I preached at our church on Sunday morning...always a great privilege and I am thankful for Duke and Paul allowing me to do life and ministry with them!
Duke (our lead pastor) and I are doing a two-part Christmas series. I dealt with the Christmas story from Luke's perspective and on Sunday Duke will preach from Matthew's account of events.
I taught about the "beautiful absurdity" of the Christmas story. I gave a brief history of what the world looked like through the eyes of those who lived under the shadow of the Roman Empire. I did a very pitiful impression of TD Jakes (love his preaching style, presence, and voice). I tried to be obedient and share what God placed on my heart.
Here are a few thoughts I shared:
- The "beautiful absurdity" of the Christmas story and the Gospel in general is that God often has a plan that looks NOTHING like my plan!
- We have allowed Christmas to become such an absurdity in our own lives that we have no need for Baby Jesus. The party would go on just fine without Him in most of our homes!
- At what other time of year do you spend money that YOU DON'T HAVE on people YOU DON'T LIKE for gifts THEY DON'T NEED?
- To make room for Jesus means that I must give up some of my own.
- When God appears to be silent, it's not because He's forgotten us, or that we are undeserving, or insignificant--It's possibly because He's preparing our lives to more effectively communicate His glory through our story!
- How much of Jesus will be seen in your Christmas this year?
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