MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
December 23, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011, Part 1

Think with me. You are mostly going to be giving and receiving gifts this week and next. I want to look at both sides of that with you. It is better to be the giver, right? Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" There is a thrill to have picked out that great gift and to watch the person open it. How would you feel if they would just keep it under the tree and when they packed up the tree they packed up the gift too? That would not make me happy, how about you? What if you have a son that races and you get him a fire suit or a cool new helmet? How about a new engine? Instead he just ran around in last year’s tired motor when he could have a bunch of new, fresh power. You might even get a little ticked off at him wondering why he didn’t open the gift up and he just replied, “I didn’t want to and I may or may not get around to it later, or maybe not at all.”

Let’s turn the table and think about being the receiver of a gift. Someone took the time to think of you and get a gift you wanted. Like a sponsor buying gas or tires for a season and instead of receiving, opening it you just say, “no thanks.” That would be ridiculous. Teams are begging for money to get on the track. Instead we look forward to grabbing that wrapping paper and ripping it open to see what is there.

Now let’s think of this from a Jesus view. Jesus has a gift, is a gift for each one of us. God has given a gift of His Son, John 3:16 "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". In that gift is a second gift, Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". This is how it is describes it, 2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" Yes, in Christmas we celebrate that tremendous gift of Jesus, God, coming to us ready and willing to pay for our sin so that we have a way to and for salvation, a sure foundation, Isaiah 33:6 "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure". But we are told we have to receive it, John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God". God desires for each of us to be saved. How silly or foolish I was not to receive that gift for so long. I am grateful God did not end my life before I opened His indescribable gift. What a pity it is to not open His gift of salvation. It is the very best gift of a Christmas, to see one you care about get saved.

DON’T miss it! Recognize your sin and need for the LORD, the Savior, for the gift. Turn to Him (Repent). Call out to Him and receive the gift of salvation. DO it now. Do not go another Christmas leaving the greatest gift under the tree for God desires for all to be saved, 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance".

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011, Part 2

So you have read the first part and said, “I opened that gift up years ago.” I say, “Praise the LORD!” Or maybe you just got saved. I want to talk with you now. Did you know there are gifts for you under the tree from the LORD yet?

Of course the most valuable gift is salvation but God leaves us gifts like kindness, mercy, grace, love, faithfulness compassion, forgiveness and so on. To the saved there is a gift that is vital to open and God continues to replenish this gift. Think of the same principles as above, a giver and a receiver. The giver wants His gift to be opened and used and the receiver should open and use the gift given.

God also wants us to be renewed daily along with repenting of sin, turning from sin and our old nature. As believers we are to live a life of continual repenting. There will always be sin to deal with but there is no greater joy than to be found broken and humble before the LORD. 1 Corinthians 7:7 "I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God;" Yes God has given each of us a gift to be used for His glory and to point others to Him. It is a sad thing to leave the gift God has give to you wrapped and under the tree. He has prepared a good work for each of us.

It is also a sad thing to hear of or to live a life of non-repentance, another gift God grants us. We do not want a hardened heart (Hebrews 3:7b-8 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion), calloused heart (Psalm 17:10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance and Matthew 13:15.) that breaks down fellowship with the Lord. Anytime that happens it is as if we are saying we are more important than what God thinks and knows and wills is right and holy. It is always centered in pride and we do not want to be found that way.

Is there a sin you need to deal with in confession and repentance? Christmas will be some much better if we come clean on a sin, own up to it and deal with it as the Lord wants us to.

God bless your Christmas and Merry Christmas. See you at a track soon and have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd

Feel free to contact me at:
torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com, 608-630-7301 or 512 Chippewa Court, DeForest, WI 53532