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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 6

Galatians 6

Paul admonished the Galatians that they were cursed preaching a different gospel (Gal 1:8-9), then reviews how they came to Christ (Gal 3:1-5), then shows them how they've relapsed (Gal 5:1-9). One of the charges against Paul was that he taught circumcision — he had Timothy circumcised (Gal 5:2, Gal 5:10-12) to not be a stumbling block to others (Timothy's mother was Jewish). Paul reminds the Galatians of the highest goal in the spiritual life, namely love (Gal 5:5-6, Gal 5:13-14); he typically reminds his readers (1Co 13:13, 1Th 1:3, 1Th 5:8, Rom 5:1-5) as the Lord did (Joh 13:34-35). Faith looks to the past — What God has done; Hope looks to the future — What God will do; Love looks in the present — what He's doing now and can doing in and through our lives. Love summarizes the whole Law (Gal 5:14). There's only two options: walk in the flesh (Gal 5:15), or walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law (Gal 5:18, Rom 8:4). The question is whether you will follow the Spirit. The works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21). Paul is talking to believers that chose to live a carnal or spiritual life. Those who chose a spiritual life "inherit the Kingdom" (Gal 5:21b, 1Pe 1:4), that is have rewards in eternity (Col 2:8, Rev 3:10, Col 3:23-25). Rewards in heaven are eternal trophies of honor and credit to Jesus Christ for those who live for Him (2Co 5:14-15, Gal 2:20). As well in time, life, joy and peace are forfeited now if we don't walk in the Spirit (Rom 14:14-17). Fruit of the Spirit: the first three — love, joy, peace — have to do with relationship to the Father (Gal 5:22-23). 2nd three reflect relationship to others — longsuffering, kindness, goodness. 3rd three have to do with ourselves — faithfulnes, gentleness, and self-control. Our life has an impact (Gal 5:24-26).



Scripture References: Galatians 5:18, Colossians 3:23-25, Galatians 5:5-6, Galatians 5:16-17, Revelation 3:10, Galatians 5:10-12, Galatians 5:15, Colossians 2:8, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:24-26, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:1-9, Galatians 5:22-23, John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 3:1-5, Romans 14:14-17, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:13-14

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