So what do you what for Christmas this year?
I’ve been asked that question -- & I have been asking that question.
Most kids can tell you rather quickly what it is they want!
Little Johnny had been bugging his parents for weeks about getting a watch for Christmas.
Finally his dad told him -- “Johnny, if you mention that again -- you’re not going to get it! -- Quit bugging us.”
That evening they asked him to lead in prayer before dinner -- & Johnny said: -- “I’d like to quote a Bible verse before I pray.”
Given permission -- he quoted Mark 13:37 -- “I say unto you what I have already told you before, watch ...”
Now that is an appropriate use of Scripture!
We spend most of our Christmas season searching for the perfect gift -- the bargains -- just the right decoration -- that parking spot!
At that very first Christmas -- 2000 years ago -- many people missed it altogether because they were too busy looking for other things --
The politicians missed the first Christmas; --
The business community missed the first Christmas; --
The Innkeeper missed the first Christmas; --
Even the religious establishment missed the first Christmas; --
They were all looking at other things!
The only people who enjoyed that very first Christmas (2000 years ago) -- were the people who were looking for it!
The Angels said to the shepherds -- “You shall find the baby lying in a manger” -- & the shepherds said: -- “Let’s go & see!” (Luke. 1:12, 15).
They found Jesus -- they found Christmas -- because they were searching!
Another group -- the wise men -- also found Jesus because they were seeking Him.
We read: -- “There came wise men from the east ... saying, Where is he (the baby)? ... We have seen his star & are come to worship him.” (Matt. 2:1-2)
Now let me ask you -- What are you going to find this Christmas?
What are you looking for? -- What do you really want for Christmas this year? -- What are you seeking for?
In Matthew 7:7-8 -- Jesus said: “Ask & it shall be given you; seek, & you shall find; knock & it shall be opened unto you.”
Seek & you shall find; -- keep on looking, & you will find.
Vs. 8 -- reinforces this thought -- “Everyone who seeks, finds.”
In our society today -- there’s a renewed interest & emphasis on seeking spiritual truths!
The media has got in on it -- with magazine articles appearing in Time - Life -- Newsweek, -- etc.
They don’t put these kinds of articles in magazines -- especially on covers -- unless they sell!
Which means -- there is an intense interest in spiritual things in our society right now!
A few years ago (‘94 -- just before the turn of the century) -- there was an article in Newsweek entitled: -- “The Search for the Sacred”. -- It read: -- “Maybe it’s just a critical mass of Baby Boomers in the contemplative afternoon of life. Or maybe it’s anxiety over the coming millennium, or maybe it’s a general dissatisfaction with the materialism of the modern world. For these reasons & more, millions of Americans are embarking on a search for the sacred in their lives.”
The bottom line of this article is that people are asking -- “Is there any meaning to my life? -- Does my life count? -- Is there a God? -- And if there is a God -- can I get to know Him? “
That, my friends -- is what Christmas is all about! -- Getting to know God! -- That is why Christmas is!
God says: -- “I know everything about you! -- The good, the bad, the ugly -- your past -- your present -- even your future!”
Now God wants you to know Him -- so on that first Christmas -- He gave us the gift of His only Son -- Jesus!
People today feel they want something they’ve lost; --
They just don’t remember what it is they’ve lost.
Without God -- there is a gaping void (a hole) in the human heart.
God knows all about you -- & He wants you to know Him.
There is no better time than the Christmas Season to become a seeker -- to begin your search for God! -- Wise people still seek Christ!
And as you seek -- you will find; -- you will discover the gifts God has for you; -- gifts which are found in God’s Son -- Jesus Christ.
This Christmas Season -- God wants to give you 3 gifts! -- Gifts which are found in God’s Son -- Jesus Christ.
1. If you Seek God’s Son -- You Can Find Forgiveness!
Luke’s Gospel tells us: -- “For unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord!” (Luke. 2:11); -- Circle that word “Savior”!
