His Light at Christmas

It's that time of year again! It's the time when I share some fairly dogmatic advice about Christmas lights (for teaching purposes only) that are a good metaphor for our Christian life and Witness. 

This advice comes in the form of my “famous” Christmas light sermon "Christ's Light at Christmas" with you all in three short installments. It addresses the question, "How can we help others see the light of Christ this Christmas?" 

Part 1: Being Lights For His Glory 

I will be using the metaphor of "Christmas Lights" to call us to a more joyous, welcoming, and authentic witness this season. In the process, I will also indulge some of my own Christmas lighting biases—strictly for educational purposes!  

How can we do this? There are two things I would suggest for starters: we should be visible; and, we should be unblinking. (Read More)

Part 2: Being Conformed To His Image!

The light we shine needs to be tasteful and courteous, rather than rude and overbearing. I think of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special where both kinds of lights are seen. Snoopy's obnoxiously decorated doghouse contrasts sharply with the humble little tree that the whole Peanuts gang helped to decorate (after hearing Linus quote the Christmas story as found in Luke 2). The world is dying and needs us to shine as Jesus did, not in a loud, tacky, rude, uncaring manner, but in a simple, sincere, spiritual way... (Read More)

Part 3: Being Plugged Into His Power!

Scripture says that Jesus is "upholding all things by the word of His power." Further, Isaiah 8:20 says that if we are not plugged into the Word of God, there is no light in us. We only have the power to shine as lights if we are plugged in. Our power is found in His Word, as made alive in our hearts by His Spirit.

In Part 2 of The Hobbit trilogy of movies, The Desolation of Smaug, the evil one (Sauron) says to Gandalf the wizard, “There is no light that can defeat the dark!” Just as that line is not in Tolkien’s book, it is not in the Bible either. The darkness has not overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5) which enlightens everyone (John 1:9). While it is true that some will choose the darkness over the revealing character of Jesus’ light (John 3:20), all who believe in Christ are no longer bound by darkness (John 12:46)... (Read more)

To This End (A SOAP Journal from 1 Timothy 4)

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

1Timothy 4:7-10

S = “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

                  Rather train yourself for godliness;

     for while bodily training is of some value,

                                                        godliness is of value in every way,

      as it holds promise for the present life

                                   and also for the life to come.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

   “For to this end we toil and strive, 

              because we have our hope set on the living God, 

                           who is the Savior of all people,

                                             especially of those who believe.

Photo by Lance Grandahl on Unsplash

O = “To this end we toil and strive” …to what end does he refer? Two answers jump out: 
(1) To the end of not departing from sound doctrine and thanksgiving; and

(2) To the end of training ourselves for godliness rather than wasting time with silly irreverent myths.

Paul encouraged Timothy to labor and strive to stay true and focused. Why does he do this? It is because their hope was set on the Living God revealed in the Son, Jesus Christ, not in ascetic practices such as strange diets, self-improvement techniques, celibacy, genealogies, funky haircuts, and the like. Bodily training in the sense of good health and fitness is not bad, Paul notes that it is of some value, but godliness is of comparably much more value. God alone is our Savior—not our own merit!

Photo by Ben WHite on Unsplash

A = Is there some doctrine, popular teaching, philosophy, or practice that has grown up in my mind to be my identity…my salvation? Or do I practically, as well as theoretically, put all my faith and hope in the work of the Living God through Christ? Am I becoming more like Christ or more like the self-focused non-Christian? Do I thank God more enthusiastically? Do I receive everything through the Word of God and prayer? They will keep me on track and up close. This week, without neglecting physical and emotional health I will put my shoulder to the work of God’s mission in prayer, study, service, and gospel proclamation.

P = Lord, train me continually in the words of the faith and your good doctrine. Let me not get side-tracked or become deceived. Let me follow you with a winsome thankfulness, and self-discipline that comes from a heart transformed by love rather than follow turning aside to follow deceitful spirits and irreverent myths.