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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 - May 23, 2003

Profiles in Providence #7

Philippians - Profiles in Providence - Florida 2008

Christ won the victory. We rejoice because Christ has won the victory (Phi 4:4). His prize is manifest when the saints are translated and enemies subdued (Phi 3:20-21). Paul looks foward to standing before Christ to claim his inheritance (Phi 4:1-9). All believers are heirs; not many are joint heirs (Rom 8:17). Jesus pattern -- the work then the witness". "The Lord is at hand" (Phi 4:5) means that He is watching; He is with us. "Be anxious for nothing ... and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phi 4:6-7). "guard" means the mighty angels will surround us to guard our hearts. Someone is watching you; what do they see (Phi 4:8-9)?

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE

Scripture References: Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:8-9, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:5, Romans 8:17, Philippians 4:1-9, Philippians 3:20-21

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