Christmas…the Real Story

This Sunday we will be looking at one of my favorite Christmas narratives, Luke 2: 22-35, Simeon see’s what he’d waited so long to see, Jesus, The Messiah.

“Simeon…received him (Baby Jesus) into his arms and blessed God. He saw a poverty-stricken peasant couple, holding a baby which perhaps was still adorned with swaddling cloths, but instantly, because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, he recognized the Saviour.” -RC Sproul

There is so much to be learned about Christ, how He relates to us and how we relate to God. If you can, look over the passage for yourself between now and then. Can’t wait for Sunday!!!

Pastor and author Kevin DeYoung offers some great insight on how we as Christians ought to think about Islam and Muslims. As with any subject, we as Christians seek to think, live, and relate Biblically. Or as DeYoung titles his post below “thinking theologically.” We are living in a changing world. These are important times filled with emotionally charged issues. All the more reason for us to draw near to God and His Word. Our fallen sinful natures aren’t trustworthy, but God’s Word is. As DeYoung points out “as Christians, it’s never a bad idea to go to the Bible. We won’t answer every policy question, but at least we can put a few important truths in place as we try to think Christianly about Islam.”

Check out this short, but very informative post: Thinking Theologically About Islam

We did a little throwback this morning in our men’s Bible study, looking at an article that we first looked at almost 3 years ago. It was just as challenging this am as it was then. Pastor Scott Brown identifies 5 Mankillers (Fear, Lust, Anger, Feminism, Abdication) and points us to God’s Word on how to fight the would be assailants. The post assumes we are in the pursuit of God, for it is in knowing God that we truly know how to rightly relate to the world around us. Knowing God–that’s true manhood. Steve Ferrar said this:

“True Courage is the result of knowing God. Only then can a man display strength and take action. And he can do so with a heart that is calm, steady, and at rest—even in the worst of times. That kind of man knows that even when days look their darkest, God has a good plan.”
― Steve Farrar, True Courage: Emboldened by God in a Disheartening World

Here’s a link to the 5 Mailers post. Check it out:

http://scottbrownonline.com/five-mankillers-2/

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

“Let our joy be living water from those sacred wells which the Lord himself has digged; may his joy abide in us, that our joy may be full. Of Christ’s joy we cannot have too much; no fear of running to excess when his love is the wine we drink. Oh to be plunged in this pure stream of spiritual delights!” -Charles Spurgeon

When a lady asks what a man wants for Christmas he usually says something like “I don’t need anything.” Or even worse, he might say “for the Dallas Cowboys to be good again” (psh–ya right!). Men are hard to buy for! But have no fear ladies, I have the perfect gift idea for every man this Christmas — The ESV Men’s Devotional Bible. Does he already have a great Bible??? That’s ok, GET HIM ANOTHER ONE! Bibles are like bass lures, you can’t have too many!

I normally don’t get too enthused about Men’s Devotional Bibles. They can be a little –Idk — cheesy? But not this badboy! This Devotional Bible is an accurate, readible translation packed full of SOLID devotionals, authored by men I read and respect. PLUS, it also includes a TON of great added material addressing topics specifically relevant to men. Check out just *some of the topics addressed in the ‘Articles and Resources’ portion of the ESV Men’s Devotional Bible.

• Marriage
• Self-Control
• Leadership
• Pornography
• Temptations
• Doubt
• Identity
• Work
• Calling
• The Gospel and Daily Life

Again, these topics are just a sampling. Ladies, men don’t want to hunt for half an hour for a what they are looking for unless it’s deer season! This Bible is a one stop shop — Great Bible, daily devotions, and excellent resources to equip them to grow spiritually and glorify God.

You can order this Bible online at Amazon here and also at Christianbook.com . Or, ask for it at a Christian bookstore. It’s new (2015) so they may not have it on-hand in store, but they can order it for you. *Don’t settle for different devotional Bible! 🙂

And ladies, write him something personal in the Bible before you give it to him!

