Christmas is about a CHOICE

Series: SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

STORY – Go Tell It on the Mountain

Oh Come all Ye Faithful

First, Let’s define GLORY

The word is used in 3 senses:

Psalm 113:4

The Lord is exalted above all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Revelation 5:13

I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!

Leviticus 9:23-24

23 Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown.

For generations, God’s Glory/presence seemed gone from the world…

until…

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Now, with that understanding, let’s look at this week’s song

O come all ye faithful (Just 3 verses)

1. O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels;

2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb; Son of the Father, begotten not created;

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain: <>

O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Back to our this or that Game

Christmas is a reminder of the choice that lies before each of us… Before the world

Story of the Wise Men

Herod was king of Jerusalem

Herod was also clever…

Tricked the Wisemen…

Matthew 2

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”

9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

The Glory of God Demands Response

But God has INTERRUPTED this world with the birth of Jesus

What is our only response to the GLORY OF GOD?

We either WORSHIP Him or HATE Him

Let’s play THIS OR THAT – Luke 2 edition

Worship Jesus like the Wisemen

Choose to remain the “KING” and destroy anything that threatens your authority

You may say…

“But I’m not trying to be King…”

Here’s the key question

What are you regularly surrendering to God in recognition of his GLORY?

The gifts of the Magi were things of VALUE

What are some things of VALUE that we should be giving to God?

God is not as interested in those things as He is in other things…

Those are pretty terrible gifts…

But it’s what he wants

Chief priests to Pilot

John 19

15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered. 16 Then he handed him over to be crucified.

John 1

14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Every Culture has it’s Stories

The stories that we believe in have REAL IMPACTS in our life

We are in the middle of a “STORY REWRITE” in our culture

This week, our song is…

Go Tell It on the Mountain

1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,

behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth

rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.

3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,

and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

[Refrain]

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and ev’rywhere;

go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Later publish by John Wesley Work Jr in Late 1800s

Based on this passage…

Luke 2:8-20

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

This is HIS WORLD

We are HIS PEOPLE

Christmas is FOR us, but it’s not ABOUT us

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God coming to us, not him being separated

God is CLOSE, not far away

But it’s all GOD, the whole thing

A song like “Go Tell It On The Mountain” understands this

There is a lot of “ME” in our Christmas, which makes Christmas…

How can we help change that?

Christmas is FOR us, but it’s not ABOUT us

The Christmas Story in an INVITATION

Invitation into something BIGGER than yourself

Invitation to be a part of GOD’S STORY

BY TELLING THE STORY

17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

The power of a song like “Go Tell It On The Mountain”

The Christmas story tells us what REALLY MATTERS

Christmas is an INVITATION to see the heart of our GOD

So what is the STORY OF CHRISTMAS?

In our modern world, Christmas is all about… ANTICIPATION

Anticipation: Waiting eagerly for something you know is going to happen

The Story of Christmas is actually about a DIFFERENT type of waiting… LONGING

Longing: A strong desire, especially for something unattainable

Let’s talk about longing before we get to how it is a part of Christmas

Nostalgia – Longing for a time in the past

Sorrow – Longing for something lost

Grief – Longing for someone who is gone

Longing – The Cracked Bowl

Our hearts/souls also leak

The trouble is…

Our world offers MANY things that claim to “FILL OUR BOWL”

Things like…

Stuff – But it is never enough (The bowl leaks)

Relationships – But we always get let down (The bowl leaks)

Physical pleasure – We always have to have more (The bowl leaks)

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” ~C.S. Lewis

New Series Called…

THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS

Each week…

Taking a different song and discovering it TRUTH

O come, O come, Immanuel

Let’s look at a few lines from the song…

1 O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

4 O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o’er the grave.

5 O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death’s abode.

6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light.

7 O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

How should we respond to a song like this?

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 because his disciples had gone into town to buy food.

9 “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.”

11 “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

15 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”

16 “Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.”

17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”

The Longing in our heart must be filled with something… So make sure it’s the right thing

19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am He.”

How do we respond?

We constantly examine ourselves to make sure that our longing is not driving us to TEMPORARY THINGS

We have a HOPE-FILLED LONGING

The HOPE of Christmas is…

ALL OUR LONGING IS FILLED IN THE HOPE OF JESUS

Father in Heaven, You know my hopes, dreams, and disappointments. I have deep needs that only you can meet. Please forgive me for putting my confidence in so many other things instead of in You, the Giver of life. Help me know that You see me and know me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thankfulness changes as you age…

KEY QUESTION:

Why is Thankfulness/Gratitude so important?

