Christmas... the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus. So, what about Christmas? Does the Bible say anything about Christmas? When did Christians begin celebrating Christmas? Are churches to celebrate Christmas? Can a Christian celebrate Christmas? All good questions that need Biblical answers.
To be sure, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. The family is together. Gifts are exchanged. Santa comes down the chimney. Children are happy. Songs are sung. Food is eaten... what is not to like? As a child, I didn't really give a lot of thought to the fact that at my house it was Christmas, but at church it was not. We decorated a tree, put presents under it, waited for Santa and talked about Jesus birth... oh, and waited impatiently for the yearly showing of Rudolph. As I got older, my Sunday School teachers would be very careful to make sure I knew that Christmas was not really Jesus' birthday, but just a day that a person had selected to celebrate it. But what about the church celebrating a day that is a human tradition? Is that ok?
First things first, the Bible is completely, totally silent on the matter. Our only record is that His birth took place during the rule of Caesar Augustus and while Quirinius was governing Syria. No day, no month of the year or even the year. So how did we get to December 25th? Ok, here goes... the Jews believed that a prophet died on the same date as their conception. They believed that Jesus died on March 25th, so he was conceived on March 25th, so nine months later... December 25th. Early Christians, like Origen denounced the idea of celebrating His birth, but somewhere around 354 AD, his birth shows up on a calendar on December 25th. Little by little, this spread and soon churches were holding this day a special, Constantinople in 379 AD, Antioch in 380 AD and Alexandria in 430 AD.
Among Protestant churches that arose during the Reformation, Christmas was denounced as the "trappings of popery", since Christmas literally means the "Mass of Christ". It was banned by church leaders in England in 1647. It was outlawed by the New England government in 1659 and completely fell out of favor in the USA after the American Revolution. Over time, through literature and immigration, Christmas was revived in America and in 1870, Christmas was declared a U. S. federal holiday.
So, should Christmas be the work of the church? Should we as a church celebrate Christmas in our assemblies? Should we as individuals celebrate Christmas? Two different questions, with two different answers. First, as a church, we have no authorization to celebrate Christmas. The only remembrance that we are commanded to hold is the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of His death. In fact, Jesus was very strong in condemning human traditions being forced onto God's people as commands. (read Mark 7: 1-13) Christmas is a human tradition, very clearly so; therefore to bind it anyone in our assemblies is to violate a very clear Biblical principle. Traditions of men are wrong when they become matters of doctrine and are bound upon all, so to bind the observance of a human tradition on a congregation of the Lord's people would be in violation of the Jesus' teaching and is at least unwise, if not wrong.
Ok, can I celebrate it in my home? What does the Bible teach in regard to this? Paul gives us teaching that will help us in this discussion... So let no one judge you in food or in drink,
or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the
substance is of Christ (Col2:16-17) Paul teaches us that as individuals we can hold days as special, but that we must not bind that on others. In Romans 14: 5-6, Paul teaches our personal liberty on the matter... One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. When we consider these teachings, it becomes clear that we have the personal freedom to hold a day as "special" if we choose, but again, the rub comes when we push that onto others.
In closing, let me make it clear that I love Christmas. I love being with my family and enjoying the fellowship, food and fun. I am free to do that. But, I am not free to bind that on anyone else. You are free to enjoy the day as you see fit, celebrate it or not and no one has the right to condemn either action. Christmas is a human tradition and a very beautiful one at that, but it is not a day set apart by our Lord for remembrance of His birthday. Our Lord set apart each Sunday as the day to remember Him in a special way by the church joining together to eat the Supper. That is what the Bible teaches and that is what His church should do. Individually, hold the 25th of December as a special day or don't, either way is fine, but don't condemn others for their actions... that is not fine.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Good Deeds
Today's reading is Paul's letter to Titus. A short little letter packed full of instruction. I am always amazed at how much teaching Paul, through the Spirit can pack into a paragraph. So, today I want to unpack Titus 3:3-8...
