As Christmas approaches and we think about celebrating the coming of Christ, it would do us good to stop and think about what it was really like. The words of our text are amazing and sad. We could speak for hours about the fact that “He came“– the reality of His coming, but let us not forget the reason for and the result of His coming. He came—
— out of love for man and was loathed by man.
— to help man, but was hurt by man.
— to make us rich toward God, but was made poor.
— to reveal the Father, but was called a devil.
— to manifest grace and truth, but was accused of being a sinner.
— to redeem, but was rejected.
— to forgive, but was condemned.
— to save, but was made to suffer.
— with compassion, but was crucified.
— to set the captive free, but was nailed to the cross.
— to give life, but was put to death.
— to provide peace, but was brought to grief.
— to bring great joy, but was made to weep.

Why? How could this be? It’s because the natural man is, dead spiritually, blind to the truth, deceived by Satan, enslaved to sin, proud, selfish, stubborn, and foolish. What man did to Jesus is all the evidence we need that man needs Jesus. Calvary, the greatest expression of love ever shown, was the greatest act of injustice ever known. Only a Savior like Him could or would save sinners like us!–HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

Trying to describe a sinner’s awful condition can be difficult because they have no understanding of God’s Word. They don’t realize what a terrible peril their unbelief puts them in. Tell them they are spiritually dead and they look at you like a calf looking at a new gate and assume you are crazy. But they don’t know what they don’t know. That reminds me of the story about the little boy who lived on a farm. One day he watched his dad cut a chicken’s head off and the chicken continued to jump, run, and flop around. The little boy said to his father, “Look daddy, he’s dead and doesn’t know it!”. Even so, the same could be said of lost sinners.

Years ago an old time open-air preacher was conducting a service when a young man cried out, “You tell us about the burden of sin, but I don’t feel any such burden! How much does sin weigh? 80 pounds? 10 pounds?” The wise preacher replied, “Tell me, if you laid a 400 pound weight on the chest of a dead man, would he feel it?” The young fellow said, “No, because he is dead”. The preacher then responded, “And the man who feels no load of sin is dead spiritually”.

Even so, regardless of how you feel, what you think, or what you’ve been told, without Christ you are spiritually dead. In other words you are separated from God. The good news is that Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” ( John 10:10). Thank God that it true! What Jesus promised He provided. Due to His death, burial, and resurrection, eternal life is available for all who believe. As John the Baptist said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” ( John 3:36). So, are you dead or alive? – HDS

Here we see a serious question. It is a part of God’s response to a question that a delegation of Jews sent to the priests and prophets regarding a certain fast ( 7:1-3). Although the request might seem reasonable vs4-6 sets the record straight. Their fasts and religious ceremonies had been observed purely out of self interest to please man, rather than God. It was an expression of self pity, not repentance. Here we see God telling them that the real need was for them to listen to Him. Read the rest of the chapter to see how the story unfolds.

In verses 8-10 we see a simple solution. God makes it clear that He is more concerned about righteous conduct than He is about religious ceremonies. The solution to their perceived problem was to simply obey Him. That’s what we all need to do. Most people make life more complex than it is. There is much talk about what we should do, how, and why. We should just listen to God and do it. He expects obedience and no amount of religious activity can substitute for it.

In verses 11-12 we see a stubborn rejection. They refused to listen, although God called them repeatedly, spoke to them gently, wanted what was best for them, and warned them of judgement. Rather than repenting, they hardened their hearts (vs. 12). Making matters all the worse.

In verses 12-14 we see a sad condition. They were destroyed as a result of their rebellion and suffered due to their stubbornness. They lost everything because they wouldn’t listen to anything. The question is, “What about us?”, “What about you?” Our future depends on our willingness to hear and obey God. We are fools to do other wise. Every time you read or hear God’s word you are responsible to listen, learn, and live according to what God has spoken. “Blessed is the man that heareth me” ( Prov. 8:34). – HDS

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” – Matt. 5:44  ( read vs. 38-48)
J. H. Jowett said, “It must be the aim of a Christian to make his enemy lovely. It is not my supreme business to secure my safety, but to remove his ugliness”. That’s a tall order for those of us short on ability. Not only is it a difficult duty we also have to deal with the lack of desire. The willingness to do it is often harder than the work. When we think about how we have been hurt by our enemies it is rare that we want to help them. In most cases we are more concerned about revenge than we are about restoration. Wanting them to pay for the evil they’ve done we aren’t willing to pay the price to help them get better.

But, assuming we do desire the best for them, we are still faced with what seems to be an impossible task. We know that due to their character that they aren’t likely to cooperate. Sometimes our efforts are misunderstood and mocked. When all is said and done we are left with only one hope, one means whereby we have a chance of helping them. That one thing, as the Lord tells us, is love. If a person refuses to respond to love they won’t be changed by anything else. The threat of punishment or the promise of reward might alter their course for a moment, but it won’t produce any change in their character. Nothing short of unconditional love can do that.

The question is “Where do we get such love?” It’s not something we have by nature, nor something we can gain by strong resolve. Such love can only come from the Lord. The one who requires it from us provides it for us. However, it is not until we are overwhelmed by the greatness of His love for us that we will be able to overflow with love for others. That being the case, the person with the greater need for change is often us rather than our enemies. They are sin sick and our failure to love them is like withholding the only miracle medicine that can help them. That being the case the first thing that needs to change is our love for the Lord. That is the fountain from which all else flows. So, to renew your love for others review God’s love for you. That’s the spark that will ignite the fire of affection in your heart. That alone will enable you to love those that are unlovely and unloving. As long as you love them you leave the door of hope open that can lead to their change. Don’t allow their rudeness or lack of response to deter you from your duty to love them. Keep the door open! – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346