The True Meaning of Christmas

The True Meaning of Christmas

(Brian K. Walters)

In todays’ day and time,
it’s easy to lose sight,
of the true meaning of Christmas
and one special night.

When we go shopping,
We say “How much will it cost?”
Then the true meaning of Christmas,
Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter
And ribbons of gold,
We forget about the child,
born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa
In his big, red sleigh
Never thinking of the child
Whose bed was made of hay.

  In reality,
  When we look into the night sky,
  We don’t see a sleigh
  But a star, burning bright and high.

  A faithful reminder,
  Of that night so long ago,
  And of the child we call Jesus,
  Whose love, the world would know

Christmas: The Most Unlikely Event to Take Place

SERMON        GMT13-007

SERIES:          Topical – Christmas

SUBTITLE:     Christmas:  The Most Unlikely Event to Take Place

SCRIPTURE:  Micah 5:1-5

SUBJ:               The Unlikeliness of Christmas

SUMMARY:    Christmas is the most unlikely event ever to take place due    to the accompanying components

The Best Description of Christmas Yet!

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!

John MacArthur

How Do You spell W O N D E R F U L?

You have heard the expression, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?"

This sentence often contained in what is called "The Four Spiritual Laws" has many flaws in and of itself. However the second biggest problem I see with it is the fact that have you ever noticed that God spells wonderful differently than we do?

God seems to spell wonderful, d e a t h. As in my death, my death of self-denial. Thanks be unto God that He provides sufficient grace, and the requisite faith to become as a kernel of corn that dies in the ground in order to produce a harvest.

I know that God has come to give life and life with an abundance. (I heard yesterday a definition given by a sweet little girl - that means gobs of life?) Nevertheless, gobs of life or not, as pilgrims we are called to:

• deny self
• take up my cross daily
• follow Him

_______________________________

Happy 18th birthday to our oldest granddaughter, Madilynn N. Metcalf of Vancouver, WA! We love you pumpkin!

Commentary On A "Wounded" Duck

It amazes me that so many people, many purporting to be Christians seem to be shocked, dismayed, angry, and bedazzled over A and E's decision to "suspend" Phil Robertson from "Duck Dynasty."

Do these people ever read their bibles? If they did they would discover that mankind is sinful and depraved. Therefore, nothing that a human being does should surprise them. Secondly, Paul made it clear that before Christ returned men would grow  far more sinful in behavior. 

More importantly, Christ is still on the throne! God is still sovereign and is still working out His eternal purposes. A and E simply decided to exercise their "rights" and made a decision in-line with their practice, philosophy, programming, and promoters. 

Most of you know that I am no fan of Duck Dynasty. I can't believe the support it has had in the so called Christian community since they practice and preach baptismal-regeneration. However, Mr. Robertson had a right to speak his convictions. He had to know the parameters in which he could make his opinions known. He had to know the consequences that he faced. I applaud him for his courage, for his convictions, and for his comments. 

A and E demonstrated their "convictions." They had every right to do so. I don't know why so many "believers" think that this country should be so sanitized. We as Christians are strangers, pilgrims, and non-citizens traversing this world on the way to the kingdom of God. This world and this country will never be fully sanitized or for that matter "Christian" until Christ returns and roots out and destroys all evil and wickedness.

A and E's decision should not be of any surprise or dismay to any bible believing Christian. If anything it shows us how far behind we may be on preaching the gospel to every creature. Let's focus on being the salt and light we are called to be as ambassador's and witnesses for Christ.

Let me close this commentary with a quote from Terry Delaney:

"Query: How is A&E suspending Phil any different than a church not performing a same-sex marriage? Both are protecting their respective belief systems. Phil's freedom to express himself has not been infringed upon. His boss, A&E disagreed with what he said and therefore they disciplined him. If you don't like it, then speak with your remote and your money. We cannot expect the world to ever adhere to biblical principles."

Trees and Forrests

Martin Lloyd-Jones once wrote of the Roman believers:

"...they have lost their balance and have developed a kind of lop-sided Christianity. This is indeed an all-important matter in connection with the Christian life. One of the greatest dangers is to be so absorbed in, and concerned about, particulars and details as to forget the whole."

--from Liberty and Conscience, 

Exposition of Romans 14:1-17, 

page 205

The Man Christmas Almost Forgot

Message

Series:  Topical-Holiday / Christmas

The Man That Christmas Almost Forgot

Matthew 1:18-25

1A  The Person of Joseph

     

2A  The Pledge of Joseph 

    

3A   The Problem of Joseph

4A   The Prophecy for Joseph

5A  The Performance of Joseph