Jesus: Demon or Deity - recorded Dec 3rd, 2023

Kevin speaks about Four "R" words relevant to us and our relationship with God.

LAND OF BEGINNING AGAIN

1 Cor. 6:9-11

1. We are on the threshold of a new year.

As we look back over 2020, we are all ready to wave good-bye to it,  with hopes of a better year ahead.

What will 2021 bring to us? We’re all filled with the hope that it  will give us the opportunity to begin again.

2. Is there a way that we could begin again? (Note Louisa Fletcher’s poem).

(Fletcher, b. 1878: married/divorced 3 times – billed as eccentric)

“I wish there were some wonderful place  Called the Land of Beginning   Again,

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches Could be dropped like a   shabby old coat at the door, And never be on again.”

IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US

Matthew 1:18-25

INTRODUCTION:

This is a joyous time of the year. Despite the setbacks and  lockdowns of 2020, this season is one that challenges us to count our  blessings. As it reminds us of blessings, it also reminds us of need.

1. What is our greatest need?

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

2. Because we needed a Savior, God came among us. Jo. 1:1-3, 14.

This is what we mean by “Incarnation.” The term literally means “in the flesh.” Although we might  sometimes use it accommodatively, however the true incarnation is Jesus  Christ: one who is truly God, who took on full humanity. The Incarnation  of Jesus Christ is set forth in the Gospels.

3. That incarnation is presented in our textual setting.

Matthew provides a genealogical list from Abraham to Jesus.  He sets forth a whole series of father-son relationships in that line.  However, when he comes to the birth of Jesus, he is very careful to  distinguish between the previous records and the realities involved when  Jesus was born.

The text demonstrates the way the Lord entered into the realm  of human beings.

1. What is distinctive about the Christian’s lifestyle?

What do we mean by “life-style?”

It is a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes.

It is the manner in which we relate to others, how we spend our time, and how we express our individuality. It is the characteristic mode of our communication and the distinctive application of our values. It is ethics, priorities, and acquired customs all rolled into our behavior that is observed by others.

What is your life-style?

2. The Christian's life-style is different.

It is different from what he was before he was a Christian. It is different from those in the world. It may even appear strange to those not in Christ.

3. What is the basis for the Christian's lifestyle?

Our text is concerned with that basis. It is important for us to see who God is and what we are to be in our relationship with him. While our anti-God atmosphere screams at us to conform, we are called by God to be different. Be Transformed! We belong to God.

This is a novel by Thomas Wolfe published posthumously  (1940).

How true!

It is demonstrated in our growing up.

Does this thought have any relevance to us as a church?

“Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary.”

This poem comes out of difficult experiences. Longfellow lost his first wife from a miscarriage; his second wife, years later, died from severe burns. 

He used “rain” as a metaphor for the difficulties/trials though which we pass.

Peter used a different analogy:

The text looks to the time of the Babylonian captivity. What a sad, difficult experience (cf. Ps. 137). The general setting anticipates the return of the captives. However, the difficult experience is likened to passing through the waters. 

PROPOSITION: We should maintain the right attitude as we “pass through the waters.”

How? Scripture stresses three basics in that attitude…

How important is it to know the ABC’s?

This is the same in the Christian life and Christian living.

These qualities should be more than simply admired: they are to be  implemented in the Christian life, as Christian disciplines.

TRYING TIMES

Psalm 25:1-22

1. Then and Now.

Then: December, 1776: George Washington and his withering  army had been pushed out of New York and were facing depressing  times. Within two weeks, the agreed-upon-time for the soldiers’  service would be up. That could mean the end of the Revolutionary  cause. Washington required his soldiers to hear the reading of  Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The American Crisis.” The first line  was, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” The soldiers  stayed with Washington, they crossed the Delaware River, and the  struggle went forward.

Now: The Coronavirus has become a pandemic. As of  8/19/20, in U.S. there have been 5.25 million cases; 167,000 have  died; and all of this since the first death of the virus on 2/29/20. As  in 1776, we can say, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”