Sunday, December 9th, 2007
Pastor Lee Copeland
Download sermon here.
This Sunday we will have Communion and “remember the Lord’s death till he comes.” Scripture will be Matthew 2:13-18 describing the reality of Satanic opposition to Christ. Nothing has changed in the last 2000 years on this score. All who live Godly lives in Christ will suffer persecution so we need to face the reality of living in enemy territory. We as Christians are often accused of wrapping ourselves in myth and make believe with a pollyanna view of life. But think through this passage: death threats, child killing and night time escapes to Egypt. Is the Bible reality? It sounds like the New York Daily News front page. God’s answer to the suffering of the world is the Cross. The pathos and suffering of Christ and Christians in conflict with evil is seen in Hosea:
What do we have that we have not received from God? Remember this beautiful passage in James:
This Christmas we remember the greatest gift, the One who took us out of darkness and gave us light. Yet this very One has to flee for his life. Let’s not get discouraged with opposition and problems, we are in good company. Just make sure our problems are not caused by our own foolishness, but because we walk in purity in the world.
God has called us to follow Him no matter what. He gives us Himself so we will not be alone. In the realty of this sinful world only the cross will keep us in a sane reality.
See you Sunday,
Lee