Moving Forward In Christ, New Year's Sermon, 2013

As we stand here in the final 48 hours of 2012, and we look ahead to 2013, it is a good time to reflect on the year that is ending and to look forward into the year that is soon to begin. It is also a good time for God’s people to take inventory of their walk with the Lord. Of course just like every year, people all over the world are at this very moment pre-occupied with planning their celebrations for New Year’s Eve, and also are busy writing down their resolutions for the New Year. I ask you today that as we go through this sermon and more importantly, after the service has ended, the lights are off and we go our separate ways for the last time this year, to take some time and just be still, be with God, and reflect on what He has done for you this year and what He will continue to do in the coming year.

People celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in different ways. For some it is the “last hurrah” of the Christmas season, with a last party or dinner to be planned, cooked and served. Others attend a Church service (usually know as a “watch night” service. Some go to a fireworks show that is put on in many cities across the world.  Some don’t do anything special, maybe spend the last few hours of the year with family and maybe watch the fireworks from across the world on TV.

My wife and I (and sometimes the kids) usually spend New Year’s Day taking down the Christmas tree and packing away the decorations. I enjoy doing this (even though I do get a little sad because I love Christmas time), but it is a great time to reflect and remember special times and blessings not only of the Christmas season that has just passed, but also of Christmases from years past. For me doing this not only has a practical side in getting the lights and decorations taken down and put away, but also a spiritual side as we will see in going through our sermon today.

Some things must be kept; some things must be thrown away

While taking down the Christmas lights and decorations, I check them before packing them away. In the case of the lights, if I find frayed or exposed wires, or strands that have had one to many staples put through them, then these are thrown away because they are a danger.  In our walk with Christ, it is much the same… We must get rid of the things which are a danger to our Christian walk, the things that if we continue to use them become a danger that could hurt us. Paul tells us in his letter to the Church in Colossae that we have to put off these things:

Colossians 3:8

 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

These things are like the exposed wires on the Christmas lights. If you keep them around and plug them in, they could cause you a nasty shock and even start a fire. So you need to throw them away.

Think about Paul’s words in this verse above:

 Anger, wrath, malice:

 How many people who claim the name of Christ do we know that are full of these things. It is sad but it is true. This past year, we have really started to expand our presence on the various social networks online, and I see these things on a daily basis on the Christian and Church pages. People writing angry things toward one another, fighting over some small point of doctrine that they do not agree with, people fighting and ready to come to blows over insignificant things that they (NOT THE LORD) turn into this huge deal. This happened to me early in 2012 when I made a reference (based on a story that was told to me) of people using something other than “consecrated” hosts for communion (this story was of soldiers getting ready to go into battle not knowing if they would survive taking communion using what they had available which was their C-rations). I was blown away by the response from a “Christian leader” that was so full of anger, wrath and malice. It saddened me greatly that this person would be this way, but all I could do as turn the other cheek and not lower myself to that same level.  We need to take stock of ourselves and if we have these things against anyone, we need to throw them away and start fresh. We have to get rid of these things and live in the love of Jesus

Colossians 3:14

 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Then there are the other two:

Blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth

When we think of blasphemy, we normally think of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29), but the context that Paul is using here in the letter as translated from the Greek writing means “to slander”. It can refer to slanders directed at God, but Paul is talking about slanders directed at other people, specifically other Christians. This happens when we insult and belittle others through gossip or when we put others down behind their backs.

 This goes right along with filthy communications…. Again when we thing of this we may think of Christian Brothers and Sisters telling dirty jokes or lusting after a person (either in their lives or that they see on TV). This of course should not be, and if that is in your life I tell you to throw it out as well. However, the translation from the Greek and the context that Paul is talking about in this letter means: “abusive speech”.  Words that are thrown around in an attempt to hurt or wound someone.   How many times do we see this in the Church?  Sadly, too many.  And my friends those who listen to such garbage without calling the person speaking it on the carpet, are just as guilty as those who utter it out of their mouths.

What else do we need to throw away out of our lives? In Chapter 2 verse 8, we are given some examples that we need to follow to make sure that our lives are pleasing to God:

Colossians 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

All of the things here could fall under the heading if false doctrines….

