Love

At Christmas, we can have hope, comfort, and joy through Christ Jesus.

My name is Brad Owen and I am the Student Minister here at Lakeside. This morning we are in the middle of our Christmas series titled "Comfort and Joy. "

Two weeks ago, Nic shared with us that during this time of year there are many who feel brokenness and pain, but we have hope in Christ. He explained that God is for us, not against us!

Last week Jon shared how we have comfort and joy through Christ. He shared that comfort and joy doesn't come through presents wrapped with a bow and bought from a store. It comes from Christ. Jon also challenged us to share how we have been comforted with those who need Christ's comfort.

If you have been impacted by this series, or you just want to talk with someone about how you grow in Christ or get plugged into ministry, please stop by the Next Steps area in the lobby and we will gladly talk with you and help you on your journey.

Throughout this series we have been asking you to take a few minutes and fill out one of our Christmas cards with your personal short story of how God has blessed you in the past year so that we can share your story with other people. You can find these cards on the table near the doors in the back of the auditorium. Feel free to sign your name or leave them anonymous.

This morning, as we continue with our series, we will be digging into what it means to have love. Before we get into the word of God this morning, let's pray.

What does it mean to have love at Christmas?

This morning I want to jump right back into Isaiah 61 at the point where we left off last week. Isaiah 61:4-7 (NIV) says, "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs."

At the beginning of this passage it is promised that their houses shall be rebuilt, that their cities shall be raised out of the ruins in which they had long lain, and be fitted up for their use again. Even though it was feared that it would never be repaired, it was to be raised up again.

The setting up of Christianity in the world repaired the decay of man which had existed for generations. An unsanctified, or unholy, soul is like a city that is broken down and has no walls, like a house in ruins. But by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is repaired. It is put in order again, and through the Holy Spirit, it is fitted to be a habitation of God.

A transformation has taken place in the lives of God's people. They have turned their hearts back to God. And they shall do this, those that are released out of captivity. For we are brought out of the house of bondage so that we may serve God. We serve God both by building up ourselves to his glory and in helping to build up his Church on earth.

So to boil it down, God is taking his people, who for generations had been in decay and brokenness, and he is repairing them and rebuilding them. He has a greater plan for them and he has work for them to accomplish.

God is changing his people from the inside-out.

Everything described in Isaiah 61:5-7 (NIV) is telling of the change that has taken place in their lives. They are now so focused on completing God's work that they are being richly rewarded. "Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs."

The reality and presence of sin, evil, and brokenness, and the abuse of good things for evil purposes is not a new problem. The decay of humanity is not a new problem. It existed in the story told by Isaiah the prophet and is repeated throughout the history of God's people.

There was a need for a rebuilding of their lives, their homes, and their city. God was faithful to do so through those who turned back to him.

The story of Saint Nicholas.

I want to talk about Saint Nicholas.

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time, the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to, "Sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for people.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, and was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons that there was no room for the real criminals-- murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value-- a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, who were without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home. This provided the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas was caring for the people around him in his city. He showed love to them by meeting practical needs and by protecting them. He was showing his love for people. In turn, this love brought them hope, comfort, and joy. He did all this in the name of Jesus as he obeyed Christ's commands.

The origin of Santa is this man named Saint Nicholas who, being devout to Christ's instructions, responded with love in a time when sin, evil, brokenness, and the decay of humanity were prevalent. Through extreme generosity and countless acts of kindness for others, Saint Nicholas demonstrated his love and Christ's love for the world around him.

Saint Nick's life demonstrates one who lived a life of love. He was an ambassador for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 talks more about being an ambassador for Christ.

How do we live lives of love?

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NIV) says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

How can we live lives of love? What does it look like? With the news of the heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut looming in our minds, it is clear that we too live in a time where sin, evil, brokenness, and the abuse of good things for evil purposes exists all around us.

What does it look like to love our families and our city? How can you show love to those around you?

We can show love by praying.

Pray for one another. We need to pray for each other to stand strong in our faith. We can pray for Jack Tanner, who is the minister at Newtown Christian Church, who is ministering on the front lines during this tragedy. Pray for those who are in need. Unleash the power of the Spirit of God. What would happen here if we prayed for those in need who are in our midst?

We should also pray for those in need of comfort and answers in Connecticut. Pray for an opportunity to love someone in need. When you pray for opportunities, you are looking for opportunities. Then God brings them to you.

We can be present.

Sometimes people just need us to be with them during times of brokenness. I can think of a couple of occasions when I have been able to sit and listen and be physically present when people had lost a loved one. Jack Tanner has been present with many families as they have learned of the loss of their children as a result of the shooting.

We can meet physical needs.

We can provide food, shelter, clothing, and resources. You can meet physical needs by giving to the Caring Fund here at Lakeside. By giving to the caring fund, you are actually meeting people's physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.

We can offer them Christ.

We must tell of what God has done for us. If you look back at 2 Corinthians 5 you see that God is bringing us back to himself. He has shown us love by making Christ be sin for us, so that through Christ we might be righteous.

Christ is the ultimate gift of love.

During a season when we celebrate the birth of Christ, who is the ultimate gift of love, isn't it appropriate for us to turn our focus away from the ribbons and bows? Shouldn't we turn our focus toward offering hope to a generation of people who are left broken and devastated?

In a time when sin, evil, brokenness, and the decay of humanity are all around us, such as how we find ourselves now, don't you think it is time for the rebuilding of our lives, our families, and our city? This tragedy that took place in Connecticut should serve as a motivation for us to take seriously the responsibility that we have been given as ambassadors for Christ.

We all need the fulfillment of Christ in our lives. Once you have Christ, it is your calling to reconcile the world back to God.

A man once came up to Jesus asking what he should do. Jesus wanted to send this rich young ruler out to sacrifice and show love to the people, but the rich young ruler left Jesus' presence unhappy. Saint Nicolas took Jesus' charge seriously, and gave up his personal inheritance to help others less fortunate.

We have a need for a rebuilding of our lives, our homes, and our city. God will be faithful to do so if we turn to him and follow his commands.

Real love is not afraid to sacrifice.

Saint Nicolas gave up all of his possessions. Jesus gave up his life. What are you willing to do to show love to those who God has placed around you? What are you willing to give up so that they may be reconciled back to God?

What gift are you focused on giving this Christmas? A gift that is neatly wrapped and sits under a tree? Or the gift of love that will bring the world back into relationship with God?