Titus 3:4-7. Christmas salvation! 25/12/09
(4) But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, {5} he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, {6} whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, {7} so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
A happy and blessed Christmas to you all! You are all happy, aren’t you? It is Christmas day. I hope you have all received your Christmas gifts, and are now looking forward to a real feast – turkey, ham, drinks, whatever, and all the rest. All shared with family and friends, and so you are happy; so that the spirit of Christmas is at work. And it is great to have some joy and happiness in the midst of the hassles and difficulties of life. Yes, Christmas is one of those few special times in life; and for most people, today gives them a spark to life: it lifts their spirits.
But of course, sadly that is not the case for everyone. There are many for whom today is a very difficult day. However, for most of us also, Christmas is not quite Christmas as it should be. For most of us the spirit of Christmas is somewhat lacking and certainly it does not last. For many of us these days, the focus has moved to the secondary gifts; the spirit of Christmas and not the Christ of Christmas; and there find that we are left short: the joy of this kind of Christmas does not last; it promises much, but very quickly disappears. Let me explain.
For most people today, where is the spirit of Christmas coming from? Where are they finding their joy and happiness? At the moment, it is from the gifts that they have received: the excitement of something new in their lives, given by someone near and dear to them. Here of course the principle; that it is the good that get the presents, operates well: the gifts are given to those who are special and to those who are good in their lives; and the rest miss out. In this regard, there are many who get far less than what you and I have received; those who have no friends and family, and who are on the outer of society. But for us all, the joy that is received from these gifts is short lived: the batteries soon go flat; the new thing becomes old hat, and we look for something new again: or we have fallen out with the one who gave us a gift; or whatever. But the happiness we get from these gifts that we have received lasts only a short while, before the realities of life once again surround us.
Now of course there is still more to the joy of Christmas for many than the gifts; there is the Christmas dinner and a few drinks; there is family and friends. But all of this too is fickle and short term. Soon we have overeaten and are hung-over; the visitors have all returned home, and again it is back to the realities of everyday life; and along with it the Christmas spirit dwindles quickly. As a result then we also often feel let down by it all, and we long for that which is more lasting and permanent; and which will carry on throughout the year.
It is here that God once again reminds us that he has a gift for us all; that will give us what we need to carry us throughout our lives: a Christmas gift, that is lasting and permanent; and that gives true peace and joy. It is given, for everyone; especially the down and outs, and the ones who haven’t been good and unacceptable, and who know they are in trouble. This gift makes for the real spirit of Christmas, and it is genuine - it is true to its promises. And it does give true and lasting peace and joy. Now it may not be exactly what we want or expect it to be; but then we too often are only thinking of our pleasure here and now and not the long term good of ourselves and the people around us. It certainly is a gift that is far richer than what most make it out to be.
In many ways the richness and value of this gift is encapsulated in this text that we have in front us this morning. Here we are reminded of the true spirit of Christmas; and find that which truly gives great joy and peace. At Christmas time, we are especially reminded of the kindness and love of God that has been extended to us: His coming to be with us: the birth of Jesus – God’s own Son; come into our world as one of us. And he did it because he knows that we are in trouble. He knows that we are constantly mucking up life for ourselves and each other. He knows that we have turned our backs on him, and too often try to ignore him. He knows that we have made life hell for ourselves here on earth, and that we have destined ourselves for Hell for the rest of eternity.
But out of his kindness and love for us, he chose to do something about it: to save us from ourselves and give us something far better; eternal life with him in heaven. He chose to free us and give us again a sense of meaning and purpose to life: to give us peace, joy and hope - which lasts. Now that does not mean, as many seem to think it should, that suddenly everything will go well for us here on earth. We by nature being the kind of people that we are, we would and do, again and again soon forget God and abuse the gifts he has given to us, and that we continue to be selfish and self-centred. So he continues to allow difficulties, hardships and even death to be there for our good and the good of others. So that we are forced to look and see that our only hope lies in God alone and what he has done for us.
Here he reminds us also that he is not saving us because there something good in us and about us: because there is some potential for good or whatever. In fact, as is said here, it is just the opposite. But simply because of his mercy and charity toward us he came into our world to save us. It is purely his kindness and love that motivated him to do so, not because of anything about us. Now that surely gives us good reason for hope and joy.
Then to show the extent of that love toward us – to give it to us, he came into our world in the person of Jesus Christ: he was born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago. Then went on and willingly allowed himself to be hung on a cross to die, all so that God’s punishment would not fall on us; but instead we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life in heaven. Then so that each one us can be sure that it is for us personally he commanded us to be baptized; to be given a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit: So that there we might have that certainty that we have been saved; that we have been forgiven and know that we are now a part of God’s family forever. We have now been justified by his grace. Because of his love, we are now made right with God. Not, because of ourselves or anything good within us: All generously made available by our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a gift! What a Christmas present! And it is yours! That is God’s message and gift to you –each one of you. And that gift – as it is taken to heart – will give you great peace and joy: It will carry you forward well beyond today, next week and next month. It is his gift to you for all of life and for all eternity.
