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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 18

Hebrews 18

1CO 10:1-5 2 real mistakes we can make in our spiritual life -see the simplicity of salvation and think it’s too good to be true -having been saved, thinking there is no salvation for you today If the work of Christ can take care of your eternity, how much more can it take care of today? 1CO 10:1-13 EXO 12:7-13 EXO 14:31 HEB 3:13-19 If you don’t maintain study, you will lose your first love, and it will not be fresh or help you today. It is possible to lust after good things that are not good for you. If we believe He is in control, and we trust Him to guide our days, how do we respond? With grumbling, or thanksgiving? 1CO 10:13 “…but God is faithful…” That is the key. Trust that He is faithful in every circumstance. How will we find the faith that we need? If He is going to guide and supply and teach and answer our prayers, what do we need? Faith, confidence, assurance, boldness because of His faithfulness. ISA 50:4- Start asking that He would give you the tongue of a disciple. Ask Him for the ability to memorize Scripture. How many of the things we lack, if we go to Him in dependence daily to receive from Him. 6 things the keep in mind regarding a disciple’s ear and tongue 1. The voice of the Spirit is the Word of God 2. MAT 11:29 Jesus is the Teacher, we are the student 3. the Holy Spirit was given at the moment of salvation to teach us the Word of God JOH 14:26 1JO 2:27 4. the hearing is responding to God’s Word in faith, believing it, believing He wrote it with you in mind ROM 10:17 Increase in faith by hearing more of the Word 5. Eph 4:20-21 this is how Christ speaks directly to us 6. Col 2:7 this is how we are built up in the ways of Christ What is the test today? “Today if you hear His voice…” The test is faith! MAT 6:33-34 He will be faithful in what He said, He will be faithful to me. Faith involves testing, and He will give us what we can never plan for. But you can prepare for it, by learning today. Let today’s experience be your spiritual workout. GEN 22:1-2 1KI 17:13 2KI 4:3

Scripture References: Matthew 6:33-34, Isaiah 50:4, Colossians 2:7, Hebrews 3:13-19, Ephesians 4:20-21, Exodus 14:31, Romans 10:17, Exodus 12:7-13, John 2:27, John 14:26, Genesis 22:1-2, Matthew 11:29

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

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