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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 - March 1, 2010

Heirs of the Kingdom #6

Five Crowns for areas of faithfulness:





  1. Imperishable Crown for spiritual discipline (1Co 9:24-27, 1Pe 1:1-5)


  2. Crown of Life for endurance in trial (Jam 1:12, Rev 2:10)


  3. Crown of Joy for faithful witness (Phi 4:1, 1Th 2:19);


  4. Crown of Righteousness for living in light of eternity (2Ti 4:7-8, Tit 2:13);


  5. Crown of Glory for faithful ministry (1Pe 5:4)




Return of the King notes . The return of Jesus Christ (Rev 19:11-16, Rev 22:12-14); Our status at that point depends upon our faithfulness: 





  1. How you are dressed will depend on your obedience while here, Rev 19:8.


  2. How your home will be furnished will depend on your spiritual growth and personal conduct in wisdom here on earth, Pro 24:3-4, Pro 24:12.


  3. What you have available in the way of heavenly currency will depend largely on how you spend your money now, Mat 6:21; Luk 12:33-34; Luk 12:16, Luk 16:10-16.


  4. The position you hold in the kingdom will depend on your faithfulness with the spiritual assets you have now, Mat 25:14-29; Luk 19:11-26.


  5. Your service throughout eternity will be determined how well you serve the Lord in your present spiritual responsibility, 1Co 4:1-2; 2Ti 4:7-8.




Applications:


1. For the sake of illustration, there are five categories of rewardable works.





  1. The helper, Mat 10:40-42; Mar 9:41 (the cup of cold water).


  2. The mystic, Mat 6:5-15 (private works like giving, prayer, and fasting).


  3. The worker, 1Co 4:1-2 (faithfulness in serving over a period of time).


  4. The hero/victor, Mat 5:10-12; Mar 10:28-31 (give all, suffer much, overcome).


  5. The friend of God, Joh 14:21-23; Rev 2:17, Rev 2:25-29 (intimacy with Christ).




2. Eternal reward will involve seven eternal benefits:





  1. Personal fulfillment, Mat 25:21, Mat 25:23; 2Ti 4:7 (“well done … I kept the faith”).


  2. Personal renown, 1Jo 2:17; Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12 (a pillar/memorial in the temple).


  3. Authority, Mat 24:45-47; Mat 25:21, Mat 25:23; Rev 2:26-27; Rev 2:3:21 (right to rule).


  4. Opportunity, Mat 6:19-21; Luk 18:22, Luk 18:28-31 (uses of your treasure).


  5. Privileges/enjoyment, Mat 25:21, Mat 25:23; Rev 2:7 (eat of the tree of life).


  6. Intimacy, Joh 14:21, Joh 14:23; Rev 2:17 (hidden manna, white stone, new name).


  7. Glory, Dan 12:3; Rom 8:18; 1Pe 4:12-13; Joh 17:22-24 (Christ’s reflection).






Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE] 

Scripture References: John 2:17, John 17:22-24, Luke 16:10-16, Revelation 2:26-27, Matthew 5:10-12, Matthew 25:23, Revelation 22:12-14, Matthew 25:23, Romans 8:18, Luke 12:16, Matthew 25:23, Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 25:21, Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 25:21, Daniel 12:3, Luke 12:33-34, Matthew 25:21, Mark 9:41, Luke 18:28-31, Titus 2:13, Revelation 2:25-29, Revelation 2:17, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 24:45-47, Matthew 10:40-42, Luke 18:22, Philippians 4:1, Revelation 2:17, John 14:23, Proverbs 24:12, Revelation 3:12, Luke 19:11-26, Matthew 6:19-21, Revelation 2:10, John 14:21-23, John 14:21, Proverbs 24:3-4, Revelation 3:5, Matthew 25:14-29, Revelation 2:3, James 1:12, Mark 10:28-31, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 19:8

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