “One gift card is for you and the other gift card is to be given away to bless someone else unexpectedly”
a. Point of second card: This is an unexpected blessing you are to give to someone unexpectedly! Pray about who to give It too.
ii. As you are leaving service today, you will also receive some Christmas Invites with Hot Chocolate attached to them so you can invite people to church.
1. Pray about who to give these too as well.
vi. Our goal in doing these giving actions and invites will reveal to you - your unexpected part in the Christmas season this year - people need invites, encouragement, hope and you could be an unexpected blessing to bring them these blessings this season.
1. Our world needs love and compassion and hope – you could be the unexpected vessel God wants to use to bless and change someone’s heart. So are you ready to experience the unexpected?
II. Unexpected Words: Christmas is not so much about the presents as it is about our words and how we treat others in this season.
a. John 15:9-17: 9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
i. Words come from peoples minds and hearts - what do your words sound like - have you listened to your own words lately? Are they infused with love?
b. Words are magical, powerful and can bring joy to others this Christmas season or grief.
i. There is power in our words – the power to bring blessings and cursing’s! Yes your words matter - whether you want to believe that or not.
1. Video Illustration – Power of Your Words! (1 min)
ii. The following is directly taken from sermoncentral.com https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/power-of-words-alex-de-guzman-sermon-on-tongue-199169:
1. “Words carry immeasurable significance: The universe was created with a word; Jesus healed and cast out demons with a word; rulers have risen and fallen by their words; Christians have worshiped through words of song, confession, and preaching. The truth Is words matter and carry power.”
a. Question: "What does the Bible say about the power of words?"
i. Answer: “Words are not simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3), and we are in His image in part because of the power we have with words. Words do more than convey information. The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. They not only exacerbate wounds but inflict them directly. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.”
ii. So what do your words sound like and communicate to others.
2. One pastor stated, “So your words and my words have the power to destroy and the power to build up (Proverbs 12:6). The writer of Proverb tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are they filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat? Like tools they can be used to help us reach our goals or to send us spiraling into a deep depression (Alex De Guzman).”
iii. Here is an unexpected truth - Your words matter more than the gifts you give this season - so in light of that truth what will your words sound like toward others this season?
1. By the way silence does communicate something to others and that is not a blessing either.
2. We need to bless people today - not tomorrow and see them rise up – no more waiting – no more silence - Its time to be the blessing.
c. Quote: “To value something means to attach great importance to it. This is at the very heart of the concept of blessing…the root word for blessing carries the dual meaning of ‘bow the knee’ and to ‘add value.” (page 96, The Blessing)
i. Anytime we bless someone we add value to them! This leads In to our third unexpected focus this season.
III. Unexpected Grace: Christmas always comes with the unexpected and one of those unexpected things is dealing with difficult people – broken people – I am sure you know of one or two and maybe you are the difficult one. (Yes I called you out was that unexpected!)
a. Philippians 2:1-8:
i. 1If 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, 2then make my joy complete by being like–minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
1. Jesus was a blessing to others – just read the Gospel! Think of:
a. The woman caught in adultery
b. The Lepers
c. The prostitute
d. The common person
e. The outcast
ii. Our unexpected part this season is to look to the interests of others and find ways to bless the difficult ones - just like Jesus – the ones in need of grace and love – the ones which are not so lovable – Its the Grinches and the Scrooges.
1. To do this means we need to have the mind of Jesus - this Is a must.
a. Other Difficult people Jesus dealt with:
i. His disciples – reference the movie the Chosen!
ii. Especially Judas – the Grinch and Scrooge all rolled into one! The traitor!
b. My story of dealing with difficult people.
i. Rick - the deacon from another church and fire chief.
1. We can be blind to actually how difficult we really are! I chose to always be a blessing to others and not take peoples actions personally.
ii. Maybe you are the difficult person I am talking about - you tell others to do something but you don’t do it yourself.