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Sometimes being reminded of our past is useful. Sure, it can bring on feelings of guilt, even shame when we consider some of the things that we were involved in. But Paul uses our pasts to highlight what our present condition looks like in comparison. In the past, I was "foolish", yep; "disobedient", for sure; "led astray", check; "slaves to my passions and pleasures", you got it; "malice and envy", been there, done that; "hated and hating", true that. The mirror doesn't lie, before I met Jesus and made Him Lord and Master of my life, it was all about me. I did things that I now regret. You were probably in the same boat, involved with the wrong people, doing the wrong things; if not, you are fortunate. Paul wants us to take a moment and consider who we were, what we did and the outcome of such conduct. So, let's do that.... (take a moment and think on the matter)
When the scriptures throw in a "but", it is usually a very good thing and in this case Paul gives us a "but" that changes everything. He says this is how you once were, but... this is how you are now. He says when Jesus appeared, (the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior), HE saved us! That is good news! We once were lost, but now we are found; we once were blind, but now we see... (thanks John Newton). He changed everything! Paul wants us to understand that it is not our goodness, our acts of kindness that save us; it is God's rich mercy. He tells us that this all occurs at our "washing of regeneration" and ""renewal of the Holy Spirit". (see Acts 2:38) It is not an accomplishment of ours, rather Paul tells us that we are "justified" by His grace. It is His unmerited favor that we get through Jesus!
What is our reaction to this mercy, this grace? We are to devote ourselves to good deeds. As "heirs" according to the hope of eternal life, we are to start living like His children. The past was focused on ourselves and what we want, as renewed people we begin focusing on what God wants and He wants us to show His mercy, His grace to those around us by doing good deeds. He says "these things are excellent and profitable for people". Not only is doing good the response to His grace, doing good is to our profit. It benefits others, but it also brings a return to us. I don't know how all that works, but this I know, when I focus on the needs of others and serve them, I always receive a blessing. My life is enriched, I am encouraged as I encourage others.
How are you doing in all this? Have you considered where you were before Him and where you are now? Has the result of God's mercy been the outpouring of good deeds in your life? Have you changed from a "it's all about me person" to a "it's all about God and people" person? At the Wilkesboro church, our mission statement is simple and easy to learn... "Love God and Love People"; this fulfills the commands of God. If you are still trapped in "me", God has grace and mercy waiting on you. If you have forgotten where you came from and have slipped back into your former life, Paul says take a moment and reflect on these things and get busy doing good deeds. God expects change. He paid our debt, but He expects change. May He bless you in the doing of it!
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Sometimes being reminded of our past is useful. Sure, it can bring on feelings of guilt, even shame when we consider some of the things that we were involved in. But Paul uses our pasts to highlight what our present condition looks like in comparison. In the past, I was "foolish", yep; "disobedient", for sure; "led astray", check; "slaves to my passions and pleasures", you got it; "malice and envy", been there, done that; "hated and hating", true that. The mirror doesn't lie, before I met Jesus and made Him Lord and Master of my life, it was all about me. I did things that I now regret. You were probably in the same boat, involved with the wrong people, doing the wrong things; if not, you are fortunate. Paul wants us to take a moment and consider who we were, what we did and the outcome of such conduct. So, let's do that.... (take a moment and think on the matter)
When the scriptures throw in a "but", it is usually a very good thing and in this case Paul gives us a "but" that changes everything. He says this is how you once were, but... this is how you are now. He says when Jesus appeared, (the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior), HE saved us! That is good news! We once were lost, but now we are found; we once were blind, but now we see... (thanks John Newton). He changed everything! Paul wants us to understand that it is not our goodness, our acts of kindness that save us; it is God's rich mercy. He tells us that this all occurs at our "washing of regeneration" and ""renewal of the Holy Spirit". (see Acts 2:38) It is not an accomplishment of ours, rather Paul tells us that we are "justified" by His grace. It is His unmerited favor that we get through Jesus!
What is our reaction to this mercy, this grace? We are to devote ourselves to good deeds. As "heirs" according to the hope of eternal life, we are to start living like His children. The past was focused on ourselves and what we want, as renewed people we begin focusing on what God wants and He wants us to show His mercy, His grace to those around us by doing good deeds. He says "these things are excellent and profitable for people". Not only is doing good the response to His grace, doing good is to our profit. It benefits others, but it also brings a return to us. I don't know how all that works, but this I know, when I focus on the needs of others and serve them, I always receive a blessing. My life is enriched, I am encouraged as I encourage others.
