Arrival in Our Hearts
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Introduction
It’s Christmastime—and I like Christmas.
The lights, tree, decorations, the presents, the celebrations.
Problem
The fun stuff of Christmas can distract from the real purpose and meaning of Christmas.
The distractions are more than the bills, exhaustion, disappointments, family squabbles.
The problem is that many do not connect the dots between Christ’s birth and how that birth sets in motion God’s plan to save us from our sins.
And, when we fail to connect the dots and see the big picture, we view the story of Christmas as nothing more than a cute little myth.
Purpose of Preaching
This is why a preach. It is to connect the dots and show you how the Bible tells us about God and how He wants to rescue you from the devastation of sin. And the devastation of sin is ultimately spiritual death.
Jesus, when talking with a religious leader, put it this way:
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Jesus arrived in our world because of the condition of our heart.
The Heart
The New Testament always uses the term heart as an idiom for the mind, your inner self, your thoughts, feelings, your will and desires.
Your heart is the center of who you are.
It is the condition of your heart—your inner self—that is the reason why Jesus, the Son of God, was born and lived among us—and died on the Cross.
This is how Jesus described the condition of our heart without God’s intervention:
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
The condition of our heart (without Christ) is bent toward doing what is selfish—without regard to our relationship with God.
Why is this important? Without the saving grace of Christ, we are lost—without hope.
See, the real meaning of Christmas is about the hope we have in God’s grace and mercy.
And, it is the joy we receive when we reflect on God’s greatest gift—the gift of salvation and a changed heart—this is what we should celebrate this Christmas season.
But, like I said, sometimes the stuff of “Christmas” can distract us from grasping the fulness of God’s love. Sometimes we fail the connect the dots.
Paul’s Joy
One of the early Christian leaders—Paul—never wanted to loose sight of God’s gift of salvation.
This is what he wrote to a church that was located in present day Turkey:
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Transition
I want you to experience today the joy—like Paul—that we have through God’s great gift.
We can live the joy-filled life by reminding ourselves of what God has done in us.
The Spirit strengthens us with power.
The Spirit strengthens us with power.
As Paul reflects on God’s gift of salvation, he is compelled to worship.
Why?
We are not left alone to try the figure things out.
God purposefully, intentionally strengthens us with His Holy Spirit.
He strengthens our inner being—our heart.
He strengthens our ability to know our purpose in life.
He strengthens our thought life that will glorify him and keep us from self-destruction.
He strengthens our resolve to honor Him through obedience and fulfillment of purpose.
He strengthens our actions to be a witness to the world of His love and grace.
When we reflect on what God has done for us and in us, how can we not but praise and worship Him?
But, we have even more reason to praise Him.
Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.
Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
We are not left alone! Christ is in us.
Instead of a temple made of brick and stone, we have become a temple in which Christ resides.
Illustration: One of the great experiences I had as a young adult was to live in England for two years. Westminster Abby and old churches (architecture). Beauty, impressive.
But nothing is more beautiful and impressive than that of a person, who has by faith, opened their heart to Christ.
This faith speaks of trust—to trust Jesus Christ to not only save your life, but to lead your life.
This life, saved and led by Christ, becomes “rooted and grounded in love.”
Our motivations change—from self-centeredness to what will glorify God and what will build others up.
God’s grace exceeds our expectations.
God’s grace exceeds our expectations.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
When we become aware of Christ in us, we come to realize that God goes beyond what we could “ask or think.”
I think sometimes we take this verse and make it very selfish. I think it is wrong to treat God is if He is our servant fulfilling our every wish.
When God saved us, He made us part of His family.
We belong to Him.
And with that identity, we will see His love change our life.
God watches out for us.
God meets our need—even before we ask (or even when we are not aware of the need in the first place).
Conclusion
Jesus came for you and for me—for all of humanity.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
When He saves a person—by His grace received through our faith—He takes residence in our heart.
He leads us and guides us.
This leads us to:
Love God and do what honors Him.
Love and serve others
Worship God with all our hearts.
This is our purpose—this is what life is all about—this is what brings us joy, peace, and hope.
Altar Call
Jesus came to save sinners—that is the heart of Christmas.
Let me ask you a question: What is the condition of your heart? (your thought life, your decision making, your inner self?)
Connect the dots—see the big picture this Christmas. God loves you. He wants to you trust Him with your life—your heart. Will you trust Him?