The Post Christmas Blues
Inventory is being done - Stores
- Church
- US News & World Report
Born-Again Makes Little Difference In Behavior
Roper poll
The behavior of born-again Christians after their conversions experience is not very different from what it was before In fact, the survey showed that participation in three major types of activity (adultery, illegal drug use, and drinking) actually increased after conversion, for instance,
2% said they had indulged in illicit sex before being born again, while
5% had done so after coming to Christ.
5% abused drugs before conversion and
9% did after.
Driving while intoxicated was something
4 % said they had done before conversion while
12% indicated they did after being born again
Don Otis leader of the organization that commissioned the poll, said that the figures indicate a real moral decline in the church in the US
- National & International Religion Report - Oct 8, 1990 Page 8
- Inventory is done every where but on ourselves
- Kids can see a difference - from grade to grade
What about us? How have we grown?
A Year End Inventory
How is your relationship with Christ right now?
What have you read in your Bible?
What has God said to you in your reading?
What specific things are you praying for in regard to others - to yourself
How is your relationship with your
Parents
Children
Spouse
Yourself
How would you say your relationship is with them?
What would you say are your fears right now?
What challenges will you face this week?
- When we talk about growth there is evidence of it?
2 Ways of getting fruit on a tree
- Roll of tape and a bag of apples
- Water - Prune - Fertilize & Wait
- Both put Fruit on
- Fruit trees are to produce fruit not display it
- We can display Godly fruit in our lives rather than God
producing it through an intimate relationship with Him
- Distractions & Pressure cause us to run-around
DOING right rather than BEING right
Three Reasons For Little Fruit
Immature
Unhealthy - Poor Soil - No Nutrients - Daily Feed
What appears to be a fruit tree is not a fruit tree
SECRET not better behavior but a serious relationship
with Christ
- The inventory list makes us squirm & struggle
- Like quicksand
Psalm 40:1-3 (KJV)
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
= How did Mary & Joseph over-come “The Post Christmas Blues”?
They had cause
1. Loneliness
Far from home & family
Forced to stay away
40 days till Jerusalem
Luke 2:22-23 (KJV)
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Several months till the Wise Men
Several years in Egypt
2. Frustration
Caesuras tax had to be paid
No Room in the Inn
A baby being born
3. Poverty
no money for a costly sacrifice - Lev. 12:7
Luke 2:24 (KJV)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
4. Prophecy
Luke 2:34-35 (KJV)
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Had every reason to enter the “Post Christmas Blues”
The Cure For Post-Christmas Blues
1. Turning outward instead of inward
Mary - Luke 1:38 (KJV)
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Joseph - (KJV)
Matthew 1:20 (KJV)
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
David
Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2. Stop Struggling
When the struggling stops a resting place is found
Psalm 40:2 (KJV)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3. An attitude of Praise & Worship
Shepherds
Luke 2:20 (KJV)
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Wisemen
Matthew 2:10-11 (KJV)
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Psalm 40:3.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4. An Attitude of Peace
Simeon
Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him
5. An Attitude Of Obedience
Simeon
Revealed by the Spirit
Came by the Spirit
Luke 2:26-27
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law
6. An Attitude Of Outreach,
Simeon
Luke 2:30-32
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
. Anna
Luke 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Psalm 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
If my attitude is different than my priorities will be different
