Taking. "Christ" OUT OF. Are you going to bow down to the world, or to God? Down through the centuries... "The attack on Christmas"

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Taking. "Christ" OUT OF. Are you going to bow down to the world, or to God? Down through the centuries... "The attack on Christmas""

Phebe Thompson
6 years ago
Views:

Taking "Christ" LET'S CELEBRATE "X-MAS" THIS YEAR! WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO TALK ABOUT GOD! LET'S GET RID OF MANGER SCENES IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS!

No matter how you celebrate Christmas, if you attempt to honor Christ, the world will oppose it. Are you going to bow down to the world, or to God? It's just one of those "facts of life.

It started with the first attack on the CHRIST of Christmas. an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.

1 Taking "Christ" LET'S CELEBRATE "X-MAS" THIS YEAR! WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO TALK ABOUT GOD! LET'S GET RID OF MANGER SCENES IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS! OUT OF "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" (BUT DON'T MENTION THAT RELIGIOUS STUFF) WE SHOULDN'T OFFEND PEOPLE WHO HATE THE BIBLE! SO LET'S DO THINGS THE WAY THEY WANT IT DONE! No matter how you celebrate Christmas, if you attempt to honor Christ, the world will oppose it. Are you going to bow down to the world, or to God? It's just one of those "facts of life." I WILL DO AS YOU WISH!!! The only question left is this "The attack on Christmas" Down through the centuries... Surprise but THIS IS NOT SOMETHING NEW! It started with the first attack on the CHRIST of Christmas. an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." Matthew 2:13 (NIV) The celebration of Jesus' birth has been Distorted Attacked Turned into a ritual Mixed with paganism Etc. The modern emphasis seems to be on: Providing substitutes Suppressing its expression Promoting the celebrations of false religions 1

What about the "X" in "X-mas"? IT DEPENDS ON CONTEXT!!!!! It's not always an attempt to remove Christ!

It contains the "X"! In the early church, the letter "X" meant "Christ"!

] I (I, Iota) : Ἰησοῦς («Jesus») Χ (CH, Khi) : Χριστὸς («Christ») Θ (TH, Thêta) : Θεοῦ («God's») Υ (U,

" It didn't start with atheist billboards.

.. Does this mean you're supposed to be happy and spend money because you see sparkly lights?

2 What about the "X" in "X-mas"? IT DEPENDS ON CONTEXT!!!!! It's not always an attempt to remove Christ! Ever see one of these symbols? Christians have used this symbol for about 1900 years. It contains the "X"! In the early church, the letter "X" meant "Christ"! I = Iesus (Jesus) X = Christos (Christ) [Christian grave stone, 5 th century?] [From the 3 rd century.] I (I, Iota) : Ἰησοῦς («Jesus») Χ (CH, Khi) : Χριστὸς («Christ») Θ (TH, Thêta) : Θεοῦ («God's») Υ (U, Upsilon) : Υἱὸς («Son») Σ or C (S, Sigma) : Σωτήρ («Savior») Yes, there is an "attack on Christmas." It didn't start with atheist billboards. But it didn't start with: "X-mas," or "Happy Holidays," or removing manger scenes from public places,... Does this mean you're supposed to be happy and spend money because you see sparkly lights? It didn't start with commercialism or the pressure to give-in. WHATEVER YOU DEMAND! GIVE US YOUR MONEY!!! I WILL DO AS YOU SAY!! WHATEVER YOU DEMAND! YES, GIVE MOMMY! US YOUR MONEY!!! YOU MUST OBEY THEM! I WILL DO AS YOU SAY!! 2

It started with people who were willing to do these things. Yes, many distractions exist. But people choose to follow the distractions. WE HEAR AND OBEY, AND GIVE YOU OUR MONEY!

It often begins with something that seems innocent. NOTE THE DISTORTION. NOBODY "AL-L-L-WAYS" TALKS ABOUT JESUS! BUT IT ENDS HERE. WE DON'T HAVE TO EVER TALK ABOUT JESUS!

(THE DEVIL) Things that slowly and increasingly shift the focus from "Christ" to "anything else." (This includes good things that are given more emphasis than Christ.

For most children, these distractions have become all that matters. JUST LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS "TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO " I'M TRAINING THEM WELL!

