Thoughts from Pastor Stan

SERMON NOTES

4TH Sunday of Advent

Born in a Stable

Passing Of the Peace

QUESTION: Which holiday is more important to you: Christmas or Easter?

Question

If there is no Easter, then is there no Christmas?

If there is no christmas, then is there is no Easter?

POINT

Christmas is meaningless without Easter

In fact, even though some may consider Christmas as the holiest day of the year

Christmas in the past was a low holiday

Easter is suppose to be the BIG one.

But in our society, which one is bigger Christmas or Easter?

Advent Theme Verse

Luke 2:10a “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy...” Christmas is coming!

INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

Question: When was Jesus born?

Answer: Many different opinions, but this morning, the Biblical Answer:

Let’s once again take a look at this important story of the birth of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2: 1 - 7

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first CENSUS that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to REGISTER.

CAESAR

The most important person in the Roman Empire at the time of the birth of Jesus is Caesar. Caesar has no clue; “There’s a new kid on the block.”

Question: It does not matter how important we are,

what matters is if we have a clue.

Even today, in the midst of the battle of “merry Christmas” vs “Happy Holidays”

there are people who have no clue.

REGISTER

Citizens of the Roman Empire went to be registered.

From this moment, citizens of the Kingdom of God have been registering because of what took place at this Roman registration. It was at this “register” that all other people from hence forward will be given an opportunity to “register” and follow after the King of Kings.

CENSUS

A census was taken by the Roman Empire, typically every 14 years (after the birth of Christ), so it is assumed that possibly it was previous as well. The purpose was for taxation and compulsory military service (except for Judea, only taxes). At this time, Judea was part of the province of Syria.

ANSWER: Jesus was born on Tax Day, April 15

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

The Jewish mindset (like all others within the Roman Empire) was to “give unto Caesar

SCRIPTURE TO PONDER: Matthew 22: 15 - 21

15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

21"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

QUESTION TO PONDER

What does it mean to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God”during the Christmas season?”

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

BETHLEHEM

Question: What do we know about Bethlehem?

Bethlehem means “house of bread”

(Jesus is the bread of life; john)

Rachel is born there

Ruth met Boaz there (line of David)

Bethlehem to Nazareth is about 80 miles.

It was a difficult trip.

Travelers brought their own food.

Inn keepers provided a fire to cook the food and fodder for the animals.

5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,

CLOTHS

(According to Barclay) “Swaddling cloths consisted of a square of cloth with a long bandage-like strip coming diagonally off from one corner. The child was first wrapped in the square of cloth and then the long strip was wound round and round about him.”

He was wrapped in cloths and not purple cloth of royalty, but cloth of the ordinary.

MANGER

Manger can be the feeding trough or the stable where the feeding trough was located.

Question: Was the stable first cleaned out for the King of Kings?

because there was no room for them in the inn.

NO ROOM

Why? Why was there “no room for them in the inn?”

Historical answer: too many people returned to Bethlehem for the census

Biblical answer: the world was not prepared to receive her King

Does it sound like they were prepared?

No room at the inn. Animals in the birthing room. No midwife

The accouterments of royalty were not present at his birth.

POINT

The reason we may not be prepared at Christmas is because we did not “give unto Christ what is Christ” at Christmas.

READY OR NOT: Christmas is coming (whether we are prepared or not)

POINT

The birth of Jesus is the dawn of a new age. Jesus is both the message and messenger of a new WORD. The word that was with (John 1:1)??? Within him is the presence of the Kingdom of God; where all are invited: magi, shepherds, the lowly; those born in a stable or born in a palace; all are innvited into the kngdom of god to experience a new way to live. a kingdom where the purpose is relationship with god and others.

INTRO TO CLIP

Three weeks ago - Always Winter, but never Christmas (curse)

Two weeks ago - Edmund’s temptation (Turkish Delight)

Last week - Edmund’s betrayal of brother and sisters (broken rule of relationship)

This week - Aslan, the Lion takes the place of Edmund and dies on the stone table

NARNIA CLIP: 1:52:35 - 1:54:12 (the Resurrection)

Question: What does this have to do with Christmas?

