CHRISTMAS: One Day Makes A Difference!

John 1:1-18

A Man understands that Christmas makes a difference.

December 21, 2017 Highland Colony Men’s Roundtable

www.MensTable.com

Bible Verses: John 1: 1-18 Music: Casting Crowns – I heard The Bells On Christmas Day – LIVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0

Videos: A Christmas Carol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DAib6LwKAQ Resources: Diagram by Campus Crusade for Christ.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 1. _________________________________ > The word that Charles Dickens uses to describe the change in Ebenezer Scourge when

he first published A Christmas Carol on December 19, 1843. 2. _________________________________ > What was it that changed Scrooge’s life?

a. Past > Face your past and seek healing from the wounds that caused such pain. b. Present > Take a good hard look at who you have become over the years. c. Future > Note where your journey will take you if you continue on your current path.

3. __________________________ > The carol Scrooge heard – the Christmas Carol of A Christmas Carol. 4. _____________________________ > Apart from the wonderful grace of God—redeeming grace—real, lasting change is not possible.

The Son of God is the only One who can “save us all from Satan’s power when we have gone astray.”

Christmas: God’s Solution to be Different! 1. Man’s Response

a. Not just ________________________ or __________________________ (James 2:19). b. Not just ____________________________________ . c. ________________________________ Jesus alone (Eph. 2:8,9).

2. Key Truths: a. Jesus __________________________ (Rev. 3:20). b. ________________________________ of God (John 1:12). c. Confess & _________________________________ (Rom. 10:9-13). d. The ____________________________________________ (John 14:6). e. Hear & _____________________________________ (John 5:24; I John 5:11-13).

Christmas: God’s Solution to be Different! Diagram: Christmas: God’s Solution to Getting Home! 1. Man’s Problem:

a. ____________________________ – separated from God (Romans 3:23). b. Result is __________________________ – Physically, Spiritually, & Eternally (Romans 6:23). c. Ultimately ___________________________________ (Hebrews 9:27).

2. God’s Plan: a. God ________________________________ – you are created for relationships (John 3:16). b. _____________________________________ – full of love, peace, & purpose (John 10:10). c. _________________________________________ – which starts now (John 17:3).

Christmas: Jesus! 1. _________________________ > Isaiah 59:2. Not YOU > Not works, religion, or philosophy. Who is He > God/Man (John 1:14).

What He did > Romans 5:8; I Cor. 15:3-5. 2. Commitment:

a. Admit your spiritual need. “I am a sinner!” b. Repent and be willing to turn from your sin. c. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross. d. Receive—Trust, through prayer, Jesus Christ.

3. Clarification: a. Realize you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. b. Recognize who Jesus is and what He did. c. Repent and be willing to turn from your sin. d. Receive Jesus and invite Him to come into your heart. e. Respond through prayer to this Gift.

Christmas: Prayer of Commitment Dear Lord Jesus, I need you! I know that I’m a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to receive the gift of eternal life. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible Verses – New Living Translation

John 1:1-18 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day By Casting Crowns

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Of peace on earth, good will to men Of peace on earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Philip K. Hardin, M.A., M.Div. Director of Business & Professional Outreach, Intl.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist & Licensed Professional Counselor Email: phil@bpointl.org Webpage: www.bpointl.org

CHRISTMAS:One Day Makes

a Difference!John 1:1-18.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens1. Altered > The word that Charles Dickens uses to describe the change in

Ebenezer Scourge when he first published A Christmas Carol onDecember 19, 1843.

2. Changed Life > What was it that changed Scrooge’s life?1. Past > Face your past and seek healing from the wounds that caused such pain.2. Present > Take a good hard look at who you have become over the years.3. Future > Note where your journey will take you if you continue on your current

path.

3. Music > The carol Scrooge heard – the Christmas Carol of A ChristmasCarol.

4. Redeeming Grace > Apart from the wonderful grace of God—redeeminggrace—real, lasting change is not possible. The Son of God is the onlyOne who can “save us all from Satan’s power when we have goneastray.”

Christmas: God’s Solution to be Different!

Man’s Response

• Not just intellect or emotion (James 2:19).

• Not just emotional.

• Trusting Jesus alone (Eph. 2:8,9).

Key Truths:

• Jesus knocks (Rev. 3:20).

• Children of God (John 1:12).

• Confess & Believe (Rom. 10:9-13).

• The only way (John 14:6).

• Hear & Believe (John 5:24; I John 5:11-13).

Christmas: God’s Solution to be Different!

Diagram:

Christmas: God’s Solution to Getting Home!

Man’s Problem:

• All Sin – separated from God (Romans 3:23).

• Result is Death – Physically, Spiritually, & Eternally (Romans 6:23).

• Ultimately Judgment(Hebrews 9:27).

God’s Plan:

• God Loves You – you are created for relationships (John 3:16).

• Abundant Life – full of love, peace, & purpose (John 10:10).

• Eternal Life – which starts now (John 17:3).

Christmas: Jesus!

1. Jesus > Isaiah 59:2. Not YOU > Not works, religion, or philosophy. Whois He > God/Man (John 1:14). What He did > Romans 5:8; I Cor. 15:3-5.

2. Commitment:1. Admit your spiritual need. “I am a sinner!”2. Repent and be willing to turn from your sin.3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross.4. Receive—Trust, through prayer, Jesus Christ.

3. Clarification:1. Realize you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.2. Recognize who Jesus is and what He did.3. Repent and be willing to turn from your sin.4. Receive Jesus and invite Him to come into your heart.5. Respond through prayer to this Gift.

Christmas: Prayer of Commitment

Dear Lord Jesus,

I need you! I know that I’m a sinner and needyour forgiveness. I believe that you died for mysins. I want to receive the gift of eternal life. Inow invite you to come into my heart and life. Iwant to trust and follow you as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus name, Amen.