It so easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the Christmas season, and Christians today are feeling the pressure of “political correctness” and marginalization of Christian values more and more. Should we capitulate and admit defeat? Or is there a virtue in embracing a suffering for the Lord?
God’s Word gives us the promise of enteral glory through the reception of His Son, and therein we find our true hope.
Observations & Conclusions:
1. Suffering on earth, for the sake of the gospel should result in joy
YOUR SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY
Jesus’ death & resurrection has promised you hope
1 Peter 4:13
“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Romans 8:18-21
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
2. Christ in you means the hope of glory
YOUR RESURRECTION IS GUARANTEED
Jesus living in you now assures your future
Romans 8:22-30
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
3. Hope of glory means maturity: nothing can steal your joy
YOUR HOPE BECOMES YOUR POWER
Jesus’ energy propels you in all circumstances
Romans 8:31-39
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Application:
Christmas means that you can have hope, if you remember to make it all about Jesus.
Don’t leave Jesus at church – don’t leave Him on the outside
Don’t leave Jesus at church – don’t leave Him on the outside