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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 20, 2003

Losing To Gain #1

Philippians - Losing To Gain - June 2008

Phi 3:7-8 -- The value of Christ devalues everything else (Luk 9:23, Mat 6:24, Luk 14:23). We have to be convinced of the loving care of the Father (Mat 6:26-30). In this present life we can have great gains (Rom 14:17). We have to recognize eternal profit from temporary loss. (Mat 13:44). "things that were gain to me... I count as loss for Christ" means worthless assets exchanged for great gain. Parables showing selling all to attain the prize wanted (Mat 13:44-45). The treasure is the surpassing value of knowing Christ. The loss is a radical change of mind regarding value. The gain is the great joy and priceless possession that cannot be lost. 3 qualities of discipleship: (1) ability to identify things of eternal spiritual value - character and relationship; (2) we need to be determined to take hold of things worth having; (3) we need to have a precipitous haste regardless of how unreasonable it seems. "and be found in Him" a relationship verse -- God visiting us personally - finding us in fellowship (Phi 3:9-11). Paul wants to experience the resurrection (personal presence and power) of Christ. Resurrection demands death (Rom 6:4). Philippians is a call to unconditional surrender to Christ (Phil 3:17).

Scripture References: Luke 14:23, Romans 6:4, Matthew 6:24, Philippians 3:9-11, Luke 9:23, Matthew 13:44-45, Philippians 3:7-8, Matthew 13:44, Romans 14:17, Matthew 6:26-30, Philippians 3:17

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