But in all obvious reality, Christmas has just turned into the time of the year that most stores either make it or break it for the entire year. It's the time of year where more suicides occur than any other time of year - the time of year where credit card balances go right back up to the limit - the time of year where everyone writes to everyone about everything they have done the past year - a time when some folks actually make their annual visit to church.
Christmas has most certainly turned out to be a 'gift giving/receiving' time of year. In fact, an event that takes place during the tribulation that involves gift giving similar to what we do today. It truly seems like we are being prepared for this most spectacular and happy momentous occasion that WILL take place in Jerusalem, possibly around Christmas time because of the gift giving nature of the people's joy and happiness. See the Future Christmas for the scripture along with a picture.
A good study of The
Two Babylons would give you a completely detailed and eye-opening pagan
history of Christmas. But relax, this sermon is not dealing
with 'should you' or 'shouldn't you' celebrate Christmas, or whether or
not you should have a tree or a Santa Clause or a yule log in your house
- or a nativity set - or candles - christmas lights on your house, etc.
and all those things of Christmas that Christians seem to judge each other
over.
But Peter said unto him, Thy
money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that
the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot
in this matter:
for thy heart is not right in
the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy
wickedness, and pray God,
if perhaps the thought of thine
heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art
in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Note: the Pope has offered a 'special' millennial
bargain regarding indulgences for the coming new year.
It is called the Bull of Indiction of the Great Jubilee of the year
2000. He calls it a Jubilee Indulgence.
Indulgences used to cost money, but today, here are some of their choices:
1: Make a pious pilgrimage to a Patriarchal Basilica.
2. Take part in a Holy Mass or another liturgical celebration.
3. Spend some time in Eucharistic adoration ending with "Our Father"
and prayer to the Virgin Mary.
4. Visit the Holy Land, make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral Church
or a Shrine designated by the Ordinary.
5. Spend some suitable time with their brothers and sisters in
need.
1) They can consider the knocking an 'intrusion' into their privacy - an 'interruption' of their daily routine - a 'threat' to their happiness (even though they are miserable on the inside) and ignore the knocking.
The scriptures are pretty clear
that keeping the door closed is a pretty unwise move.
...he that pursueth evil pursueth
it to his own death.
Proverbs 11:19b
They that are of a froward heart
are abomination to the LORD...
Proverbs 11:20a
Though hand join in hand, the
wicked shall not be unpunished...
Proverbs 11:21a
...the expectation of the wicked
is wrath
Proverbs 11:23b
He that trusteth in his riches
shall fall...
Proverbs 11:28a
He that troubleth his own house
shall inherit the wind:
and the fool shall be servant
to the wise of heart.
Proverbs 11:29
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and
findeth it not...
Proverbs 14: 6a
Fools make a mock at sin
Proverbs 14: 9a
The house of the wicked shall
be overthrown...
Proverbs 14:11a
There is a way which seemeth
right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the
ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12
Not a good idea to keep that
door closed! But most do!
Come on, you walk into a room and there are a pile of gifts for YOU - and you say, "No, I don't want them"? You're nuts! Now it is true, you know you don't DESERVE them? And if the gift was given just because they 'had to', it is easier to refuse them.
But if the giver means to be a blessing to you, take the gift! And those expensive ones - accept them because the giver paid a high price for a gift for you out of their appreciation and love for you.
Well, God has offered us gifts - and we had better take them because He paid plenty for us to be able to receive these gifts at no cost to us, amen?
A baby can't even open their
gifts. Mom or Dad does it for them (like the baby even cares, ya
know).
A young child/teen opens
their gifts fast and are only looking for what they wanted. When
they get the package opened, they quickly go on to the next ones.
When they are done, they are 'bored' already.
An adult opens their package
slowly - they enjoy every bit of it. Some will even study how well
it was wrapped (much to the impatience of the kids) and will keep the wrapping
paper. When the gift is open, they are very thankful and take some
time to enjoy the gift right away.
An older person (grandma
and grandpa) are just happy the whole family is there - they have had plenty
of gifts and understand and appreciate them all. They enjoy watching
the family members open their gifts.
