Christmas - History's Greatest Bailout

Pastor Jim Henry
12/21/08
1 John 3:1-10

Bailout is usually associated with being in jail or in trouble. Nowadays it means we can't get out of something and need help.

Christmas is history's greatest bailout!

3 Things about 1 John 3:1-10

1. How Astounding the Revelation of God's Love
He choose us out of his grace not because we deserved it. The world doesn't know Christ experientially so it rejects Jesus Christ and therefore, rejects us. Be bold in your faith and expect rejection. We can tell the world there is a collision coming.
Book Recommendation: 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

2. How Incredible the Mission of Jesus
He came to take away (lift off) our sin and came to destroy the works of the devil. Destroy in this case doesn't mean eliminate but rather to loosen, overcome, or render inoperable. The works of the devil are moral, soulful, physical, intellectual. It is a battle for the heart, mind and body.

3. How Compelling the Expectation for Us
Basically he is telling us that while we are still in this world we need to do this. We should not be habitually sinning. He is telling us that if we sin we are not a believer--sin being habitual and us knowing better because we will sin. We need to carry out our assignment most of the time. You'll know because when you sin it will bother you--you won't want to sin. We want to please God. We need to deliberately try to lead a pure life. His expectation is that we are morally pure. Be careful and use His seed - the bible. We are either a Child of God or a Child of the devil--there is not half and half, just one or the other. God always has the last word.

Just when it looks like things are getting worse and worse in society and around the world--don't worry! Jesus is still the champion of the world! Christmas is the greatest bailout in history.