Last night Honey Lake Church conducted a beautiful Christmas Eve service in honor of our risen Savior Jesus Christ. The musicians were excellent as was the entire program including communion. The setting inside that beautiful worship center was gorgeous complete with flickering candles.
I was asked to offer the closing prayer and when I took to the stage and looked out upon the congregation, no one was smiling. I chided them a little and widely smiled as I remarked that no one should be somber this night because it was the biggest celebration of the year.
As I look at the violence, hate, murder, and sheer evil throughout this world it makes me both somber and melancholy. I spent much of last night’s service praying for this country and the world. As the beautiful music played in the background tears streamed from my eyes as I thought of all that was happening in this country with the hatred, and racial unrest and the evil throughout our fallen world with wars, injustice, hunger, disease, and poverty. I prayed that the church would humbly seek God’s face, earnestly pray for forgiveness, and repent in order that the love of Jesus can heal our nation.
Jesus came to this beautiful little blue marble that He created and hung in space knowing that He was going to die a horrific death and be crucified at the hands of cruel and wicked men who despised Him. It did not deter Him from accomplishing His mission because He loves us and there was no other way in which He could ever be reunited with those of us who love Him. The seriousness of our sin prevents that and without his perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins… well there is a place called hell reserved for that situation.
He willingly took our punishment on the cross and was resurrected three days later thereby defeating death and sin forever. As commemorated through Communion, His precious spilled blood and broken body is the singular bridge to reconciliation and justification that will ultimately allow us to live with Him forever in paradise where there is no evil, corruption, murder, lying, greed, hypocrisy, war, racism, intolerance, sickness, hunger, poverty, infirmity, death, or sin of any kind.
Just think we will enjoy pure unadulterated love, peace, tenderness, and joy forever.
At the conclusion of the service we sang Joy to the World. It truly was a joyous occasion when our Savior was born and His birth is cause for unparalleled CELEBRATION today.
Thank you Jesus for Your love and sacrifice! We love and adore You, and we celebrate Your Holy Name above all names!
Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
December 25, 2014 – Click here to listen