Christmas Re-Gifted Week 4: Batteries Included

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

We have all we need to love like Jesus:

GRACE AND TRUTH

You might say that the whole book is summarized in the first 18 verses. Then you might say that the first 18 verses are summarized in verses 14 to 18. Then you might say that verse 14 summarizes verses 14 to 18.

John 1:14-15
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

Jesus’ glory is divine and detectable.

Christ is full of grace and truth

He was expressing the reality of glory. And so when John says I beheld His glory, he's not only saying physically but he's saying I sensed it because I walked with Him for three years and I talked with Him and I sat with Him and I followed Him and I listened to Him and I prayed with Him and I loved Him and His glory splattered all over me because it was there and you couldn't stop it. And so John says though it was veiled it was visible, I beheld His glory.

John 11:40
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Jesus did not come to simply show us grace and truth
but to give them to us.

John 1:16-17
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

God doesn't just want to stock your head with knowledge about his truth and grace, he wants you to receive it and experience it. This Christmas he wants to give you personally a foundation of truth and reality to stand on so you won't cave in under stress. This Christmas he wants to treat you with grace—to forgive all your sins—all of them!—to take away all your guilt, to make your conscience clean, to help you with your problems, to give you strength for each day, and to fill you with hope and joy and peace.

The Son is not simply full of grace; he has a fullness from which he shares with others (v. 16). The verse reads literally, "For from his fullness we all (have) received even grace upon grace."

If you're a believer you have the fullness of Christ.

Colossians 2:9-10
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

"All that is in Christ is in us."

When Christ came into your life He planted in you all that is God's. We don't lack anything...nothing. Except as James says the wisdom to know what we've got. It's all there, all the fullness of Christ is mine. Do you know what that says? That says because Christ is in me my resources are inexhaustible. There's no reason for a Christian to feel inadequate. It's all yours.

Jesus gives us AA power to energize our life…

1. Amazing Grace
2. Absolute Truth

grace answers to the hesed of the Old Testament: God's covenant-keeping, gracious love.
Truth answers to 'emet, God's covenant-keeping, faithful reliability in which there is nothing false or deceitful.

So there is a contrast here, but it is one of degree. The grace received in Jesus is added upon the grace that came through Moses and the law. There is a greater fulfillment of this picture, for the law itself points to Jesus (5:39). The law points to the revelation. We have received grace and truth, John 1:17. He had said (John 1:14) that Christ was full of grace and truth; now here he says that by him grace and truth came to us. grace:—Its preference above the law of Moses: The law was given by Moses, and it was a glorious discovery, both of God’s will concerning man and his good will to man; but the gospel of Christ is a much clearer discovery both of duty and happiness.

He is the true paschal lamb, the true scape-goat, the true manna. They had grace in the picture; we have grace in the person, that is, grace and truth. The law was only made known by Moses, but the being of this grace and truth, as well as the discovery of them, is Jesus Christ.

The law was a witness to grace and truth. Jesus was the fulfillment not the contradiction of the law of Moses.

And then he adds, and I love this at the end of verse 16, he says, "And grace for grace." You know what that is? Grace in the place of grace. When grace goes grace comes, it's just like this...it's like the waves on the ocean, one wave rolls in and right away comes another one, more grace and more grace. And if you don't recognize it, that's not God's fault, it's not that the grace isn't there, it's that you would rather court your misery than express it in grace.

And so, the whole testimony of believers come together and say, "I know Christ is God, I have His fullness." And then he draws a closing contrast in verses 17 and it's very simple. He says, "For the law was given by Moses," and he just reiterates the truth of verse 14, "But grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Moses gave the law, went up in Sinai and God carved it out on the mountain with His finger of fire. Moses put the two tables of stone under his arm, called the tables a testimony, marched down off the mountain, brought the law. Everybody was put under law, obey the law or else

So the law was given by Moses and all the law could do was show you how rotten you were, it couldn't save you. The law just showed us how bad we were, but grace and truth which provided salvation came in Jesus Christ.

“Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God's saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God's mercy and grace.” Tim Keller

Truth is far more than facts. It’s not just something we act upon. It acts upon us. We can’t change the truth, but the truth can change us. It sanctifies (sets us apart) from the falsehoods woven into our sin natures.

To know the truth is to see accurately. To believe what isn’t true is to be blind.

As followers of Christ, we are to walk in the truth (3 John 3), love the truth and believe the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10,12). We are to speak the truth, in contrast to “the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). We’re to speak the truth “in love” (Ephesians 4:32). Christ’s disciples know the truth (John 8:32), do the truth (John 3:21), and abide in the truth (John 8:44). We are commanded to know the truth (1 Timothy 4:3), handle the truth accurately (2 Timothy 2:25) and avoid doctrinal untruths (2 Tim. 2:18). The “belt of truth” holds together our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:14).