Because…

Being thankful is POWERFUL

This shouldn’t surprise us…

Psalm 92:1–4

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 2 to declare your faithful love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, 3 with a ten-stringed harp and the music of a lyre. 4 For you have made me rejoice, LORD, by what you have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands.

True thankfulness is pointed at God

First, those with religious gratitude reported markedly higher levels of nonreligious gratitude.

More centrally, however, religious beliefs may provide unique opportunities to experience gratitude. While interpersonal gratitude (i.e., gratitude to another human being) can occur in the absence of religion, gratitude towards God can, by definition, only occur in the context of religion or spirituality. Further, even positive happenstance (e.g., finding money on the street) or the simple recognition of blessings in one’s life (e.g., the capacity to walk) may be catalysts for gratitude towards God, though such events are less likely to facilitate interpersonal gratitude. Religion may thus uniquely facilitate the emotion gratitude through the perception of a larger set of agents, and the broadening of circumstances in which gratitude can occur.

It was further observed that the religious gratitude group fared better on measures of happiness, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and mental health than those with secular gratitude. All differences between groups were moderate to large in magnitude…

DEFINITIONS

Gratitude + Thankfulness

It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do. ~ Pastor Timothy Keller

Title of this message is…

“What I’m MOST Thankful For”

Let’s look at a quick story…

Genesis 4

Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? 7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

This is why Paul teaches Christians…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Being grateful doesn’t mean you pretend that everything is good

“BUT IN EVERYTHING…”

This is how we pray

Philippians 4

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

What we are thankful for shows our MATURITY in the LORD

Maturity is realizing that thankfulness is not dependent on a SEASON or CIRCUMSTANCE

Thankfulness is a WEAPON in our battle for SIN and for the SOULS OF OTHERS

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Last Week – Living in the tension

Politics are downstream of philosophy (how we think) and morality (what we do)

Sum up of Daniel’s story

Chapter 1: Captivity

• Introduced to Daniel and his friends

Daniel 1

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.

Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

• Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream

Daniel 2

5 …“My word is final: If you don’t tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump.

• God answers by giving Daniel both the DETAILS of the dream and the INTERPRETATION

Daniel 2

26 The king said in reply to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me the dream I had and its interpretation?”

27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, medium, magician, or diviner is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days.

Daniel 2

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown, worshiped Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

Chapter 3: Fiery furnace

But How quickly kings forget…

Sometime in the future…

• Nebuchadnezzar builds a gold statue of himself for people to worship

Daniel 3

15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Chapters 4-5: King’s judgment

Story of what happens to those who worship power and authority

• Turns them into beasts

Chapter 6: Lions Den

New King

• Daniel was put into one of the highest seats of authority

Daniel 6

10 Daniel went into his house when he learned that the document had been signed. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

• Daniel doesn’t get eaten

The book of Daniel ultimately teaches us a PATTERN and a PROMISE

Pattern:

Worldly people and kingdoms become BEASTS when they don’t acknowledge God’s rule and Kingdom

Promise:

God will one day DEFEAT the beasts and rescue His world

• This is the tension…

We should be asking this question…

HOW could Daniel live in this TENSION?

Daniel 9

2 In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy. 3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Jeremiah 29:1

1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. 3 …The letter stated:

4 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”…

How do Christians help the nations to thrive?

John 19

10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” 11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above.

Romans 13

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

We understand that God uses both the righteous and the wicked for his purposes

BIBLICAL DISOBEDIENCE

• We follow God’s authority over ANY OTHER AUTHORITY

• Daniel did not run from authority

When the city we are in thrives, we will thrive

• We pursue human flourishing ANYWHERE, and ANY TIME we are

There is always a risk that those who are given authority will bend to worshiping it

• we are not those people

Prophetic: Speaking the revelation God’s truth, word, and way

• Even at the cost of his life

We speak truth to ALL those in charge and remind them WHO they will be accountable to

• God’s kingdom over political affiliation

We do not cozy up to those in authority, but ALWAYS SPEAK TRUTH TO THEM

• We are bound to God’s truth

This is the LIGHT IN THE DARK

• Salt of the earth

We are looking down onto our current moment from a Biblical perspective

If you are already offended, this conversation is not for you

Two-week series called:

THRIVING IN BABYLON

Historical city of beauty, power, and evil

• God used the city as judgment on the People of Israel

Babylon became a SYMBOL

Babylon is used as a symbol to represent the center of human society that is hostile to God

• Babylon symbolizes Rome in 1 Peter 5:13 and Revelation, referring to the church in Rome as “she who is at Babylon.” Like ancient Babylon, Rome was immoral and idolatrous, oppressing Judean exiles and persecuting Christians.

