Every year, what comes to our mind when Christmas is around the corner? Christmas presents, parties, shopping, traveling or just in time for reflection before we enter into the new year? It should really be about the birth of Christ. We should also present hope, love and faith to the world. We should remind ourselves what’s important to God as we take time to prepare for Christmas. How about remembering what God wants for Christmas besides thinking about what Christmas is to us? God is more concerned about the individuals that need to be saved.
I would like to encourage us to remember the character of God in the area of faithfulness. This is one important aspect of the character of God that we should anchor our faith in especially during times like these. We should also give thanks for all that He has done for us!
Matthew 1:1,18,23-25 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:……Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit… .. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Go and proclaim the good news!
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
The best gift that we can give anyone at Christmas is to introduce them to Immanuel, God with us and establish the relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe this is how the Lord Jesus would want us to celebrate Christmas. It is a proclamation that Jesus was born for this purpose which is to save the lost.
ICS (Shanghai) does not have Christmas services though it is good to have one. We have Christmas banquets organized prior to church members leaving for their home countries to celebrate Christmas or going on holidays when the international schools close for winter.
During these banquets, many people have accepted their salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is wonderful to remember how God honored the Abrahamic covenant through the genealogy of Jesus Christ during the period of Advent. It is comforting to know that Immanuel, God is with us. We are to also remember to share the Gospel with our relatives, friends and colleagues because this is the very purpose that Jesus came.
Sermon Series: Christmas 2019
去传福音
圣诞节将临之际，我们会想到什么？圣诞礼物，聚会，购物，旅行或在进入新的一年之前的反思。是的，圣诞节应该与基督的诞生有关。我们还应该向世界表达希望，爱心和信心。当我们为了迎接圣诞节而忙碌时，应该提醒自己对于上帝什么是最重要的事情。除了考虑我们心目中的圣诞节，也要想想上帝心目中的圣诞节是什么样的？上帝更关切的是那些需要救赎的每一个人。
我想鼓励我们记起上帝品格中的信实。这是上帝品格的一个重要方面，我们应当于此锚定我们的信心，尤其是在当前这个特殊时刻。我们也应该感谢上帝为我们所做的一切！
马太福音1:1,18,23-25亚伯拉罕的后裔，大卫的子孙，耶稣基督的家谱 … 18耶稣基督降生的事记在下面：他母亲马利亚已经许配了约瑟，还没有迎娶，马利亚就从圣灵怀了孕 … 23说：“必有童女怀孕生子，人要称他的名为以马内利。”（以马内利翻出来就是“神与我们同在”。）24约瑟醒了，起来，就遵着主使者的吩咐，把妻子娶过来25只是没有和她同房，等她生了儿子（注：有古卷作“等她生了头胎的儿子”），就给他起名叫耶稣。
去宣扬好消息！
马太福音1:21她将要生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫耶稣，因他要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来。”
这个圣诞节，我们可以送给别人的最好的礼物就是介绍他们认识以马内利–神与我们同在，并与耶稣基督建立关系。 我相信这就是主耶稣希望我们庆祝圣诞节的方式。这是一个宣告，宣告耶稣是为了拯救失丧者而降生。
虽然有圣诞节礼拜是好的, ICS（上海）却没有圣诞节礼拜。 但是在教会会友回国庆祝圣诞节或国际学校放寒假学生们出去度假之前.我们组织了圣诞晚宴。许多人就是在那时接受了我们的主耶稣基督的救恩。
在这将临节期间回顾上帝如何通过耶稣基督的家谱来尊荣亚伯拉罕的立约，这真是太美好了。 知道以马内利，上帝与我们同在，着实令人欣慰。 我们也要记得与我们的亲戚，朋友和同事分享福音，因为耶稣正是为此而降世的。
讲章系列：圣诞节 2019