That is what the message of Christmas is all about!
You may ask -- “Why do I need a Savior anyway?”
Let’s look at it this way --
The Bible says that Heaven is a perfect place!
There are no mistakes -- no inconsistencies -- no sins; -- it is perfect!
Because of that -- only perfect people get to go there!
If God let imperfect people into heaven -- it wouldn’t be perfect anymore!
I don’t know about you -- but I’ve lost my chance!
I don’t stand a chance in a million of getting into heaven on my own effort -- or perfection! -- & you don’t either!
So God had to come up with Plan B; -- He sent a Savior!
That’s good news -- because a Savior has been born!
Illus: A little boy wrote a letter to Santa Claus that said: -- “Dear Santa, there are three boys at my house. -- Jeffrey is two, David is four, & Norman is seven. -- Jeffrey is good some of the time, David is good some of the time, & Norman is good all of the time. -- I am Norman.”
The problem with that is that none of us is a Norman!
None of us bats 1000; -- None of us is always perfect.
That’s why we need a Savior! -- To forgive & to cleanse.
If our greatest need had been information -- God would have sent an educator!
If our greatest need had been technology -- God would have sent a scientist!
If our greatest need had been money -- God would have sent an economist!
If our greatest need had been pleasure -- God would have sent an entertainer!
But our greatest need was forgiveness -- so God sent us a Savior!
You can be forgiven! -- “Unto you, a Savior is born!”
Forgiven! -- That’s the most priceless gift you can receive; -- the gift of a clear conscience; -- the joy of sins forgiven!
You can’t buy that at Wal-Mart -- K-Mart -- or any other mart.
It is priceless! -- Yet God offers you at Christmas time the chance to have your past forgiven & wiped clean -- so you can start over -- brand new! -- A new person altogether!
How can we receive this gift? -- By believing on God’s Son, Christ -- & admitting your need for forgiveness.
Acts 10:43 reads: -- “Everyone who believes in Him (in JC) -- will have their sins forgiven through His name.” -- That is good news!
Illus: -- Anyone who has ever worked as a lifeguard -- knows you can’t save anyone -- as long as they’re trying to save themselves -- because they’ll take you under the water with them.
You swim out to them -- & they’re thrashing around in the water -- until finally they just give up & collapse.
Once they give up -- it’s really easy; -- you just put your arm over their shoulder & swim back to shore. -- There’s nothing to it.
But you can’t save them as long as they’re trying to save themselves.
You know our problem? -- We’re always trying to save ourselves!
We think we can work our way into heaven.
We say -- “O God, my good works are this high -- & my bad works are this low. -- Look at the balance here.”
The only problem is that God doesn't grade on a curve!
God says: -- “Only prefect people need apply for a perfect place.”
You might say -- “Well, I’m better than Hitler -- than bin Laden.”
You might even be better than me!
But God doesn't judge you against anyone else!
Do you need a Savior! -- And God provides you a Savior!
It’s a free gift! -- Just accept it!
He wants you to experience forgiveness.
2. If you Seek God’s Son -- You Can Find Peace of Mind!
Peace is a word that our world uses a lot -- but they don’t have the foggiest idea of its true meaning!
Our society hasn’t got the slightest idea what genuine peace of mind is all about!
For many people -- peace of mind means drinking until I’m so drunk that I’m numb -- & I no longer feel the pain any more.
For others -- it means hopping from one relationship to the next -- to the next -- to the next -- hoping that somebody will fill the void in my life -- but they never do!
For some -- it means staying busy all the time -- so that at night I just kind of collapse into bed -- so I don’t have to think -- because any time I’m quiet -- those haunting thoughts -- fears -- & loneliness -- come caving in on me -- & I don’t like that feeling!
For others -- it means working & working & becoming a workaholic -- & over-achieving -- so I can prove to the world that I am somebody! --
Yeah, right! -- And inside I’m going, “I don’t really feel like somebody.”