Below is a letter that I wrote to my church family that went out via old school snail mail. Thought I’d post it here on my blog as well.

Grace Bible Fam!! Can you believe it’s already December!? Crazy! 

The Dallas Cowboys are terrible, but hey, we got Blue Bell back! Praise God 🙂

If your family is like mine, a couple of days after Thanksgiving, it’s all eyes on Christmas. I love it. Time with family, great food, and watching as many Christmas movies as I can leading up to the 25th. I even make my kids watch the old ones with me! 

There’s a lot I love about this time of year, but mostly, l love Christmas because it’s a time to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And it’s not just that He came, but HOW He came. The King of Glory came to this earth in the humblest of ways, wrapped in makeshift cloths, and laid in a manger. A manger – a trough used to feed livestock. 

Sounds funny, but the fact that His first bed was a manger means the world to me. See, Jesus showed us from the moment He was born, that He’ll go anywhere to fulfill His purpose. He came to save vile offenders, sinners – like me. As the old hymn says, “He sought me and bought me, with His redeeming blood”.  I know that’s your story, too. 

One of the things I hear consistently from people who visit Grace Bible is “these people are REAL.” To me, they mean the people of Grace Bible are common, everyday people. Our church family is made up of imperfect people with real struggles and heartaches, in desperate need of God’s amazing grace. We’re in awe that he would grace us with His presence, like he did that dirty manger 2000 years ago. That’s our Savior. That’s our King. 

I don’t know how you feel about Christmas. Sometimes strained relationships, the loss of a loved one, or a painful past can make a joyful time of year feel anything but joyful. You may feel down. You may feel unworthy of Jesus, even at Christmas. Remember, Jesus was right at home in a manger. He’s not put-off by our messes. He brought purpose and significance to a dirty manger. He can do that, plus bring never-ending, God-glorifying, JOY to you and your life. Focus on the fact that Jesus can, and will go anywhere. 

The longer I serve as pastor of Grace Bible, the more I feel at home. There’s no place like HOME for Christmas. Looking forward to it!

Love y’all,
Roy

Better to give your kids the awe of God than to try and wow them with latest temporal toys. Giving gifts to people we love is good thing, but without the love of God in Christ Jesus, good things can become counterfeit “god things”. Presents are fine, but His presence is most important.

Here’s a link to a great post from The Gospel Project on fostering gospel wonder in the hearts of your kids.

http://www.gospelproject.com/2015/12/05/christmas-angels-spoke-to-mary-and-joseph/

Grace Bible has the privilege of partnering with Pine Hill Church on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. My good friend and one of our Deacons, Jason Carney made a video of our most recent trip to them. Check it out at the link below.

Navajo Missions, Fall 2015

Grace Bible Fam! — We’ll be taking a break from our series in John for a few weeks for a special Christmas series ‘The Coming of Christ’

This week, 12/6 — We’ll look at Luke 1:18-25 – The First Coming of Christ, Immanuel — God with us!

The next Sunday, 12/13 — Revelation 21:1-5 – The Second Coming of Christ — The greatest blessing of heaven is still to come!

The following week, 12/20 — Luke 2:22-38 – Simeon, the man who waited for, and understood The Coming of Christ.

Finally, Christmas Eve, 5:30pm  — Colossians 1:15-20, What if Jesus hadn’t come? This is one of my favorite services of the year. It’s a short (no more than 1 hr), but full of meaning and “Christmas Cheer.” If you’re in town, please, invite your neighbors, friends, and family, and join us for Christmas Eve. Last year I wore everyone out with too many It’s a Wonderful Life movie references. I’ll do my best not to do that again, but no promises 🙂

I encourage you to read and reflect over these passages!  As you read pray and ask:

1. What does this passage teach us about God?
2. What does this passage teach about us?
3. What does this passage teach us about our relationship with God?
4. Who do I need to share the truth of this passage with?