in: (R) Luke 18: 31 33

Transcription

1 Relentless Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem [ ] [I came across] the most amazing Christmas passage ~ I think you are going to love it! (R) Luke 9: 51 or p. 791 in pew Bible as His time drew near to ascend to Heaven, He resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Jerusalem meant one thing for Jesus = certain death. He was under no illusions that His death would be quick & heroic ~ Jesus predicted in: (R) Luke 18: When Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, He set His face to DIE. Jesus resolved to FULFILL the MISSION for which God sent Him into the world. For the Son of Man came to seek & save those who are lost. [Luke 19:10] Serious time /Serious moment in the lives of the disciples = Jesus is [about to ascend into Heaven], leaving them [in charge] of His Father s mission! It s time ~ apprenticeship is over ~ life & leadership lessons are finished ~ It s time! SURELY their attitudes & questions will be DIFFERENT now [surely] Let s check in on them ~ SO WHAT S on their minds at this critical moment? 1

2 I. Series of stupid questions J A. (R) Luke 9: What s the pressing issue for the (12) disciples at this critical moment, as He resolutely sets out for Jerusalem? That s right = they are arguing over who s the greatest disciple J 2. What s the new seating chart in the Kingdom of God = exactly what s the pecking order going to be, who will be seen as the greatest? 3. So much for Jesus great lessons on, 1 st being last & the last being 1 st ; J [Surely], the next conversation is going to be a little more spiritual J B. (R) Luke 9: So, what s the next pressing issue on the disciples mind that day? That s right = Jesus make him stop casting out demons b-c he isn t part of our club! 2. REALLY J C. (R) Luke 9: = this is my favorite question J 1. [Surely] this next conversation will show the fruit of Jesus teaching from them being with HIM for the last (2+) years, now is the disciple s time to shine. 2. (R) Luke 9: 54 2

3 3. YOU VE got to love this last question = Jesus, let s call down fire from Heaven and burn them up. Didn t know better you d think (2) James & John were hillbillies from E. TN J So much for His finest sermon ever recorded = love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. Luke 6: 27 So how did Jesus respond = just like you might think = (R) Luke 9: Had to be demoralizing ~ the disciples had completely MISSED WHY God had come down to planet earth = they were totally self-absorbed in peripheral matters. Just like many of us this Christmas = it s easy to MISS the JOY of Christmas, in the midst of the hustle & bustle & heartache of the season. It s terribly easy to put yourself on automatic pilot; & JUST SURVIVE the Christmas season w-out even seeking its real meaning & joy L So here are some simple ideas of How to put JOY back into Christmas & NOT MISS its sacred meaning! II. Simple ideas to restore JOY & MEANING into this Christmas A. 1 st idea = PRAY [ask God] 3

4 Tell God what He already knows Tell Him about all the added pressure you are feeling from shopping + Christmas parities + decorating + family visits + being lonely Ask Him to remind you of the true & beautiful meaning of Christmas = Tell God you long for Christmas to be pure & purposeful. Ask God to surprise you and your family in a special way this Christmas! Ask God to bless those families of deployed troops + victims of shootings in CT + those people who have lost loved ones in the last year. B. 2 nd idea = FORGIVE [someone or maybe yourself] Many of us have someone in our lives that has wronged us + has wounded us + who has hurt us deeply = their memory haunts us every day. Some of you need to forgive yourself ~ you did some really stupid things + your were really narcissistic, you ve repented = NOW FORGIVE YOURSELF! Matt 6: 14 15, If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Remember you cannot be right with God until we are right with one another! IN MEXICO last weekend (Dan taught these principles on forgiveness) Forgiveness is admitting the pain (but) not nurturing the pain. Forgiveness is treating the person as an individual created by God. Forgiveness is releasing the right to revenge ~ cancelling the debt ~ it is extravagant generosity! Ø Forgiveness is not forgetting nor discounting the wrong; Ø Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness nor is it inviting more wrong 4

5 Ø Forgiveness is not the same as trust or restoring a relationship to a dangerous person! C. 3 rd idea = COUNT [your blessings] Psalm 50:23 but giving thanks is a sacrifice that honors God. Find a quiet place ~ take your computer or a pen and paper and list all the many things to be thankful for = THIS WILL RESTORE JOY QUICKLY = make sure to say thank you to God for all of these gifts! James 1: 17, whatever is good and perfect comes down from God our Father. D. 4 th idea = RECONSIDER [gift giving] 1. Jesus, our reason, for the season received (3) gifts on the very 1 st Christmas: Now, I m not recommending you give your loved ones gold, frankincense, & myrrh I do recommend you consider the number of gifts you give each person. If your LIVING ROOM resembles Toys R US on Christmas = nice idea J 2. Less gifts = Less expenses + Less wrapping + Less shopping time = JOY E. 5 th idea = BE GENEROUS [great way to Love God & Love Others] Christmas offering will go to: 1. 1 st FOOD for the hungry in our own back-yard 5

6 2. 2 nd WATER for the thirsty in Kenya [INSERT] water stats 3. 3 rd JESUS for eternal life [INSERT] Jesus Film will bring a new language translation of the story of salvation to over 250,000 people in Guatemala in their native language. Audacious Goal = $112 for all (3) projects = 37k per project F. Final idea = MAKE ROOM [for Jesus] Spend Christmas Eve with us or if you are your home church Make room in your schedule to honor God As you look up + As you look around + As you look beyond yourself the JOY and MEANING of Christmas is restored! 6