Like Daniel and many others, we are called to live in the tension between God’s Kingdom and worldly kingdoms.

More on Daniel next week

How do we do that?

By Living in the tension…

Rubber Band

Matthew 28:18

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We care about nations and their people, but never forget where our future lies…

20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The is only ONE messiah

Joshua 1

7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.

• Not our opinions of emotions that direct us, but God’s instruction

Let’s talk about an important question…

• The answer is YES, but why…

Tension Point #2

Leadership Matters…

• Poor leadership leads to poor outcomes

This is part of the TENSION

Many of us may have differing views on WHO or WHAT makes a good leader…

Let’s talk about HOW WE GOT HERE…

Cult – The overall belief and actions of the whole

Politics are downstream of philosophy (how we think) and morality (what we do)

• If the culture moves in one direction and politics in another direction, Culture will OVERWHELM the politics

Our current political environment is a product of the last 30-50 years of moral and philosophical changes in our culture

1: How do Christian believers need to influence our current culture to honor God more in the 20 years that it does now?

2: Who’s policies will slow or increase our society’s decay?

Christians have been the best source of THRIVING (human flourishing) over the last 2000 years

• Not perfect, but the best thing for society

>What are some examples of HISTORIC Christian Values and Morality?

Matthew 19

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, 5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

• Divorce policies (no-fault divorce)

Who benefits from healthy families?

• Children

Another historic Christian value is…

Christians believe that ALL human life reflects God’s image in creation

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.

• End of slavery in the west

It also led to our country’s founders writing…

Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

• Have not lived up to that standard, but it is still unique to our country

In any country that they live, Christians should be about trying to make a “RIGHT” society

• A society that does right both before God and for its people

>>A right society protects the most vulnerable

• Poor

>>A right society teaches and promotes the responsibility of the individual for the collective

2 Thessalonians 3:10

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

• Why we do the things we do matters…

>>A right Society instructs and enforces righteous morality

Don’t get gaslighted by saying like:

“Don’t try to legislate your morality!”

• All legislation IS MORALITY

The Morality a Government endorses has consequences

Good – The FLOURISHING of people and society (especially women and children)

Bad – Crime, instability, destruction (especially women and children)

• The thief imposes violence on the victim

What is the Role of Government

• Maintaining law and order

Romans 13

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason.

Why should we care about politics as Christians?

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

We care about government and politics because they affect Human Flourishing

Politics matters because policy matters because people matter. ~ Allie B Stuckey

The problem isn’t that the church has gotten more “political” but that the government has gotten more Philosophical

Things to think pray through the country votes:

• Most Christians in history have never heard “Democrat” or “Republican”

2: A vote is NOT a valentine ~ Josh Howerton

• You are voting for POLICIES, not just the person

3: You are called to love your neighbor/enemy on Wednesday the same as you are today

For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Week 1…

Week 2…

Week 3…

Week 4:

Ephesians 6:10-18

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

How do we stand? How do we fight for our life?

With a plan for Battle!

• How do you stand when things aren’t going well/your way?

A plan for battle…

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Recognize your season so you can fight the enemy properly

• Distraction

Some seasons are Outward

• Season of life

Your season can make it seem like you are drowning

• Your enemy will use this to his advantage

A plan for battle…

Sin Separates

• People from God

James 1:14-15

14 Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you. ~ John Owen (1600’s)

• Don’t be convinced that your sin is “neutral”

**SOME Examples of Sneaky Sin**

• What we think

John Owen’s “The Mortification of Sin”

1. Diagnose sin’s severity

Romans 8

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

A plan for battle…

Romans 8

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

“MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR DAD…”

MY DAD CAN BEAT UP MY DEVIL”

Children expect good things

Children trust their father

Some of you did not have healthy relationships with you fathers, but God is not that kind of father, He is a GOOD FATHER

A plan for battle…

Genesis 2:18

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”

• Strength in numbers

Hebrews 10

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Romans 8

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Fight the good fight!

