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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 - May 23, 2000

Living Sacrifice 05

2Ti 4:3 current apostacy is similar to Paul's discussion in Romans chapters 9 - 11. Passover in Exo 12:11 changes into the Lord's supper which will change to the marraige supper of the Lamb (Rev 14 & 19). "Loins girded" prepared for action -- ready for service (Heb 12:1, 1Pe 1:13, Eph 6:14). "Sandals on your feet" - restored to service (Luk 15:22, Rom 11:29, Eph 6:15, Psa 23:4). Reasons for urgency: (1) Time is short (Rev 22:7, Rev 22:12); Life is a vapor (Jam 4:14); We live in a unique generation (1Co 7:29); We have a garantee of the Lord's return (Luk 21:32). (2) Spiritual failure is a real possibility (1Co 9:27, Heb 10:36, Rev 3:11, 1Pe 1:2, Mat 24:13). (3) Loss of reward (1Co 3:15, 1Co 5:5, 2Co 2:6-8, Rev 3:11 "hold fast"). (4) Losing reward we'll be ashamed (Luk 9:26, 2Ti 2:15, 1Jo 2:28, Pro 3:5-6). (5) Redeemed time is all we can take with you -- time we live in fellowship and witness (Psa 90:12, Psa 39:4, Eph 5:16-17, Col 4:5).

Scripture References: Romans 11:29, Luke 21:32, John 2:28, Luke 15:22, James 4:14, Luke 9:26, Ephesians 6:14, Colossians 4:5, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 3:11, Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 5:16-17, Revelation 22:7, Matthew 24:13, Revelation 14:19, Psalms 39:4, Psalms 23:4, Revelation 3:11, Exodus 12:11, Psalms 90:12, Ephesians 6:15, Hebrews 10:36, Proverbs 3:5-6

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