Philosophies – This refers to wisdom of men. Man has invented some strange belief systems over the years, and every single manmade belief system is at variance with Jesus Christ. If what a person teaches is not backed up by the Word of God; that system is to be avoided by the believer.

Vain Deceit – This phrase means “empty tricks”. It refers to those who deceive through trickery or through a slick message. Again, if the message is not Jesus it is not of God. If the focus is not on Jesus and His shed blood, it is not of God!

Traditions of Men – Believers are warned to be careful of long held beliefs. Just because people have believed something to be true and have been taught that something is true, does not make it true! We are not to base our faith and our walk on the traditions of men, no matter how godly or worthy of respect the man may be. We are to base our belief system on the Word of God alone!

The Rudiments of the World – Again, believers are warned against falling away from a mature faith to accept a simplistic doctrine. This phrase refers to an alphabet, or things in a row. It speaks of simple things in contrast to deeper truth. We are to stay with the Bible and try every teaching against the clear Word of God.

Then we have probably the hardest one for a lot of people to understand, and even harder for a lot of people to let go of:

Colossians 2:16

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.

If we look at this Verse in context, Paul is talking about Foolish Demands that some Church leaders put on people.  As believers, we are to watch out for these people who would place us back under the Law. Jesus came to deliver us from legalism, and we are to stand in the liberty that we have been given in Jesus Christ. At the moment of His death, when He said the three most powerful words ever uttered by a human being, all that legalistic mumbo jumbo was put to rest there and then. When Jesus said IT IS FINISHED, the law was fulfilled once and for all time. Because that was the purpose for Jesus coming to this earth. So here now Paul is telling us that “no man has the right to be their judge”. If you have been saved by Jesus, then you have been delivered from the demands of the Law and are now under Grace.

I know I am stepping on some toes and so was Paul, but this is directly from the Word Of God, so if this offends, GOOD. That means that The Holy Spirit is pulling at your heart and telling you to lay these things aside and get back to The Word, because being a Christian does not consist in the keeping of man-made rules and rituals, but in a personal, relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we are taking stock of our lives and throwing those things out that hinder us in our walk we also have to remember those promises that will help us in our walk and keep these things in our hearts.

 When I pack away the Christmas decorations, I find ornaments and trinkets that remind me of good times and events. The ornaments that we purchased for each of our children for their first Christmas, Ornaments that belonged to my Grandmother or my Mother and Father in law, ornaments that my wife and I purchased for our first Christmas together and each time we purchased a new home….  

When taking these off the tree, and before they are packed carefully away, I pause and reflect on those events and remember the joy of watching my children open their gifts on Christmas Morning, and the joy of planning where the decorations would go when we had moved into a new home.  And even though these special things may be packed away, I know exactly where they are and could get to them if I needed to at any time of the year.  

So it must be with the Spiritual things. We must remember that God has given us things to keep in our hearts. The fact that there has been a death for all of us, and more than that, there has been a resurrection!! That we, by believing in Jesus and crucifying our old lives along with Him have also been raised with Him to a new life in Him:

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Not only that, but we have a promise from God that this world is not the best that there is. That although we may live here for a short time, our hope lies in spending eternity with Him!! Everything we do must be filtered through this promise. And even though we may face battles with the flesh and with the devil here, we know that we have already won!! 

Through Jesus Christ we are truly destined to win and we can not be defeated!! One day we will stand in His presence, and no matter what we may have to go through here, when we look upon His face it will be worth it all!!

I know that this may be a lot to take in, but as we stand here on the cusp of a New Year, let us take a good, hard look at our lives and at our walk with the Lord.

Let us retain & remember those things that assist us in our walk with The Lord, and lay aside anything that would hinder it.

 Let us move forward into this New Year listening to the Voice Of God and asking Him to remove the blinders and open our hearts and minds to a greater understanding of His Word. 

Let us listen to Him as He calls us out from behind those stained glass windows and back into the streets so that we can carry His message to a lost and dying world.

 Let us make 2013 the best year of our lives to the Glory Of God!!