Silence in your prayer life is hard…

• Many of us have laid prayer aside

Prayer is a POWERFUL weapon against Darkness

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE

Know that you are a part of a spiritual battle

Walk in the light because there are monsters who destroy in the dark

Wear the “uniform” of the Christ believer

• Let’s look at what was happening during Paul’s ministry

Acts 19

23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods. 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.

• This stuff is real

Our culture has its own “Artemis”

• Power

What part does prayer play when fighting for our life?

Ephesians 1:16-23

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Paul breaks down knowing God into important sections

Prayer and scripture study are the PRIMARY ways we know God

• Know His heart

Must have a balance between Scripture and Prayer

• Not one or the other

The hope of his calling looks to the time when God will fully redeem us

• because God changes our hearts

Prayer helps us keep the things of God in our hearts and minds

Prayer reminds us of this

We are only able to fight against the kingdom of darkness through the Power of the Holy Spirit

This is what Paul says about the power of the Spirit…

Ephesians 1:19-23

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Prayer serves another major purpose…

Ephesians 6

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

• Only about us

Paul points us to the reality that PRAYER MATTERS for the advancement of the kingdom

Pray in the spirit

• Knowing God

Pray with Perseverance

• Dedication

Pray in Intercession

• For the church

Prayer should NEVER be just about yourself but about advancing the Kingdom of God

• Not just your problems

The reason prayer hasn’t seemed to be effective is because you pray SELFISH PRAYERS

Prayer is POWERFUL

• It’s effective in our lives and in our WORLD

Prayer is a GIFT

• God calls us to partner with Him

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.

Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In the innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.

Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.

Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From everyone who desires me ill, Afar and a near, Alone or in a multitude.

Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation

Uniforms have two purposes

1: Identity

Emergency situations

professional situations

Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle

We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark

The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life

Background:

Paul in Ephesus

• Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here…

• Don’t get lost in the analogy

Armor is what you actively choose to use

• it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God

The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM

“Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship

• Learning to follow Jesus

Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…

What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling?

• Foundation – What we think

We are all building our lives on a truth

• It surrounds and envelopes you

Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin”

• The Enemy’s “TRUTH”

We speak the truth as we live in the truth

• Partner with truth

Declaration of Truth

I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life

• What does he mean by righteousness?

My old self is GONE

• New Creation

Guard your heart… (proverbs)

We are made righteous, so now act righteously

My behavior

• Righteousness guards us

Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack

• Seasons of doubt connected to sin

What does it look like to live righteously?

To live for righteousness means we wholeheartedly realize that sin does not please God

• we pursue holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and actions

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I choose to make the right choices in alignment with God’s word and will. I can trust that the righteousness of Christ guards my heart.

• What is the gospel of Peace in the context of the story the Bible is telling?

Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus is Peace to the world

• Rebellion against God = Chaos

Gospel = Jesus is king

• We are no longer separated from our father

It’s not whether you will go or not

• But whether you will carry the PEACE OF THE GOSPEL or BROKENNESS

Isaiah 52:7

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

To fight for my life…

I choose to be a peacemaker and a peace bringer by carrying the good news of grace and salvation. I can bring peace to chaos through the light of the gospel of Jesus

• What is faith? Why a shield

Faith is TRUST and HOPE in someone or something

Protection from circumstances and lies

• Trials

Shields us and stops the darts of doubt and temptation

What God has for me is better than this temptation.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• God is FAITHFUL to we can TRUST HIM

Our trust in the Lord is stronger than our struggle

I choose to trust God and not lies, deceit, or circumstances. I can hold strong in any storm because my God is with me.

• What does he mean by “Salvation?”

Foundation: I am secure in Christ through His salvation

• satan attacks the mind

Knowing what you believe

• Who you belong to

When the enemy attacks your mind, you remind yourself who saved you

• You are not Who you were

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I choose to rest in the knowledge that I am loved, redeemed, and called by God. I can understand my place in God’s family and plan for the world.

Study about reading the Bible

https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf

3 days or less per week = No significant effect

• Getting drunk = 57% lower odds

Also increased…

• Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds

God’s word is how we fight

• One offensive tool

The gospel and all of scripture

• In the desert temptation

How is it effective?

• Gives discernment

2 Timothy 3:15-17

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

To fight for my life…

I choose to rebuke evil through the word of God’s truth. I can fight with a victory mindset because nothing overcomes my God and his revealed word.