Should Christians get involved in supporting or celebrating Christmas? Have you ever heard that argument? Why in the world would Christians want to get involved in something that was really a “pagan holiday,” that we the Church co-opted? So for those critics, I have three points.
Number one: Do you give your kids birthday gifts? You celebrate your kids birthdays, why not celebrate the birth of the Savior? If we’re not going to do it now, when would you decide to do it? That would be a question.
Secondly, in 1st Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, “I became all things to all men, that by all means I may win some.” I can’t think of a time, and I doubt that you could think of a time in the year when there is more focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. Once a year, the world is confronted with the reality of His coming. And I think that’s great!
The third point is in Matthew 16:18,where Jesus said, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The idea is not that we are holding out against the world. The idea is that we are assaulting a world and they cannot overwhelm us. They cannot withstand the assault of the Church. The very fact that you and I are here, 2000 years after the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, is evidence of that. The world has done everything it can to squash the message, destroy the Word, and intimidate believers. Yet, all around the world today there are those who are singing praise, spreading the Word and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, if we co-opt or take over Christmas, that’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to seize the gates of the enemy. This is why we’re here and why this season is so important.
Gene Cunningham - April 8, 2000
Simplicity in Christ #5
Psa 103:1-14 There are great benefits to having God as Father. Simplicity refers to purity and single-mindedness (Phi 3:13). Faith is the key to simplifying life. Whatever is apart from faith is sin (Rom 14:23). Prayer is a wonderful provision for helping simplify life. Luk 15:11-21 illustrates God's attitude who forgives sin. We need to confess our sin in order to "walk uprightly" (1Pe 3:1, Psa 80:11). People were drawn to Jesus; He was not judgmental nor self righteous (Luk 15:1-11). At the bottom, "no man gave him anything" (Luk 15:16). There's no Grace without God. The prodigal son wasted his resources on wasteful living (Luk 15:13). Lost ground takes time to recover. Groveling is not the answer, but faith and acceptance of God's forgiveness (Luk 15:19-22). The waits to be gracious (Isa 30:18, Jer 31:34). He's waiting on us to get rid of distractions from Him. Culturally, it was shameful to run (Luk 15:20), but it shows God's attitude of graciousness when forgiving His children. God is in a hurry to forgive us (Heb 4:15-16). Sadly the prodigal's brother did not want him to return (Luk 15:25); much less be forgiven (Heb 10:17). Isa 53:1-12 says the Lord not only paid the penalty for our sin, but He also bore our shame, sorrow, and guilt. The Father protects His children; we have nothing to fear (Mat 10:24-31); the Father has the hairs of our head numbered. The cross is the doorway home through resurrection (Joh 17:1-5). A life free of fear, shame, and death is simple.
Scripture References: Luke 15:16, Hebrews 4:15-16, Luke 15:1-11, Luke 15:20, John 17:1-5, Psalms 80:11, Jeremiah 31:34, Matthew 10:24-31, Luke 15:11-21, Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 14:23, Luke 15:19-22, Hebrews 10:17, Philippians 3:13, Luke 15:13, Luke 15:25, Psalms 103:1-14
