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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 - September 24, 2010

The Spirit as Oil- fruit bearing.

The Holy Spirit will do His job as we let Him. 



mat 11:28-30 The world instinctively know to expect evidence of Christ in our life.  They expect to see trust in trial, to see peace, poise, and rest in trial.  They expect to see forgiveness.  joh 13:35



Rom 5:1  The yoke was used as a term for school, to become a disciple.  Jesus wants to be the One we learn from.  He speaks through His indwelling Spirit.  Eph 4:20-21  It is Jesus who is ultimately your teacher.  The first rest is a gift, the second is a discovery.  When we have His yoke, we have Someone beside us.  It's a call to supernatural accomplishment. 



Prayer is our declaration to God that we are going to trust Him to do what He said He would do and then rest in it.



Joh 14:25-31 joh 15:1-10  In the Old Testament Israel is called the useless, fruitless vine.  Isa 5:1-4  Has the Lord wondered this of us too?  What has He failed to provide for us?  In v. 2, the verb used means "to lift up."  The first thing God does to a non-fruitful life, is lift it up by His Spirit and Word.  He encourages and comforts.  The fruitful branch He prunes to it will bear more fruit.  joh 8:32-36  Abiding in His Word is abiding in Christ.  Why do we try so hard to do something we cannot do?  We need to stop trying and start relying.  Rom 7:15-17  Unbelievers dismiss believers who don't act on their faith.  mat 5:13  Heb 12:29 1co 3:10-15 1jo 2:15-17



Scripture References: Ephesians 4:20-21, Matthew 5:13, Romans 5:1, Romans 7:15-17, John 13:35, John 8:32-36, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 5:1-4, John 15:1-10, John 2:15-17, John 14:25-31, Hebrews 12:29

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