God Bless you all and Happy New Year

Pastor Brian

A Charlie Brown Christmas, 4th Sunday Of Advent 2012

In our final Sunday Sermon before Christmas, we are going to look at a beloved animated Christmas special, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Most of you I am sure have seen this special on television or on video. A stressed, depressed and over-burdened Charlie Brown, after seeing everyone around him obsessed with the commercial aspect of Christmas, (even his own dog Snoopy), and even after trying to get more involved in Christmas and being made fun of for buying a small but real Christmas tree instead of the “shiny aluminum one” that they told him to,  finally asks in frustration,  “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Linus tells Charlie Brown that he knows what Christmas is all about and responds by reading him the following verses:

Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Sometimes today, it is easy to feel like Charlie Brown….. We are now only 2 days away from Christmas, and yet some stores have had Christmas decorations and merchandise on their shelves since mid-October. We have been bombarded by department store sales ads in our mailboxes, newspapers, TV screens and online since about that same time. Stores now are in the final push with some of them reducing the Christmas aisles to only a couple and already starting to put Valentines day merchandise out.  For those of us who celebrate Christmas for what it is, the birth of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, it can get depressing to see Christmas ushered in and out so fast….

Maybe we NEED a Charlie Brown Christmas…. A Christmas where even though there may be gifts, that is not our primary focus.  Our primary focus being instead the gift that was given by God Almighty to all of mankind, that gift that was no adorned with ribbons or bow, but instead was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and was born in a manger.

If we look at the rest of our verses for today, we will find out who the first people other than Joseph & Mary, were to receive this gift, and why we can learn a lot from them……

Luke 2:15-17

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Now why is it significant that the angels appeared to these shepherds? Because it set the tone for the life and the Ministry of Jesus. These men were the lowest people on the social ladder. They would not have been educated, most likely they could not read or write. They worked weeks at a time camping out in the fields while tending the sheep existing on what they could gather or possibly hunt from the land. They were expected to lay down their lives if it came to that to protect the flocks that they were charged with guarding, and yet they were paid next to nothing. And yet it was to these men who lived on the fringe of society that God in His wisdom announced the birth of the Savior to. And what did they do upon hearing the news? They went straight to Bethlehem and found Jesus and when they had seen Him, they told anyone and everyone who would listen what the angels had told them and that the Messiah was now born. These unlearned, rough men became the first evangelists of Jesus Christ!!

It has always been that way…. Even in the Old Testament, when God chose another shepherd who was just a boy to be King, it is those of low estate who will listen and be more receptive to the word of God. Kind of like Charlie Brown in the film, a person who is imperfect, who is not confident in himself understands and accepts the message of God. The message that Unto Us A Child Is Born…. And because of that willing acceptance and belief, people like that are often called to carry the message of Christ.

In Closing today, I just want to share a couple of things. When this TV special was released on December 9^th, 1965, it was released right in the middle of the “God is dead” phase. When academics and “enlightened” people said that they needed no God. Even the TV network execs did not want Peanuts creator Charles Shultz to include the Christmas Story from Luke in the special. They assumed that the audience would not want to sit through a reading from the Bible. Mr. Shultz, a devout Christian steadfastly refused and the scene from Luke was left in. Much to the surprise of the TV execs, 50% of TV sets in the United States tuned in to watch that special, it won an Emmy and a Peabody award, and even the critics in “enlightened” New York wrote that Linus telling the Christmas Story from Luke was the highlight of the season.

So my friends, I ask you today, on this last Sunday before Christmas, as we know that the wait for our Savior and Lord is almost over, to take a break from the hustle and bustle. Put down the shopping bags, the TV remotes, whatever it is that is occupying your life at this time and pick up your Bible. Read the 2^nd Chapter of Luke and really let its meaning get into your heart.

Maybe a Charlie Brown Christmas isn’t such a bad thing after all………..

God Bless you all & Merry Christmas!!

Pastor Brian 

The Little Drummer Boy, 3rd Sunday Of Advent 2012

If you were to ask a group of Christians where to find the little drummer boy in the Bible, it’s a pretty fair bet that many of them would begin searching the Gospels and would be sure that it is there… Well my friends, it isn’t but that does not mean that this short animated tv show based on a Christmas Carol cant teach us something very important…….

