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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 28, 2003

Hebrews 08

Hebrews 08

Heb 2:1-4 Warning sections are correctly applied to believers, not to those who are not believers. Danger of losing something they already have Heb 6:18-19 Danger of the unguarded moment: something drifts away pararreo-something that happens in an unguarded moment Heb 4:1-12 fear of falling short of a promise, due to an unguarded moment. Those promises of God are sure and steadfast, but we can give them up by failing to claim them in an unguarded moment. Heb 6:1-6 when you believe in Jesus, you begin toward the crown, the spiritual life. If you fall away, you can’t start over, you can’t take away the shame and disgrace. We can be forgiven, but we can’t reclaim that opportunity. We are under accountability and we will stand before Christ for what we’ve done with what He’s given us. It is not about sin, it is about lost opportunity, lost reward. Heb 6:4-5 only applies to believers Time must be redeemed, but time lost is lost forever. Heb 10:37-39, Rom 1:17 Gal 3:11 Hab 2:4 The Christian who turns from the plan of God will find increasing discipline and could possibly result in an early death. 1co 5:1-5 he is still saved A soldier who runs from battle may overcome his fear, but he will always have the shame of that retreat. Seven unguarded moments in the bible: 1. Frustration and anger: num 20:10-11 brought Moses to defeat 2. Fear: Israel at Cannan num 13:30-33 3. Greed: Achan Jos 7:19-21 Others always suffer from our unguarded moments. 4. Lust: Sampson and Delilah jud 16:16-20 5. Self Confidence: Mat 26:69-75 Peter denied Jesus 6. Bull-headedness: Act 21:1-40 Paul went when he was told not to go. Act 22:18 7. Loss of focus: Church of Ephesus Rev 2:4 Three dangers of this congregation: 1. Danger of pursuing doctrine at the expense of devotion, balance is important 2. Danger of Christian service at the cost of Christian sanctification Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12 We must make sure the Word is having its affect in our lives before we tell others to let it have its affect in theirs. 3. Danger of developing in our study and service a critical spirit instead of a compassionate spirit Watch out for seeking glory instead of grace 1Co 16:13-14 a man of virtue, a gentleman, courage in battle, put character above compromise, God’s power is perfected in our weakness, turn our weakness over to Him. Do everything you do, make sure the guiding motive is love. We have an opportunity to grow as we serve one another.

Scripture References: Matthew 26:69-75, Hebrews 2:1-4, Romans 1:17, Jude 16:16-20, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 10:37-39, Joshua 7:19-21, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 6:4-5, Numbers 13:30-33, Revelation 2:4, Hebrews 6:1-6, Numbers 20:10-11, Acts 22:18, Hebrews 4:1-12, Habakkuk 2:4, Acts 21:1-40, Hebrews 6:18-19, Galatians 3:11

From Series: Hebrews (1998) | More Messages from Gene Cunningham | Download Audio

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