Sermon Notes

We Need Christmas because of Turkish Delight

Because of Turkish Delight we need Atonement

OR

Without Christmas there is no Easter

Without Easter there is no Christmas

HANDEL’S MESSIAH “For Unto Us”

(Words from Isaiah 9:6)

For unto us a child is born,

Unto us a son is given

Unto us a son is given.

and the government shall be upon His shoulders;

QUESTION: Who is “US”?

ISAIAH

“US” would have been the Hebrew (Jewish) people.

HANDEL most likely would have considered all of us

INTRO

Christmas can be a scary time of the year. It has things that can break.

QUESTION: What are some of the things that can break.

It has to do with those decorations. The ones you put on the tree. There are some you can break and others you can’t. There are some that you should know where they came from, whom they came from, and what significance they have.

Then there is the Nativity sets. We have lots. we like nativity sets. some i remember where they came from and others i don’t. an interesting phenomenon with nativity sets.

they have animals. so, at the birth “room” of Jesus where animals. Now when Aaron and Rachel where born, the last thing i wanted to have in the birth room where animals. Get that cow or sheep out of here.

Yet, our nativity sets have sheep and cows; but we also have some that have camels. Why camels? Was there a camel there? Mary rode a donkey not a camel, the shepherds did not ride camels, why camels? Oh yes, the magi rode camels.

Did I mention Christmas is a scary time of year. and we’re not suppose to break things. Well, here goes, you all know, camels weren’t there because the wise men weren’t at the birth of Christ. Did you hear, crack went the sound of broken tradition.

THUS, if you want a historically accurate nativity set, put the wise men in the next room. And oh yeah, we have a couple of sets with pigs.....wrong!

The breaking of tradition is like Scrooge and his response to christmas, “Bah-humbug”

an, oh yeah,

INTRO

Christmas can be a scary time of year.

CHRISTMAS IS NOT A “HIGH HOLIDAY” (“BAH HUMBUG!”)

EPIPHANY (January 6) is “more” important (High Holiday)

The Church in the West celebrated Epiphany (Jan 6) before Christmas

The Methodist Church began on December 25 (not today! - it’s closed)

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF CHRISTMAS: RELATIONSHIPS

INTRO

Purpose of life: relationship

Greatest purpose: Relationship with God (Love)

2nd Greatest purpose: Relationship with others (Love)

SITUATION

Relationships can deteriorate due to the breaking of the rules of relationship.

QUESTION: What are the rules of relationship?

(each of us is different)

It is imperative within the relationship to agree upon the rules.

SUGGESTION: Don’t ask the other what are the rules of relationship

They might think you odd.

PROBLEM: Violate one of the rules: you’re dead meat

IMPLICATION: If we have rules for our relationship with each other,

Are there rules for relationship with God?

We certainly have rules for God: Theodicy

(how can let that happen?)

PROBLEM

How to restore/reconcile the relationship?

What is required (given that each of us is different)?

RESTITUTION?

If we break a rule, is there restitution?

ANSWER: That’s why God made flowers

Two Weeks Ago (1st Sunday of Advent)

Theme: Luke 2:10 “The Angel said, Behold I bring you good news of a great joy?” What is this good news of a great joy” Why is a baby born and placed in a manger, “good news of a great joy”?

Last Week (2nd Sunday of Advent)

“Turkish Delight” (temptation: the first step in breaking the rules of relationship)

Question: Why do we really need Christmas?

This Week

FOCUS: Edmund breaks the rules of relationship: betrayal (willing to hand over (sacrifice) his brother and sisters for more Turkish Delight and a shot at the throne)

the purpose of Christmas - we need a Savior

NARNIA

LAST WEEK

Lucy while playing Hide n’ Seek enters into a new land called Narnia by attempting to hide in the back of a wardrobe closet that miraculously becomes a portal to a new land called Narnia. She meets a new creature named Mr. Tumnus that informs her that in Narnia, “it is always winter, never christmas” because of the curse of the witch of Narnia.

THIS WEEK

The LION Aslan (Turkish for Lion)(Christ)

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 4 (description of Heaven)

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagleI

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 5:6

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.

Intro to Clip

Edmund was captured by the Queen. His foolishness and his attempt caused him to be captured by the Queen. He was later rescued. and in this clip, the Queen enters Aslan’s (Christ) camp for what is rightfully hers, Edmund.

NOTE: It is easier to understand this moment with the concept of we are slave to sin

SCRIPTURE: Romans 6: 5 - 7

5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Or, Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

In this scene, imagine that you are Edmund and this whole scene is unfolding because you betrayed your brother and sisters.

