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Experiencing Christmas Within

Experiencing Christmas Within. Experiencing Christmas Within. Images of Christmas: of prosperity & happiness, often not felt within “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3John 1:2

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Experiencing Christmas Within

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  1. Experiencing Christmas Within

  2. Experiencing Christmas Within • Images of Christmas: of prosperity & happiness, often not felt within • “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3John 1:2 • Christmas story is of God is of God coming to us to give us hope • The reality of Christmas = “a God changed life”, a life that’s “in touch with God”

  3. Inward blessing of “happiness” • Biblical “happiness” does NOT come from a new car, a new house, a new toy or a new job • “Happiness” is a “blessing” from God • 2 words for “blessing” in Bible • 1st, the one who gives the blessing (barak)‏ • 2nd, the one who receives the blessing & as a result is “happy” (esher)‏

  4. 1) Happiness from relationship with God • Matthew 1.20-23, quotes Isaiah 7.14, a virgin-born son “Immanuel” = God with us • You cannot be truly, deeply happy or prosperous apart from your Creator • Things were made for man, not man for things • Man was made for relationship with God • Jesus’ mission was to restore that relationship

  5. 1) Happiness comes from … • From Him personally – Psalm 33.12, 144.15 • From God’s salvation & help - Deuteronomy 33:29 • From coming near to God & being in His presence – Psalm 34.8, 84.4-.5 • From being helped by God – Psalm 146.5 • Only God’s Spirit can reach the inner needs of the soul of man – Isaiah 61.1-3

  6. #2 – Happiness comes from walking with God • “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3John 1:2-4 • “prosper” = “eu” + “odos” = a good road • After relationship comes “walking with God” • Road you’re on determines destination

  7. #2 – Prosperity from walking in God’s Way • Joshua 1.8 – prosperity in God’s Word 1st • Biblical model: “prosperity comes within before it comes without” • Happiness & prosperity for the man who chooses to walk in God’s path (Psalm 1.1-3)‏ • Happiness is for those who walk with God, for real (Psalm 119.1, 106.3, Proverbs 29.18)‏ • Isaiah 55.11 – prosperity from His Word

  8. #2 – the blessing of walking in His Way • Joseph – “prosperous” Genesis 39.3, 39.23 even as a slave & as a prisoner • Bored Christians are ones that are not walking with God • Obedience “keeps the light turned on” & disobedience turns the lights off • James 1.25 – some blessings come only if you actually do God’s Word

  9. #3 - be quick to turn from sin • Inner happiness & prosperity only comes as we turn from sin - Proverbs 28.13 • Happiness comes as we embrace forgiveness – Psalm 32.1-2, 1John 1.9 • “Hardness of heart” comes from heading down the wrong path – Hebrews 3.12-14 = spiritual darkness

  10. #3 - be quick to get off the wrong path • Broken fellowship & disobedience = a root of unhappiness • Happiness from a clear conscience – Romans 14.22

  11. #4 – Thanksgiving & praise • Colossians 3.16 – “singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” • Proverbs 15.15 – “… but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” NKJ • “Be filled with the Spirit” – a life style of praise & thanksgiving, the happiest people – Ephesians 5.18-20 • Failing to be thankful leads to darkness – Romans 1.21

  12. #4 – Finding contentment within • 1Timothy 6.6-.8, “godliness with contentment” & the fate of all men • “contentment” does not come from more stuff • “a merry heart” – like medicine, very powerful (Proverbs 17.22, 15.13 NKJ)‏ • Why praise? 2Corinthians 4.16-18 - inward renewal in the midst of trials, focusing on eternal vs. temporary things • It’s not based on an absence of problems

  13. #5 – Be a blesser, like God • God is the greatest “giver” & “blesser” • God so loved that He gave (John 3.16) • One of the greatest “gifts” is “for-giving” (Luke 6.37-.38)‏ • Happiness comes as we give to & think about others (Proverbs 11.25, 14.21, Psalm 41.1-.2)‏ • Greater blessing (“happiness”) to the giver Acts 20.35 • 2Corinthians 9.6-9, stay in the flow of giving!

  14. #5 – Enter the stream of giving & blessing • Enter God’s pattern of being a giver! • Don’t be afraid to be a “blesser” of others • Give of yourself to bless others • Give of your time to bless others • Give of your faith to others • God’s approach – “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21)‏

  15. 5 Steps to prosperity & happiness of soul: • “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3John 1:2 • Keep up your relationship with God • Walk on to the path of obedience • Quickly get off the wrong path • Cultivate a Spirit-filled heart of thanks & contentment • Learn to be a blesser & giver to others

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