“Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus!”
TEXT: Galatians 1:11-12 (NIV)
“I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
INTRODUCTION:
Christmas Trees, Lights, Shopping Malls filled with people!
Every mall and most department stores in the country has a Santa Claus sitting on a throne…
Santa lives at the North Pole –
JESUS is everywhere!
Psalm 139:7-8
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from the presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”
Santa rides in a sleigh –
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water!
John 6:18-20
“And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But He saith unto them, ‘IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.’”
Santa comes but once a year –
JESUS is our ever present help!
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego
Daniel in the lions den
Santa fills your stockings with goodies –
JESUS supplies all your needs!
Philippians 4:19
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited –
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited!
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
You have to wait in line to see Santa –
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name!
Blind Bartimaeus called out to him in Luke 10
Santa lets you sit on his lap –
JESUS lets you rest in His arms!
Deuteronomy 33:27
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the EVERLASTING ARMS.”
Santa doesn’t know your name: All he can say is “hi little boy/girl, what’s your name?” –
JESUS knew our name even before we were born. He knows our history and our future!
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly –
JESUS has a heart full of LOVE!
I John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE.”
All Santa can offer is HO, HO, HO –
JESUS offers health, help and hope!
Isaiah 53:5
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
Santa says “You better not cry” –
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
Santa’s little helpers make toys –
JESUS makes a new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions!
Santa may make you chuckle –
But JESUS gives you joy that is your strength!
While Santa puts gifts under your tree… --
JESUS became our gift and He died on a tree…THE CROSS
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
