Post-Holiday Blues?

I went with my friend, Jake, to church this morning. He was kind enough to come considerably out of his way to pick me up. Rough weather too.

Good sermon. I bet pastors have a hard time deciding what to preach on the Sunday after Christmas. The Christmas story? Just slightly late for that. New Year’s Resolutions? One Sunday too early for that. What are the pressing post-Christmas concerns? Weight loss?! To tell you the truth, I’d be rather pleased if I gained any weight this holiday. No, this morning’s sermon was on materialism. It’s a good topic any time of year but an especially helpful reminder around Christmas-time. His particular emphasis was on the inability of material possessions to bring fulfillment. That’s a pretty incisive insight right now when the excitement and anticipation of the Christmas season is over. All the gifts are put away, the food is eaten, the decorations are taken down, the family and friends are gone back to their lives. A lot of people are feeling empty and unfulfilled. The pleasures material blessings brought are already diminishing. It doesn’t last. Not even a few days!

He took his text from Luke 12 and his key verses were:

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

And 1 Timothy 6:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

The message was really well-times and convicting. I wish I had a copy of it. Maybe I’ll link to it if he puts it online.

Aside, from the awesome message, I haven’t been to that church in a while so it was a little awkward, I’ll admit.

I never want to get up while the aisles are full of people unless I can take someone's elbow and have them guide me out. I don’t want to be in the way. So usually I just sit in the pew and wait, listen to different conversations going on around me. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is not to eavesdrop; I guess people never think I can hear extremely well. It’s one of those things, you know. People subconsciously assume if you can’t see you have no idea what’s going on.

Well, that sounds a little boastful. I’ll admit I don’t always know what’s going on. For instance this morning the pastor said “Good morning” to me about five times before I realized he was talking to me. That was pretty embarrassing. You know, I wonder if he forgot my name.

Anyway, all that to say, as I was sitting there, waiting for the crowd to disperse, I could hear a group of kids discussing their Christmas gifts. It pretty much cemented everything I’d learned from the message.

Kids: “I didn’t get the fill-in-the-blank that I wanted” and “Well, my grandparents got me a video game I already had and I wish my parents could exchange it” and “My baby brother dipped my remote-controlled truck in the toilet and it stopped working.” Etcetera. This reinforced, for me, the worth of the pastor’s observations this morning. Those kids, though – I don’t think they learned anything! :)

I just pray that we older ones are quicker to learn and obey. May we be doers of the Word and not hearers only. But, it’s comforting to remember that even when we mess up – even when we’re hearers only – we have a forgiving God. Aren’t you grateful for God’s mercy? He puts up with SO much!

God bless!
Jason

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has had a blessed day. I know I did! God has been so gracious to me and my whole family. It’s been awesome.

I haven’t had time to write a long post like I’d wanted to but I thought I’d post a link to a sermon I found this afternoon. It’s by John MacArthur: called The True Spirit of Christmas.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/80-152.HTM

And a few verses that I read this morning:

Phil 2:8-11
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What amazing grace we’ve been shown! That God would humble Himself and become a man like us. I know I am so undeserving. We serve a God of love and mercy!

God bless!
Jason