1. You don’t communicate well and instead you blame others for not knowing or communicating to you.
2. You never apologize to others when you are wrong.
3. You think you know it all and don’t listen to others.
4. You call meetings and don’t show up to the meeting or the lunch and never apologize.
5. You treat people with disrespect and talk down to them.
6. You are greedy and selfish and yet deflect the blame onto others.
7. You never take responsibility for your actions.
a. Maybe the unexpected part you play this Christmas season is you need to be a blessing to others and not a burden! You need to not be the difficult person this season and maybe you need to say your sorry and change.
c. Thoughts from The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley.
i. “Giving the Blessing to others is our God-given “job.” Said John Trent
1. Trent, John; Smalley, Gary; Stageberg, Kari Trent. The Blessing (p. 10). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
ii. We need to this Christmas season give the gift of unconditional Love and acceptance which Is “The Blessing” - we need to do something unexpected for others yes to bless them – encourage them – lift their spirits!
1. Scripture: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” (Deut. 30:19 NASB)
a. Above taken from Trent, John; Smalley, Gary; Stageberg, Kari Trent. The Blessing (p. 41). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
iii. Thoughts on what actions should accompany “The blessing” – this Is a good idea for parents to do with their children too by the way.
1. “What exactly does it mean to give a blessing? What actions and attitudes combine to make this biblical tool so uniquely effective?
a. The Blessing as described in Scripture always included five elements:
i. Appropriate meaningful touch
ii. Spoken or written messages
iii. Attaching high value to the one being blessed
iv. Picturing a special future for him or her (reference the angel Dudley from the movie The Preachers Wife.
v. An active, genuine commitment to fulfill the Blessing.”
1. Trent, John; Smalley, Gary; Stageberg, Kari Trent. The Blessing (p. 51). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
d. A reminder of giving unexpected Grace:
i. 1 Peter 2:21: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (This Is a reference to our job of giving others grace).
1. Kyle states, “Our ability to appreciate grace is in direct correlation to the degree to which we acknowledge our need for it.”
a. Idleman, Kyle. Grace Is Greater (p. 23). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2. Kyle notes, “Here’s the quote: “If the biggest sinner you know isn’t you, then you don’t know yourself very well.”
a. Idleman, Kyle. Grace Is Greater (p. 27). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
ii. Kyle reminds us Grace is Greater: “Paul sets up an equation (In Romans 5). On one side of the equation is your sin, and your sin is worse than you can imagine. You can minimize it, rationalize it, and try to dismiss it, but you are terminally ill. On the other side of the equation is God’s grace. When Jesus died on the cross his blood wasn’t infected by sin, and he became the antidote that cures us. After putting your sin on one side and God’s grace on the other, Paul solves the equation. Even greater is God’s wonderful grace. (v. 15 NLT) I can tell you confidently that you’ve done nothing so horrible that grace can’t cover it. Grace is always greater—no matter what.”
1. Idleman, Kyle. Grace Is Greater (pp. 31-32). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Closing:
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: We need realize we have unexpected parts to do at Christmas. The first is to evaluate what our unexpected treasure is and if it’s the wrong treasure then we need to break that chain off with sacrifice for others. We also need to realize unexpected words can cause blessings or cursing and we need to control them. We need to give the difficult people In our lives like the Scrooge’s, the Grinch grace because grace can set them free from their own forged chains.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: We need to know that what we treasure In our hearts will be revealed at the Christmas season and we need to treasure the things of the Lord and not the things of the world so we can be free of chains. We need to know our words matter more than our gifts do. We need to be dispensers of grace to people who need It because this will bring blessings to us and to others.
What do we need to do?
Answer: Break off the unexpected treasures from our hearts and release love Into our hearts through sacrificing for others. We need to control our tongue and use unexpected words which build others up and encourage others. We need to give unexpected grace to those who do not deserve It but need to receive a blessing that will break off their forged chains of bondage.
Why do they need to do this?
Answer: Could you Imagine a Christmas season filled with unexpected hearts filled with love and compassion and having the treasure of serving others? Could you Imagine If the unexpected words this season are uplifting words, encouraging words or words filled with blessings? Could you Imagine this Christmas season being filled with unexpected grace toward others and then seeing the unexpected change happen In people’s hearts?
If could happen unexpected If you intentionally choose to do the unexpected this season.