How are you doing in all this? Have you considered where you were before Him and where you are now? Has the result of God's mercy been the outpouring of good deeds in your life? Have you changed from a "it's all about me person" to a "it's all about God and people" person? At the Wilkesboro church, our mission statement is simple and easy to learn... "Love God and Love People"; this fulfills the commands of God. If you are still trapped in "me", God has grace and mercy waiting on you. If you have forgotten where you came from and have slipped back into your former life, Paul says take a moment and reflect on these things and get busy doing good deeds. God expects change. He paid our debt, but He expects change. May He bless you in the doing of it!
Friday, December 14, 2012
You Were Dead!
Today's reading takes us to the letter to the church in Colosse. Paul is under house arrest and learns of the struggles the church is having in Colosse and writes this letter to help them understand their relationship to Christ and how their lives are to reflect Jesus. As far as we know, he has never visited the church in Colosse, but hears reports from his friend, Epaphras (more on him at a later date). I am always encouraged when I read Paul's letter to the church in Colosse and know that it contains words that are just applicable to the church in Wilkesboro. So, take a moment and read the short little letter to the Colosse church of Christ.
Paul begins his letter with encouragement for the Christians there and builds them up by telling them all the wonderful things he has heard about the church. He tells them they are in his prayers. What an uplifting thing to know others are praying for you... especially an apostle! He declares to them the preeminence of Christ, that He is the God made flesh (2:9) and that He is the firstborn from among the dead. (others had been raised, but they would die again, not so with Jesus) (1:15-20)
As I read today, the section that really came alive for me is found in Chapter 2, verses 9-14.
So much to learn in these few verses... In Jesus, the fullness of deity dwells bodily... as the Christ, there is nothing lacking in Jesus. He is God, completely, fully. That is difficult to understand, we know He was also completely a human and faced the exact temptations and difficulties that we face today. We know that after His death on the cross, He tells His disciples that God had given Him "all" authority. (Matthew 28:18ff) So, we begin to get the idea that until He returns and takes His church home to be with the Father, He is in charge. He has the reigns; He is the captain of the ship.
Having established that Jesus is the One in charge, Paul tells us the He has done something to us. Under the Old Law, the Jew was to be circumcised on the eight day after his birth. It was a sign to the world that he belonged to God. Paul uses this reference to talk about something every Christan does and what the effect of the act is. He tells us that we are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. He tells us that it is the Christ that performs this operation and it is done in our baptism. He says that when we are immersed we experience the putting off the body of the flesh. What does that mean? Thankfully Paul doesn't leave us in the dark. He says that before our baptisms, we were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. But after, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Paul wanted the disciples in Colosse to know that something very special had occurred when they were immersed into the Lord. He wanted them (and wants us) to know that this wasn't some meaningless symbol, but that something happens (actually happens!) when a person submits to Jesus in baptism. Some would argue that baptism is a work of man, but this scripture makes it very clear who is doing the work... having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Our faith in God's ability to accomplish this work is what we do. What He does is raise us from the dead lives of sin, just as He raised Jesus from the dead (unless you believe that He didn't do that) ... And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him.
I imagine myself on the operating table, dead in my sin with God as the surgeon. He opens up my life and with the skills of a surgeon, cuts away all my sin and brings me to life. I come off the table alive, a new man made alive with Jesus. Thanks be to God, our Father for the provision of His Son, who bore our sins on the cross. And, that He applies the shed blood of Christ to our lives and removes our sins when we submit to His working in baptism. What about you, have you made the transaction of exchanging eternal death for eternal life. It is for you that He died. Make the decision and God will remove death and give life... life eternal.
Paul begins his letter with encouragement for the Christians there and builds them up by telling them all the wonderful things he has heard about the church. He tells them they are in his prayers. What an uplifting thing to know others are praying for you... especially an apostle! He declares to them the preeminence of Christ, that He is the God made flesh (2:9) and that He is the firstborn from among the dead. (others had been raised, but they would die again, not so with Jesus) (1:15-20)
As I read today, the section that really came alive for me is found in Chapter 2, verses 9-14.