Todays sermon for the 3^rd Sunday of advent is by Evangelist Frank Shelton. It is my hope and prayer that it makes you think and that you understand that you can bring The Lord whatever it is you have, even if you have nothing.

Pastor Brian

 The “Little Drummer Boy” Christmas classic is my all-time favorite. The first time I saw it on CBS, I was in elementary school and I cried. For the past three decades I have watched it annually and it still tugs at my heart strings. Yes, “Frosty” was good, “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase is great, Rudolph, was grand but nothing captured the GOOD NEWS of Christmas for me like the wooden animated drummer boy.

We all recall the “Three Wise Men” whom brought “gold, frankincense and myrrh.” It is true, they came with their gold and gifts and arrived with their pagentry, pomp and prestige. They indeed came from a great distance to pay respect to the Christ Child as they followed that Star pointing them to the Son. I love that old adage: “The reason the Wise Men were “wise” was not because they brought Jesus their gifts but because they chose to be in His Presence.”

Enter the Little Drummer Boy. Without a doubt, I am convinced that this little lad who was reverently watching in the back of the barn starring at the crib of Christ knew He was standing on Holy Ground. Not because the world leaders were “in the house” but the “King of ALL Kings” was present and prophecy fulfilled before his very eyes. In that barn was both Divinity and Humanity wrapped in swaddling clothes. A babe yes, but also a Messiah in the making with a message to save Mankind. Christmas really is a story about God and grace.

In one corner of the room we have the Christ-child, a babe with piercing eyes, rosy cheeks and despite the chilly elements a flaw-less face and smile that was wider than Israel. In the other corner; in the back, behind the crowd is a poor lad, with eyes the size of saucers, filled with awe and amazement; his cheeks covered in grime and a hunger in his heart that was too much for any adolescent to know firsthand. This little lad whom was dirt poor and quite possibly an orphan immediately found acceptance in this Babe but he had no earthly idea that Jesus from Heaven was a “Father to the father-less.” Ironically, the “world” had “no room in the inn” for the Christ child that first Christmas morning but Jesus made room for a poor boy born on the other side of the tracks. This is the greatness and grace of God. He always makes room for us to have a seat at His table. Not because we are so good but God is so great. This is grace.

This destitute drummer was in awe. Not only was not used to seeing Divinity and Humanity collide but he was not accustomed to seeing the world’s power either; much less the Lord’s power! Especially, not in the same room.Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that deep inside we know we really don’t belong. The lad knew he was witnessing something special and I am sure that Satan, society and himself was encouraging him to stay in the back, remain silent and don’t embarrass anyone. He felt un-worthy and inadequate and probably believed that he had little to offer The King. He didn’t have gold or expensive gifts but he had a feeling that the King just steps in front of him wouldn’t mock him for his lack of gift(s). However, deep inside he knew that he needed to do something. When you are in the presence of God you cannot remain a spectator but we must graduate from the bleachers and become active participants in His Kingdom Work. At this moment, the little lad left the crowd and came to Christ. The lad realized he had a gift and thought: “Maybe I can play my drum for Him as an act of appreciation of HIs Birth?

Slowly, he eased from behind the crowd and ceased to exist and began to live and He played his beat up, broken down drum with battered drum sticks and played the best he possibly could. To some spectators it meant nothing but in Christ’s eyes it meant everything! God was touched not by his works but his worship. The lad truly “put feet to his prayers.” The drummer boy solitarily sent a clarion message to all; by boldy, yet humbly approaching the Almighty and he did what he did best. He played his drum. Surely, this was the biggest audience he had ever played. In the past, he played to anyone and everyone who would listen locally. He played to those on the street, those on the corner, those in the marketplace but tonight this young lad played before the Redeemer, royalty and even those in rags all rolled into one amazing audience!

Now he is playing before both representatives of earthly kings and “The King of All Kings” on one stage. At this moment, he is playing to eyewitnesses on Earth and God the Father, Angels and those peeking over the portals of Paradise. The Bible says: “If we are faithful in small matters we will be faithful in larger matters.” He played not just to them 2,000 years ago but this Christmas Season that poverty stricken drummer boy continues to play to us and his example encourages us to “play” our part in using our God given gifts in an act of service, gratitude and worship of our Savior.

