{"id":287,"date":"2023-04-05T15:49:57","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T15:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=287"},"modified":"2025-12-16T16:59:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:59:36","slug":"christmas-changes-our-outlook","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/christmas-changes-our-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"CHRISTMAS CHANGES OUR OUTLOOK IN LIFE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christmas Changes Our Outlook In Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING \u2014  Series: Message #3<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:11-13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, for the last 3 weeks, we\u2019ve been exploring the fact that Christmas Changes Everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this morning \u2013 I want talk with you about how Christmas changes our outlook! As the video we just watched reminds us, Christmas is filled with HOPE. And, that hope is found in Jesus. But it\u2019s not just hope for a season, or even for a lifetime\u2026OUR HOPE in Christ extends far beyond this life! And all of that is wrapped up in the promise of Christ\u2019s SECOND COMING!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, with that\u2026I want to invite you to turn with me again to Titus chapter 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning in verse 11, Paul says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 <\/em><\/strong>For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. <\/em>12 <\/em><\/strong>It teaches us to say \u201cNo\u201d to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, <\/em>13 <\/em><\/strong>while we wait for the blessed hope\u2014the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s obvious \u2014 we live in a culture filled with people who put too much emphasis on the RIGHT NOW but seem to often neglect the <\/strong>YET TO COME! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far too many people live short-termed, near-sighted lives. Content with the busyness of their temporary lives. They live satisfied eating, working, sleeping, and eventually dying. And while there may be moments when their lives are marked by a few bright moment or two\u2026mostly, their lives are ruled by the routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 I wonder, does that describe you? Is there more to your life than just the next weekend break, or sporting event, or vacation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Do you have more to live for \u2014 more to motivate you than than just the next episode of your favorite TV show?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Do you ever think about the future? Do you ever think about eternal things?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, I hope that\u2019s not a description of how you and I are living. But if it is, then this message is just what you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, when we embrace the Christ of Christmas, everything changes. And no where is that better seen than in regards to our outlook in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, if there\u2019s anything Christmas gives us \u2014 it\u2019s this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Christmas Gives Us Something to Hope For!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen again to what Paul says in verse 13. He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we wait for the blessed hope\u2014the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love that phrase, \u201cblessed hope\u201d. <\/em>It\u2019s something I\u2019ve heard discussed, preached, and sang all my life. As a boy, I grew up in a home and with a church family that held tightly to the promise of a \u201cblessed hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, that phrase is really just \u201cJesus talk\u201d for the promise of His second coming. The promise of His return!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s what we sing about every Christmas, when we sing the carol: JOY TO THE WORLD! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it\u2019s what we sang just a few moments ago. It\u2019s a great song \u2014 and it\u2019s probably one you\u2019ve cherished for years. But are you aware, Joy to the World wasn\u2019t written to be a Christmas song? In its original form, it had nothing to do with Christmas. It wasn\u2019t even written to be a song. It was actually written to be a poem of hope \u2014 and a reminder, that in the midst of the darkness of this world, we have the promise that Christ won\u2019t leave us (abandoned and left to live out our days alone). But rather, as our great KING, some day soon\u2026He\u2019ll come AGAIN! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s Paul\u2019s focus as well. He\u2019s thrilled to write to Titus about the promise of Christ\u2019s Second Coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he\u2019s not the only who wrote about the Blessed Hope. Did you know, there are nearly 1,900 different biblical references to Christ\u2019s Second Coming. And, 1 out of every 30 verses in the New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth.And, what\u2019s so amazing, is that those references outnumber the promise of His first coming by nearly eight to one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And\u2026just as Jesus fulfilled the promises of his first coming, there\u2019s no doubt that He will return and fulfill every prophecy made about His 2nd coming as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is Paul\u2019s point. That\u2019s why he says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026we wait for the blessed hope\u2014the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, because of Christmas (because of Christ\u2019s first coming), we no longer have to live some downward, depressing, fatalistic life. We no longer have to live a mundane life of staleness or hopelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Because, Christmas tells us\u2026there\u2019s more to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Because Christmas tells us\u2026we have the promise of a grand future and eternal life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Because Christmas tells us, we have the hope that Christ will come again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Paul says in Titus 2, God\u2019s grace appeared at the incarnation\u2014but, God\u2019s glory will be on display when Christ comes again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s turn our OUTLOOK \u2014 to an UPLOOK, and let\u2019s get ready for His second coming! Because it\u2019s going to be amazing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, there are 3 distinctive aspects of His 2nd coming that you need to be aware of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 First, it will be SUDDEN!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1 Thess 5:2 we read, \u201cThe day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 24:44 Jesus said, \u2013 \u201c(live) ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him..\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s going to happen\u2026you can bet on it. And when it does \u2014 it will be sudden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 But, it\u2019s also going to be GLORIOUS!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1 Thess 4:16 \u2013 Paul says, \u201cFor the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a king makes an entrance, so also will Jesus make His. And when He does, a command, a presenting call from the archangel, and a trumpet will call\u2026and Jesus will enter time and space again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s going to be glorious. Again, Jesus says in Matthew 24:30, \u201cThe Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just get the sense that there will be NOTHING LIKE IT! It will be glorious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 And one more thing, the Bible tells us, it will be VISIBLE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 1:11 (physical) \u2013 This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rev 1:7 (visible) \u2013 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, live ready\u2014and live with anticipation. Because, Christ is coming again! So let\u2019s look forward, let\u2019s look up, and let\u2019s live with hope!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Christmas gives us something to HOPE FOR\u2026Christ\u2019s promised second coming!<\/em> But, that\u2019s not all. Because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Christmas (also) Gives Us Something TO LiVE For!