Sunday, December 24, 2017 - I’m Dreaming of a Right Christmas
Pastor Roger Marcos
December 24, 2017
It seems there was this minister who just had all of his remaining teeth pulled and new dentures were being made.
The first Sunday, he only preached 10 minutes.
The second Sunday, he preached only 20 minutes.
But, on the third Sunday, he preached 1 hour 25 minutes.
When asked about this by some of the congregation, he responded this way.
The first Sunday, my gums were so sore it hurt to talk.
The second Sunday, my dentures were hurting a lot.
The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife's dentures... and I couldn't stop talking!
As Christians, we know that the 25th of December is not the actual birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ. However, we use that day to commemorate the fact that Christ came into the world as the perfect gift of God. Unfortunately, Christmas today has taken more of a materialistic and commercial perspective becoming more of a time of consumption rather than reflection.
Christmas. is it really the most wonderful time of the Year? Jesus is the only gift beyond description! It’s so amazing about His unspeakable gift, nothing to compare- He is beyond description. Apostle Paul says, THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS ENDISCRIBABLE GIFT.- 2 Cor. 9:15
Yes, CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION is worldwide.. but not in a right way- to those who don’t believe the Virgin birth Christmas are far from a real meaning.
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST: According to the Jewish Idea;
The Holy Spirit was the person who brought God’s truth to men.
It was the Holy Spirit who taught the prophets what to say; It was the Holy Spirit who, throughout the ages and the generations, brought God’s truth to men...so then Jesus is the one person who brings God’s truth to mankind.
As the prophet Isaiah says clearly how the people live before the coming of the Messiah Isa. 9:2 THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT; THOSE WHO DWELT IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT HAS SHINED
You heard everywhere the greetings of Christmas- but to tell you millions of people, CHRISTMAS MEANS NOTHING. They do not know Jesus. The celebration of His birth for them is just like another day... A Right Christmas for them just a dream!
What is it that makes a Right Christmas?
I want to give you some ideas on how you can have a right Christmas you don’t have to just dream about. It is better to have a right Christmas than to have a White Christmas. WHY?
Now, if we are to have a RIGHT CHRISTMAS, certain things must be place in that Christmas. Let us follow the gospel story and see what Right Christmas INCLUDES.
Text: Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11
Matthew 1:21
"And she shall bring a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."
Luke 2:10-11
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
It is an interesting experience to observe the reaction of people to the Christian season. To children, Christmas means presents, trees, toys, lights, and stories about Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem. To youth it means special parties, social events and entertainment. To adults it means shopping, writing cards, wrapping presents, decorating homes, paying bills, and working extra hours. To the business man, it represents increased sales to bring the highest profit possible. Christmas means many things to many people according to their background, age and interest.
I. A RIGHT CHRISTMAS INCLUDES MAKING ROOM FOR JESUS. When Mary and Joseph came to the Inn, the Innkeeper said “WE HAVE NO ROOM FOR YOU.”
Bethlehem (around 2,000 years ago): Joseph and Mary arrive at the sleepy town in the middle of the night. Mary, already in labor, remains on the donkey while Joseph frantically searches for a room at the local inns. Desperate, he begs one reluctant innkeeper for any place at all to have this baby. The innkeeper finally relents and makes room for them in a tumbledown stable with the cows.
- Brethren, Innkeeper was the first man on planet earth missed Christmas and all its meaning!
A. The heart of the Innkeeper was Close.
B. Joseph/Mary Make Room For Jesus.
Christ birth Is all about love!
When Mary and Joseph came to the inn, the inn-keeper said, “We have no room for you.” Oh, he was the man who missed Christmas and all of its meaning! He had many guests in his hotel, but they were soon gone and forgotten. If he had allowed Jesus to be born there, this would have changed his hotel and his whole life.
So today, if you say, “I have no room for Jesus,” if your heart and life are filled with other things, you miss everything good. Wouldn’t it be a good thing this Christmas for you to throw out all else and make room for Christ?
This means not only the sins of the flesh, but the sins of the disposition. Maybe you are envious of someone, maybe you hate someone. Maybe you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. What a wonderful experience you could have on Christmas morning if you would cast every evil thing out of your heart.
II. A RIGHT CHRISTMAS INCLUDES TRUE WORSHIP
When Jesus was born, a wonderful miracle of nature took place. The heavens opened up and an angel came down to speak to a group of Shepherds on a Judean hill.
UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD. YOU WILL FIND HIM WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LYING IN A MANGER.-
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15
6 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:16
The Birth of Christ Resulted in Praise
The Matter of giving reached a Climax on the Cross!
Calvin Coolidge: NO PERSON WAS EVER HONORED FOR WHAT HE RECEIVED. HE WAS HONORED FOR WHAT HE GAVE.
It will be “From now on I will give Him that which rightfully belongs to Him.
III. A RIGHT CHRISTMAS INCLUDES GIVING GIFT
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Mat. 2:9-12
John 3:16
It will be a right Christmas if you will say, “From now on I will give Him that which rightfully belongs to Him.
The Matter of giving reached a Climax on the Cross!
Calvin Coolidge: NO PERSON WAS EVER HONORED FOR WHAT HE RECEIVED. HE WAS HONORED FOR WHAT HE GAVE.
Conclusion:
What Can You Response to the message today? Is there room for Jesus in your heart?
Place Your TRUST in CHRIST and Receive HIM as Your SAVIOR.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice
and opens the door. I will go in... (Rev. 3:20)
Admit, Believe, Accept, Invite, Baptize
Lord, Come Inside Me! You might thinking next year.. Salvation is always be today not tomorrow.