CHRISTMAS: GOD’S PERSPECTIVE and OURSIntroduction:Contemporary and common view

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.

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 ambitionYou 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

Contemporary direction – men gods

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

RICH in material blessing when we are rich towards God.

Enriching Others. A contemporary example.

CONCLUSIONContrasting Directions : Up or Down?Clashing Values: Rich and PoorChanging Objectives: Enriching others