I believe that we all open our gifts from God the same way.
A baby christian (just saved)
can't open any of their gifts. They have no idea how to. Their
'mom/dad' must do it for them. Their friends - their pastor - they
open the Book and show the baby christian all the gifts that God has given
them, but unfortunately, just like a baby, they don't really understand
yet the greatness of those gifts.
A child/teen christian (saved
for a little bit) is anxious to get what THEY want from God. They
hear about the gifts, but if the gifts are not of interest to them, they
just push them aside for now. Eventually, many of them become bored
with their christian life and want more of what THEY want, not what God
has given them.
An 'adult' christian (saved
for a good length of time) enjoys all the gifts from God. They take
their Book and as they open each gift, they study it carefully and fully
appreciate the entire gift and what it means to them, etc.
An older christian (saved
for a long time) is just happy to see the family members getting their
gifts and enjoy watching them as they learn about what God has done for
them - you see, they have all been there before in their earlier years.
The first gift is like the package that says, "Open me first". No other gifts can be received unless this gift is opened first.
This is bottom line - this is the least we could do - at least open that first gift, anyway.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 5:11
And this is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
And by the way, this being the
most important gift anyone can receive,
we need to try to minister this
gift to others.
I Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift,
even so minister the same one
to another,
as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.
Romans 10:9,10
But ye are not in the flesh,
but in the Spirit,
if so be that the Spirit of
God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the
body is dead because of sin;
but the Spirit is life because
of righteousness.
Speaking in tongues is NOT proof that we are saved, etc. It is not the evidence of our salvation. ALL people receive the Holy Ghost when they get saved! You either have the Spirit of God or you do not.
I Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the
temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth
in you?
I Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your
body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own.
The
gift of God's RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not,
but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness.
I Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ
Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption:
II Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin
for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him.
Ephesians 4:24
And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in
righteousness
and true holiness.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the
faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of
God by faith
The
gift of the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified
by the works of the law,
but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ,
that we might be justified by
the faith of Christ,
and not by the works of the
law:
for by the works of the law
shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me:
and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself
for me.
Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded
all under sin,
that the promise by faith of
Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Ephesians 3:12:
In whom we have boldness and
access with confidence by the faith of him.
The
gift of God's Own WORDS
John 14:10
Believest thou not that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me?
the words that I speak unto
you I speak not of myself:
but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works.
John 17:8
For I have given unto
them the words which thou gavest me;
and they have received them,
and have known surely that I
came out from thee,
and they have believed that
thou didst send me.
II Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
I Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we
God without ceasing,
because, when ye received the
word of God which ye heard of us,
ye received it not as the word
of men,
but as it is in truth, the word
of God,
which effectually worketh also
in you that believe.
II Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Psalm 12:6,7
The words of the LORD are pure
words:
as silver tried in a furnace
of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O LORD,
thou shalt preserve them from
this generation for ever.
The
gift of God's GRACE
Ephesians 2:8,9
For by grace are ye saved through
faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should
boast.
John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion
over you: for ye are not under the law,
but under grace.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it
no more of works:
otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then
is it no more grace:
otherwise work is no more work.
II Corinthians 1:4
I thank my God always on your
behalf,
for the grace of God which is
given you by Jesus Christ;
II Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God
which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed
how he buildeth thereupon.
II Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am
what I am:
and his grace which was bestowed
upon me was not in vain;
but I laboured more abundantly
than they all:
yet not I, but the grace of
God which was with me.
II Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became
poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
II Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all
grace abound toward you;
that ye, always having all sufficiency
in all things,
may abound to every good work:
Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear:
Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried about with divers
and strange doctrines.
For it is a good thing that
the heart be established with grace; not with meats,
which have not profited them
that have been occupied therein.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.
Romans 4:7
Saying, Blessed are they whose
iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in your
sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
I John 2:12
I write unto you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven
you for his name's sake.
Proverbs 2:8,9
He that turneth away his ear
from hearing the law,
even his prayer shall be abomination.
Psalm 5:3
My voice shalt thou hear in
the morning, O LORD;
in the morning will I direct
my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalm 6:9
The LORD hath heard my supplication;
the LORD will receive my prayer.