For in
him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
and
you
have been filled in him, who is the
head of all rule and authority. In him also you
were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting
off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having
been buried with him in baptism, in which you
were also raised with him through faith in the
powerful working of God, who
raised him from the dead. And
you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God
made
alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling
the
record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside,
nailing it to the cross.
So much to learn in these few verses... In Jesus, the fullness of deity dwells bodily... as the Christ, there is nothing lacking in Jesus. He is God, completely, fully. That is difficult to understand, we know He was also completely a human and faced the exact temptations and difficulties that we face today. We know that after His death on the cross, He tells His disciples that God had given Him "all" authority. (Matthew 28:18ff) So, we begin to get the idea that until He returns and takes His church home to be with the Father, He is in charge. He has the reigns; He is the captain of the ship.
Having established that Jesus is the One in charge, Paul tells us the He has done something to us. Under the Old Law, the Jew was to be circumcised on the eight day after his birth. It was a sign to the world that he belonged to God. Paul uses this reference to talk about something every Christan does and what the effect of the act is. He tells us that we are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. He tells us that it is the Christ that performs this operation and it is done in our baptism. He says that when we are immersed we experience the putting off the body of the flesh. What does that mean? Thankfully Paul doesn't leave us in the dark. He says that before our baptisms, we were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. But after, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Paul wanted the disciples in Colosse to know that something very special had occurred when they were immersed into the Lord. He wanted them (and wants us) to know that this wasn't some meaningless symbol, but that something happens (actually happens!) when a person submits to Jesus in baptism. Some would argue that baptism is a work of man, but this scripture makes it very clear who is doing the work... having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Our faith in God's ability to accomplish this work is what we do. What He does is raise us from the dead lives of sin, just as He raised Jesus from the dead (unless you believe that He didn't do that) ... And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him.
I imagine myself on the operating table, dead in my sin with God as the surgeon. He opens up my life and with the skills of a surgeon, cuts away all my sin and brings me to life. I come off the table alive, a new man made alive with Jesus. Thanks be to God, our Father for the provision of His Son, who bore our sins on the cross. And, that He applies the shed blood of Christ to our lives and removes our sins when we submit to His working in baptism. What about you, have you made the transaction of exchanging eternal death for eternal life. It is for you that He died. Make the decision and God will remove death and give life... life eternal.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Innocent!?
Our daily reading today takes us to the book of Acts and chapter 20. Today we get to tag along with the apostle Paul as he travels through Philippi, Troas and Miletus as he heads for Syria. I can only imagine what it would have been like to travel with Paul. I am sure of one thing... there was never a dull moment. I am convinced that is what it should be like to be a Christian today! We are part of the greatest adventure ever written and the good news is... it is still being written. We are just as important in God's story as those we read about in the Bible. The people we read about are just like you and me; they are people who made the decision (most of them anyway) to follow God. We get to see the good, the bad and the ugly, which makes our lives seem normal.
Paul arrives in Troas and stays seven days. Acts 20:7 contains an interesting statement... On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. This is the record of the assembly of the first century church. They gathered on the first day of the week (Sunday) to break bread (the Lord's supper). It is said very nonchalantly as if that is what everyone understood. Today, churches meet when they choose and they take communion occasionally, holidays, quarterly or annually. But, the example we have in the scriptures is that the church met on Sunday to take communion. Maybe we are free to do anything we choose, maybe, but the Bible records that Sunday is the day they met and Sunday is the day they "broke bread".
Paul leaves Troas and comes to Miletus. Whilein Miletus, he sends to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (v 17) He doesn't send to Ephesus for the elder or the pastor, he sends for the "elders". Today's church usually has one pastor or elder, but the Biblical pattern is for multiple elders in each church. In Titus 1:5 we read that Paul left Titus in Crete to appoint elders in every town. So the elders arrive to be with Paul and he relates to them that he is headed to Jerusalem and that prison awaits him. He reminds them of the example that he was to them when he lived with them in Ephesus...
