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Past Ponderings

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Will Christmas Save You? (Galatians 4:8-11)

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Will Christmas Save You? (Galatians 4:8-11)

GIST: We are all looking for hope...because we need it. Yet, our hope won’t come from “doing”. It comes from being known by God.

Most of you know I love this time of year. I like to think I primarily love it for the right reason, too. However, if I’m honest, I know I also love it for all the lesser reasons. I love the lights on houses, and the glow of the Christmas tree in the living room—especially when the sun goes down or hasn’t come up yet. I love the fun—the time with family, surprising them with gifts, dreaming of snow days, and watching Christmas movies. I love the special services at church— singing Christmas songs, seeing the stage decorated as a manger, watching the kiddos dressed up like old people and farm animals ☺️, and even grabbing a festive bulletin. I could keep going. Believe me. This time of year is my favorite by a long shot. And you know, there is nothing wrong with loving these things…  as long as we remember what James said. Namely, that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).

Too often, we miss this part. We get all wrapped up in the “magic of the season” and miss out on the real miracle that transcends this time of year. As I prayed about what to share with you on this Christmas Sunday after celebrating with songs, one passage kept coming to mind. Truthfully, it’s a passage we touched on briefly two weeks ago (since my dad preached for us last week). Here’s why: I’m not the only one who has a strong reaction to this time of year. Most do. For so many, this time of year is magical. Yet, I was reminded by a friend of mine this week that for many, this time of year is really hard. All of celebration just reminds them of what they’re missing out on. Both groups are expecting something from Christmas though. Those who are excited are looking to this time of year to be different and make a difference. Those who are heartbroken want it to but feel like it can’t because they don’t have the right formula. The presents won’t be as good because money is tight. Or, they can’t get out of the house this year and visit family. Or, those they love have passed away. 

People are looking for hope every Christmas, and this has never been more pronounced in my lifetime than Christmas 2020. After a year of frustration and fear, we want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, too many are looking for the “stuff” of the season to make all the difference, and it won’t. It can’t. Our need is much deeper than that. 

We’ve seen in our study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians that he is appealing to them not to forget the truth of the gospel. They had fallen prey to false teachers who told them they needed more than Jesus. They needed to follow the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament to really experience salvation—to really be rescued. They were looking for hope in the wrong place. In what I called his argument from position, he talked about the blessedness of becoming children of God and heirs by grace. He closed that section with these words.


8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.


I don’t want to keep you long this morning, but I do want to try and break down this truth I’ve had on my heart. Here’s our gist: We are all looking for hope...because we need it. Yet, our hope won’t come from “doing”. It comes from being known by God.


I. We Are All Looking For Hope...Because We Need It (8)

Verse 8 starts with strong words. “8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.” If you’ve spent much time with us, I hope this is a point that has been well established. By nature, we’re stuck. We’re sinful, and we cannot, no matter how hard we try, break out of that on our own. We need rescued. Period. But an enslaved nature can’t rescue itself, nor can an enslaved world offer rescue. We’re stuck...and so is everyone else. As much as we’d like to think pulling all our resources could somehow be enough to help one another out of this pit, it won’t work like that...because we’re stuck by nature. If a bunch of fish wanted to pull together and get themselves to land, they might be able to come up with an impressive display, but the end result is still going to be the same: they can’t survive outside that water. Community is so important—especially one grounded in the truth— but it won’t save you. We have a deep need→   


II. But Our Hope Won’t Come From “Doing” (10-11)

In verse 10, Paul chides them for leaving grace for...stuff. “10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.” Let me make two big observations here. First→ 

Ceremony Won’t Bring Lasting Hope. Paul doesn’t tell them observing these ceremonies in and of themselves is evil, but looking to them as the source of your salvation is absolutely destructive. I’ve already told you how much I love the “stuff” of this season...and I’m not super sentimental when it comes to traditions. Nonetheless, even the least traditional amongst us tends to attach expectations to the “things” we do this time of year. I’m not calling anybody out here because I’m typing these words without seeing anyone, but we all know there are people who tend to show up for church around Christmas time and Easter because they feel like it is something they should do. They’re right. But not because showing up is going to change them. Coming to church is vital because it’s a place where we can be around other people who have been changed by Jesus. It’s a place where we can be encouraged to walk with Him and, hopefully, hear His word explained well...together. It’s a vital part of the Christian life...but it won’t save you. And→ 

Christmas Cheer Won’t Bring Lasting Hope Either. I love Andy Williams’ song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. It gives me the holiday feels. And I’ve already told you I buy into the message of that song...but not for the reasons given in that song. I love all the “stuff” it mentions, but that stuff isn’t enough to really do anything. There is a reason so many of us feel a sense of disappointment on December 26th every year. It’s because we tried so hard to fabricate joy, and we wake up the next morning feeling...the same. Stuff won’t cut it, and it was never meant to because→ 


III. Hope Comes From Being Known By God (9)

That’s what Paul tells us in verse 9, and it’s a beautiful truth. “9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” Hope comes not from doing the right things or knowing the right things, but from a transformation of the heart. From embracing our sin and rebelling against God, to rejoicing in the truth that He knows us...and loves us anyway. 

And That’s What Christmas Made Possible. This time of year does point us to hope, but it’s so much deeper than the “magic of the season”. In fact, look back up just a few verses at Galatians 4:4a “4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman…”. Because Jesus came and lived the life you couldn’t, because He took on Hell in your place, because He rose again victorious over the sin that consumes and imprisons you— you can experience hope. Yes, I know you’ve heard this said about 1 million times, but He truly is the reason for the season. The hope He offers transcends this time of year because He came to rescue you once and for all. 

I tell people Merry Christmas year round. Many of you have asked me why, and my students at school ask me all the time, or they like to remind me that it’s not actually Christmas yet...especially in August ☺️. However, my response is always the same: Christmas is a lifestyle! We should be celebrating Jesus everyday. We’re not though. And even with all my “Merry Christmasing”, I’m not either. If you want hope in 2020 though, you won’t find it anywhere else.

In place of our typical takeaways, I just want to reiterate our gist: We are all looking for hope...because we need it. Yet, our hope won’t come from “doing”. It comes from being known by God.


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