The Hope of the Perfect Christmas

I.            INTRO: LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS

When I ask to you to frame in the picture of your own mind, the “Perfect Christmas,” what images flood your mind?

• Is it a white Christmas?
• Is it getting everything you asked for?
• Is it being together with family and close friends?
• Is it like Courier and Ives? In a one-horse open sleigh?

Searching for the “Perfect Christmas?” The harder we try, the harder it seems to get


II.            SEVERAL QUESTIONS, SEVERAL GOOD QUESTIONS COME TO MIND:

A.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you do…WHERE do you turn for help…WHAT do you NEED?

B.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you do?
            1.            Some panic—and overreact
            2.            Some are paralyzed—and do nothing but seek shelter in a cave
            3.            Some press on and persevere—seeking to move on as best they can

C.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHERE do you turn for help?
            1.            Some look inside for answers—as if we have all the answers
            2.            Some look outside to the world—as if a final answer awaits those who seek spiritual help in a secular avenue
            3.            Some look up for help in some system of religion—in hope of some resolution and relief from the pain

D.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, WHAT do you need? I suggest there are at least four things…
            1.            You need Good counsel
            2.            You need Strength
            3.            You need Stability
            4.            You need Peace of mind

E.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, to WHOM should we trust to give us what we need?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. Isaiah 9:6 (MSG)


III.            IT IS JESUS CHRIST WHO GIVES US WHAT WE NEED

            A.            We need good counsel. He is our WONDERFUL (or AMAZING) COUNSELOR—No one can give counsel, good advice like Him.


Psalms 16:7 (NIV)
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Psalms 32:8 (NIV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

            B.            We need strength. He is our MIGHTY (or STRONG) GOD—There is no one as strong, as mighty as He


Psalms 18:16-18 (NIV)
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

Psalms 68:28 (NIV)
28 Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.

            C.            We need stability. He is our EVERLASTING (or ETERNAL) FATHER—He will always be our Father and He will never forsake us—ever!


2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

            D.            We need peace of mind. He is our PRINCE OF PEACE (or WHOLENESS)—Only He can calm the troubled waters of our restless soul.


Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

CONCLUSION:

1.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your hope

2.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your COUNSELOR

3.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your STRENGTH

4.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your STABILITY

5.            When life hands you an impossible circumstance, He is your PEACE

6.            He is the ANSWER to your deepest need when life hands you an impossible circumstance

7.            Jesus Christ is the HOPE OF A PERFECT CHRISTMAS—for you, and for me.

8.            And this HOPE can be yours IF YOU TRUST HIM AND BELIEVE WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS WAS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR YOUR SIN DEBT.

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV) 

9.            Jesus Christ is the HOPE OF THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Merry Christmas!

Denny
12/22/2010