If this young lad lived locally today; I am convinced he would have continued to “play” the same tune. He knew that the crowds may change but his commitment to the Christ Child would be constant and consistent. Regardless if he was “playing” in La Plata or Los Angeles, Dunkirk to Dallas, Waldorf or Washington, D.C., Solomons to San Francisco, Atlanta to Albany, Baltimore-Bowie-Boise or the Bahamas, Clinton, Maryland – Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlestown, West Virginia, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, Cozumel, Mexico to Cairo, Egypt, from Fairfax, VA – Frederick, MD to Frankfurt, Germany/ Huntingtown-Hartford-Hollywood to the Holy Land, Jacksonville-Jamaica to Jummonville, New York-New Jersey-New Hampshire, Richmond to Raleigh, Tampa – Tupelo to Tuscaloossa, Miami-Memphis-Monterey-Myrtle Beach back to Maryland, Upper Marlboro or the Outer Banks; his music, mission and message would be identical as when he first starting playing: “Promote God and point as many people to Him as possible.”

The lad never really desired to be “seen” but he knew he had a message and a song that needed to be heard. Ironically, the boy had been playing his drum all along but on this night the audience was a little larger. The stage was now wider and the stakes were higher but he “nailed it” because he knew it was all about Him and because of God’s great grace.

When he stepped forward and played his gift at that moment “all eyes were on him.” But he knew that the attention was not really for him or a result of him so he continued to focus his eyes on Him, the Christ Child. It is true that when we promote Christ; He promotes us. God elevates those that exalt Him.

In the chorus of the “Little Drummer Boy” I love that line: “I played my drum for Him….ba rum bum bum bum.” My favorite verse is “The King smiled at me……ba rum bum bum….me and my drum.” What caught the attention of Almighty God and the angels in Heaven was when a dirt poor shepherd boy gave God all that he had. The song doesn’t imply that Jesus smiled at the wealthy, Wise Men bearing gifts of gold given to God but the song says the Savior smiled, Babe beamed, God grinned, the Lord laughed, Christ cooed and joy came to Jesus when the boy gave his ALL to the Almighty.

Just like the wealthy in the sanctuary who gave out of their “abundance, wealth and surplus” the Wise Men gave extravagant gifts but they still had more in reserves and they didn’t give their all. Like the widow who threw in ALL she had in the offering plate so did the lad who loaned his lunch to the Lord when God fed five thousand and this is true of the Little drummer boy. Something special always happen when we give our all to God. I love that quote: “God is not interested in our ability or in-abilities but our avail-ability.” What is amazing is that we are not only in the Presence of God with a front row seat when we give our best but we are used by God in His Grand Plan. We are partners with the Prince of Peace, Laborers with the Lord and soldiers/servants of the Savior. The greatest thrill in life is being a pawn in God’s Hand on His chess board as He strategically moves us at His leading.

Once we have been in the Presence of the King we are never the same. We are forever changed. Once we see the King firsthand; our actions change, our desires change and our reason and purpose for living change. I learned early in life, that we don’t have to be the best, or bring the best but it is imperative that we do our very best! It has been said: “Your life is God’s gift to you but what you do with your life is your gift to God.”

Looking back the boy never got into it for the crowds but for Christ. Not for attention, acceptance, applause or approval but an act of adoration to the Almighty. Rewinding the reel of his resume he was ministering all along and even the “smaller venues” were just as important in God’s eyes. Yet, all of his early marketplace concerts, corner crusades and small town recitals were preparing him for this one moment. An audience with The King.

The Little Drummer stood Face to face with God and gave his all and used his God given gift for God’s Glory. One day and possibly one day soon we also will stand before God and give an account for what we did or didn’t do with our gifts. The Bible says: “To whom much is given much is required.” That verse has been imprinted on my heart since elementary school.