For some -- it’s trying some New Age gimmick, like a crystal -- or sitting in an awkward position -- & meditating.
But none of these produce real & lasting peace of mind!
Let me tell you what real peace of mind is!
Real peace of mind is having a relationship with Jesus Christ -- God’s Son -- & becoming friends with God Himself.
Real peace is knowing that no matter who I am -- God will never stop loving me!
Real peace is knowing that no matter what happens -- God will never leave me alone; -- He will be with me, always!
Real peace is knowing that no matter what happens in 2005 -- I know that God is going to give me the strength to handle it.
Real peace is living by God’s Word -- the Bible -- so I can avoid a lot of the needless hang-ups & hurts & habits that mess up my life.
Real peace is teaching my children God’s Word -- as a foundation for life -- so as to able to watch them make the right decisions.
Illus: When George H.W. Bush -- the current president’s father -- announced to the nation the beginning of the first Gulf War -- on Jan. 16, 1991 -- he invited Dr. Billy Graham to join him for dinner at the White House that evening.
The next morning -- following the announcement -- the president of the US & Billy Graham -- knelt together before the Lord in a chapel at Fort Myer -- a military compound across the Potomac River in VA -- about a 15-minute ride from the White House.
Billy Graham was then invited to conduct a prayer service for the cabinet -- some of the congressional leaders -- & several hundred Marines at Fort Myer.
He introduced his remarks as -- “A Program for Peace.”
Not knowing what was ahead for the nation -- Graham talked about the three kinds of peace outlined in the Bible.
He first talked about the peace we find with God -- outlining what a Christian is -- & how we can find peace with God through the Prince of Peace -- as we receive Christ into our hearts.
He spoke of the peace of God -- that we can experience within ourselves -- as Christ brings peace in the turmoil, stress, & strain of life.
Finally -- he talked about the peace God brings between individuals & nations -- a peace that we should work diligently for -- although it will not be achieved completely until the Prince of Peace is Ruler of the world
My friends -- even in the midst of turmoil -- & strife -- & conflict -- there can be a deep settled peace in the heart -- a confidence in knowing that we have a right relationship with God -- & remembering that God is in control -- & whatever the outcome -- we are promised a home in heaven -- where the Prince of Peace will rule forever some bright & glorious day!
That is true peace! -- It’s a free gift! -- Just accept it!
3. If you Seek God’s Son -- You Can Find Eternal Life!
Let me give you some facts of life; --
We’re all going to die someday! --
Now -- that’s not a pleasant thought; -- you don’t need to be morbid about it -- but the fact is -- we are all -- each one of us -- going to die someday. -- Tomorrow -- next year -- 10 years from now -- someday.
We don’t know when; -- only God knows!
You’re going to spend more time on that side of death than you will on this side! --
You get 60, 70, 80, maybe 90 years here on this earth (if we are lucky); -- but on the other side of death you’ll spend the rest of eternity!
Only a fool would go all through life -- totally unprepared for what lays beyond! -- Knowing the inevitable! -- That doesn't make sense!
To know that someday you are going to die -- & not to be prepared -- is foolish, -- yes foolish indeed!
You are not ready to live until you’re prepared to die!
Fortunately -- here is the message of Christmas! -- John 3:16.
The good news of Christmas is that God gave His Son -- to bring us the gift of Eternal Life.
The Apostle Paul wrote: -- “The gift of God is eternal life through JESUS CHRISTour Lord” (Rom. 6:23). -- Eternal life! -- You can find it through trusting Christ!
God is saying to you this Christmas -- “I’ll take care of your past regrets -- your present problems -- & give you a future in Heaven with Me through all eternity -- if you will put your trust in My Son -- Jesus Christ!”
It’s called Salvation! -- Romans 6:23 is so true! -- “The wages of sin is death; -- but the gift of God is eternal life through JESUS CHRISTour Lord.”
