Family and friends. Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Lunches and dinners. Singing, caroling, spreading Christmas cheer. Snow and fires. Presents too, and from, the ones God has placed into our lives.
This time of year, we even think about Church more right!? Even the CEO’s (Christmas and Easter Only) join the Church scene. (Let us pray for all of God’s Children to find a Church home. The Church being built by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that preaches the Truth from the Word of God…Amen!)
Yes, the Christmas season is a time of joy…creating moments that stay with us throughout our lives.
And with all the hustle and bustle going on…it is easy to take in all the joy…and brush aside the main thing.
And you may often hear… “Let us remember the reason for the season.” Which, yes, we must all remember the reason for the season…Jesus, Jesus, and oh yea…Jesus.
And the reason the season was even necessary was for one MAIN reason…SIN. Jesus came to seek and save the lost because that’s exactly what we ALL are…LOST IN SIN. We all need a Savior.
John 3:16 is probably the most quoted Bible verse. God gave His one and only Son. Why? Glad you asked… For whoever believes in Jesus could have the ultimate gift…eternal life with Jesus and all the Saints of the Church.
Praise be to God…Jesus offers the ultimate gift, eternal life. Why? Thanks for asking. Because He loves us. Jesus loves those who believe in Him. Those who love what He loves…and detest what He detests.
Those who love what He loves, and detest what He detests are brothers and sisters in Christ…And Jesus is building His Church with His brothers and sisters. Why? Great questions! To bring His family together to Praise God and arm believers, equip the Saints, with the tools to battle SIN. Jesus loves working through us to share the Truth…the reason for the season.
Why? Where do you come up with all these questions?! Amazing. To be transformed and rid ourselves of sin… the whole goal is to be CHANGED. Jesus does that…and He loves working through His Church family to accomplish the mission of change!
The gift of God…the gift of the Church…is that we come as we are…BUT WE DON’T STAY THAT WAY!
Look, we have “churches” and Christians that are more concerned in what offends others…than what offends the Holy Spirit! There are those among us who care more about offending people who hate God…than who care about NOT offending the Holy Spirit.
What offends? Sin…Sin…the True reason for the season…the reason Jesus came to earth in human flesh… (Your questions are spot on! Glad you keep asking!)
We have “churches” (and if they do this, they are not a church) that place or paint pride flags (just one example) in or around the church! You know what that is…a synagogue of satan…not a Church!
Christians, and “churches,” are cheering people down a wide path that will lead them to hell. Christians, and “churches,” affirm the sin of others are in sin…and God detests it.
“Woe to you!” Jesus repeatedly said in Matthew 23.
And in Matthew 11, “Woe to you! Because look, Scripture is clear, it would have been better for Sodom and Gomorrah because if they had access to the Revelation that WE all do now, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
What are some Christians and “churches” doing instead? (Awesome question, your paying attention!) Repenting for not affirming sin! Repenting for “offending” others…while offending the Holy Spirit… ignoring the very reason for the season…Jesus…and why He came here…sin.
Jesus came, born in human flesh, to save us from the consequences of sin…eternal separation from God…hell. That is the reality.
Yes, God loves His children (He gave His only son).
Jesus wants to indwell our hearts (He gave up His life, defeated death and sin, for His family). Praise be to God!
Jesus is real. Jesus really came here in human flesh. And the real Jesus died on a real cross for us… Who is “us?” (Good, not asleep yet.) Those who believe in Him as John 3:16 confirms.
Take this season…open up your heart to Jesus…and give Him your life…He can change it forever. Tell anyone that God places before you about the realness of the season!
The Church is not a bunch of good people telling bad people how to be good. Nope, not at all. The Church is a bunch of forgiven sinners telling everybody that Jesus came to earth to seek and save anybody…the lost, the broken, the beaten down…sinners.
The reason for the season is that we are all sinners…and Jesus promises us that He can transform us…help us be born again. Born again into a life that is Spirit led…not sin led.
Find a Church that guides you away from sin…away from the wide path of destruction.
Trust Jesus to show you the reason for the season because you were wonderfully made in the image of God. God loves you.
Jesus is building His Church…with His brothers and sisters. Take this season to find a Church that loves His Word. A Church that seeks to welcome everyone just as they are… and knows NONE will stay that way.
Trust Jesus to transform!
The path to righteous living is a journey together.
Tis the season for a reason…Thank you Jesus!
I would love to speak with anyone seeking a relationship with Jesus!
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