In 1982, at the age of ten I was at Vacation Bible School and had a enormous burden for my lost friends without Christ. I wanted everyone to come to Jesus before it was eternally too late. I was thinking: “What will my friends think? What if they don’t respond? What if they reject me or reject Jesus? Will they still invite me to play sports with them, etc?” At that moment, I felt like God said: “Frankie, there is a Heaven and Hell what are you going to do?” At that moment, I elected then and there that I cared more what God thought of me than what my friends would think of me. I cared more for their precious souls than my personal popularity. Well, that week at Vacation Bible School I started calling friends and inviting them to come to church. At the end of the week, I had 22 first time visitors (at the age of ten).

The Little Drummer Boy’s goal was never really to be before the popular, powerful or prestigious but he played for the Prince of Peace, the Christ Child and he knew that the Babe born in that broken barn was worthy. He knew personally that God was worthy of his ALL.

Sometimes as a travelling evangelist; I stare out an airplane window, stretch back in my coach class chair on a train, sipping coffee from Starbucks or kicking back at a rocking chair at Cracker-Barrel (my favorite restaurant) and I wonder if the little boy with his drum realized how far God had brought him? Without a doubt, I believe he realized two things: It was because of God and for God that he played from day one. Also, it was because of God’s grace that the doors of ministry had opened, met folks from all over the world and to the very end he was still “playing” for Jesus. Plus, he never forgot that the biggest “star” would always be the SON!

Today, I thank God that he uses “broken” people to bless others and I am extra thankful that God saw fit to use imperfect people to promote His perfect Son. God truly uses the “foolish to confound the wise.” One of my life verses. The beauty about this little lad is that he was “playing” his drum for God’s glory. We never know the rest of the story but I am convinced that if we pause and listen closely, blocking out the “hustle and bustle” of Christmas you can still slightly hear the beat of that boy’s drum today. Friends, when we are in the presence of the King everything changes. People may mock you,Pharisees may question your motives and pundits may make false media about you but you but one cannot be stagnant once standing before the Savior.

I would have loved to attend one of his concerts after playing before Jesus that time. The precision and power on that lad’s life must have been AMAZING! He was both appointed and anointed! It was not a “performance” but from a personal place now lived out in public. Deep in my spirit, I am convinced that wherever and to whomever that boy ministered he knew God was watching and his gift to THE GIFT was from God.

God was watching while he played to individuals early on, viewing Him before small crowds on the street corner, and staring at him Face to face as the boy played before Him in Bethlehem’s barn-like edifice. Years later, God is still watching and I am sure He is still “smiling.” For him, from Day One it was always for an Audience of One.

Christmas is just a holiday for those that don’t know Christ. However, Christmas is not just a mere holiday but a Holy Day and it is every day for Christian believers. It has been said: “You will never find Christmas under the tree but on the tree of Mount Calvary.” That little Babe born naked in a wooden crib grew up to be the sin-less Savior who died naked on a wooden cross. Indeed, there was something special and “holy” about that day when Jesus was born. Christmas is certainly about giving but it is also about receiving Christ as our Saviour, Sacrifice and Source of Strength.

I love that song by Andre Crouch: “Soon, and very soon. We are going to see the King.” Like never before, I long to see Jesus. As a child I used to stare towards the Heavens looking for Santa with a sleigh led by a red nosed Reindeer. Today, my gaze is on God, my sights set on the Savior, concentrating on Christ and I am looking for the Lord because He (not Rudolph) is the Light of the World.

Truth be told, we all have a gift. We can use our gifts to bring others to God’s Presence. The Bible says: “Whatever your hand finds to do make sure you do it for God’s Glory. Friend, if you are a mechanic…..change carbuerators for Christ. If you are a dentist….do root canals for the Redeemer! God is not interested in the title on our door as much as He is with our testimony in our hearts.

This Christmas Season, as snow sticks on the sill of your window while listening to Nat King Cole sing his classic Christmas carol, trading cookies, wrapping presents and tucking your loved ones in for the evening may you pause and consider the true majesty of the ocassion. Even today, 2,000 years later; God allows us to peek into His crib, ponder His cross and point blank come Face to face with the Christ Child.

