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Let’s Put Christ Back into George Washington’s Birthday

John 9:1-4

Introduction:

A. Many questions are asked about why we do, or fail to do certain things, observed by much of the world, at this time of year.

B. What is the right attitude to have during this holiday season?

I. How Is Christmas Observed Today?

A. As Jesus’ birthday.

1. Churches having programs.

2. Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

B. Ignored, because some regard it as simply a product of ancient mythology.

C. As a national holiday, a time to relax and enjoy the companionship of relatives and friends.

II. Things FOR A Christian to Consider About Christmas.

A. We don’t know when Jesus was born; the Bible doesn’t mention the day, month, or season.

B. Much of what is taught about the birth of Jesus isn’t accurate.

1. Date: December 25.

2. We don’t know the number of wise men.

3. They came to a house and not the manger where Jesus was born — as much as two years after Jesus was born.

4. We have no record of a drummer visiting baby Jesus.

C. Some people want to observe special days and some don’t; that shouldn’t be a matter of contention. Romans 14:5-13

D. There’s nothing wrong about considering certain aspects of Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection on any day.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

E. It’s possible to observe that to which others may attach a religious significance without doing so yourself.

1. Eating meat offered to idols. I Corinthians 10:25-31

2. Circumcision.

a) Some made it a part of the plan of salvation.

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1

b) Paul could either:

1) Practice it.

Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. Acts 16:3

2) Or, refuse to practice it.

Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Galatians 2:3

F. We should be responsible with our money on all days and at all seasons; four words every child (adult) needs to learn: “We can’t afford it.”

G. Honesty should not be compromised at any time.

H. The Golden Rule is a good rule for all days.

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

1. Families can request and invite but not put guilt and stress on each other by making difficult monetary or time demands.

2. Part of leaving home is deciding on what this family will do.

III. Let’s Put Christ Back in George Washington’s Birthday.

A. This is what flashes into my mind when I see a billboard suggesting, Let's Put Christ Back In Christmas.

1. Why pick out one day of the year?

2. If we don't serve Christ every day, we cannot give Him due honor in any one day of the 365.

3. We need to put Christ back in George Washington’s birthday, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, 4th of July, and the days before, after, and in between these days.

B. Let's put Christ back in every day.

1. Sunday.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. Revelation 1:10

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. Acts 20:7

2. Monday.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

3. Tuesday.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

4. Wednesday.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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. Hebrews 10:24, 25

5. Thursday.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

6. Friday.

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

7. Saturday.

"Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" John 4:35

C. Let's be thankful for every day.

This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

D. Let's live fully every day, that day, and not try to live it before it arrives or after it is gone.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34

E. We should remember every day:

1. Christ was born; although we do not know the day, month, or even the season, it was according to prophecy and in God's good time.

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4, 5

2. He lived, taught perfectly.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” John 7:46

3. The gospel—death, burial, resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

a) Obey it.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

b) Live that we might be a help, not a hindrance to its spread.

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

4. Christ is coming again.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:27, 28

Conclusion:

A. Let’s put Christ Back into Christmas, George Washington’s birthday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Martin Luther King’s birthday, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the days before, the days after and all the days between.

B. We can put Christ in every day in our lives only if we are in Him.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27

C. Will you let Him in?

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

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