So a happy Christmas this certainly is. It is truly a happy, joyous and blessed Christmas; and it is yours guaranteed: Guaranteed by Jesus Christ himself – the babe of Bethlehem. So may the true spirit of Christmas be with you today and throughout the rest of your days. May this Good News of Jesus and his coming to be with us and save us, go with you and give real peace and joy now and always. Throughout, may all glory and honour go to this one who came into our world as a little babe in Bethlehem; Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Praise God now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
(4) But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, {5} he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, {6} whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, {7} so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
A happy and blessed Christmas to you all! You are all happy, aren’t you? It is Christmas day. I hope you have all received your Christmas gifts, and are now looking forward to a real feast – turkey, ham, drinks, whatever, and all the rest. All shared with family and friends, and so you are happy; so that the spirit of Christmas is at work. And it is great to have some joy and happiness in the midst of the hassles and difficulties of life. Yes, Christmas is one of those few special times in life; and for most people, today gives them a spark to life: it lifts their spirits.
But of course, sadly that is not the case for everyone. There are many for whom today is a very difficult day. However, for most of us also, Christmas is not quite Christmas as it should be. For most of us the spirit of Christmas is somewhat lacking and certainly it does not last. For many of us these days, the focus has moved to the secondary gifts; the spirit of Christmas and not the Christ of Christmas; and there find that we are left short: the joy of this kind of Christmas does not last; it promises much, but very quickly disappears. Let me explain.
For most people today, where is the spirit of Christmas coming from? Where are they finding their joy and happiness? At the moment, it is from the gifts that they have received: the excitement of something new in their lives, given by someone near and dear to them. Here of course the principle; that it is the good that get the presents, operates well: the gifts are given to those who are special and to those who are good in their lives; and the rest miss out. In this regard, there are many who get far less than what you and I have received; those who have no friends and family, and who are on the outer of society. But for us all, the joy that is received from these gifts is short lived: the batteries soon go flat; the new thing becomes old hat, and we look for something new again: or we have fallen out with the one who gave us a gift; or whatever. But the happiness we get from these gifts that we have received lasts only a short while, before the realities of life once again surround us.
Now of course there is still more to the joy of Christmas for many than the gifts; there is the Christmas dinner and a few drinks; there is family and friends. But all of this too is fickle and short term. Soon we have overeaten and are hung-over; the visitors have all returned home, and again it is back to the realities of everyday life; and along with it the Christmas spirit dwindles quickly. As a result then we also often feel let down by it all, and we long for that which is more lasting and permanent; and which will carry on throughout the year.
It is here that God once again reminds us that he has a gift for us all; that will give us what we need to carry us throughout our lives: a Christmas gift, that is lasting and permanent; and that gives true peace and joy. It is given, for everyone; especially the down and outs, and the ones who haven’t been good and unacceptable, and who know they are in trouble. This gift makes for the real spirit of Christmas, and it is genuine - it is true to its promises. And it does give true and lasting peace and joy. Now it may not be exactly what we want or expect it to be; but then we too often are only thinking of our pleasure here and now and not the long term good of ourselves and the people around us. It certainly is a gift that is far richer than what most make it out to be.
In many ways the richness and value of this gift is encapsulated in this text that we have in front us this morning. Here we are reminded of the true spirit of Christmas; and find that which truly gives great joy and peace. At Christmas time, we are especially reminded of the kindness and love of God that has been extended to us: His coming to be with us: the birth of Jesus – God’s own Son; come into our world as one of us. And he did it because he knows that we are in trouble. He knows that we are constantly mucking up life for ourselves and each other. He knows that we have turned our backs on him, and too often try to ignore him. He knows that we have made life hell for ourselves here on earth, and that we have destined ourselves for Hell for the rest of eternity.
But out of his kindness and love for us, he chose to do something about it: to save us from ourselves and give us something far better; eternal life with him in heaven. He chose to free us and give us again a sense of meaning and purpose to life: to give us peace, joy and hope - which lasts. Now that does not mean, as many seem to think it should, that suddenly everything will go well for us here on earth. We by nature being the kind of people that we are, we would and do, again and again soon forget God and abuse the gifts he has given to us, and that we continue to be selfish and self-centred. So he continues to allow difficulties, hardships and even death to be there for our good and the good of others. So that we are forced to look and see that our only hope lies in God alone and what he has done for us.
Here he reminds us also that he is not saving us because there something good in us and about us: because there is some potential for good or whatever. In fact, as is said here, it is just the opposite. But simply because of his mercy and charity toward us he came into our world to save us. It is purely his kindness and love that motivated him to do so, not because of anything about us. Now that surely gives us good reason for hope and joy.
Then to show the extent of that love toward us – to give it to us, he came into our world in the person of Jesus Christ: he was born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago. Then went on and willingly allowed himself to be hung on a cross to die, all so that God’s punishment would not fall on us; but instead we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life in heaven. Then so that each one us can be sure that it is for us personally he commanded us to be baptized; to be given a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit: So that there we might have that certainty that we have been saved; that we have been forgiven and know that we are now a part of God’s family forever. We have now been justified by his grace. Because of his love, we are now made right with God. Not, because of ourselves or anything good within us: All generously made available by our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a gift! What a Christmas present! And it is yours! That is God’s message and gift to you –each one of you. And that gift – as it is taken to heart – will give you great peace and joy: It will carry you forward well beyond today, next week and next month. It is his gift to you for all of life and for all eternity.
So a happy Christmas this certainly is. It is truly a happy, joyous and blessed Christmas; and it is yours guaranteed: Guaranteed by Jesus Christ himself – the babe of Bethlehem. So may the true spirit of Christmas be with you today and throughout the rest of your days. May this Good News of Jesus and his coming to be with us and save us, go with you and give real peace and joy now and always. Throughout, may all glory and honour go to this one who came into our world as a little babe in Bethlehem; Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Praise God now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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