1. JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES
WELCOME TO THE
JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

2. Luke 2:1-7  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

3. JESUS’ BIRTH AND THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

4. THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
There are many things that are associated with this time of year.
Jesus’ birth brought many things to us that are also associated with the spirit of Christmas.
We are not told to make a special time of the birth of Jesus. We don’t really know the time of His birth. We have a memorial of His death in the Lord’s Supper each Sunday.
There is, however a spirit that fills the air at this time even for those who are not particularly religious.
What are these things that are the spirit of Christmas that also came with the coming of our Lord into this world?

5. 1. THE SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS.
Jesus Came to Save us from our sins - Matthew 1:20-21  But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
This time of year brings an attitude of forgiveness, letting bygones become bygones.
We must forgive to be forgiven - Matthew 6:  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

6. 2. THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE.
Jesus is our Lord - Luke 2:11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
But He came to serve - Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
We are to serve God - Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
We are also to serve each other - Galatians 5:13-14  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

7. 3. THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION.
There was celebration at Jesus birth - Luke 2:  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
In America Christmas is, for most, a time of celebration and joy.
God wants us to be happy - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20  Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19  As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God. 20  For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

8. 4. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING.
Gifts were given to Jesus at his birth - Matthew 2:11  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God gave His Son for us - John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus gives us the abundant life - John 10:10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
If we give, we will receive - Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

9. 5. THE SPIRIT OF WORSHIP.
The wise men came to worship Jesus - Matthew 2:1-2  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2  saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
Sadly many, even those who claim to be Christians, only come to worship him at Christmas and Easter; to celebrate His birth and his death/resurrection.

10. 5. THE SPIRIT OF WORSHIP.
The early Christians met each first day of the week - Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
We should not forsake worshipping Him - Hebrews 10:23-25  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

11. 6. THE SPIRIT OF EVANGELISM.
Jesus is our savior - Luke 2:10-11  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
He is the only way to God - John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
He came to seek and save the lost - Luke 19:9-10  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

12. WHAT ABOUT YOUR SPIRIT Jesus brought the Spirit of Forgiveness.
Have you forgiven those around you?
Jesus brought the Spirit of Service.
Are you serving others?
Jesus brought the Spirit of Celebration and Joy. Are you joyful?
Jesus brought the Spirit of Giving.
Are you a giving, generous person?
Jesus brought the Spirit of Worship.
Are you worshiping Him regularly?
Jesus brought the Spirit of Evangelism.
Are you sharing Jesus with others?

14. TONIGHT’S SERMON GIFTS FOR GOD