Welcome to this Christmas edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone has been having a wonderful holiday season. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to post this message.
For the last couple of weeks, we've been in a series of messages about II Peter. We will continue with that series once again next week. This week, I wanted to bring a message about the Christmas season and the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over the last few weeks, I've been thinking about the idea of the spirit of Christmas. What are some of the themes of Christmas, and how can we carry these themes and ideas with us throughout the entire year.
I have decided that three of the most important things that we can think about during the holiday season are the ideas of love, joy and peace. To me, this signifies what Christmas is all about.
Let's start with peace. When the angels came to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, they brought the message of peace on earth. One of the titles of the Messiah given to us in Isaiah 9:6 is the Prince of Peace.
Jesus came to this earth to bring peace into the troubled hearts of people. Those who place their trust in Jesus can know the peace that passes all understanding. Jesus told us that He was leaving us with His peace.
Jesus also brings peace to the earth in another way. However, so many of those in this world don't accept Jesus' gift of peace. There is so much war in this world that it is sickening. Jesus came to show the way to peace. He told us how to live in peace with one another by following His clear teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. If those of us who name Jesus as Lord would truly follow His teachings and commandments, it would go so far in helping this world know what peace is.
Another part of the spirit of Christmas is joy. The angels brought good news that was to bring great joy to all people. Joy comes to us because God is with us. Jesus is God who has come to us. We don't have to be alone. The Lord has come to be with and to guide us. We can be joyful knowing the He will never leave us, and He will never ever forsake us.
Let us keep the joy of Christmas going all year long. Let us find ways to bring happiness and joy to others. Let us keep the joy of the Lord in our lives by realizing that He is with us always.
Finally, the spirit of Christmas is about love. John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world and sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Love is what truly brought Jesus to this earth on Christmas Day. Because He loved us, Jesus came to bring us life and to bring us hope. Through His example, we know how to live in this world. Through His death, He brought atonement and forgiveness of sins. Through His resurrection, Jesus defeated death. When He comes again, Jesus will restore all things and bring justice.
Let us keep the spirit of love alive all year. Let the love of the Lord Jesus fill your heart, and then spread the love of the Lord Jesus to everyone.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas this year. May God bless you all. Amen.
Prayer Requests And Other Matters
This has been one of the best weeks I've had in my writing, and I am very thankful to the Lord for providing a lot of work. I've been feeling pretty well, and I thank the Lord for this.
In prayer this week, please pray for Australia. The fires in that country are terrible. There is a great need for rain. Please pray that these fires will be extinguished, and pray for rain. Pray that the fire fighters will be safe.
Please continue to pray for those in the Bahamas who need assistance due to the hurricane. Pray for those in the Philippines who need help after the storms as well.
Continue to pray that the measles outbreak in Samoa will end. Pray that the Ebola outbreak will end in Congo.
Pray for peace. Pray that peace will come to Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in North Korea and Mauritius. Pray that many will hear about the love of Jesus.
Next week, we will return to our study of II Peter, and I will post the sermon on Saturday. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will post the Animal Book Of The Year selection on Thursday. Have a Merry Christmas. May God bless you all. Amen.
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