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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 #2

Prophecy of Second coming of Christ preceded by Elijah (Mal 4:1-6). Jesus read a prophecy concerning his earthly ministry in Nazareth (Isa 61:1-2a, Luk 4:16-29). Between Isaiah 61 verse 2a and 2b is the Church Age. Prophets who taught or wrote; Elijah was a prophet of prayer. (Jam 5:16-18). Elijah was a man of the word (1Ki 17:1-7); obedience (1Ki 17:8-16); prayer (1Ki 17:17-24). The will of God: where does God want me to be (1Ki 17:5-7); what does God what me to do? (1Ki 17:9); what is the motivation for my action? God sent Elijah to Zarephath because only there was a receptive woman (1Ki 17 8-16). We need to be willing to step out in faith; to believe God; then we'll see or experience God's grace and mercy (Isa 30:18). God removes the men with message from the country that rejects Him. Nations will be divided based on their attitude toward His word (Mat 25:31-46, Luk 12:42).

Scripture References: Luke 12:42, Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 30:18, James 5:16-18, Luke 4:16-29, Isaiah 61:1-2, Malachi 4:1-6

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