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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 #4

Psa 23:1-6 It's important to focus on the Shepard and His guidance."He leads me besides the still waters" -- Joh 14:27 Jesus has given us peace; Rom 5:1 we have peace with God (He's our Father; we are reconciled); we can find the "peace of God (Phi 4:6-7); we're lead to and by the Holy Spirit (Joh 4:14 - He'll comfort us; Joh 7:37-39 - we're promised the rivers of living waters). "He restores my soul" : restore means healing like setting a broken bone; this applies to our soul (Psa 51:1-19, Psa 103:1-5) He forgives (1Jo 1:9, Gal 6:1-2), heals, redeems us from distruction, crowns us, and satisfies us (Psa 103:1-5). He cleanses us (Eph 5:26, 1Jo 1:7, Joh 13:10-15). He restores us because the gifts are not changeable (Rom 11:29), and because nothing can separate us from His Love (Rom 8:39); He prays for us. "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake" -- 'namesake' is His glory. He leads us in righteousness six ways: (1) by His Truth (Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26, Joh 16:13); (2) to bear fruit (3); makes us to be salt and light (Mat 5:13-16); salt preserves; light shows the way; (4) to walk in His Spirit (Gal 5:16, 1Jo 1:7); (5) to faith and obedience (2Co 5:7, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:1, Rom 8:29); (6) to suffer for His namesake (1Pe 1:5-7). Melted gold makes impurities come to the top so the dross to be removed (1Pe 4:12-14, Isa 43:7) We will share His glory; that's His purpose.

Scripture References: Ephesians 5:26, John 14:26, John 4:14, Ephesians 4:1, Psalms 103:1-5, John 14:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 8:39, Romans 5:1, John 1:7, John 1:9, Romans 11:29, John 14:27, Galatians 5:16, Psalms 103:1-5, John 13:10-15, Psalms 23:1-6, Matthew 5:13-16, Psalms 51:1-19, Isaiah 43:7, John 1:7, John 16:13, John 7:37-39, Romans 8:29

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