{"id":294,"date":"2023-04-05T15:53:50","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T15:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=294"},"modified":"2025-12-16T17:00:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T17:00:14","slug":"christmas-changes-everything","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/christmas-changes-everything\/","title":{"rendered":"CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Christmas Changes Everything <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SERIES: CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING \u2014 Message #4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:11-14<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning, we\u2019re wrapping up our series \u2014 \u201cCHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING!\u201d Throughout this series, we\u2019ve discovered that Christmas changes our lives, our lifestyle, and our outlook. But today \u2014 I want to show you why Christmas has the power to change all of those things in our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Turn with me \u2014 to Titus 2:11-14. Here the apostle 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>14 <\/em><\/strong>who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we conclude this series \u2014 I want to give you 3 reasons why Christmas change everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the first is, because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Jesus is \u2014 God <\/strong>with<\/strong> us!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen again to verse 11, as Paul says\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 <\/em><\/strong>For the grace of God has appeared\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Paul ties God\u2019s grace directly to Christ\u2019s arrival. For Him, the two are forever linked. You can\u2019t know one without the other. And we certainly wouldn\u2019t know the power of God\u2019s grace without encountering the presence God\u2019s son! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Matthew 1:22-23 \u2014 Matthew tells us about the birth of Jesus. And how things transpired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says \u2014 Mary was found to be pregnant by the work of the Holy Spirit\u2026it was a divine conception. But, Joseph was confused\u2026so an angel of the Lord came to visit him in a dream. The angel told him that Mary had been faithful! And the child in her womb was divine\u2026He was God\u2019s son, the Messiah. He was Christ the Lord!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then, in verse 22, he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22 <\/em><\/strong>All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: <\/em>23 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cThe virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel\u201d (which means \u201cGod with us\u201d).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here Matthew is referencing what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 7:14, when he writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel\u201d<\/em> (Isaiah 7:14).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever noticed how it\u2019s easy to overlook important and significant things when ife isntiugh. Maybe to the struggles and the challenges that just distract us. But, if we aren\u2019t careful we will miss it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think that happened to most when Jesus came. There was no fanfare played, no big celebration or parties\u2026there wasn\u2019t even a room made ready for him. Because life was tough and the days were hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Christmas, God became EMMANUEL. God came near. Jesus wasn\u2019t just a good man or prophet, He was God. And he didn\u2019t come (which lots of fanfare) to impress us\u2026he came at Christmas to identify with us. He wanted to experience what it was like to be YOU. To face the things you face\u2026and not just on your best day, but even in your worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He came to Be With Us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is so much wrapped up in that name \u2014 Immanuel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 You see, Jesus wasn\u2019t just any child, He was God in flesh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 He didn\u2019t just represent God \u2014 He was God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if Christmas is about anything \u2014 it is about \u201cGod is with us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve told you before \u2014 I really appreciate the way the late Thomas Brooks described God\u2019s presence. He said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod is an infinite circle, whose center is everywhere <\/p>\n\n\n\n

and whose circumference is nowhere.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a thought. God is EVERYWHERE. And that\u2019s HE IS WITH US! That\u2019s why Jesus promised in Matthew 28:20,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am with you always, even to the end of the age.\u201d <\/em>(Matthew 28:20<\/strong>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if any of us are facing the hardships or weariness, or the complications of a broken family, or the struggles of paying the bills or managing life \u2014 may we remember, that we aren\u2019t facing this life alone! Because, God is with us! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what Christmas is all about \u2014 Immanuel has come\u2026God is with us! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the first reason why Christmas change everything. But here\u2019s another:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Jesus is \u2014 God <\/strong>for<\/strong> us!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, Jesus is not just GOD WITH US \u2014 He is also GOD FOR US! And, that\u2019s what Paul is stressing here in Titus 2. He says in verse 14, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 <\/em><\/strong>\u201c\u2026(Jesus) gave himself for us\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was an act of support \u2014 and one that demonstrate His willingness to identify with us. He is for us! Just notice the jump Paul makes from verse 11 to verse 14. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 11, he describes Christmas \u2014 but in verse 14, He seems to be describing Easter. But, that\u2019s really just a continuation of Christmas. It\u2019s like the gift that keeps on giving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the gift of His grace (from verse 11) just keeps showing up again and again in our lives. It\u2019s seen in His in everything He does, the greatest of which is the sacrifice He made for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is just another way that God breaks into the to journey we call life \u2014 to lift us up and help us find the strength to prevail over the pain and problems of this world. The greatest of which is our sin. But more than that \u2014 He empowers and fills us with His presence (making us victors in life). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe that\u2019s why the Christmas story includes people from every place in life. Both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the pauper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew\u2019s gospel tells us about the Magi, which we discussed last night. They came with wealth and riches,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Luke\u2019s gospel tells us about the shepherds \u2014 who ere nobodies. They were the lowest in society. Some even considered their lives to be worth less that the sheep they were tending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Christmas, God reminded them that they weren\u2019t overlooked or forgotten. But that they mattered. And He was for them. He came to change their lives, to invite them close, and to give them great joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s GOD FOR THEM!