Jesus is the Hope for Our Present

The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas. - Bill Crowder

It is about appearances - All the lights and twinkle on the outside

On the inside we struggle and hurt.

Life is not a Hallmark Christmas movie -explain

We want to be good and be the people we see in those Christmas movies, but ....

Paul put’s it this way

Romans 7:18–20 CSB

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me.

Have you ever felt this?

I want to do what is good and right , but I just can’t

Last week we spoke about the pains of the past

We cannot go back and change our past, but through Christ we can let go of it.

We believe Christ has forgiven our past sins - and if you are a follower He has

But what today, what about the present

Where is my hope for for my present, for today

It is still Jesus, that’s what I want to dive into today

Turn to Romans 7

Let’s pray

Christmas Carol

In the movie - Scrooge had faced his past - but nothing could be done

Ghost of Christmas Present - shows Scrooge the world in front of him

We are so busy with our own things - we do not see or refuse to see the reality of our lives and how we are living

Scrooge is focused on his wants and wealth - He refuses to see - like us

No wonder there is no joy, power or hope in our daily lives

Here comes the warning

“They are the children of all who walk the earth unseen. Their names are ignorance and want. Beware of them, but upon their brow is written the word doom. They spell the downfall of you and all who deny their existences.”

To put it plainly it is sin

1. Sin as a result of ignorance

Unfortunately ignorance is not an excuse - or believe me I would use it

Parable of the judgement - sheep and goats - - Jesus use the same standard - I was hungry, thirsty etc.

Matthew 25:44–46 CSB

“Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ “Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Paul puts it this way

Romans 1:20 CSB

For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.

There will be no excuses

2. Sin as a result of want

There are two type of want - want more, want what I don’t have

Parable of the one who stored up everything

Luke 12:19–21 CSB

Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Not wrong to want more - nice home and job - but there must be balance - recognition that it is God who provides - all we need -

John 6:35 CSB

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

Good news in this

Jesus’ grace is greater than our sins

Romans 7:24–25 (CSB)

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Jesus redeems our past, and brings hope and power for the present

We can live changed today

Jesus is the hope of Our Present

The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross. - J.I. Packer

My prayer and hope for you is that Christmas morning will bring joy and laughter

There will be presents and tables full

The reality is that Dec 26th will come

Why not live with hope everyday and not just one

Romans 8:12–13 CSB

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Christ was born so we could live free

There are no excuses

Why settle for anything less

Let’s pray

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