Who doesn’t love getting gifts? One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was when I was 14. I was taking drum lessons and using cheap three piece starter set. But that Christmas I got one of the best gifts ever… a blue Pearl Export Drum Set!

On the other hand, it’s amazing giving gifts too. The best gift I’ve ever given was a diamond engagement ring! She said yes and the rest is history!

Here’s the point… CHRISTmas really is all about GIFTS! That was the title to my message this CHRISTmas. It was one of my all time favorite messages to share and I hope it blesses you too. HERE is a link.

God is the Ultimate Christmas Gift Giver

Every good and perfect GIFT is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

~James 1:17

The PRIMARY good and perfect Gift from above was God giving the world His Son Jesus!

Jesus is not a fairy tale or a story in an old book! God literally sent His Son, born of a virgin, as history records and was changed forever!

Jesus wasn’t just a baby in a manger either… God, in Jesus became a man… and He was full of GIFTS for you and me and the whole world!

The CHRISTmas Gifts of GRACE and TRUTH

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory (God-like characteristics/essence), the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH.

~John 1:14

Jesus was FULL of GRACE and TRUTH…

• GRACE = simply the unmerited favor of God.
  • GRACE is the primary difference between the faith of Christianity & religion. We love and serve because of what God did for us in Jesus (“I can love because God loves me…”)
  • Religion = we love & serve to earn God’s favor.

Jesus was FULL of this gift of GRACE. He came for all of us who aren’t good enough, don’t love, serve, give enough, and aren’t religious enough. That’s the gift of GRACE!

• TRUTH = simply truthfulness.
  • Jesus ALWAYS lived with integrity, His life always lined up with what was true. And He always spoke the truth.
  • If we want to know what integrity looks like, look at Jesus. If we want to know what’s true about life, meaning, purpose, and find our way back to God, listen to what Jesus said!

If all God gave was GRACE and TRUTH, we would have a lifetime of Merry CHRISTmases! But there’s one more GIFT I think we ought to mention that’s central to CHRISTmas…

The CHRISTmas Gift of LOVE

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16

God gave us the gifts of GRACE and TRUTH in Jesus because HE SO LOVED the WORLD!

• LOVE = always sacrificial, always costs something, considers the need of the other. 
  • God sacrificed the costliest of all, His son, because He knew our greatest need was to be RESTORED back to Him.
  • I loved that Blue Pearl Export Drum Set! And I’ve received and given some great gifts through the years. But there is NOTHING… no gift, no desire any human being could ever need that’s greater than God’s LOVE!

WHY does God love the world?

• He created the world perfectly for humans to enjoy and to literally walk in God’s presence every day.
• Because God LOVES He didn’t FORCE us to obey Him; He gave us a choice. And as any of us would have, Adam and Eve chose their own way rather than God’s way.
• Because of that first act of rebellion toward God we live in a world that is broken. It’s not the way God created it to be.
• BUT… God so LOVED the world, He wants every person to be RESTORED to His original purpose, so He GAVE Jesus to bring the CHRISTmas gifts of His GRACE, TRUTH, and LOVE!

CONCLUSION: as you soak in the gifts of Christmas, remember that God’s gifts are meant to be passed on. Be a generous giver of the gifts of GRACE, TRUTH, and LOVE this week and as you head into the New Year. May God richly bless you and make you a blessing!

Christmas can and should be a time of great JOY! The first Christmas started with a message that included GOOD NEWS… of GREAT JOY… for ALL PEOPLE! There’s no three easy steps to live a life of joy. But there is a secret…

Yesterday I preached, “Jesus is Restoring Joy.” I’ll give you a hint… Jesus is the secret to experiencing JOY this Christmas. Have a listen, download the Way of Life Plan, and take steps to enjoy more JOY this Christmas! Below are some further encouragements from the birth announcement of Jesus.

Luke 2:8-11, Good New of GREAT Joy!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

JOY for SHEPHERDS… really???

• Shepherds were socially looked down upon in Jesus’ day.
• Their work made them ceremonially unclean, and they had a reputation for being untrustworthy.
• In fact, their testimony was not allowed in a court of law! No rights, treated as less than people! God sent GOOD NEWS first to the lowly and humble. Jesus knows how to restore JOY to the lowly and humble! This truly is GOOD NEWS!

Let’s unpack the words of the angel…

• Do not be afraid – The angel reassured the frightened shepherds. His appearing signaled an occasion for JOY, not FEAR! Same for us!

• Good News – The Advent or Christmas Season is all about Good News! We’ve got GOOD NEWS ya’ll! The cultural and socioeconomic situation the people in Israel faced needed GOOD NEWS… And if there ever was a time when our world needed GOOD NEWS, it’s now!

• Great (MEGA) JOY – Jesus was, and is, and will RESTORE JOY! Jesus brings people who are separated from God, broken because of SIN, and makes them His beloved sons and daughters! This is GOOD NEWS that ALWAYS results in GREAT JOY!