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas gives us a purpose in this life. A purpose to live. A person to live for \u2014 and that\u2019s Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice again the description Paul gives us concerning Jesus. He says in verse 13, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026we wait for the blessed hope\u2014the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul says, the one we are waiting for is Jesus \u2014 our great God and Savior.<\/em> And, those aren\u2019t empty words, they are descriptive words, defining the person and nature of God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if these words are true (AND THEY ARE \u2014 because God\u2019s Word doesn\u2019t lie), then Jesus is was not just the BABY in the manger, He is also \u201cour great God.\u201d <\/em>And as such, He deserves our attention, our service, and our worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond this, the Bible tells us that God is worthy or our attention and worship\u2026so we should honor Him by giving ourselves to that end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to just a few verses about how we ought to worship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Psalm 29:2, we\u2019re told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAscribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 29:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s another, in Psalm 95:6 the psalmist says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 95:6 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How about one more. In Hebrews 12:28 the writer says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of those verses remind us that we were created for this. We were created to be people who worship someone \u2014 and that someone is Jesus! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should worship look like in our lives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, I think the Magi are a great example of what worship ought to look like. It means we shift our priorities and plans \u2014 and turn our attention to Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about it. The Magi left the comfort of their nation and homes and began a long pursuit of the seeing Jesus. They packed up their belongings, the invested their resources, and they dedicated themselves to the necessary-journey of doing whatever it took to get into the presence of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They allowed the worship of Jesus to determine their schedule, the spending, their objectives and aspirations in life. And the reason they did so, was because they were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He was the promised one, the anointed one \u2014 the divine one, who had come from Heaven to earth to rule an reign as King. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, in the same way, if you are I become convinced that Jesus is our Great God and Savior<\/em>\u2026if we believe He is the Messiah, the promised on, the divine God who came to save us from our sin \u2014 then we also will give ourselves to the pursuit of serving and worshiping and living for Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Jesus \u2014 and His first coming, we are given something to live for!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Christmas gives us something to HOPE FOR. something worth LIVING FOR, and lastly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Christmas Gives Us Something to DIE For.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been said \u2014 if you have nothing to die for, then you\u2019ll don\u2019t have much to live for. But in Jesus, we have both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve already talked about what it means to live for Christ. But, it\u2019s equally important that we consider what it means to hold the confidence that when we die, we will die IN CHRIST! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Death is a subject every person must consider. But, while the world fears death, we (as Christ-followers) have the blessing of knowing that death isn\u2019t really final. So, when we die in Christ \u2014 we still hold on to HOPE! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, if Jesus is the Son of God\u2026and if He is the King of Kings (as the Bible proclaims), then He\u2019s worth serving \u2014 both in life and in death! And though death may come \u2014 it doesn\u2019t come as a victor. For our victory is in Christ! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2 Timothy 1:10-11, Paul addresses the issue of death, when he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10<\/em><\/strong> \u201cIt has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. <\/em>11 <\/em><\/strong>And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 1:10-11 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, Paul understood something really important \u2014 and it\u2019s that Jesus changes our outlook\u2026 both in this life and in the one to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we experience the <\/strong>CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS, <\/strong>we gain not only something to hope for, and something to live for, but also\u2026something to die for! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the work of the gospel \u2014 Jesus abolished death (at least it\u2019s sting and it\u2019s ability to be the end of things for us). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, a critic may scoff at that \u2014 and say, \u201cYou can believe that if you want, but the local cemetery proves that you\u2019re believing a fairy tale.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, Christians and non-Christians all die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Believing in Jesus as your Savior doesn\u2019t give you a free pass around death. But, of course, Paul knew that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He saw many believers die. He even speaks of his own impending death later in his second letter to Timothy (4:6). So, he wasn\u2019t promoting some kind of Christian Science, where you tell yourself that sickness and death don\u2019t really exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But he was saying that the power of death was defeated by Christ. It was destroyed \u2014 meaning it was nullified and rendered powerless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And because of that \u2014 we can live for Him, both now and throughout our life. Because we have a purpose worth dying for!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand, living our lives for Jesus, leads us to look forward to an eternity spent with Him. And when that\u2019s the case, death just becomes a doorway, a pathway, and a necessary step into eternity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe that\u2019s why Paul writes in Philippians 1:21 and says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philippians 1:21 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s the cause of Christ \u2013 isn\u2019t it? That we would involve ourselves in His mission, and do all we can to introduce others to Him. To play our part in the divine mission of saving this world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Jesus was so passionate about it, he died for it himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Paul was so passionate about it, that he was willing to die for it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question for us, is \u2014 is that cause worthy of our participation? If it is, then like Paul \u2014 we should give ourselves to it\u2019s fulfillment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should love people. Lead people. Introduce people to Jesus. We should make it our goal, our purpose, our intent to serve the cause of Christ in that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then\u2014for us as well,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026to live is Christ and to die is gain.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 If we live, it\u2019s better for Christ because it advances his cause! And\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 If we die, is better for me, because we get to be with Jesus face to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My hope for you today \u2014 is that this Christmas your heart will be filled with hope. This year I want to remind you that Jesus isn\u2019t just a part of the CHRISTMAS STORY \u2014 but that, CHRISTMAS is a part of the Jesus story! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s remember that there is no grace without the cross, and no cross without a manger. But through that manger\u2014we are given the promise and the assurance that Jesus will come again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So this year, let\u2019s allow Christmas to change our outlook. Let\u2019s be filled with hope as we look upward, and forward \u2014 to Christ\u2019s soon return!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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