A VERY COVID CHRISTMAS: The Characters of Christmas - Jesus - 12-20-20
INTRODUCTION
The characters of Christmas sermon series could not be complete without "the reason for the season - Jesus." While we might agree with this, in all practical terms our culture is consumed by Santa and his take on Christmas.
What does our infatuation with Santa say about our view of Christmas?
Why Jesus is Better than Santa
- Santa lives at the North Pole…JESUS is everywhere.
- Santa rides in a sleigh…JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
- Santa comes but once a year…JESUS is an ever present help.
- Santa fills your stockings with goodies…JESUS supplies all your needs.
- Santa comes down your chimney uninvited…JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.
- You have to wait in line to see Santa…JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
- Santa lets you sit on his lap…JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
- Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
- Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly…JESUS has a heart full of love
- All Santa can offer is HO HO HO…JESUS offers health, help and hope.
- Santa says “You better not cry”…JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”
- Santa’s little helpers make toys…JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
- Santa may make you chuckle but…JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
- While Santa puts gifts under your tree…JESUS became our gift and died on a tree…the cross.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“. . . Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:5b-8 NIV
I. BECOMING
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”
John 1:1-18 NIV
A. The Word became flesh
B. The Word dwelt among us
C. His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son of God
D. Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth
Jesus became exactly what his Father wanted. What are you becoming?
II. BECOMING NOTHING
What do you hope to become?
"Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Philippians 2: 5b-7 NIV
“and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.”
Philippians 2:5-7 CEV
A. Gave up equality with God
1. Boundaried
2. Confined
3. Limited
B. "Made himself nothing"
1. Taking the very nature of a servant
2. Being made in human likeness
III. BECOMING OBEDIENT TO DEATH
How extreme are you willing to get in obedience?
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:8 NIV
A. Humbled himself by becoming obedient to death
B. Even death on a cross!
Does your personal obedience demonstrate a value for what God values?
CONCLUSION
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”
Colossians 1:15-23 NIV
It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army in London, England was near the end of his life. His health was poor, and he was going to be unable to attend the Army’s annual convention. Booth had become an invalid, and his eyesight was failing him. No one knew that he would not live to see another Christmas.
Somebody suggested that General Booth send a telegram or a message to be read at the opening of the convention as an encouragement to the many soldiers of the Salvation Army that would be in attendance following Christmas and their many hours of labor ministering to so many others through the holidays and the cold winter months. Booth agreed to do so.
Knowing that funds were limited and desiring not to use any more money than necessary so that as much money as possible could be used to help the many people in need, General Booth decided to send a one word message. He searched his mind and reviewed his years of ministry, looking for the one word that would summarize his life, the mission of the Army and encourage the others to continue on.
When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that Booth would not be able to be present because of failing health and eyesight. Gloom and pessimism swept across the floor of the convention. Then, the moderator announced that Booth had sent a message to be read with the opening of the first session. He opened the telegram and read the one word message:
Others!
Signed, General Booth.
The bottom line is that while Jesus is the reason for the season - we are the reason for the reason!
CHALLENGE
Write down what God wants you to become (holy, selfless, humble, etc.). List two ways in which you are becoming that person. Share with one person what God is doing to make you into the person He wants you to become.
INVITATION
It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.
