Title "God's Grace Appears at Christmas"
Contents
God's Grace at Christmas
Titus 2:11-14
2009.12.13
“Oh, by the grace of God”
John Davy said there are two Christmases in December. One is a real Christmas, literally worshiping the Nativity Christ, and the other is a false 'x-mas'. Of course, the word X-mas here is an English pronunciation of the initial letter of the Greek word Christos, and it can be said that it means Christmas, not Christmas, that is, the wrong Christmas.
Every year on Christmas Day, innocent children look forward to seeing Santa Claus. It's because they think Santa Claus brings you presents. However, what we should expect is the Christmas of Jesus Christ, and what we should receive is the grace of God revealed in Christmas. In fact, Christmas without Christ is not Christmas, and believers who do not receive God's gifts are not saints. However, I believe that those who receive God's grace at Christmas will overflow with joy and gratitude.
1. The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of salvation that brings salvation to all people.
The Apostle Paul said in Titus 2:11, “The grace of God for salvation has been revealed to all.” The word ‘appeared’ here means ‘God has revealed his grace.’ The Christmas of Jesus Christ is the event in which God revealed His grace to save all people. That's right. The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of salvation that brings salvation to all people.
When the Virgin Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit, there is a saying that an angel foretold to Joseph, “Do not be afraid.” “You will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Yes. Jesus Christ is the Savior who brings salvation to all people. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world in order to save people who do not have a watermelon to die for their sins. And by giving Himself on our behalf, Jesus redeemed us from all iniquity and purifies us so that we may become the people of God, diligent in doing good (Titus 2:14). We believe that we will receive God's grace, that is, the grace of salvation, shown in the book, become a clean people belonging to God, and do good works diligently.
In 2007, Lee Lee-ryeong (Ewha Womans University, professor emeritus, professor emeritus), who received Jesus as Savior and was baptized, appeared on CBS TV's 'Film Director Jang-ho Lee Meets Someone'. When the host asked how he felt at the moment he was baptized, he said: “I have never entrusted myself to anyone. How lonely is your life? I was so pitiful that I came all the way here alone, trembling. Tears came to my eyes at the thought of how lonely my beloved daughter must have been.” He also said, “I am Thomas.” If you don't see it, you don't believe it. But when Thomas falls into the water, he stumbles, and when he reaches complete despair, he cries out like Job.” When asked what had changed after he was baptized, he gave the fable of ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’ and confessed this. “Before I was baptized, I was a rabbit. I believed in myself and lived with the mindset that I had to keep my mind straight. But that wasn't it. I am a turtle. How wrong I have been and how much I have lacked... Throwing away human arrogance is the biggest change.” Amen!
The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of salvation that brings salvation to all people. Life before and after receiving the grace of salvation is completely different. For those who have received the grace of salvation, there must be change. And there is peace. Such a person no longer believes only in himself and no longer lives in arrogance or, conversely, trembling. Faith entrusts not only one's body but also the entire life to the God of salvation. And to become a child of God.
John 1:12 To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Said. Dear brothers and sisters, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will be able to testify of change and peace as children of God through the grace of God, the grace of salvation, that was revealed at Christmas.
2. The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of godliness that nurtures us to live a godly life.
There are two aspects to God's nurturing of His children. One is parenting in the passive aspect. It is nurture that leads to abandonment of ungodliness and worldly lusts. It is the nurture to live in this world with prudence, righteousness, and godliness. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to sanctify people who have fallen into the lusts of this world and to live a godly life. Therefore, I believe that if anyone learns and imitates Jesus Christ, they will receive God's grace, which is the grace of godliness, shown in Christmas, and become an example to others and live a life that glorifies God.
This is the story of American professional golfer Payne Stewart. Years before his death in a plane crash, he found one thing he had been so desperately looking for. It is peace in Christ. When he became the US Open champion, sports magazines featured him. He wore a bracelet with the abbreviation “what would Jesus Do? W.W.J.D.” on his wrist throughout the game. And he started the day by reading the meditation book every day. It soon led to a change in his life. Previously, even his mother called his beloved son 'rude', and his wife called him 'arrogant'.
His caddy also described him as "impatient and not very self confident." However, by believing in Jesus Christ, thinking about what Jesus would do at such times, and starting to imitate Christ, people's reputation for him improved greatly.
More than anyone else, Payne Stewart himself confessed of the peace he had achieved: “My life was empty. But now the peace I have gained is truly astonishing. (There used to be a void in my life. The peace I have now is so wonderful, I don't understand how I lived so long with out it. )
The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of godliness that nurtures us to live godly in this world. Life before and after receiving the grace of godliness is completely different. For those who have received the grace of godliness, there must be change. And there is peace. Such a person is no longer rude or arrogant. Rather, that life will no longer be empty and will be filled with wonderful peace.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul identified ungodliness as a characteristic of the last days. People say, 'Keep away from such people, because you love yourself, you love money, and you love pleasure more than you love God.
Dear brothers and sisters, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will cast away all ungodliness and worldly lusts and live in this world with prudence, righteousness, and godliness through the grace of God that was revealed at Christmas, that is, the grace of godliness.
3. The grace of God revealed at Christmas is the grace of hope that gives us a blessed hope.
The Apostle Paul said in Titus 2:13, “You have kept us waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” “Blessed hope” here means the hope of waiting for the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ to appear. That's right. The Christmas of Jesus Christ is an event in which the glory of God is revealed, and it is the grace of hope that gives us the blessing of the Lord who will come again.
Few people in the world do not experience setbacks and despair at least once or twice in their lives. Paradoxically, however, God “makes the people who walked in darkness see a great light, and to those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, a light shines.” (Isa 9:2)
The grace of God revealed in Christmas is the grace of hope that gives us a blessed hope. Life before and after receiving the grace of hope is completely different. Those who have received the grace of hope have a vision and a mission. Such a person no longer despairs or gives up. Rather, you will become a person with a clear vision and mission in life, and you will see the glory of God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 14:32 says, “The wicked falls in his tribulation, but the righteous have hope in his death.” Dear brothers and sisters, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will not give in to adversity through the grace of God, that is, the grace of blessed hope, shown in Christmas, waiting for the glory of God and Savior Jesus Christ to appear, and that you will welcome that blessed day of hope.
The greatest gift God has given us is the gift of grace revealed in the Savior's Christmas.
The Apostle Paul never neglected the gift of God's grace, saying, "It is by the grace of God that I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Dear brothers and sisters, I hope that you will receive abundantly the grace of God revealed in Christmas as a gift among gifts. So, I earnestly pray in the name of the Lord that you may rejoice to your heart's content and glorify God with thanks and praise. Amen!
“For the glory of God only”