Vol. 03, No. 51

Mt. Baker Beacon

Steven J. Wallace
12/22/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024

“Seasonal Religion”
Steven J. Wallace

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).¹

What About Seasonal Worship?

For some, the extent of worship is tied up to a day or season of the year. Why would anyone think that God will give eternal life to someone who desires to rarely and infrequently worship God? It hardly compares to those who are “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” It doesn’t match being “zealous for good works.” Reducing our duty toward God and worship to a single day of the year or some passing season of the year is not motivated by zeal or the hope of eternal life.

When one imposes his wishes through a lawless system of worship that circumvents the power of the Lord’s birthright while circulating fiction, tradition, and unwarranted claims about His birth, he ignores everything that Jesus called for. “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Lk. 6:46). Any lawless and pretentious religion that exalts the manger over the cross insults His purpose for coming to earth. Again, Jesus gave Himself for us to “…purify for Himself His own special people zealous for good works.”

We encourage others to walk away from worshiping the baby Jesus in a manger and in humble obedience turn to the adult Jesus. Our sins were not paid for by the baby in the manger or the child in the house, or even the boy in the temple (Lk. 2:7, 46; Matt. 2:11). Rather, our redemption came through the adult Jesus dying on the cross. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:20:

“and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

While there are great and wonderful lessons from the virgin birth and the wise men coming to the house to worship, there is no authority to mark a certain day of the year as the day of His birth nor to ascribe a certain day of the year to worship the Babe in a manger. We are called to worship God in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). “In truth” is according to His word (Jn. 17:17). “In spirit” would certainly deny any off and on seasonal religion.

While Jesus commanded us to observe His death, He said nothing about observing His birth (Matt. 26:26-28). The early church came together on the first day of the week to commemorate the body and blood of Christ (Psa. 118:23, 24; Matt. 26:29; Acts 20:7). Worshiping God should not only mark the beginning of our every week but also become a part of our daily lives (Acts 2:46; Heb. 3:13).

Perhaps some are drawn to these earlier scenes of the Lord’s physical existence because they are sweet to our thoughts and where no fears of being judged exist. There are no feelings of intimidation from a babe wrapped in swaddling clothing. Perhaps some are drawn to the manger to limit and control His influence. Regardless, Jesus will never again be born of a woman or be subject to a judgment bar as He did before Pilate. In the final book of inspiration, Revelation presents the Lamb of God as:

our Redeemer (1:5; 5:6-12; 7:14ff; 12:11; 19:7)
our Groom (19:7; 21:9)
our Warrior (14:10; 17:14; 19:11ff)
our Leader (14:1-4; 7:17)
our King of kings (17:14)
our Judge (7:9; 13:8; 15:3, 4; 17:11)
our Temple (21:22)
our Light (21:23)

What a beautiful manifold picture of the Messiah is given! Is this the Christ that you worship? Come and learn more about Jesus Christ at the church of Christ.

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“THE TRUTH AND ERROR OF CHRISTMAS”

Matthew 2:1-12

People have various opinions about Christmas. In today’s lessons, we will test some beliefs about this day.

TRUTH OR ERROR – Christians have always observed December 25^th as the birthday of Jesus.
1. When was Christmas first recognized as Christ’s birthday?
2. Who put Christ in Christmas, men or God?
TRUTH OR ERROR – There is no record of the early church observing the birth of Jesus.
1. What has God given us? (2 Peter 1:3)
2. What does Scripture thoroughly equip us for? (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
3. Why did Paul become afraid of the church of Galatia? (Galatians 4:10, 11)
TRUTH OR ERROR – Three wise men came to the manger.
TRUTH OR ERROR – Wise men still seek Jesus today.

THOUGHT QUESTION: Name some things the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12 teach us about the pursuit to find Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

TRUTH OR ERROR – You do not believe in the virgin birth if you do not observe Christmas.
1. What did Jesus command His apostles to teach? (Matthew 20:20)
2. Who are the Lord’s friends (Jn. 15:14)?
TRUTH OR ERROR – Christmas can only be celebrated religiously.
1. What knowledge were Christians to have about meats offered to idols, and how did Paul clarify this? (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)
2. Were all Christians aware of this knowledge, and what caution did Paul give to those exercising their liberty? (1 Corinthians 8:7-13)
3. How were Christians to consider an unbeliever’s conscience, and what action was required when eating meat associated with idol worship?
  (1 Corinthians 10:23-29)
4. How did Paul emphasize mutual respect among believers with differing convictions, and what principle did he highlight about God’s acceptance? (Romans 14:3, 4)
5. Can we apply this wisdom to celebrating Christmas, and if so, how?
TRUTH OR ERROR – Jesus was born to die.