You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (vv 18-21)
He tells them... Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.(vv 26,27) Paul says that because he had proclaimed to them the entire counsel of God; that he had held nothing back, he was innocent of the blood of all. That is a scary statement! Had he not communicated the full gospel of Christ, would he have been guilty of the blood of some? And in turn, if we do not communicate the "whole counsel of God" to those around us are we guilty of their blood? If we know something that Lord requires and we keep it from those we meet, is God going to hold us accountable? Do you and I have the responsibility to teach those around us? Paul thought so. As he leaves the Elders, he tells them that he is transferring the responsibility to them... Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God. (v 28)
Paul does just what Jesus did as he prepared to leave... "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19,20) We are commanded to teach those around us... some will listen, others will turn a deaf ear. The result is not our concern, God gives the increase. Our concern is the telling of it. If we are to be found "innocent" of the blood of others, we have to tell them the truth that saves. What they do with it is between them and God.
Paul finishes his talk with the elders and they pray together and shed lots of tears. I like that. When we part with those we have loved and worked with in the Lord, may we shed tears! Several times in the past few years, we have said goodbye to families that we have grown to love and worked with and tears have been shed and prayers prayed. If Paul and the elders can cry... so can we!
So, what did we learn from Acts 20? Meet on Sunday and eat the Lord's supper, live as examples to those around us, teach everyone we can about Jesus and when we have to part company with a coworker for the Lord, pray and cry. Good stuff!! What is being written about you? We get to read about Paul and his travels and experiences, but what would I read about you? What would you read about me? Our stories, yours and mine are being written; we can't change the last chapter, but we can make the next one the best chapter yet!! Live it out, everyday!
Paul arrives in Troas and stays seven days. Acts 20:7 contains an interesting statement... On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. This is the record of the assembly of the first century church. They gathered on the first day of the week (Sunday) to break bread (the Lord's supper). It is said very nonchalantly as if that is what everyone understood. Today, churches meet when they choose and they take communion occasionally, holidays, quarterly or annually. But, the example we have in the scriptures is that the church met on Sunday to take communion. Maybe we are free to do anything we choose, maybe, but the Bible records that Sunday is the day they met and Sunday is the day they "broke bread".
Paul leaves Troas and comes to Miletus. Whilein Miletus, he sends to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (v 17) He doesn't send to Ephesus for the elder or the pastor, he sends for the "elders". Today's church usually has one pastor or elder, but the Biblical pattern is for multiple elders in each church. In Titus 1:5 we read that Paul left Titus in Crete to appoint elders in every town. So the elders arrive to be with Paul and he relates to them that he is headed to Jerusalem and that prison awaits him. He reminds them of the example that he was to them when he lived with them in Ephesus...
You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (vv 18-21)
He tells them... Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.(vv 26,27) Paul says that because he had proclaimed to them the entire counsel of God; that he had held nothing back, he was innocent of the blood of all. That is a scary statement! Had he not communicated the full gospel of Christ, would he have been guilty of the blood of some? And in turn, if we do not communicate the "whole counsel of God" to those around us are we guilty of their blood? If we know something that Lord requires and we keep it from those we meet, is God going to hold us accountable? Do you and I have the responsibility to teach those around us? Paul thought so. As he leaves the Elders, he tells them that he is transferring the responsibility to them... Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God. (v 28)
Paul does just what Jesus did as he prepared to leave... "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19,20) We are commanded to teach those around us... some will listen, others will turn a deaf ear. The result is not our concern, God gives the increase. Our concern is the telling of it. If we are to be found "innocent" of the blood of others, we have to tell them the truth that saves. What they do with it is between them and God.
Paul finishes his talk with the elders and they pray together and shed lots of tears. I like that. When we part with those we have loved and worked with in the Lord, may we shed tears! Several times in the past few years, we have said goodbye to families that we have grown to love and worked with and tears have been shed and prayers prayed. If Paul and the elders can cry... so can we!
So, what did we learn from Acts 20? Meet on Sunday and eat the Lord's supper, live as examples to those around us, teach everyone we can about Jesus and when we have to part company with a coworker for the Lord, pray and cry. Good stuff!! What is being written about you? We get to read about Paul and his travels and experiences, but what would I read about you? What would you read about me? Our stories, yours and mine are being written; we can't change the last chapter, but we can make the next one the best chapter yet!! Live it out, everyday!
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