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of you are probably familiar with Handel\u2019s Messiah \u2014 that incredible work of music which is often performed around the Christmas season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possibly, it\u2019s most distinguishing marks are the way Handel expressed a sense of deep wonder and uncontainable joy over the nature of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, His Messiah culminates with the movement known as \u201cThe Hallelujah Chorus.\u201d Where he declares over and over again \u2014 Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s most interesting to me, is that George Frederic Handel wrote the Messiah while facing bankruptcy and dealing with his own failing health. Not the sort of climate you might imagine for creativity and the expression of joy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, it was in the midst of his great pain \u2014 that he penned his greatest praise. Because, in his pain \u2014 he came to discover, that God was WITH HIM. But even more, God was FOR HIM! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, in that spirit of wonder, He penned the entire work of the Messiah in just 24 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handel understood that while life might be bad \u2014 God is always good! And more than just being an observer\u2026God became a participant (in the story of our lives)\u2026by coming at Christmas.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because He wanted us to understand, He is both the creator and sustainer of our lives. He is the the champion of our cause. He is for us especially when we are struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why He says in Isaiah 41:10,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, never forget that God is pulling for your success. And that\u2019s the story of Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Jesus, we discover that God is FOR US!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas changes everything \u2014 we are no longer alone, because God is with us! And we\u2019re not left to make on our own, because God is for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, Christmas reminds us that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Jesus is \u2014 the God <\/strong>who saves<\/strong> us!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, the MANGER is the MESSAGE. Because, what began at Christmas, was completed in Easter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we never forget \u2014 Christmas is the story of God coming close to save us from our sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know you\u2019re probably well aware of this, but it never hurts to be reminded of truth! And that was Paul\u2019s point (in verse 14),<\/strong> where he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14<\/em><\/strong> \u201c\u2026to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sin was the barrier that we couldn\u2019t overcome on our own, so God came to do it for us. In the manger, God proclaims His love for us. And it\u2019s that love that led Him to the cross.You see, Christ was born among us to save us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s what God proclaims in Jeremiah 15:20\u2026when He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018<\/em><\/strong>For I am with you to save you and deliver you,\u201d says the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremiah 15:20 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So BELIEVE it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a powerful story that is taken from one of history\u2019s worst moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a story is that comes out of the Second World War when Germany was oppressing the Jewish people.  Times were hard and the persecution was so bad \u2014 in one of their Nazi concentration camps, the prisoners had been so abused that they learned to live each moment cowering in fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They became so accustomed to being beaten and hurt that they would just lower their heads and draw back at any sudden movement. IN the same way a dog that\u2019s been beaten and abused shies away from others \u2014 they did the same. They avoided drawing attention to themselves out of fear for their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well as the story goes, there was one camp in particular \u2014 that when allied forces pushed back against the Nazis \u2014 they drove them out of the territory where this camp was located. In doing so, they allied forces were able to enter in and free the prisoners, saving their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as they came in to the camps, the found the prisoners to be withdrawn and afraid. As they would open the doors where the prisoners were confined \u2014 they would announce \u201cYour free!\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve come to save you! You\u2019re free to go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the jewish prisoners wouldn\u2019t move. They remained huddled together \u2014 cowering away on the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason, is because they believed this was only a trick of the Nazis, to humiliate or eliminate them. So, they wouldn\u2019t move!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one such camp, the story is reported that after trying to convince them they were free, one of the allied soldiers lowered himself to their level by getting down on the floor, and coming along-side the prisoners. And looking them in the eyes, and speaking directly to them, he was able to convince them that there was no trick \u2014 they they really free. They had been saved!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s a near perfect picture of what the incarnation is all about. Through Christmas, and the act of the incarnation \u2014 Jesus came near, got down on our level, and saved us from our sin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is Emmanuel \u2014 God with us\u2026 God who is for us, and the God who saves us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

And with that, let\u2019s close. But as we do \u2014 I invite you to pause and think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do as Mary did\u2026after Christ came into her life, Luke says \u2014 she \u201cpondered these things in heart.\u201d<\/em> Would you do the same? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you think deeply about what Christmas means. And would you welcome the gift of Christ \u2014 the gift of His presence, His support, and His salvation in your own life today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Christmas, let your relationship with Jesus change you, let it change you heart and mind. And, let it change the way you live! Give yourself completely to Jesus \u2014 and fully embrace the hope and joy that He came to give. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christmas Changes Everything  SERIES: CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING \u2014 Message #4 Titus 2:11-14 This morning, we\u2019re wrapping up our series \u2014 \u201cCHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING!\u201d Throughout this …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-294","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=294"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2719,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294\/revisions\/2719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}