Time for Reflection

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) 1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:        Winston Churchill said “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” The review of the closing year is a very proper, and may be a very profitable, exercise. The newspapers review the events of the year which are of political, financial, or commercial interest. The Christian has, however, higher interests - those which are moral and spiritual. It is desirable that we should take a retrospect of "the time past," with a view of tracing God's providential dealings with us, with a view of estimating our own spiritual progress, and of learning lessons of wisdom and of helpfulness. I. WHAT DOES REFLECTION SUGGEST TO US CONCERNING TIME PAST? a. Its passage has been rapid, yet it has been filled with events of great importance. There have been many things happen this last year, some good and some bad. b. The time past is perfectly irretrievable; we cannot live the expiring year over again. c. Time has left permanent traces upon our character. We are all changed by times’ influences, its lessons - some for the better, some for the worse. Time changes everything!       II. The past is not forgotten by the Lord and Judge of all. In this sense he "requires an account of that which is past." Ecclesiastes 3:15 (NKJV) That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.       III. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN CONSIDER THE TIME PAST? a. His first and most prominent thought should be of the mercy and loving-kindness of God revealed to him as the days and weeks have passed by.        Psalms 145:9 (NKJV) The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.       b. Especially should we remember the long-suffering and forbearance which has been displayed towards us by our heavenly Father upon repeated occasions by our failures in duty and by forgetfulness of His Divine love! Psalms 145:8 (NKJV) The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.       c. We should remember with regret and repentance the opportunities of obedience and usefulness which we have neglected. d. Nor should we lose sight of the discipline which we may have been called upon to endure, and which we should remember, not with a rebellious attitude, but with a submissive spirit. Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV) 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens (corrects), And scourges every son whom He receives.     IV. IN WHAT SPIRIT SHOULD WE REFLECT ON THE TIME PAST THIS YEAR?     a. We should remember with the spirit of humiliation and shame that we at times have        broken the Law of God, and rejected the words of Christ.    b. We should reflect upon the bad influence which our example of religion has exercised over others, especially over those within our family and social circle.      c. We should consider that we are worse at the end of the year than at its beginning, if we have delayed to repent and then to begin by God's grace a new and better life. Repentance, literally means to turn, it’s the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling remorse or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more responsible and righteous life. V. HOW SHOULD THE REFLECTION OF THE TIME PAST AFFECT THE TIME TO COME? a. We may be helped to realize the brevity of life, and the uncertainty especially of what life yet remains here on this earth. Psalms 39:4 (NKJV)  "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.       b. We may be prompted to turn away from the evil which has been indulged in during this past year, and to enter into the holier life and more consecrated service which our Lord approves and is calling us to. Philippians 3:12-15 (NLT) 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.       The sands of time are fast falling; the time to live on this earth is short and fading.       Let the future see our vows fulfilled, our hopes realized, our aims achieved!

        Invitation: As you reflect on this past year what does God see in your life that you need to change and what you need to improve on? Have you given your very best to Him? How is your relationship with Him? Will you spend eternity with Him when you pass from this earth? If you are not sure make sure right now because Hell is hot and eternity is long!

Have a Joyful Christmas

Intro: Christmas should be a time of joy. People tend to multiply activities during this Holiday season and in their busyness they forget the One whose birthday we are celebrating so their joy is not full and complete. They wind up tired, exhausted and depressed when it’s all over.

I. Christmas is about joyously celebrating God’s greatest gift to mankind.  2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

a. God gave us His best in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus left the glories of Heaven and came to earth to save mankind from the penalty and power of sin and give us everlasting life. John 1:14 (NKJV)  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 1:12-13 (NKJV) ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

II. To have a joyful Christmas Jesus should be the focus of our celebration. Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:9-11 (NKJV) ⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

  a. Wise men traveled many miles to find Jesus and they brought their best gifts to Him. They gave Jesus gifts fit for a King. They bowed and worshiped Him. They knew who He was! King of all kings, Savior of the world! As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday He should be the center of all we do. We should worship Him. When we celebrate a person’s birthday we don’t leave them out and give their gifts to someone else, we give gifts to the one whose birthday we are celebrating. 