That’s a gift you’ll never buy in a store -- nor order over the Internet; -- you can’t find it under the Christmas tree.
You can only find it in the Man on the Cross!
Life with Christ is an endless hope -- but without Him it is a hopeless end!
Illus: A father decided to have a serious talk with his young son -- who was inclined to be light-hearted -- & a bit irresponsible.
“Jimmy” -- he said -- “you are getting to be a big boy -- & ought to take things more seriously. -- Just think -- if I died suddenly -- where would you be?”
Jimmy answered: -- “I would be here; -- but where would you be?”
Good question! -- “If you were to die -- where would you be?”
God offers you His free gift of eternal life -- if you will only put you faith & trust in His Son -- Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Conclusion:
We often do not know what we’re really looking for in life.
We think we’re looking for happiness.
We think were looking for love.
We think were looking for success -- security -- significance.
We think were looking for all these things -- but actually what we’re really looking for is God!
That’s what you’re searching for -- God! -- You’re searching for God!
Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God!
Now here’s the good news; -- God is searching for you too!
That’s why He sent Jesus Christ at that first Christmas.
God sent Jesus to earth to help us understand -- & find the true God!
Christmas is really the celebration of an invasion!
God invaded earth 2000 years ago as a human being!
Why? -- So we could know He’s not some big force in the sky; -- so we could know what’s He’s really like; -- so we can have a relationship with Him! -- This invasion even split history into A.D. & B.C.!
Every time you write a check -- it’s a reference point!
Whether you’re a believer or not -- you’re using Jesus Christ as a reference point every single day of your life!
2004 from what? -- From when God came to earth!
If God had wanted to communicate to cows -- He would have become a cow.
If God had wanted to communicate to ants -- He would have become an ant.
If God had wanted to communicate to dogs -- He would have become a dog.
But God wanted to communicate to human beings -- so He became one of us -- a human being!
How did He come to earth? -- As a baby!
Nobody is afraid of a baby; -- God came not to scare you -- but to save you! -- He loves you!
The miracle of Christmas is not on 34th Street; -- it’s in Bethlehem!
And He says: -- “I offer you forgiveness for your past; -- peace of mind in the present; -- & a solid future in eternity!”
These are the gifts God offers you this Christmas!
Don’t miss these wonderful gifts of Christmas!
Illus: -- As children growing up -- & experiencing the excitement of Christmas -- we would eagerly open our gifts -- to see what we got.
When we thought we were all done -- our mom would ask -- “Now did you find all the gifts?” -- We thought we had!
But often stuck away -- hidden in the tree somewhere -- we would discover a little package -- with yet another gift -- & we almost missed it.
My friends -- don’t miss the most important gifts this Christmas!
Seek & you will find -- the gift of forgiveness -- the gift of peace -- the gift of eternal life!
How do we find such wonderful gifts?
God says: “You will find me when you seek me with your whole heart!” (Jer. 29:13).
You matter to God! -- Your problems matters to God!
Your pain matters to God! -- Your potential matters to God!
He came to earth -- & is seeking you while you’re seeking Him.
What a better time than Christmas to discover His gifts!
2000 years ago -- wise men sought Christ!
And wise men still seek Christ today!
I challenge you to be a wise man -- or woman -- in 2004; -- & this Christmas seek Christ because He says: -- “Seek & you shall find!”
It’s His promise to you today; -- It’s His gift to you!
Can you imagine being given a gift at Christmas & never unwrapping it? -- It would be silly! -- Silly indeed!
Yet many people fail to unwrap God’s gift to them Christmas after Christmas after Christmas!
You have celebrated every Christmas for as many years as you are old; -- you know the songs & the stories!
You know what it’s all about -- but you’ve never unwrapped the gift!
God says: -- “I want to offer you forgiveness -- peace of mind -- & eternal life.”
You’ll never be offered a greater deal than that -- so this Christmas, unwrap the gift! -- Seek & you shall find!