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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 - January 8, 2000

The Divine Mentor #1

The Divine Mentor (the Holy Spirit), Jesus promised to the disciples before His departure. He introduced the "living water" in Joh 7:37-39. The Spirit worked with old testament saints (Zec 4:6, Joe 2:28) but now works in us. This was anticipated in the Old Testament (Isa 12:3, Isa 43:20, Isa 44:3, Isa 55:1). Joh 13:10-15 has the Spirit pre-figured in the cleansing water Jesus washes their feet (1Jo 1:9). Jesus' command in Joh 13:34-35 "love one another" is impossible without the Spirit (Rom 5:1-5, Gal 5:22-23, 1Co 13:1-13). In Joh 14:12-17 the Spirit is the "Paraklete"("called along side") -- the Helper. His character as Mentor: mother comfort (1Th 2:7); father as teacher of children (1Th 2:11); coach urging an athlete (2Ti 2:1); commander urging soldiers in battle (2Ti 2:3). Spirit is Truth (Joh 13:25-27) is involved in our recall -- He guards and gives peace (Phi 4:6-7). Joh 15:1-7 says the Spirit is the "fruit-bearer". Joh 15:26-27 says the Spirit is "witness" (Act 1:8). Joh 16:5-11 says the Spirit is conviction -- convicing men. Joh 16:12-15 says the Spirit is guidance (1Ki 19:1-13). He'll keep us from deception (Luk 21:8), deliver us from fear (Luk 21:9), provide us a witness (Luk 21:13), give us endurance (Luk 21:19), guide us where we need to be (Luk 21:21), give us joyous expectation (Luk 21:28), warn us of danger to our heart (Luk 21:34), and give us a watchfulness (Luk 21:36).

Scripture References: Zechariah 4:6, Luke 21:8, John 13:10-15, Luke 21:34, John 13:25-27, John 7:37-39, John 16:12-15, Isaiah 55:1, Luke 21:28, John 14:12-17, John 16:5-11, Isaiah 44:3, Luke 21:21, Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 1:8, Isaiah 43:20, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:1-5, John 15:26-27, Isaiah 12:3, Luke 21:13, John 13:34-35, John 15:1-7, Joel 2:28, Luke 21:9, John 1:9, Luke 21:36, Philippians 4:6-7

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