12/25/2022
Dear Crossroads Family,
Christmas is certainly a wonderful and joyful celebration, and the birth of Christ is an appropriate event to celebrate. The wonder and anticipation of Christmas is rivaled by few other experiences that children have, but as adults, we sometimes find ourselves wondering if all the hurry and worry of Christmas—all the shopping and cooking, the standing in lines and sitting in traffic—has anything to do with the reason for the season. Maybe not, but one aspect of Christmas is at the heart of what Christmas is all about – giving.
The impetus for Christmas is expressed in John 3:16 – “God loved the world so much that He gave…” Paul couched the coming of Christ in the context of giving in 2 Cor. 8:9 when he wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Giving is the most “Christmas” thing we do at Christmastime. And maybe it can serve as training ground for the way we live the other 364 days of the year.
Jesus taught that giving was among the most important expressions of genuine faith in Him:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Lk. 6:38 NIV)
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Lk. 12:33 NIV)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21 NIV)
And in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus said:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”(Matt. 25:34 NIV)
So, as you give gifts to family and friends this Christmas season, let it be a reminder of just how good and right it feels to give. Then, in the new year, practice the act of giving out of a deep dedication as a follower of Christ. After all, “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:* NIV)
So, Merry Christmas and happy giving. I look forward to worshiping with you Christmas Eve and Sunday morning. Our message Sunday morning is entitled, “You Have Found Favor with God.” The sermon notes are included below.
Love,
Bro. Doug
__________
You Have Found Favor with God
Luke 1:26-38
God sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary to share God’s plan. Among his first words to her were these, “Do not ___ _______.” We assume she was afraid of the form of this heavenly creature. But the Greek word for “angel” is the word “___________.” So, Heb. 13:2 speaks of showing hospitality to angels without knowing it. When angels appeared to people in the Bible, they almost always appeared as other people—__________. If Gabriel wasn’t a frightening creature, of what might Mary have been afraid? Maybe the same kinds of fears that people have today. As with us, so with Mary, the list of cares, anxieties, and fears must have been long. But the message of God is the same: Do not be afraid. Literally, _____ _________.
The reason to stop fearing was that she had found ______ with God. The word translated “favor” is a word usually translated as “_____.” It was the word commonly used to refer to the help of a __________ given to a _______ in need. Here is what Mary would have heard: “You have been chosen by God to be the recipient of His favor, His grace. You are now His ____________.”
We who have put our faith in Jesus have this _____ ________ of benefaction from God (see Rom. 5:2 and Rom. 8:31).
God’s unique favor toward Mary was that she would be the mother of the Messiah, accomplished by the _____ _______. God also favors us when we accept Christ. We are invited into the _______ and into the ________ of God. God has a purpose and place for you in His kingdom and enables you as the _______ comes upon you.
God’s promise in Scripture to we who have accepted Jesus as Savior is that God has ________ you; chosen to be your benefactor. And the ________ from which you will draw to live for Him and serve Him is the _____ ______. The only thing left for us to do is _______ the angel’s word that “no word from God will ever fail” and ______, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
You are _______ _________!
__________
A Few Reminders:
No Sunday Evening Activities scheduled on December 25 and January 1.
The Church Office will be closed Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26.
Regular Weekly Church Scheduled Activities will be returning on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
End of Year Giving: contributions must be received or postmarked by Saturday, December 31, to be eligible for the 2022 tax credit.
5th Saturday Breakfast at Life Restored is scheduled for Saturday, December 31. If you are interested in helping with this opportunity for outreach to the homeless , meet at the church’s lower parking lot at 8:00 am to caravan downtown.
Dr. Doug Diehl
San Antonio, TX 78254
11/20/2022
08/28/2022