Costs Of Christmas: John Isaacs Kingsway Community Church December 16, 2007
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Costs of Christmas John Isaacs KingsWay Community Church December 16, 2007
“The Christmas Story is so clear that there is little need of learned interpretation. It is only necessary to ponder it well, to contemplate it, and to take it completely into your heart. None will derive more benefit from it than they whose hearts hold still and who divest themselves of material considerations and concentrate diligently on it.
This lesson is just like (the reflection of) the sun: in a quiet and still pond it can be seen clearly and warms the water powerfully, but in a rushing current it cannot be seen as well nor can it warm up the water as much. So if you wish to be illumined and warmed here, to see God's mercy and wondrous deeds, so that your heart is filled with fire and light and
becomes reverent and joyous, then go to where you may be still and impress the picture of Christmas deep into your heart.” - Martin Luther
What Does Christmas Cost? • It will costs each American $795.86 if they celebrate Christmas in 2007. • Gifts will costs each shopper an average of $607.00. • Shoppers will spend $454.00 on presents for members of their family.
What Does Christmas Cost? • Shoppers will shell out $91.83 on food during the holidays. • Americans will buy 8 billion candy canes. • We will buy 31 million real Christmas trees.
What Does Christmas Cost? • We will send 2 billion cards through the postal service. • Each of us will spend around $18.00 on Poinsettias. • The grand total spent in America for Christmas in 2007 will be $154 billion.
Matthew 2:1-12 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." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 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
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
1. Expensive for the Wise Men • Two years out of their lives. • They traveled over 600 miles on camels. • They gave up some of their own treasure in paying homage to a new King.
Luke 1:26-38 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 37 "For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
2. Expensive for Mary • Could mean the end of her relationship with Joseph. • Could mean being a single mom and never getting married. • Could mean being disowned by her family and left to support herself and this new child.
2. Expensive for Mary • Could mean being shunned by the community and even the risk of being stoned. • At the least, she would be forced to live with the embarrassment of an untimely pregnancy in a small town for the rest of her life.
3. Expensive for Joseph • Turned his whole life upside down. • Embarrassed by Mary’s condition. • Then had to take her to Bethlehem. • Pained by the reality of only being able to provide room in a stable.
3. Expensive for Joseph • Then an angel appears and tells him he has to take his new family to Egypt. • He departs not knowing how long they will be in Egypt or if they will ever be able to return home.
Philippians 2:5-8 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
4. Expensive for Jesus • He gave up His place in the eternal Godhead. • He was reduced to become man. • He suffered being misunderstood and rejected by His kinsmen. • He was accused of being Satan.
4. Expensive for Jesus • He was accused of blasphemy against God. • He was accused of being a law breaker by the religious leaders. • He was publicly arrested, convicted, flogged and executed with criminals.
Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
5. Expensive for Us • Like the three Wise Men, it will cost our time and treasure to worship Christ as the King of Kings. • True worship requires that we give all that we have. Our whole lives – on the alter – presented in service to Him as the Lord of Lords.
5. Expensive for Us • Like Joseph, it will turn our predictable and comfortable worlds upside down. • It will mean giving everything we have to serve God’s purpose. • It will mean giving up the plans we have for our lives as we surrender to His plans for us.
5. Expensive for Us • Like Mary, it will costs us our right to self-determination. • It means we have to give up being in control of our lives. • It means we need to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word.”
5. Expensive for Us • Like Jesus, it could mean that we suffer the pain and humiliation of being misunderstood and falsely accused. • It could mean that we suffer even the sacrifice of our own family in order to serve God.
Were The Costs Worth It? • The three Wise Men were the first to proclaim Jesus as King. • Joseph had the privilege of raising the Messiah. • Mary was blessed and honored above all women as the mother of the Son of God.
Were The Costs Worth It? • Jesus, the Son of God was exalted to the highest place of heaven – to be seated at the right hand of God the Father. • All of creation will bow before Him and proclaim that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Are the costs worth it to us?
Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Ephesians 2:19-22 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:19-22 (cont.) 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Children of God Joint Heirs with Christ Glorified with Christ Fellow Citizens Members of God’s Household
A Holy Temple A Dwelling Place of God A Royal Priesthood God’s Special People Having Obtained Mercy
O Little Town of Bethlehem O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide in us, Our Lord Immanuel.