In closing, Christmas is special that the God of the Universe came to Earth to teach us how to live. Christ taught us how to live but we because of our sin and selfishness taught Him to die. What is even more marvelous is not that Christ came once but He is coming back! That Christmas morning Jesus was a gentle lamb eventually led to the slaughter. The moment he rolled out of the crib and took His first steps He was already en route to the cross. However, when Jesus returns again He is no longer the little lamb but the Lion of Judah.

The word “mas” in Spanish means more. Truly, we need more of Christ this Christmas. This Christmas Season give God ALL that you got! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A Christmas Carol, 2nd Sunday Of Advent, 2012.....

 Today we are going to look at another Christmas classic and see what lessons we can learn. In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, there are many characters central to the story, but we will look at the most important two. Those of   Bob Cratchit, and of course Scrooge.  This work has resonated with people the world over so much so that the name Scrooge is used not just at Christmas but all through the year to define a person who hoards money or possessions and ignores the needs of those less fortunate that are all around him.

 Ebenezer Scrooge of course is the  unhappy, miserly old man whose reaction to Christmas was “Bah! Humbug.” To him, Christmas was a scandal, because it was only “a time for finding yourself a year older and not an hour richer.” Bob Cratchit on the other hand is the polar opposite who finds joy in Christmas simply because it is when the birth of Our Lord is celebrated.

So first let us look at Scrooge……

Leaving aside the way he treats Cratchit, we see from the story that Scrooge is concerned with nothing other than how much money he can put in his pocket. Even when given the chance to give a little money to the poor, he throws the gentlemen who are collecting for the poor out of his office with this piece of advice:

 “Are there no prisons? 
 And the union workhouses - are they still in operation?” 

When those who are attempting to collect money for the poor answer yes, scrooge replies:

 Oh, from what you said at first I was afraid that something had happened to stop them in their useful course. I'm very glad to hear it. 

 When the men persist and even assume that Scrooge will want to donate something but not give his name, he finally lays his feeling on the table:

Since you ask me what I wish sir, that is my answer. I help to support the establishments I have named; those who are badly off must go there. 

The prison Scrooge is talking about would be a debtors prison and the union workhouses were places where people could go to receive food and shelter BUT they were expected to perform manual labor, families were split up (only children under age 2 could stay with their parents, and spouses could not stay together), and the food was so poor and so lacking that there are recorded historical accounts of people fighting over bones that they were tasked with grinding into fertilizer so that they could suck out the marrow first……. In short, these were not nice places to be.  So it is no wonder then that when Scrooge said this,  the men collecting for the poor replied:

 Many can't go there, and some would rather die.

If we are to truly follow Christ, we must not be like this. We must not hoard money and refuse to help those in need. Jesus tells us to help those who are less fortunate than we are


Luke 14:12-14
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.


Matthew 10:8-10

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

It’s a pretty good bet that Scrooge would never have invited the poor to a dinner (even if he spent the money to put one on). It is also a pretty safe bet that he would not have gone anywhere without money and that he would not freely give to anyone….

 Sadly there are so many people today who claim to be Christians who feel the same way…. If you to tell them that they were acting like Scrooge, they would strongly disagree, and yet these same people form cliques in the Church, they keep their money to themselves, when they see someone who is down and out they just assume that there is “someplace” they can go to get help (workhouse?), or some one will give them something… .As long as it doesn’t upset their little world and their perception of what Church should be, and as long as they can keep their wallets in their pockets or purses,  they are content to sit behind their rose colored stained glass windows.  This is the type of person who James The Just was referring to in his letter to the tribes….


James 2:15-16
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

If we look at Bob Cratchit, we see a totally different person. Here you have a person who has little, and is mistreated by Scrooge, underpaid, overworked, etc…. And yet, he does not let it dampen his Christmas Spirit. In short, Cratchit has learned to be grateful for who The Lord has given him.  Bob Cratchit is a great example of what Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 4:11-12
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Even in the face of opposition from his family, Bob is still grateful for what he has and even honors Scrooge with a toast on Christmas day (much to his wife’s displeasure).

Now we know that Scrooge is visited by 3 spirits (ghosts) that finally bring about a change in him, but I cant help but think that once his heart was softened by these visits, that maybe, just maybe Scrooge thought back to the witness of his clerk Bob Cratchit who, no matter what was thrown his way, persevered and kept the Faith.

