4th Sunday of Advent!
Introduction:
A. Well, Christmas is almost here!
B. We’ve been concentrating on getting ready for the 2nd coming of Christ! After all, how can we really celebrate the 1st coming until we are ready for the 2nd Coming?
C. As we shift to the 1st coming, what does this baby born in Bethlehem bring to us? After all, that is what Christmas is about!
Matt. 1:18-25
A. Hope of forgiveness and a home in Heaven.
B. Hope to a world that was lost and had no hope.
C. The Jews were growing weary waiting for the promises of
salvation to be
fulfilled. They were expecting an Earthly Kingdom. In Christ we
understand a promise of
eternal blessings and hope for a life of purpose today.
1. Many are struggling today with loss of hope!
2. I think there is more loss of hope this year than just about
any Christmas I can
remember. Maybe, we relate more to the time of Christ
than we have in recent years!
3. Jesus brings hope to those who have lost hope!
II. Jesus
brought purpose!
A. He brought meaning to the Lives we live.
B. People are searching for meaning outside of Christ, and many
are coming up empty.
C. One of the three leading causes of death in adolescence is
suicide.
D. If we can share Christ's love and help someone along the way
our lives have meaning.
1. Jesus
give us purpose.
2. We can
share God’s love; we can be a light shining in the darkness!
3. The
Wesleyan message is very much about sharing the love of God!
a. I
was asked this week why as a Methodist I felt I was right?
b. I
told him I do not believe we are right in the sense that we are the only way!
c. I quoted to him John Wesley, “In Essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, Love!”
d. I am a Methodist because of the stress
on the essentials and freedom to let
people search out the
non-essentials. We don’t have to agree
on everything!
We need to agree on the
essential elements of Christianity, and we need to
share the love of God in all
things and with all people!
e. I hope you are in agreement on
that! I offer that as an explanation
when
someone asks, “Why
Methodist!”
III. Jesus
brought Love!
A. Christ's coming, for the purpose for which he came, showed us
Love at it's fullest!
"No one has greater love
than this, to lay down one's life
for one's friends." John
15:13 (NRSV)
B. Christ showed us how to Love others with his life!
Notice: Matt. 9:36-38 & Matt. 20:30-34.
He was moved with compassion!
C. Be moved with compassion to act as you
see the injustice of the day!
IV. This little baby of which we are
celebrating his birthday on Christmas really changed things!
A. Nothing has influenced and changed our world as much as
Christ!
B. Our calendar years are numbered based on Christ.
C. Our concept of Love comes from Christ. Christ's love was a sacrificial Love.
D. Our concept of helping others in need comes from Christ. Christ was
always helping others when he
himself had the need of rest.
E. Our concept of human worth comes from Jesus. Jesus loved the little
children and loved and was
there for the outcasts of society.
F. The Bible has been the moral standard for centuries.
V. Lastly,
but not least. Jesus is God with us!
A. You want to understand God?
Look at the life of Jesus!
1. Jesus loved the poor!
2. Jesus loved the outcasts of the
religious world of the day!
3. Jesus loved the social outcasts!
4. Jesus loved the outsiders! The Samaritans! The immigrants, if you will!
B. Jesus showed us a God who hurts with
us!
C. Jesus showed us a God who rejoices with
us!
D. Jesus showed us a God who is with us!
Conclusion:
Where would we be if it were not for Christ?
A. Don't forget so fast to give credit where credit is due!
B. Let's remember Christ this Christmas.
C. If you don't know the forgiveness of sin and hope found in
Jesus Christ that I have
described, won’t you accept and trust in what God has already done for you in sending Christ as we encounter Christ at the table today? As you take of the elements physically, you can
be taking Christ into your
heart Spiritually if you so desire. God
has done what needs to be done
for you to have a new start in Christ!
If you do make a first-time commitment, let me know so I can
help you with your new walk in Christ!
I can’t think of a better way
to start off this Christmas season!
D. If you have resisted the God who is with
us, you can encounter that God at the table!
You can
yield to that God to be more
like the God revealed to us in Jesus Christ!
Prayer of Confession
Celebration of Communion
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