THOSE THINGS CELEBRATIONS HIDE PRESENTS SO CHILDREN DON'T FIND THEM VISITS TO RELATIVES CHRISTMAS PARTY GIFT EXCHANGES MORE SHOPPING GET CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS OF FOOD ANOTHER CHRISTMAS

3 It started with people who were willing to do these things. Yes, many distractions exist. But people choose to follow the distractions. WE HEAR AND OBEY, AND GIVE YOU OUR MONEY! THE MORE THEY SPEND, THE RICHER I GET! [BIG CORPORATIONS] WE DON'T HAVE TO AL-L-L-WAYS TALK ABOUT JESUS! GOOD IDEA! LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE! It often begins with something that seems innocent. NOTE THE DISTORTION. NOBODY "AL-L-L-WAYS" TALKS ABOUT JESUS! BUT IT ENDS HERE. WE DON'T HAVE TO EVER TALK ABOUT JESUS! Some of our greatest distractions begin with things that seem "harmless and fun." (THE DEVIL'S SERVANTS) WE NEED TO KEEP "RELIGION" OUT OF HOLIDAYS! (THE DEVIL) Things that slowly and increasingly shift the focus from "Christ" to "anything else." (This includes good things that are given more emphasis than Christ. ) They can start out as small diversions, but they become major distractions. Distractions that others learn to love more than they love God. For most children, these distractions have become all that matters. JUST LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS "TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO " I'M TRAINING THEM WELL! DECORATIONS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE GO SHOPPING LIE TO CHILD ABOUT WHERE PRESENTS COME FROM BAKE COOKIES DRIVE AROUND LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TELL CHILD THAT SANTA CLAUS "REALLY" DOES THOSE THINGS CELEBRATIONS HIDE PRESENTS SO CHILDREN DON'T FIND THEM VISITS TO RELATIVES CHRISTMAS PARTY GIFT EXCHANGES MORE SHOPPING GET CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS OF FOOD ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PARTY DEFEND YOUR LYING ABOUT SANTA BUY PRESENTS BUY DECORATIONS DECORATIONS INSIDE THE HOUSE SONGS ABOUT SANTA, REINDEER, ETC. TELL CHILD THAT REINDEER FLY DECORATE TREE "RE-GIFT" LAST YEAR'S UNWANTED PRESENTS WHEN CHILD QUESTIONS "SANTA CLAUS," LIE TO HIM AGAIN APPLY FOR ANOTHER CREDIT CARD EVEN MORE SHOPPING GO INTO DEBT BUYING THINGS MAIL PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS 3

4 DECORATIONS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE GO SHOPPING LIE TO CHILD ABOUT WHERE PRESENTS COME FROM BAKE COOKIES DRIVE AROUND LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TELL CHILD THAT SANTA CLAUS "REALLY" DOES THOSE THINGS CELEBRATIONS HIDE PRESENTS SO CHILDREN DON'T FIND THEM VISITS TO RELATIVES CHRISTMAS PARTY GIFT EXCHANGES MORE SHOPPING GET CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS OF FOOD ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PARTY DEFEND YOUR LYING ABOUT SANTA BUY PRESENTS BUY DECORATIONS DECORATIONS INSIDE THE HOUSE SONGS ABOUT SANTA, REINDEER, ETC. TELL CHILD THAT REINDEER FLY DECORATE TREE "RE-GIFT" LAST YEAR'S UNWANTED PRESENTS WHEN CHILD QUESTIONS "SANTA CLAUS," LIE TO HIM AGAIN APPLY FOR ANOTHER CREDIT CARD EVEN MORE SHOPPING GO INTO DEBT BUYING THINGS MAIL PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS DECORATIONS OUTSIDE THE HOUSE GO SHOPPING LIE TO CHILD ABOUT WHERE PRESENTS COME FROM BAKE COOKIES DRIVE AROUND LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TELL CHILD THAT SANTA CLAUS "REALLY" DOES THOSE THINGS CELEBRATIONS HIDE PRESENTS SO CHILDREN DON'T FIND THEM VISITS TO RELATIVES CHRISTMAS PARTY GIFT EXCHANGES MORE SHOPPING GET CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS OF FOOD ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PARTY DEFEND YOUR LYING ABOUT SANTA BUY PRESENTS BUY DECORATIONS DECORATIONS INSIDE THE HOUSE SONGS ABOUT SANTA, REINDEER, ETC. TELL CHILD THAT REINDEER FLY DECORATE TREE "RE-GIFT" LAST YEAR'S UNWANTED PRESENTS WHEN CHILD QUESTIONS "SANTA CLAUS," LIE TO HIM AGAIN APPLY FOR ANOTHER CREDIT CARD EVEN MORE SHOPPING GO INTO DEBT BUYING THINGS MAIL PRESENTS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS Have YOU considered doing things different from the way the WORLD tells you to do them? "It's the thought that counts"? Let's listen in to some of these friends' thoughts. I'm getting my thoughts ready! I BOUGHT YOU SOMETHING I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T BUY FOR YOURSELF! I BOUGHT YOU SOMETHING I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T BUY FOR YOURSELF! I WOULDN'T BUY IT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T WASTE MY MONEY! 4