III. We can give Jesus gifts fit for a King. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

 a. We can give Him our love, devotion, worship and attention. The gift that Jesus longs for from His children is an awakened soul that thrills to the joy of His presence. He created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Psalms 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Jesus provides the joy, pleasures; our part is to glorify Him by living close to Him and giving Him our hearts in service for Him.

      People sometimes get so involved in doing good things around Christmas that they don’t have time for the One they are celebrating. Christmas can become mechanically. It can become habitual, and routine, done with no thought about Christ. Christ should be the center of all we do not only at Christmas time but all year long. There is an eternal reward awaiting those who live their lives as for the Lord in all they do. Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, (energetically, enthusiastically) as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The reward of the inheritance simply explodes the human mind. It stretches far beyond and above all that we can ask or even think. It includes a new body that will be eternal, and a new heavens and earth, and positions of enormous leadership, authority, and service for the Lord Jesus.

Conclusion: Oh what a wonderful Savior whose birthday we will celebrate Dec. 25^th. May this be a time of joy and pleasure as we love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength and may we thrill at the joy of His presence in our lives not only at Christmas but for all time!

Invitation:  No one should even celebrate Christmas if they don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior. What is there to be joyous about if you don’t know your eternal destination!  Make sure you know Him before you celebrate His birth. Don’t be a hypocrite! If you are not saved then ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and invite Jesus into your life to take charge of it. Then and only then will you have a very “Merry Christmas.”

Reason for the Season

                                                                

Intro: We are now entering what we call the Christmas season and yet so many today do not even know what the reason for the season is. They may know it’s a celebration of the birth of someone called Jesus Christ, but they don’t know who He is or the purpose for which He was born. 

I. The reason for the season began way back at the creation of mankind.  Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

 a. We learn from this verse of prophecy that God Himself spoke the reason for the season. The reason Jesus came to be born was to crush the head of Satan’s power and authority. Satan took over authority of the world through deceiving Adam and Eve by causing them to sell out to him by committing the sin of disobedience and rebellion against God. The consequences of their sin brought about the curse of God which was death for all men and eternal separation from Him. At the Cross Jesus crushed Satan’s head. Colossians 2:14-15 (NKJV) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 

II. Isaiah’s prophecy teaches us more about the reason for the season.  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 a. Jesus by His birth, death, and resurrection will regain and take charge of the entire world government that Satan stole from mankind through his lying deception in the Garden of Eden.

This prophecy about Jesus governing the whole world gives four descriptive names that will reveal His character during His reign on earth.

1. His name will be called Wonderful (“exceptional” or “distinguished”) There is no one like Him, no, nor ever will be. He is perfect, magnificent, and He alone can forgive and save the lost souls of all mankind.  He alone can rule the world in perfect peace and harmony between all peoples.

2. His name will be called Counselor. He is our lawyer before God now and the people in the millennial kingdom will gladly listen to Him as the Authoritative One. In His kingdom many people will be anxious to hear the Messiah teach God’s ways. He teaches us now by the Holy Spirit.

3. His name will be called the Mighty God. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would do what no other person had been able to do. Isaiah understood that the Messiah was to be God to have such power and to forgive sin and to rule the world with an everlasting kingdom of peace.

4. His would be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? First, the Messiah, is the fullness of God’s essence. (Col. 2:9) Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God. Second, the title “Father” is an expression used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to Israel as Abraham was called father. The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler. This name is not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity.

 He is said to be Everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days.” Isaiah had in mind the promise God made to David (Isaiah 9:7) about the “eternalness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through his line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation of Israel and the world had been waiting. God’s zeal makes it happen!

5. His name will be called the Prince of Peace, the One who will bring in His millennial Kingdom and maintain a time of peace in which the nation of Israel and all nations will be properly related to the Lord and there will be no more war. Together, these four titles give a beautiful picture of Jesus ‘character and tells us why Jesus was born and came into this world.

Invitation: Christmas means the birth of Christ who brought salvation and victory over Satan and his powers to all who would believe in His death on the Cross as payment for their sins and those who believe that God raised Him from the dead. Do you have the Prince of Peace in your life?

Have you taken advantage of Jesus’ salvation for your soul? If not now is the time! 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)  For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.