The grace of God has...
Illustration
Object:
The grace of God has appeared to all men but not all men (people) can see him. In some cases it is because they don't want to see him. One reason is they don't want to say no to all ungodliness. They enjoy it too much. It could be pornography or making money as the top reason for their life or gaining power over everyone and everything.
There are some leaders in the world who refuse to let go of power, even if it is destroying their nation as is the case in Syria and Iraq and Russia. Yes there are even some legislators in this country who would do anything for more power. With some, the only way they can feel more powerful is by trying to destroy someone else who may stand in their way.
We feel that the text wouldn't happen to us, but every human has a breaking point. What would you do to save your job, your home, your family?
Notice that it says "teaches" and doesn't imply forcing us in any way. We can learn what God wants us to do in Sunday school and in the pastor's sermons, but do we want to do it? What do we do when we walk out the door of church? What do we do the rest of the week?
I hear some in grade school and high school who learn things they don't like and try to erase that knowledge so they can do what they would rather do and believe.
We all want to lead godly lives and that's why we come to church -- if it is not too much of a sacrifice. We live in an age of temptation. It is all around us.
I tried to live a godly life in the days before I entered seminary. I had a motion picture business in Sacramento. It had its ups and downs, but it was satisfying work. The income was not dependable, but the work was exciting and rewarding. But one day a fellow came to my studio from the San Francisco Bay area. He had an offer of $800 for one day a week (and that was back in the early 1950s when it was a lot more than it is today -- this present age). The only problem was that his offer was to make pornographic films that were disgusting -- not even clever or artistic or humorous. It was that temptation that made me reexamine my life to see how much my hope was in seeing Christ coming to me. Did I want to give myself to him completely? It took about a year before I finally gave all to my Lord.
Do friends and family see us leading godly lives? It can only happen when we realize what our Lord has done for us. If they see us turn down great opportunities to make us money and give us power, they will be more interested in learning about our faith. When we see people make great sacrifices, we always wonder what motivates them.
Are we motivated by the packages we see under the tree? Are we as excited by watching others open the gifts we gave them as we are about the gifts we received?
Our Lord gave up everything for us. Our tree couldn't hold all the gifts that God gave to us and will always be giving us. What are we willing to sacrifice for him? Are we as excited about seeing God receive what we want to give him? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Let that be our Christmas motivation.
There are some leaders in the world who refuse to let go of power, even if it is destroying their nation as is the case in Syria and Iraq and Russia. Yes there are even some legislators in this country who would do anything for more power. With some, the only way they can feel more powerful is by trying to destroy someone else who may stand in their way.
We feel that the text wouldn't happen to us, but every human has a breaking point. What would you do to save your job, your home, your family?
Notice that it says "teaches" and doesn't imply forcing us in any way. We can learn what God wants us to do in Sunday school and in the pastor's sermons, but do we want to do it? What do we do when we walk out the door of church? What do we do the rest of the week?
I hear some in grade school and high school who learn things they don't like and try to erase that knowledge so they can do what they would rather do and believe.
We all want to lead godly lives and that's why we come to church -- if it is not too much of a sacrifice. We live in an age of temptation. It is all around us.
I tried to live a godly life in the days before I entered seminary. I had a motion picture business in Sacramento. It had its ups and downs, but it was satisfying work. The income was not dependable, but the work was exciting and rewarding. But one day a fellow came to my studio from the San Francisco Bay area. He had an offer of $800 for one day a week (and that was back in the early 1950s when it was a lot more than it is today -- this present age). The only problem was that his offer was to make pornographic films that were disgusting -- not even clever or artistic or humorous. It was that temptation that made me reexamine my life to see how much my hope was in seeing Christ coming to me. Did I want to give myself to him completely? It took about a year before I finally gave all to my Lord.
Do friends and family see us leading godly lives? It can only happen when we realize what our Lord has done for us. If they see us turn down great opportunities to make us money and give us power, they will be more interested in learning about our faith. When we see people make great sacrifices, we always wonder what motivates them.
Are we motivated by the packages we see under the tree? Are we as excited by watching others open the gifts we gave them as we are about the gifts we received?
Our Lord gave up everything for us. Our tree couldn't hold all the gifts that God gave to us and will always be giving us. What are we willing to sacrifice for him? Are we as excited about seeing God receive what we want to give him? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Let that be our Christmas motivation.