5 I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING, SO I GOT YOU SOMETHING ANYWAY. I KNOW YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING, SO I GOT YOU SOMETHING ANYWAY. AND I HAVE TO PRETEND I APPRECIATE IT! THIS LOOKS LIKE THE GIFT I GAVE YOU LAST YEAR! THIS LOOKS LIKE THE GIFT I GAVE YOU LAST YEAR! OOPS!! I "RE-GIFTED" IT TO THE WRONG PERSON! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO GET YOU, SO I GOT YOU A GIFT CARD! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO GET YOU, SO I GOT YOU A GIFT CARD! I HOPE HE DIDN'T GIVE ME LESS THAN I GAVE HIM! 5

6 MAYBE WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE! MAYBE WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE! THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!! YOUR MISSION: ASK You might as well also ask "Have I joined the attack on Easter"? When you think about the world's "attack on Christmas" Ask yourself "Am I doing anything to detract from Christ?" [which is the same as:] "Am I attacking Christmas by what I do?" "Do I omit God from any of the other holidays I celebrate?" Credits (1) Credits (2) SCRIPTURE Scriptures marked "NIV" - Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. ( Scissors, bottom of page By Evan-amos (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Person cutting "Christmas" By Ziko (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; (modified) Scissors, top left By ZooFari (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons Scissors, top right By ZooFari (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons Scissors, center left By Doudoulolita (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; Scissors, center (from WellcomeImages, a website operated by Wellcome Trust) [CC BY 4.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; (cropped) Scissors, center right Tropenmuseum, part of the National Museum of World Cultures [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; Person bowing down By Asanagi (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons; (cropped) "IX" inscription By Finn Bjørklid at Norwegian Wikipedia (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Gravestone with "IX" inscription By Paddy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; IΧΘΥΣ on car By Oliver (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 de ( via Wikimedia Commons; IΧΘΥC inscription on grave marker Former Kircherian Collection [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Atheist billboard By The All-Nite Images from NY, NY, USA (Times Square after dark.) [CC BY-SA 2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; Decorative mall scene By Kamguaowaeiloa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; 9F%8E%E4%BA%94%E6%9C%9F_APM_mall_stage_interior_Xmas_Dec-2013.JPG 6

7 Credits (3) Credits (4) Man holding diamond ring and money By johnny_automatic (Public domain) at openclipart.org; Circled #5 By Babylonien86 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; Preacher and devil-like character By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons; _their_history,_doctrine,_government_and_statistics._with_a_preliminary_sketch_of_judaism,_paganism_and_mohammedanism_% %29_% %29.jpg (modified) "Devil" face with Santa cap head: by j4p4n (Public domain) at openclipart.org; hat: by palomaironique (Public domain) at openclipart.org; Two people exchanging gifts By algotruneman (Public domain) at openclipart.org; Easter egg and rabbit cartoon By Gaspirtz (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; "Mission" Background Dennis Hinks Presentation Dennis Hinks DISCLAIMER: The use of a picture does not imply that the author of that picture agrees with the views of this presentation. Some might agree; some might not. Circled #1 By Babylonien86, and then manually redrawn. (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Circled #2 By Babylonien86 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; Circled #3 By Babylonien86 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Circled #4 By Babylonien86, and then manually redrawn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons; 7

HUMILITY. Pride / Boasting. We are beginning our focus on. Assurance of Salvation Part 50. Humility (#2) OUR GOAL. The OPPOSITE of Humility

HUMILITY. Pride / Boasting. We are beginning our focus on. Assurance of Salvation Part 50. Humility (#2) OUR GOAL. The OPPOSITE of Humility Assurance of Salvation Part 50 Humility (#2) - Humility and Its "Opponents" - We are beginning our focus on HUMILITY WHY this focus? Because ALL genuine followers of God will have humility. Without humility,