• For ALL the people – First brought to the lowly… but for all, the Roman soldiers and top ranking officials, the high up and powerful (Pharisees, High Priest, Lawyers), the Jew AND the Gentile!

Gal 3:26, 28 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus… 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.

• Today – This event happened that day, at a specific time in history. This is not a fable but is rooted in time.

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman... (Galatians 4:4)

• Town of David – In order to fulfill the promise of salvation, Jesus had to be a direct descendant of King David. The Advent story is Good News for many reasons, here is a significant and encouraging reason… God promised to send a Savior/Messiah! Since He promised, and He is ALWAYS faithful, Jesus HAD to be born. 

• Savior – The name “Jesus” means Savior, or Deliverer. He came to suffer and die to rescue/deliver us from the consequence… death… of our sins.

• Born to you – Christmas must always be personal. Specifically, the angel announced that the birth of Jesus was for them personally. Jesus was born “to you” too!

• Messiah – Christ; Anointed One. The long-awaited one sent from God.

• Lord – King of Kings. “The government will rest on His shoulders and He will reign in justice and mercy forever and ever.” Jesus is God and thus demands our total submission and full allegiance.

The GOOD NEWS is that in the town of Bethlehem… according to ancient prophecy; on a certain day in history according to God’s eternal plan, a SAVIOR was born, Who was Jesus, the CHRIST, the LORD!

Because of this GOOD NEWS you and I can have JOY that is inexpressible. God has identified Himself with you and I, when we were unable to identify with Him.

You can have JOY no matter your circumstances, because the baby born in a feeding trough who came to set you free!

You can have JOY, my friends because of Jesus… and it’s JOY that no one can take away! Jesus is MY JOY! Say it with me, Jesus is MY JOY! Say it often this week, when you feel stressed, frustrated, let down… say JESUS, YOU ARE MY JOY!!!!

Rejoice with me as I read some of the words from the great Christmas hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel…

“O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations,

Bind all peoples in one heart and mind;

Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;

Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

(Has) come to thee, O Israel!”

CONCLUSION

Life can be very hard. But God is always good. If your JOY is Jesus then NOTHING can take it away. Say it with me, “Jesus, YOU ARE MY JOY!”

I LOVE this time of year… something about the colder weather, Christmas decorations, delicious goodies, gatherings and celebrations, Christmas music, Charlie Brown specials, watching ELF, the Michael Buble Christmas special, and so on. Can you relate?

But for too many people the joy of the holiday is as hollow as your neighbor’s snowman lawn inflatable. Take your pick of the holiday stress increasers:

• Less time to get more done
• Increased expenses and financial pressure
• Awkward family gatherings at “uncle Fred’s” place
• Having to get that “just right” gift
• Reminders of painful loss or personal crisis

On Sunday I shared this message, “Jesus is Restoring Peace.” I hope it encourages you to embrace Jesus as your PEACE during this Advent season.

While many struggle to find peace w/out God, He is NEVER short on offering it. In fact, God is PASSIONATE about RESTORING PEACE!

God’s Promise… The Prince of PEACE!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 

 

ISA 9:6-7

The One God sent to rescue people out of darkness and into light, was the Prince of Peace! Jesus is not a cosmic kill joy or angry judge. He is the ruler of PEACE! This is GOOD NEWS!!!

Jesus Came to Restore PEACE

All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

JOHN 14:25-27

NOT as the World Gives Peace

Notice Jesus doesn’t give peace as the world gives… How does the world give peace? Temporary at best! (things, power, position, even serving and generosity are often about how it makes ME feel)

Jesus Gives Real PEACE

How does God give peace? His faithful, never failing promises that can NEVER be broken!

For example:

• If you want to follow Jesus, Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
• If you want to be in healthy relationships, Eph 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

As we soak in and LISTEN to God’s promises, the Holy Spirit bears more of His fruit in us, which includes peace!

Peace is Really About ONE THING

Restoring PEACE this Advent season comes down to one thing… JESUS… restoring Him to the center of our lives.

The way we attempt to do that is our (at Restoration Church) Way of Life… It’s how we seek to live centered in Jesus. Jesus doesn’t barge into our lives and make everything right. He shows up at the door of our hearts and knocks… it’s up to us to not only let Him; but to give Him access to every area of our lives, every room of the house!

Way of Life Plan

Our church is developing a plan to help us take steps of growth in the core areas of spiritual formation. Our Way of Life includes five spiritual formation rhythms. Growing in this Jesus-centered Way of Life is a sure fire way to experience PEACE this Advent season!

HERE is a link to our Way of Life Plan. You can use this to develop your own plan. May God use this to bring great PEACE and JOY into your life.

CONCLUSION

We’re three weeks from Christmas Day. Join me in making this a Jesus-centered season like none before. Let’s let Jesus into every area, every room, and experience the Peace that only He can bring! Let’s do this together and end 2016 and start the New Year truly joining the RESTORATION that God is bringing, starting IN us!

QUESTION: what are you doing this season to experience more peace?