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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 - June 10, 2003

Galatians 5

Galatians 5

Paul discusses "Elemental things" in Rom 1-3 which Galatians exercise in vain (Gal 4:11). Paul's desire was to be conformed to Christ and they would be as well (2Pe 1:4, Phi 3:1-11, Gal 2:20). He exhorts the Galatians to become like him (Gal 4:12). Paul's thorn in the flesh could have been a hindrance, but Galatians treated him well (Gal 4:12-15, Acts 13:1-52, 2Co 12:1-21). Others were leading them astray, but Paul restates his goal from their original response to the truth (Gal 4:14-20, Jer 18:20), that "Christ be formed in you" (Rom 8:29, 2Co 3:18). We have to let the Spirit work in our lives (Col 3:15-16, Rom 12:1-2). Abraham and Sarah, the free woman had Issac by divine power (Gal 4:21-24). Persecution comes out of bondage (and flesh) because it can only hate and destroy what is better than it. Ishmael hated Issac representing the Spirit (Gal 4:29). Our internal struggle is flesh against Spirit as "children of the free woman" (Gal 4:31, Gal 5:17). "Stand fast in the freedom" (Gal 5:1, Eph 6:14); don't let someone take your crown (Col 2:1-8, Heb 12:1). Steps to spiritual downfall (Gal 5:1-9): (1) willingness to be be enslaved (Gal 5:1); (2) loss of spiritual power; you can't sustain the gift without the Giver (Gal 5:2); God the Holy Spirit shuts down in your life; (3) you become a debtor to the law (Gal 5:3, Jam 2:10); (4) there's an estrangement from Jesus Christ (Joh 14:8-9); (5) fallen from Grace (Gal 55b); cut off from the supply; God will not be part of us living by law or merit; (6) your hindered in the race set before us (Gal 5:7); (7) the process begins with a little leaven (Gal 5:9).



Scripture References: Colossians 3:15-16, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:2, Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:17, Philippians 3:1-11, Galatians 5:1, Jeremiah 18:20, Galatians 5:9, Galatians 4:31, Galatians 4:11, Galatians 5:1-9, Galatians 4:14-20, Galatians 5:7, Galatians 4:29, Hebrews 12:1, Acts 13:1-52, John 14:8-9, Galatians 4:21-24, Colossians 2:1-8, Galatians 4:12-15, James 2:10, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6:14, Galatians 4:12, Galatians 5:3

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