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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 11, 2000

Elijah #5

Practical sanctification (1Th 5:12-25). God is preparing us for something greater. Israel was worshipping many gods. Elijah summoned all the people to Mount Carmel. Though Ahab accused him, Elijah pinpointed the trouble of Israel to be Ahab (1Ki 18:16-20). Evil leadership of Ahab was worse than the string of kings before (1Ki 16:33). The word used for "evil" is akar meaning there are harmful social implications to the actions taken. Confession is necessary, but we also have to deal with consequences (Heb 12:15, Pro 11:17, Prov 11:29, Pro 15:27). Trouble are brought on yourself -- (Jos 7:25, 1Ch 2:7, Pro 15:6, Exo 20:5). The consequence of Ahab was felt 150 years later (Mic 6:16). Restatement of the ten commandments (Deu 5:6-21) which is the preamble to the law of Moses. The first five commands are God-ward and second five relate to those around us. Ahab violated all the commands. God's favor cannot be restored until the source of error removed (Pro 28:13). God wants us to be set aside for His purpose (1Th 4:3).

Scripture References: Hebrews 12:15, Exodus 20:5, Proverbs 15:6, Joshua 7:25, Proverbs 15:27, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 11:29, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, Proverbs 11:17, Micah 6:16

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