"Don’t Miss Best Thing The Season Will Bring."
Don’t miss best thing the season will bring
By Rev. Dr. Jason Pettus, pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church
Advent is upon us and all who love Jesus are in preparation mode and looking forward to the day when we celebrate the coming of God for us. Christmas is a celebration of God’s rescue operation of humanity. We are born into a fallen world with a corrupt nature and all willingly commit high treason against the King of Heaven by sinning. God in His grace came and took the just punishment for our betrayal and redeems all who will accept the kind gift of Jesus.
The celebration of the gift God gave us is an important one. Christmas provides us with the opportunity to praise God and refocus our lives around His. We remember the love God gave to us and we intentionally share it with others through gift giving, sacrificial service and great meals that remind us of the Messianic feast that is coming.
Sadly, the celebrations can get off-track and the purpose of the day can get lost in the plethora of good, fun things available to us who have been blessed with so much. The best thing any of us can do is center our hearts and minds on the power and passion of God. Unfortunately, many good things are replacing the best thing that has ever happened in the world.
I read a report this week that almost 10 percent of Christian churches will close their doors on Sunday, Dec. 25, because people are too busy with engagements with family and friends. God’s people are said to be too busy celebrating that they cannot worship the King who came and made the day worthy of remembering.
This made me think about how easy it is to get busy with good things and miss the best thing. Jesus once told a story about it.
“ ... There was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’ Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’ And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’ The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’ The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded - and there’s still room.’ The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’ ” Luke 14:16-24 (The Message)
In the story, the people invited to the celebration had good things to do. There was property to enjoy, treasures to look after and family stuff to attend to. They were just too busy with their blessings to take time to thank the One from whom all blessings flow.
God invites us to come and feast on His Word through worship on His Day - Sunday, which happens to be on His birthday this year. What a joy! But many will miss it.
At Living Hope, we are kicking off Christmas this Sunday and invite everyone to come and enjoy a delightful Christmas breakfast and an unforgettable worship experience of Jesus. It is our desire to call attention to Christ and to help all who are willing to make the next three weeks about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us.
My prayer is that God’s people will put away good things and focus their hearts on the best thing this Christmas season - the King of Heaven who humbly came to rescue His people in humility, grace and truth.
— The Rev. Dr. Jason Pettus is pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church.
By Rev. Dr. Jason Pettus, pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church
Advent is upon us and all who love Jesus are in preparation mode and looking forward to the day when we celebrate the coming of God for us. Christmas is a celebration of God’s rescue operation of humanity. We are born into a fallen world with a corrupt nature and all willingly commit high treason against the King of Heaven by sinning. God in His grace came and took the just punishment for our betrayal and redeems all who will accept the kind gift of Jesus.
The celebration of the gift God gave us is an important one. Christmas provides us with the opportunity to praise God and refocus our lives around His. We remember the love God gave to us and we intentionally share it with others through gift giving, sacrificial service and great meals that remind us of the Messianic feast that is coming.
Sadly, the celebrations can get off-track and the purpose of the day can get lost in the plethora of good, fun things available to us who have been blessed with so much. The best thing any of us can do is center our hearts and minds on the power and passion of God. Unfortunately, many good things are replacing the best thing that has ever happened in the world.
I read a report this week that almost 10 percent of Christian churches will close their doors on Sunday, Dec. 25, because people are too busy with engagements with family and friends. God’s people are said to be too busy celebrating that they cannot worship the King who came and made the day worthy of remembering.
This made me think about how easy it is to get busy with good things and miss the best thing. Jesus once told a story about it.
“ ... There was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’ Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’ Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’ And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’ The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’ The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded - and there’s still room.’ The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’ ” Luke 14:16-24 (The Message)
In the story, the people invited to the celebration had good things to do. There was property to enjoy, treasures to look after and family stuff to attend to. They were just too busy with their blessings to take time to thank the One from whom all blessings flow.
God invites us to come and feast on His Word through worship on His Day - Sunday, which happens to be on His birthday this year. What a joy! But many will miss it.
At Living Hope, we are kicking off Christmas this Sunday and invite everyone to come and enjoy a delightful Christmas breakfast and an unforgettable worship experience of Jesus. It is our desire to call attention to Christ and to help all who are willing to make the next three weeks about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us.
My prayer is that God’s people will put away good things and focus their hearts on the best thing this Christmas season - the King of Heaven who humbly came to rescue His people in humility, grace and truth.
— The Rev. Dr. Jason Pettus is pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church.
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