Psalm 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at
noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:
and he shall hear my voice.
Psalm 66:19
But verily God hath heard me;
he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD:
but the prayer of the upright
is his delight.
Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in
tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known
unto God.
Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch
in the same with thanksgiving;
1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first
of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of
thanks, be made for all men;
1 Timothy 5:5
Now she that is a widow indeed,
and desolate, trusteth in God,
and continueth in supplications
and prayers night and day.
1 Timothy 4:5
For it is sanctified by the
word of God and prayer.
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are
over the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their
prayers:
but the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil.
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us
with groanings which cannot
be uttered.
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and understanding.
Proverbs 8:8,9
All the words of my mouth
are in righteousness;
there is nothing froward or
perverse in them.
They are all plain to him that
understandeth,
and right to them that find
knowledge.
Psalm 119:104
Through thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false
way.
Psalm 119:125
I am thy servant;
give me understanding, that
I may know thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth
light;
it giveth understanding unto
the simple.
Psalm 119:144
The righteousness of thy testimonies
is everlasting:
give me understanding,
and I shall live.
Psalm 119:169
Let my cry come near before
thee, O LORD:
give me understanding according
to thy word.
Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord, and of great
power:
his understanding is infinite.
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth
wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man
is like deep water;
but a man of understanding will
draw it out.
Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy
is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all
generations.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 31:19
Oh how great is thy goodness,
which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee;
which thou hast wrought for
them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Psalm 33:5
He loveth righteousness and
judgment:
the earth is full of the goodness
of the LORD.
Psalm 52:1
Why boastest thou thyself in
mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth
continually.
Psalm 107:8
Oh that men would praise the
LORD for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works
to the children of men!
Psalm 107:9
For he satisfieth the longing
soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Gift of Peace
Not on earth...
Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come
to send peace on earth:
I came not to send peace, but
a sword.
Luke 12:51
Suppose ye that I am come to
give peace on earth?
I tell you, Nay; but rather
division:
...but Unto His Own - US!
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give
I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
II Thessalonians 3:16
Now the Lord of peace himself
give you peace always by all means.
The Lord be with you all.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts,
to the which also ye are called
in one body; and be ye thankful.
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for
ever;
John 14:18
I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you.
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in
my name,
he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto
you.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come,
whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth, which
proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me:
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:
for if I go not away, the Comforter
will not come unto you;
but if I depart, I will send
him unto you.
Comfort from the Brethren (see below)
Romans 1:12
That is, that I may be comforted
together with you
by the mutual faith both of
you and me.
Comfort from the Scriptures
Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning,
that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I Thessalonians 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
II Corinthians 12:9, 10
And he said unto me, My grace
is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect
in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I
rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake:
for when I am weak, then am
I strong.
Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according
to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with might
by his Spirit in the inner man;
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
II Timothy 4:17, 18
Notwithstanding the Lord stood
with me, and strengthened me;
that by me the preaching might
be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear:
and I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion.
And the Lord shall deliver me
from every evil work,
and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom:
to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace,
who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered
a while,
make you perfect, stablish,
strengthen, settle you.
Psalm 85:13
Righteousness shall go
before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way:
but the LORD directeth his steps.
To our present steps... if
we delight ourself in the LORD!
Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the
LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 9:3
When mine enemies are turned
back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
Psalm 35:8
Let destruction come upon him
at unawares;
and let his net that he hath
hid catch himself:
into that very destruction let
him fall.
Psalm 64:8
So they shall make their own
tongue to fall upon themselves:
all that see them shall flee
away.
Psalm 140:10
Let burning coals fall upon
them: let them be cast into the fire;
into deep pits, that they rise
not up again.
Psalm 141:10
Let the wicked fall into their
own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
I Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall.
I Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall
into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts,
which drown men in destruction
and perdition.
But the LORD will catch us!
Psalm 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not
be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with
his hand.
Psalm 118:13
Thou hast thrust sore at me
that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
Psalm 145:14
The LORD upholdeth all that
fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.