This morning, continuing the series ‘Battles and Blessings’, we looked at Ephesians 4:17-32 which talks about the blessings of a changed life. Paul is adamant that our beliefs have an impact on our behaviour and that those in whom Christ’s Spirit dwells will live differently to how the world lives. Without God, we live as if ‘blindfold in a world of lilllusion’ (J. B. Phillips’ translation of Eph 4:17-18, see also 2 Cor 4:4), but when Christ opens our eyes, this has an impact on our behaviour, responses and actions. It’s like taking off a set of old, ragged, dirty clothes and donning a new wardrobe! (Eph 4:22-24)

Paul focuses on how our faith affects our speech (Eph 4:25, 29), reminding us that lying, insincerity, slander, brawling, malice and anythng unwholesome (the word is also used of rotting fish!) all have to go. Our motivation in speaking must be to speak the truth in love (without love, our truthful speech can be cutting and hurtful; without truth, our love can be simply sentimental), always with the intent to build others up according to their needs (not ours.) Those who simply ‘have’ to say it as they see it need to learn self-control and patience (see Ps 141:3, Prov 15:1, Prov 12:18, Prov 15:26). Words can so easily wound and make relationships difficult to maintain, but God should be seen in our speech. The acrostic ‘THINK’ encourages us to evaluate our speech before we open our mouths!

Paul also reminds us of the need to control our anger, being willing to give up grudges and learn to forgive (Eph 4:26-27, 32), keeping short accounts so that the devil does not gain entry into our lives. Our responses need to reflect the fruit of the Spirit growing within us: showing kindness, patience, forgiveness and compassion to others. (Eph 4:32)

Paul also talks about changed actions, covering a wide range of practical scenarios (including stealing, sexual conduct, drunkenness and so on.) We are children of the light (Eph 5:8, 1 Thess 5:5) and our conduct has to reflect our beliefs. Our lives are living letters which are read by others. (2 Cor 3:2)

Ultimately, if God is living in us, He will have an effect on our speech, on the way we think and on the way we act. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are the new clothes we have to put on daily. As we learn to put on these clothes every day, we will find the blessing of a changed life affects not only our own disposition and actions, but has a profound influence and effect on others too. As there is integrity and authenticity in what we think and say and how we live, people will see an alternative way of living which is both compelling and intriguing. If we want to win our community for Christ, we need to live in the blessing of a changed life, knowing ultimately that we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. (Gal 2:20) Then the world will see and know that God is in us and that He is real.

At our Christmas Day service, we looked at two truths which Christ’s arrival on earth teaches us: that God is in control and that God is with us.

The fact that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem because there was no room at the inn (Luke 2:7) makes us wonder if God is in control; we certainly would not want our child to be born in those circumstances! But Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are not the same as ours (Is 55:8-9) and Paul tells us that Christ came at exactly God’s set time (Gal 4:4). This reminds us that even when life does not look to be going our way, God is still in sovereign control, working His will out through every situation. God doesn’t do things our way – the cross demonstrates that even more plainly than Christ’s birth (see 1 Cor 1:18-25) – but that doesn’t mean He is not Lord. (Rom 8;28)

Linus, in the Peanuts cartoon, used to carry a blue security blanket everywhere with Him. The blanket gave him a feeling of safety and reassurance.

Christmas reminds us of the security blanket of God’s love, given to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. One of His names – Immanuel – reminds us that God is with us. We may feel forsaken and abandoned by God at times, but the truth is that the Lord is near (Phil 4:5) and Christmas means we never have to go through life alone again; Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb 13:5) Paul reminds us that nothing can now separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:35-39). God took on human flesh and shared our humanity in the person of Jesus Christ so that we never have to be alone again.

God is always working things out. He is always there. No matter how great the darkness, no matter how deep the pain, God is still on His throne, still working all things together for good, still triumphing over evil, even when evil rears its ugly head again and again. And God is always with us, always Immanuel, always there with His blanket of love and comfort and hope and joy and peace, to wrap us up tightly and sing over us songs of love. (Zeph 3:17)

Stephen sang the song ‘How Many Kings?’ tonight.

Mark spoke from John 15:12-17 tonight, looking at our love for one another and our love for God. It can be very easy to say the words ‘I love you’, but Jesus makes it plain that love is determined by actions more than words. Love is much more than words, more than hugs and kisses. He asked us to think of various definitions of love (‘love is…’) and, depending on people’s perspectives, the answers were very varied!

• Love is… being there no matter what.
• Love is having Karen Burgin cook everyone a Sunday dinner!
• Love is cleaning the pigeons out!
• Love is hairplay
• Love is making the bed in the morning
• Love is sacrifice

Love is ultimately loving the other person more than yourself, being prepared to die for the one you love. This is precisely what Jesus did for us; God loves us so much that He sent His Son to ‘take a bullet’ for us. The advent of Jesus means that we can be reconciled to God, for God hates all that is unlovely (sin) but loves us nonetheless. Love came down from heaven to earth at Christmas; love made a way through the sacrifice of Jesus for us to become friends with God. Our whole lives are built on God’s arrival in human form and on the reconciliation that Jesus’ death brings us.

Tonight’s carol service continued the Advent theme of love, looking at the theme ‘Love Came Down At Christmas.’ We had a variety of readings telling the Christmas story:

Grace also read a poem out:

Once upon a Christmastime
The angels sang with joy,
To herald the coming
Of a precious Baby Boy.
Their shouting filled the heavens
And shook the mighty Earth,
And sent the shepherds searching
For the place of His glorious birth.
And when they found the manger
And gazed upon His face,
They knelt in adoration
In that low and holy place.
Oh, Father, fill me with the love
That filled the Earth that night,
A love that reaches throughout the world
And fills it with Your light. (By Dona M. Maroney)

Christmas presents were given to all the children who attended and we celebrated a Christmas Eve birthday:

In addition, Mark brought a word from John 15 and we also gave thanks for Mark and Diane’s service and leadership over many years as they prepare to be involved in a more itinerant ministry in future, praying for them and giving them gifts:

There was plenty of cake (and mince pies!) to eat after the service. Our thanks to all who attended.

Stephen spoke this morning from 1 John 4:9-10 on the differences between human love and God’s love. Human love is delicate, easily broken. Agreements between countries to co-exist in peace can be easily shattered; marriages can break down; family rifts and sibling rivalry all show the fragility of human love. Advent love is divine love, which is not delicate or fragile, but robust and strong. God’s love is unfailing, unchanging and everlasting.

God’s love cannot be measured or fathomed, but is shown in God’s giving of His Son, which we celebrate particularly at Christmas. His love redresses the balance and is proactive, achieving results. God’s love goes further than our understanding, but helps to heal our hurts and wounds like an analgesic cream.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood‘s song ‘The Power of Love’ speaks of ‘the power of love, a force from above, cleaning my soul.‘ God’s sacrificial love puts right the wrongs caused by sin and helps us to live in the power of God’s love, not in the fragility of our own human love. God wants us to love as He loves. As we experience and live out His love, we can fulfil the challenge to love even as He loves. This kind of love is not just for Advent. It is for every day of our lives.