The universe is not a democracy. Truth is not a ballot measure.

Truth will set you free, but grace is the key to receiving the truth. Only by grace were we given the truth, the fullness of truth, Jesus.

“I can’t get past the idea that someone could live a selfish no-good life, and then repent on his death bed and go to heaven. It just sounds too easy, too cheap.”

I pointed out his underlying assumption, that we think we can earn God’s grace, and that going to heaven takes work on our part. We discussed that the hardest part about grace may be swallowing our pride and saying, “I don’t deserve this any more than that criminal on his deathbed deserves it.”

Any concept of grace that makes us feel more comfortable about sinning is not biblical grace. Anyone who misuses grace as a license for violating God’s truth does not grasp the infinite price God paid for our redemption.

Only because God knows all my sins he could die for them all.

Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

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Christmas Re-Gifted Week 3: A Gift for the Kids

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Trusting Jesus gives us the right to be Children of God.

John 1:9-13
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Christmas Story - Jesus, the true light, came into our world.

A Hard Truth: Not everyone is a child of God.

We are made in His image, we are drawn to Him, and we have faith to come to him that he placed in us, but only a life giving spiritual birth places you in his eternal family. Not the outcome of a biological urge, or legal marriage. A spiritual Birth for a spiritual kingdom by a Spiritual/heavenly father.

Privilege of Being Born of God

1. Not of blood - i.e., by virtue of physical descent (Abraham our Father)
2. Not of flesh - i.e., by virtue of the lusts of the flesh (Biological urge or lust)
3. Not of the will of man - i.e., by virtue of power in a man's will alone (Legal)
4. But of God - i.e., a rebirth possible only by the Spirit of God

Between us and eternal life there are two great obstacles. One is that we are spiritually lifeless and dead. The other is that we are sinfully corrupt and guilty. We cannot inherit life as children of God if we are dead and if we are guilty. But God so loved us that he did two things.

He sent his Spirit to cause us to be born again, to quicken us and make us pass from death to life. And so he overcomes the first obstacle.

But in perfect harmony with the work of his Spirit God sent his Son to die for our sin (John 1:29) and remove the guilt of all who believe in him. So the moment we believe in him, even though we are sinners, we are authorized in him to lay hold on the inheritance of the children of God. And so the second obstacle is removed.

Receivers and believers have the right to become children of God.

Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry,“Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Children of God receive Jesus and what he has to offer.

lambánō (from the primitive root, lab-, meaning "actively lay hold of to take or receive," see NAS dictionary) – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). lambánō ("accept with initiative") emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver.

When we recognize the light we grab it. We willfully welcome him into our lives.

John Piper:
Receiving Jesus means that when Jesus offers himself to you, you welcome him into your life for what he is.

If he comes to you as Savior, you welcome his salvation.

If he comes to you as Leader, you welcome his leadership.

If he comes to you as Provider, you welcome his provision.

If he comes to you as Counselor, you welcome his counsel.

If he comes to you as Protector, you welcome his protection.

If he comes to you as Authority, you welcome his authority.

If he comes to you as King, you welcome his rule.

Receiving Jesus means taking Jesus into your life for what he is. It does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims—as though he can stay in the house as long as he doesn't play his music so loud.

When Jesus preached in Nazareth in Luke 4:16 ., the people received him gladly. It says In Luke 4:22, "All spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." But a few verses later it says in Luke 4:28 they were "filled with wrath" and tried to throw him down from a cliff. They were happy to receive him while his words were pleasing. But when their pride was fingered, they rejected him. Receiving Jesus does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims. Receiving Jesus means taking him into your life (your home, your school, your work, your marriage, your dreams) for who he really is.

Children of God believe Jesus is who he claimed.

pisteúō (from pístis, "faith," derived from peíthō, "persuade, be persuaded") believe (affirm, have confidence);

I am the bread of life - John 6: 35, 48

I am the light of the world - John 8: 12, 9:5

I am the door - John 10:9

I am the good shepherd - John 10:11

I am the resurrection and the life - John 11:25

I am the way, the truth, and the life - John 14:6

I am the true vine - John 15:1

Being a child of God is not a label but a lifestyle.

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness

If not everyone is a child of God, am I?

Covenant Church Website

Christmas Re-Gifted Week 2: A Gift to Brighten Your Day

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:4-5
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The 3 words we need to pay close attention to are life, light and darkness.

Our gift from God was not a what but a who.

He began all things with life and came as a life to give us life. Life begins with him and is sustained by him. Stuff will never satisfy, so all the wants leave us empty. But in Jesus, the way, the truth, the life, we find our rightful place in God’s kingdom.