So as we continue on through the Christmas Season, and while we wait for the greatest blessing of all time, that most Holy of days when The Creator of all things humbled himself and became human so that He could redeem us all, please do not forget those who have less than we do. Take time to pause from our celebrations and gift buying, and the hustle and bustle of this blessed Season and share some of what The Lord has given to us with those who do not have what we do. After all, we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given to man, so why then would we not give a gift to someone in need. Just as the wise men brought their gifts which enabled that small and blessed family to flee to a foreign land and thwarted the plan of the devil working through an evil king to attempt to stop our redemption, we should do the same. By giving something to those in need. No matter if it is some food, a warm coat, a pair of shoes or just a kind smile, we are emulating what these wise men did. Because when we do give to those in need, we are giving a gift to that small baby who would become the redeemer of the world………

Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Its A Wonderful Life, 1st Sunday Of Advent, 2012

The classic Christmas film “It’s A Wonderful Life” is beloved the world over. It somehow manages to do something that most filmmakers today are not capable of, kind of a “lost art” if you will. What this film does is take us back to a simpler time. A time where God was honored, where children still prayed in school, when The Bible was a textbook, where most everybody young or old honored Jesus and knew without a doubt that He was there and strived to live as if he was standing right next to you.  Even most of those who “strayed from the path” knew that God was still there and admitted such in public. As we go through the next four Sundays, we will be using this film along with some other literary works to illustrate how even though these films and books were made or written for entertainment, they can and should teach us a lesson on how to live……


We come into the film during the last dinner that George Bailey and his father will ever have together. Georges Father (Peter) had spent his life laboring away at a small building and loan (what we would call today a credit union). They had more lax rules for lending to people who wanted to buy a home, and generally were more involved with their customers. Peter Bailey was a good man and was hoping that his eldest son would one day take over this business. George of course, wants more out of life. He wants to travel and have adventure. He does not see himself sitting in that small business in that small town for the rest of his life. But sometimes The Lord has other plans for you even if they are not your plans……

If we turn in our Bibles and look at Joseph when he finds out that Mary is pregnant, even though they were not married, we will see a prime example of this.

Matthew 1:18-20
 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Just as George Baileys life changed when his Father died in our film, so did Josephs life change when he found out that Mary was pregnant.

There are two schools of thought on how Joseph felt after getting the news. One is that he thought Mary had been unfaithful to him, the other is that she had told him what happened and he was blown away by it. Either way, the fact is that he pondered or considered all that had been presented to him and also pondered what to do about it. Now according to the law, Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death for being unfaithful, but he did not want to do that. Why? Because as the Scripture tells us, he was a just man. I am sure that (if he did believe that she had been unfaithful to him) he was very sad and probably angry, but still his love and devotion to her would not allow him to make a public spectacle of her and see her die because of a mistake. On the other hand, if he did believe Mary and believed that she was pregnant through an act of God, he was probably a bit overwhelmed and feeling unworthy to be the earthly Father of the Son Of God……

Either way, we see that he had determined to send her away privately so that she could avoid a public scandal at best and death at worst. Even if it meant that he would have to endure some shame or ridicule, so be it. His love for Mary and  his devotion to God would not allow him to subject this young girl to that.

But then God sends an angel and tells Joseph not to be afraid and that the child is in fact the Son Of God. Can you imagine how overwhelmed that Joseph must have been?  What thoughts must have been going through his mind? That he was to be the earthly Father of Gods Son? I don’t know about you, but I think I might have passed out…….. But what does Joseph do?

Matthew 1:24

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:


  So Joseph gets up from bed and takes Mary into his home so that everyone around them would think that the marriage had already taken place. In Biblical times a couple that were engaged were not considered married until the husband took the wife into his home to live with him. Of course it was assumed that the couple would have sexual relations and that the wife would bear children. So by Josephs act of obedience to God, even though I am sure this was not what he had planned for his life, the way was set for the Savior to be born and for the world to be redeemed…..


As you start this Christmas Season, and things get busier and busier as the big day approaches, do not forget to take time out and reflect on the real reason for the season…….