CLIP (1:31:46 - 1:33:48)

Edmund breaks the rule of relationship (betrayal: Turkish Delight)

Witch cuts deal with Aslan

Aslan surrenders himself

QUESTION: What does this have to do with Christmas?

INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

This story only appears in Matthew. Ch 1 is genealogy (gentiles included)

There are three characters: Jesus; Magi; and Herod

Listen for important words/events

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2

1 AFTER Jesus was born in BETHLEHEM in Judea,

AFTER (not during, or when)

Thus say Scrooge, “Humbug.” That’s how I feel every Christmas when i remind us that the Wise men did not appear at the stable on the night of the birth of Jesus. Oh well. I still like the imagery.

BETHLEHEM

a small village south of Jerusalem

Rachel buried

Ruth met Boaz (line of David)

Anticipated birth place of the Messiah

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."

John 7:42 others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"

during the time of King Herod, MAGI from the EAST came to Jerusalem

MAGI

Not Kings or wise men, but magi.

Not three (3 gifts), an unknown number.

What is a magi?

Magi is the root for magi(cian). Astrologers? Zoroastrian? Persian?

POINT: They are gentiles, they represent pagans

In other words, they are “new agers from Ojai.”

EAST

Iraq (Babylon/Persia)

QUESTION: How far are people willing to travel to worship Jesus?

2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

NOTE: Magi’s only line

STAR (messenger/angel)

The wise men followed the star (comet, jupiter and Saturn, UFO, Numbers 24 (Magi may have received info):17; etc.)

Whatever it was, it was spectacular enough for them to follow a great distance. They were willing to “give-up” to follow the star and where it will take them.

QUESTION: Do you know anybody who is willing to “give-up” and follow a “star” no matter where it will take them?

OBSERVATION: lots of folks follow a “star” be it a movie star, fad, or some kind of thing that promises them a “new life” and identity.

HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM

This is their goal. They know their goal at “christmas.”

QUESTION: What is our goal this Christmas?

EAST

Babylon (Persia/Iraq)

3 When KING HEROD heard this he was DISTURBED, and all Jerusalem with him.

KING HEROD (reign 37 - 4 B.C.)

Herod the Great known for (positive and negative): a descendant of the Edomites (Esau). Ruthless. Building Projects (some for the benefit of the people). Rebuilt the temple (Herod’s Temple).

DISTURBED

Herod saw Jesus as a threat

QUESTION: Is Herod alone? Do others see Jesus as a threat?

4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

NOTE: Scribes, etc. Knew where Jesus was going to be born and yet did not go. These folks missed Christmas

5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

OBSERVATION

Magi followed the Star to Jerusalem (creation)

From Jerusalem, Magi followed Scripture to Bethlehem (Scripture)

POINT

an example of how far natural revelation/theology can take someone, and then revealed (biblical) revelation/theology takes them to Jesus (Aquinas, etc.)

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

WORSHIP HIM

QUESTION: Do you believe, Herod intends on “worship him”?

(Duplicity of Herod) (others?)

POINT: King Herod is king, there is only room for one king

Same way in our lives, there is only room for one king/Lord

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

TENSION (between Jesus and the World)

SCRIPTURE: (v9)

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the STAR,

STAR

The wise men were obedient to a star.

10b they were OVERJOYED. 11 On coming to the HOUSE,

HOUSE (this is Greek for stable; just kidding) not stable

Break goes another tradition of Christmas

Herod will order not infants, but under 2 to be killed.

b they SAW THE CHILD with his mother MARY,

SAW THE CHILD

There eyes perceived a child; their minds perceived a king

MARY

QUESTION: Where’s Joseph?

c and they BOWED DOWN and WORSHIPPED him.

BOWED DOWN

Eastern custom of obeisance (signifying homage/submission/worship)

WORSHIPPED

QUESTION: Magi worshipped Jesus, who we worship; is it essential?

OBSERVATION

Magi had Faith; Herod did not

Magi were outsiders; Herod was an insider

Herod represents the present state of sin

Magi represent the state of grace (our potential)

Magi coming with worship in their heart;

Herod coming with murder in his heart

Magi with faith

Herod with rebellion

Magi “overjoyed/rejoiced”

Herod “disturbed”

POINT

There’s a little Herod in us and there’s hopefully more Magi in us.

