Sunday Sermon

1. CHRISTMAS: GOD’S PERSPECTIVE and OURS
Introduction:
Contemporary and common view

2. God’s View:
The setting – motivation for Christians to give generously.
The Meaning – Christ’s coming leads us into the arena of
conflicting directions, clashing values and
cross-purposes.

3. Man’s direction: up, up, up.
Genesis 3:5 For God knows that
when you eat of the fruit your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.
Genesis 11: Tower of Babel v.4
Come, let us build ourselves a city with
a tower that reaches to the heavens, so
that we may make a name for ourselves.
Isaiah 14:13-15: Satan’s ambition
You said in your heart “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my
throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of
assembley, on the utmost heights. I will ascend above the tops of
the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
1. CONTRASTING DIRECTIONS –up and down

4.  Contemporary direction – men gods

5. Fusion of man and machine = Biggest evolution.
“Mankind will evolve to become like gods, with the
power over death. We will be as different from humans
of today as we are from chimpanzees” Harari
 God’s direction: Down, down, down
“He came down to earth from heaven…”
John 1:1-3; 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in
the beginning. Through him all things were made…
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came
from the Father, full of grace and truth.

6. 2. CLASH IN VALUES rich and poor
 Christ – from rich to poor Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset
as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to
the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
 Rich as God.
 Poor as man – servant – the crucified one.

7.  His poverty
 His birth – the Almighty became a baby, vulnerable and
weak.
 His earthly life - No claims to home, wealth, power or clout.
The Son of Man. Matthew 8:20;
 He fully identified with us. Hebrews 2:14,17,18
 God’s value : he prizes humility Mark 10:45 John 13 his
insignia/crest : towel and basin of water.
Cp. ecclesiastical values. Bishops – their address!
Note: “for our sakes”
 He came down to lift us up.
“born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth”
(Charles Wesley)

8. 3. CHANGE OF OBJECTIVES :
Two ways to wealth – human and Divine
 Objective of the rich – to get richer; wealth for me,
for my family.

9.  God’s objective – that we might become rich
 Prosperity Theology? “that we might become rich” –
material or spiritual blessing?
 RICH in dignity and identity. We are His children Gal.4:4-6
 RICH in salvation. Jesus = Saviour Matt.1:21. Salvation includes
forgiveness of sins, freedom, peace joy etc.
 RICH in godly character.

10.  RICH in material blessing when we are rich towards God.
 Enriching Others. A contemporary example.

12. CONCLUSION
Contrasting Directions : Up or Down?
Clashing Values: Rich and Poor
Changing Objectives: Enriching others