Life - Sun (gives us life, but also illuminates our darkness) power source

Light -

Our gift from God was not darkness but light.

This is important because the use of light here represents life and the ability to see our path to God clearly.

John 3:19
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Darkness deals with the motives of our heart and the actions of our lives.

Darkness - Our ways, sin, it will always desire to overcome but cannot.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

So darkness is the power of evil and unbelief. The darkness is the world of evil and unbelief and death and judgment.

What you will experience in darkness.

1. Fear
2. Confusion
3. Hopelessness
4. Lack of movement
5. Faulty Confidence

Following Christ brings light into our lives to see clearly.

Micah 7:9
Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Paul before King Agrippa (Jesus spoke to Paul)
Acts 26:17b-18
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The gift of life and light is for everyone.

John 1:9
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Overcome - direct and powerful attack

Motives of the heart

So the first reason the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it is that this light is living—it has energy and purposefulness and growth and reproduction. It is not a static thing, like a stoplight that might be ignored. The light that shines in the world today is the very life of the Son of God.

That leaves one last reason for why we can be sure that the light will not be overcome by the darkness. Not only is the light a living light, and not only is the life of this light the life of God's Word through whom he created all things, but this Word, this life, this light, IS GOD! And God Almighty cannot be overcome.

And the light shineth in darkness,.... Which, through sin, came upon the minds of men; who are naturally in the dark about the nature and perfections of God; about sin, and the consequences of it; about Christ, and salvation by him; about the Spirit of God, and his work upon the soul; and about the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines of the Gospel. Man was created a knowing creature, but, not content with his knowledge, sins, and is banished from the presence of God, the fountain of light; which brought a darkness on him, and his posterity, and which is increased in them by personal iniquity, and in which Satan, the god of this world, has an hand; and sometimes they are left to judicial blindness, and which issues in worse darkness, if grace prevents not: now amidst this darkness there were some remains of the light of nature: with respect to the being of God, which shines in the works of creation and providence and to the worship of God, though very dimly; and to the knowledge of moral good and evil:

Christmas is the end of religion as we know it. We don’t get a religion, we get a person.

Covenant Church Website

Christmas Re-Gifted - Been Here Before

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV
God has Given Himself since the beginning.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Christmas Story started before the beginning of all creation.

Adam/Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, The Priests, David, Solomon, The kings, The Nation. God has been chasing us all throughout History, loving us and desiring that we put Him in the right place in our lives so it will go well with us.

Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)
Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.

God loved us and was thinking of us before we recognized Him.

He was setting things in motion to rescue us – to pursue us. The sins of all humanity were laid on Him once and for all so that we might be called sons and daughters.

God designed us to be whole.

This is a word that comes from the ritual of sacrifice.  It is amomous.  It means, “without a blemish or spot.”  It describes someone who has been declared “not at fault.”  ámōmos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 3470 /mṓmos, "blemish") – properly, unblemished, without spot or blot (blight); (figuratively) morally, spiritually blameless, unblemished from the marring effects of sin.

Isaiah 53:6
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

God designed us to be holy

Ephesians 1:11 (MSG) It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living

One  aspect  that makes  Christianity  distinct  from  other  religions is the  fact we  serve  a God who chases us.  He binds Himself to a person and then pursues them with earnest,  even when  they  run  from Him.  The  degree  to which He will  travel,  fight  and  give  up  something costly  to  win  over  His  “true  love”  is  truly  remarkable  and  far  exceeds  the  most  stirring emotions of any romantic movie.

C.S. Lewis wrote of his encounters with this ‘Hound of Heaven’: “You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England …The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?”

We are designed to be caught

Psalms 139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If God can turn a man like Paul around, a man who’s former driving passion was persecuting the church, then He can surely turn your life or situation around. All it took for Paul to change His identity was ONE encounter with God. The change was so deep, He even changed the way he perceived himself. The name Saul means “asked for, prayed for”,  but Paul simply means “little or small”. Paul was irreparably changed. His life was no longer about himself. He saw his life as little. He threw his former place of prominence out the door and relied solely on God. Maybe you need a name change that kind of encounter. Maybe your identity has become influenced by your situation instead of the other way around.

Francis Thompson in his poem, The Hound of Heaven, tells about how he tried to flee God. As a young man he studied medicine, hoping to find meaning and purpose. It did not work so he got involved in drugs. He came to such despair that he contemplated suicide. In the poem Thompson describes how he latched on to various philosophies that denied God: "I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind." He tried to distract himself with sensual pleasure, but it all turned sour. In the end he heard God say, "all things fly thee, for thou fliest Me!" God sought him like a bloodhound. In the end Francis Thompson allowed God to find him. Weary, he fell into God's arms.