Examples: someone is threatening to take our job

someone is attempting to reduce our power

IRONY

Magi (only in Matthew) look like the good guys; even though they would be considered the bad guys in the historical context. They represent gentiles.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:19 - 20

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

POINT

LUKE 20:10 “...good news of great joy...” is FOR UNTO US (all).

“Jesus then was manifested neither to the learned nor the righteous; for ignorance belongeth to the shepherds (Luke); impiety to the idolatrous Magi (Matthew) Augustine

Notice what their gifts convey

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

GIFTS (several places in OT - the King shall receive gifts from representatives of other countries)

POINT: The king is the king of all the world (gentiles included)

Blessing for all nations and not just Israel

Psalm 72: 10 - 11

May the king of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him...May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

GOLD and of INCENSE and of MYRRH

I sometimes wonder what I would have brought to the baby Jesus?

QUESTION: What gift would you have brought then and today?

CHRISTMAS HYMN: WE THREE KINGS (traditional symbols)

(V2) GOLD (king)

(V3) (FRANK)INCENSE (deity)

(V4) MYYRPH (suffering)

What is Myrrh?

It is an herb that is used for medicinal purposes as well as for embalming purposes.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 19:39

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of MYRRH and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

POINT: That’s some baby gift

FOR UNTO US ALL (MAGI REPRESENT THE GENTILES)

Handel’s Messiah is a musical way of illustrates the gospel

C.S. Lewis Narnia is a fairy tale way of illustrating the gospel

Interesting both have the same message

NEXT WEEK: Walk to Bethlehem

WRAP YOUR OFFERING

CLOSING (David Downing; “Into the Wardrobe)

1. S. Lewis in (Narnia) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, at the end of the story; Lucy is heartbroken because she needs to return to earth and leave Aslan behind. Refering to earth, she said “It isn’t Narnia, you know,” she sobs. “It’s you. We shan’t meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”” Aslan responds that she can meet him in her own world under another name: “This was very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”

What is the “other name”?

C.S. Lewis received a letter from a little girl named Hila who asked about Aslan’s other name; he replied that he wanted her to guess:

“Has there ever been anyone in this world who:

1. Arrived at the same time as Father Christmas
2. Said hew was the son of the Great emperor
3. Gave himself up for someone else’s fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people
4. Came to life again
5. is sometimes spoken of as a lamb

SERMON NOTES

NARNIA

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

“Turkish Delight”

PASSING OF THE PEACE

QUESTION: Do we really need Christmas? or (What’s the purpose of Christmas?)

FAVORITE HYMN?

Joy to the World

(v3) No more sins and sorrows grow

O Little Town of Bethlehem

(v3) But in this world of sin

(v4) Cast out our sin and enter in

HARK THE HERALD ANGEL SING

(vs 1) “God and sinner reconciled”

QUESTION: What does sin have to do with Christmas?

QUESTION: Is there sin today? Narnia? Bible Times?

QUESTION: Why?

Rules of Relationship broken? (purpose of life; relationship)(NEWS?)

QUESTION: What do you need?

CHRISTMAS EVE (Call to Worship)(place in order of need)

If our greatest need was for information,

God would have sent a teacher

If our greatest need was for technology

God would have sent a scientist

If our greatest need was for money

God would have sent a banker

If our greatest need was for entertainment

God would have sent an entertainer

But our greatest need was for forgiveness

So, God sent us the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ

LAST WEEK - ADVENT 1 (Christmas is Coming)

Luke 2:10, the angel said, “Behold! I bring you good news of a great joy..” Narnia says, Christmas is coming.

LAST WEEK NARNIA

Lucy playing hide in seek, hid inthe wardrobe closet and then traveled to a new land called Narnia, where is is always winter and never christmas (because of a curse)

THERE’S SOMETHING MORE TO CHRISTMAS

Than presents

Than a baby lying in a manger

QUESTION: What makes a baby lying in a manger special?

Why would magi, or 3 kings, or wise men bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh because a child is born

INTRO TO NARNIA

to answer that question, let us once again crack the wardrobe and enter Narnia

LAST WEEK (in Narnia)

Lucy, the youngest of four children entered a new and strange land of Narnia, while playing hide n seek and entering a wardrobe closet, thinking it an excellent place to hide. she met a new creature named Mr. Tumnaus and she learned that Narnia was a land under curse: “Always winter, never Christmas.” It is a cold land of snow and cold feelings, but it is also a land anticipating the advent of Aslan.