“The Christmas Story is so clear that there is little need of learned interpretation. It is only necessary to ponder it well, to contemplate it, and to take it completely into your heart. None will derive more benefit from it than they whose hearts hold still and who divest themselves of material considerations and concentrate diligently on it.
This lesson is just like (the reflection of) the sun: in a quiet and still pond it can be seen clearly and warms the water powerfully, but in a rushing current it cannot be seen as well nor can it warm up the water as much. So if you wish to be illumined and warmed here, to see God's mercy and wondrous deeds, so that your heart is filled with fire and light and
becomes reverent and joyous, then go to where you may be still and impress the picture of Christmas deep into your heart.” - Martin Luther
What Does Christmas Cost? • It will costs each American $795.86 if they celebrate Christmas in 2007. • Gifts will costs each shopper an average of $607.00. • Shoppers will spend $454.00 on presents for members of their family.
What Does Christmas Cost? • Shoppers will shell out $91.83 on food during the holidays. • Americans will buy 8 billion candy canes. • We will buy 31 million real Christmas trees.
What Does Christmas Cost? • We will send 2 billion cards through the postal service. • Each of us will spend around $18.00 on Poinsettias. • The grand total spent in America for Christmas in 2007 will be $154 billion.
Matthew 2:1-12 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." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) 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
Matthew 2:1-12 (cont.) Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
1. Expensive for the Wise Men • Two years out of their lives. • They traveled over 600 miles on camels. • They gave up some of their own treasure in paying homage to a new King.
Luke 1:26-38 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
Luke 1:26-38 (cont.) 37 "For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
2. Expensive for Mary • Could mean the end of her relationship with Joseph. • Could mean being a single mom and never getting married. • Could mean being disowned by her family and left to support herself and this new child.
2. Expensive for Mary • Could mean being shunned by the community and even the risk of being stoned. • At the least, she would be forced to live with the embarrassment of an untimely pregnancy in a small town for the rest of her life.
3. Expensive for Joseph • Turned his whole life upside down. • Embarrassed by Mary’s condition. • Then had to take her to Bethlehem. • Pained by the reality of only being able to provide room in a stable.
3. Expensive for Joseph • Then an angel appears and tells him he has to take his new family to Egypt. • He departs not knowing how long they will be in Egypt or if they will ever be able to return home.
Philippians 2:5-8 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
4. Expensive for Jesus • He gave up His place in the eternal Godhead. • He was reduced to become man. • He suffered being misunderstood and rejected by His kinsmen. • He was accused of being Satan.
4. Expensive for Jesus • He was accused of blasphemy against God. • He was accused of being a law breaker by the religious leaders. • He was publicly arrested, convicted, flogged and executed with criminals.
Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
5. Expensive for Us • Like the three Wise Men, it will cost our time and treasure to worship Christ as the King of Kings. • True worship requires that we give all that we have. Our whole lives – on the alter – presented in service to Him as the Lord of Lords.
5. Expensive for Us • Like Joseph, it will turn our predictable and comfortable worlds upside down. • It will mean giving everything we have to serve God’s purpose. • It will mean giving up the plans we have for our lives as we surrender to His plans for us.
5. Expensive for Us • Like Mary, it will costs us our right to self-determination. • It means we have to give up being in control of our lives. • It means we need to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word.”
5. Expensive for Us • Like Jesus, it could mean that we suffer the pain and humiliation of being misunderstood and falsely accused. • It could mean that we suffer even the sacrifice of our own family in order to serve God.
Were The Costs Worth It? • The three Wise Men were the first to proclaim Jesus as King. • Joseph had the privilege of raising the Messiah. • Mary was blessed and honored above all women as the mother of the Son of God.
Were The Costs Worth It? • Jesus, the Son of God was exalted to the highest place of heaven – to be seated at the right hand of God the Father. • All of creation will bow before Him and proclaim that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Are the costs worth it to us?
Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirsheirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Ephesians 2:19-22 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:19-22 (cont.) 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Children of God Joint Heirs with Christ Glorified with Christ Fellow Citizens Members of God’s Household
A Holy Temple A Dwelling Place of God A Royal Priesthood God’s Special People Having Obtained Mercy
O Little Town of Bethlehem O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide in us, Our Lord Immanuel.
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