Sermon Note

---

Invitation to Life By Senior Pastor Tom Harrison December 24, 2017 INVITE SERMON SERIES BULLETIN: We constantly emphasize at Asbury: “Helping Others Follow Jesus.” Why? What is the value in making a commitment to Jesus Christ? I answer in one word: “LIFE.” I believe Jesus Christ is the key to life, both abundant (John 10:10) and eternal (John 3:16). We find abundant life in a faith relationship with Jesus here and now, and eternal life has its completion in heaven (John 14:1-6). John LOVES the word “life” (he uses it 36 times, far more than any other New Testament book). Paul wrote these words to Timothy In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Tim 6:19) Our Pastor Emeritus, Bill Mason, often shared this invitation: “To all who sin and need a Savior, to all who mourn and seek comfort, to all who are lonely and need a friend, to all who are weary and need rest, to any who will come, this church opens wide her doors and her heart and in the Name of Jesus bids you welcome.” This is our invitation to each of you today – come and take hold of the life that is truly life! APPLICATION: Our news isn’t like the nightly news. Our news is the “Good News!” We are invited into life with Jesus Christ. What difference has this invitation made in your life? The Christmas story is told in Matthew and Luke with descriptions of Mary and Joseph, shepherds, wise men and Herod. But John’s Gospel has an entirely different take. It goes back to Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” and John says that Jesus is God and was there in the beginning. John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1.) The Word (Jesus) “Life” brings light. Darkness is dispelled when someone turns on the lights. Jesus is the “Way, the Truth and the Life.” Jesus is “The Light of the World.” Jesus wasn’t just a superior human being – Jesus was God Himself (“The Word”). He is eternal. He is the creator God. who became a human being. “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Jesus is not one among many – He is God. 2.) Human Responses: a.) Witness: John the Baptist There are many witnesses to the life. Think of a courtroom witness. John the Baptist was a major one. So were the Old Testament prophets. Other religions have points of truth and life. However, none are in the same category as Jesus, because He was “in the beginning.” John and others were trying to help us to believe in Him as the Son of God

b.) The World Unfortunately, many people do not understand this. The world did not recognize him. When we think of “the world” we may think of Louie Armstrong’s, “What A Wonderful World.” There is truth in that. However, when John is talking about the “world” he is describing the hostility and opposition to God of human beings. There is a major contrast between Light and Darkness. The darkness opposes the light. Darkness is both ignorance (“he’s in the dark on that”) and evil (“the forces of darkness”). The fullest extent of the opposition was the crucifixion. There is hatred and hostility. Some of the stories of our culture illustrate this. Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch both hated Christmas. Why? Because they were living in the darkness of their own souls. What both stories emphasize is that they had to recognize their own hatred and turn from it. Then they were transformed. These stories illustrate the Gospel. Only it’s not a myth – Jesus Christ wasn’t just a “Once Upon A Time” character – the Christmas story isn’t a nice legend - Jesus truly came. And Jesus truly transforms lives. 3.) Our invitation Recognize our need. We live in various degrees of darkness. Many people are anxious, afraid, bitter, guilty, greedy, jealous, full of lust (define). But there is one thing that ultimately keeps us from accepting this invitation: Our pride. Pride says “I can do this on my own. I don’t need any help.” Like a man who insists on never asking for directions, or like a diabetic who could have their life saved by taking insulin but refuses the drug, we can easily become lost and hopeless. So, we insist on doing it “my way” and as such, begin to love ourselves, rather than God. I need help. I can’t provide light. I cannot escape the darkness. My sins need forgiving. How is this done? 2 very difficult, yet very easy things: 1.) Repent 2.) If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9 “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given So God imparts to human hearts The blessing of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in. Benediction: “Will you stand if you’re volunteering….please stand (remain standing). Let’s all stand – let’s all reach out in our homes or in our worship services this evening. *Parking – consider parking in the distance. *Hospitality tonight