Living Christmas Letters

Advent 2020  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  50:34
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A Year in Review…

How many of you remember when news programs would do “A Year in Review”?
I remember living with my Grandmother… one of here favorite shows was “60 Minutes.” Every year around New Years, I think it was Andy Rooney, who would use his commentary segment to do “a year in review.”
It was always interesting, as he highlighted the various significant things that happened throughout the previous year…
The best thing about it was that it gave us a moment to look back, and realize that — no matter how bad the year had seemed, no matter what was going on — some good things had happened…
It is good for us to slow down, and take a moment to look back… to see what has happened, both good and bad…
Theologically, this idea of past reflection is important as well…
— It gives us a chance to reflect… to look back over the year… over our lives… and see where God has been at work…
After all, God’s gift of Grace… His gift found in the Incarnation of Christ… is in the past… … Yet… it still effects the future!
All of the events — from creation all the way to, and after Jesus’s birth — are impacted by that single moment when the “Word became flesh!”
Because in that moment… Christ, the Father’s only begotten, the Word… who was active in creation… enters our world, and brings news of Peace, Joy, and Reconciliation.
The same is true for us… Amen?
Our lives were significantly impacted… they were changed forever… the moment that the Word became flesh in our lives!
But… We are not to LIVE in the Past.
Reflecting is meant to do only one thing — to remind us of what God has done, so that we can live faithful lives… as we await Christ’s return…
Look at Titus 2.
Paul’s letter to Titus… His Christmas Letter… reminds us that we are living in the time “in between”… In between Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem, and His return in the Full Glory of His Kingdom!
Titus 2:1 NRSV
1 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine.
“But as for you,...” I love the way Paul starts this part!
“But as for you,...”
… Means that we need to look back at what was said before this…
Look at what he says:
Titus 1:15–16 NRSV
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
I find this part interesting… Paul isn’t speaking so much about the world, or non-believers, as he is about those within the church who claim to be faithful…
Right there in the middle is the key! “They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their actions.”
How we live matters! We are to live our lives differently!
We are called to be a “HOLY” people…
1 Peter 2:9 NRSV
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
It is easy to compare how we live to how the world lives… the difference is easy to identify, its easy to see… but… What about within the Church?
Does our life line up with our faith?
When people look at us, do they “SEE” our faith? (a favorite question of mine, that has been asked a lot in sermons) If you were tried in court, would their be enough “evidence” to convict you as a faithful Christian?
It sounds “cheesy,” but that what Paul is saying… Our lives should reveal our faithfulness to God as we live in this “in between time”…
Paul’s letter to Titus gives us some direction on HOW to live faith-filled, and faith-revealing lives…
Titus 2:1–15 NRSV
1 But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2 Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. 3 Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. 9 Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, 10 not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. 15 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
There is a lot there, amen?
We could spend the next 6 months (or more) breaking this down.
So… How do we live lives that reveal our faithfulness to God?
Titus 2:11–12 NRSV
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,
We are commanded to live Holy Lives, Amen?
1 Peter 1:16 NRSV
16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter is reminding us of:
Leviticus 11:45 NRSV
45 For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy.
Now… We’ve all heard this before, right?
Have you ever wondered, How? How do we live “Holy Lives”? How are we supposed to be “Holy as God is Holy”?
I mean… after all… we are human, we’re fallible… we have proven time and again, just how BIG we can fail!!
So… How do we live Holy Lives?
I can picture the early Church Fathers — the Patriarchs — sitting around pondering that very thought…
Can you imagine the Sanhedrin — all dressed up, in the meeting hall — debating this?! What a mess!!!
Perhaps that is why the Ten Commandments turned into over 800 Mosaic laws!
But right there… in verse 12… Paul tells us how to do it!
Three simple words beautifully characterize the lifestyle of a believer: self-controlled, upright, and Godly.
We are to pursue holiness in the present moment, by living a life that is marked by self-control, uprightness, and godliness.
Now, let me ask you — “What do these three characteristics point to?”
Each one of these terms points to a life that is in harmony — with ourselves… with others… and with God.
Every relationship we have deserves our fullest commitment to love and reconciliation!
We must always err on the side of Grace, and make the relationship the most important thing!
Look at the ten commandments: the first 4 have solely to do with our relationship with God, but the other 6 are about our relationship with each other and with ourselves!
This is not something we have to work hard at fulfilling! Think about it… (Thou shalt not kill… thou shall not bear false witness… thou shall not have other gods… thous shall not steal…) All those things are harmful to the relationship…
If protecting the relationship — with ourselves, with others, and with God — is important to us, then we are not going to do anything that will harm them…
We cannot experience the peace and joy that we sing about at Christmas if we are in conflict with others, God, or ourselves.
We fulfill the Law. and protect the Relationship through living self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives.