PUPPET MESSAGE

Will do anything for Turkish Delight?

Is there anything you would do for your “Turkish Delight”?

INTRO FOR THIS WEEK

QUESTION: Favorite thing to eat/Candy?

Intro to clip

Edmund follows Lucy through the wardrobe closet into Narnia. She is unaware that Edmund is in Narnia. He then encounters the witch of Narnia who is responsible for making it always winter but never Christmas.

CLIP: 29:42 - 34:16 (Edmund Encounters Witch)

She offers Edmund anything in the world that he would like to eat, he chooses Turkish Delight. And the first step of betrayal begins. He is willing to “sacrifice” his brother and sisters for Turkish Delight and a chance to rule

The Witch knows how to tempt Edmund, when she asks, “What would you like best to eat?” (p. 31)

REMEMBER: We always have a choice on how to respond to temptation

TURKISH DELIGHT - “the sweet poison of the false infinite”

Highly Overrated Sweet (the name promises more than it delivers)

Treat given at Christmas (but us, we have no idea)

Essay, “The First and Second Things” “By valuing too highly a real but subordinate good, we... come near to losing that good itself.” (similar to Augustine’s concept of sin). I.e. is there anything wrong with Turkish Delight?

“...thought only of trying to shovel down as much turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate the more he wanted to eat...”(p. 32)

“At last the turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more....this was enchanted Turkish Delight and that anyone who had once tasted it would want more and more of it, and would even, if they were allowed, go on eating it till they killed themselves. (p. 33)

“Edmund was already feeling uncomfortable from having eaten too many sweets, and when he heard that the Lady he had made friends with was a dangerous witch he felt even more uncomfortable. But he still wanted to taste that Turkish Delight again more than he wanted anything else.” (p 38)

“I say,” said Lucy, “you do look awful, Edmund. Don’t you feel well?”

“I’m all right,” said Edmund, but this was not true. He was feeling very sick.” (p. 39)

SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:23

3For the wages of sin is death,

Note: Edmund is in denial (sin impacts our ability to know ourselves)

Note: Sin is fun. If it wasn’t, there would be a problem with it.

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 9: 17 & 18

17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

NOTE: the taboo tantalizes

LET’S CUT EDMUND SOME SLACK - maybe he didn’t know ...

QUESTION: Would we sin, if we knew it was a sin?

POINT: Edmund is about to break the rules of relationship: betrayal

QUESTION: Have you ever known anyone to break the rules of relationship.

Has anyone ever betrayed you?

How do you feel and what do you do?

OR: Have you ever betrayed?

Have you ever tossed your values away because of something?

Have you ever arose to a position and then once there felt yucky?

INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

Question: Why do we really need Christmas?

INTRO TO SCRIPTURE: ROMANS

Theme: righteousness of God

People are made right with God by faith alone, apart from human effort, salvation is available to all. Theme: 1:16 all people whether Jew or Gentile are sinful

SCRIPTURE: Romans 7 (Oklahoma - “I am Just a Girl who Can’t say ‘No’”)

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

QUESTION: Why is there an inner struggle?

Because sin is fun?

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 20: 17

17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

POINT: Turkish Delight

Each of us has that one thing in our life that compels us more than any other thing.

In Narnia, Edmund’s favorite thing in the whole world is Turkish Delight. The White Witch entices Edmund by giving him his most favorite thing in the whole world...turkish Delight

IN THE REAL WORLD, we are enticed by our most favorite thing, our Turkish Delight. When we say “yes” to our Turkish Delight too much, give it power over us, then we are held as a slave to Turkish Delight

QUESTION: What helps to say “no”?

What about Faust?

HOW IS THIS LIKE FAUST?

The Turkish Delight for Faust was knowledge

POINT

So, the purpose of Christmas is because of Turkish Delight

QUESTION: What does the bible say?

LUKE 2:10

The Angel said, “Do not be afrad. I bring you good news (Gospel) of a great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Jesus was born to be our Savior

(lot of Christmas songs about that)

but why do we need a savior?

Next week will find out

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."