Let’s break this down: (I want to do this by posing 3 questions…)
What does it mean to live “Self-controlled” lives?
The Greek word used here is “sophronos”… it means “self-controlled” or “soberly”…
To be self-controlled and sober, means to live lives of moderation…
Now, let’s be honest… that idea is pretty much the exact opposite of our culture!
Our culture is obsessed with excess… Think about it… we push “black friday” and “super Saturday”… companies, TV shows, movies… everywhere we look, we are told to “throw caution to the wind” and live lives in pursuit of whatever makes us “happy” no matter the cost!
We live in a “buy now, pay later” society that promotes constant excess!
But here… Paul calls us to a better way of life — a simpler way of life — one that lets go of excess, with all its stress and anxiety, and allows us to rest and find true joy and peace…
One that is sensible, virtuous, and moderated.
The funny thing is, that this idea was ideal in the Greco-Roman world. Self-control and temperance were part of the four virtues of Greek philosophy…
Paul is telling us to do the same thing that philosophers have told people throughout the ages… adopt a lifestyle that even non-believers recognize as virtuous.
Philippians 2:14–15 NRSV
14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.
Now hear this — Self-control… moderation… is the mark of a life restored by God’s Grace.
It is how we shine like stars in this dark world!
2. What is an “upright” life?
The “upright life” is an ethical life.
Living ethically means living according to God’s righteousness.
Titus 2:11–12 NRSV
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,
We are enabled to live “upright,” ethical lives, because of … through … God’s Grace.
We are to live according to Christ’s teaching and the “rules” (if you will) that He lays out in the gospels and through the “pastoral letters”…
So that we are found to be “upright” even among a non-believing world!
Don’t believe that’s possible?! Think this world will never recognize a godly life as proper?
Look at Daniel.
Daniel 6:4 NRSV
4 So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him.
Daniel lived an upright life… and he was found blameless…
But understand this… Living ethically can be costly.
You see — It means living according to the standards of love, generosity, and self-sacrifice that God commands, rather than the selfish agendas of this world.
— It means living according to God’s wisdom and not our own…
— It means “seeing” and “treating” others as God would treat them…
… and that can open us up for mistreatment… to abuse… to hate… But God promises peace, joy, and provision, when we live His way!
Living “upright” means living with both a “redeemed” inner life and a “redeemed” outer life…
It means aligning our actions with God’s will… and that life flows from God’s Grace!
3. What is the Godly life?
Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of people who want to tell you what the “godly” life is? What being “Christlike” is?
They have all kinds of ideas, don’t they? How many of those ideas align themselves with the total of scripture? I mean, seriously, how many times do they say things that do not contradict scripture anywhere — OT or NT?
So, what is the Godly life?
Most of us would say “Holiness.” Amen?
Can I tell you this? — The Godly life is a life lived WITHIN God’s Grace.
Paul says God’s grace appeared with the birth of Christ, and helps us live Godly lives.
Titus 2:11–12 NRSV
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,
Look at verse 12 a little closer… “training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions...”
The Godly life is a life of COMPLETE devotion to God.
It is a devotion that allows God to train us… to teach us… to equip us… to live the life He created us for…
Without complete devotion to God, we cannot live at peace with ourselves, or with others.
Have you noticed yet that all three of these questions are circular… they all hinge on each other…
But here’s the kicker — A Godly life is the linchpin that makes the other two pieces possible.
Because… It focuses us on God. The Godly Life is where — All of our priorities become His…
The Greek word translated “Godly” here is — eusebos — it means “in a Godly manner.”
We are supposed to live our lives “in a Godly manner”… that means that we have to KNOW God personally!
Living Godly lives does not mean honoring God because the Law requires it… It means honoring God because… HE IS!!!
The Godly life is one that is marked by worship… not church attendance and singing songs… but a worship lifestyle…
Romans 12:1–2 NRSV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
A lifestyle of worship is a lifestyle that constantly offers God worship, praise, honor, and glory… through EVERY ASPECT of our lives!
The Godly life is not a perfect… or divine life… we all know how imperfect we are…
The Godly life is a life lived with a “renewed” mind… a mind that realizes the truth… living a Godly life… a “righteous” life… is only possible through God’s Grace!
Living a “self-controlled, upright, Godly” life means living a life of willingness in worship…
— Willingness to recognize our shortfalls…
— willingness to recognize our need…
— willingness to recognize God’s Grace…
— and willingness recognize God’s hand in our lives…
It means being willing to share this Christmas message — that Christ himself… being Godly in the purest sense… came into the world to become the very means by which we… who were separated from God by our sin… can be restored to Him…
We share this through our lives… through our actions… through our love for one another and others…
Let us pray:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace:
where hatred is, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Father, grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is by giving that we receive,
it is by pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is by dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
(adapted from the prayer of St. Francis of Assissi)
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