Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make good use of every opportunity you have… Ephesians 5:15-16 JP & GNT
The Christmas season is filled with all kinds of opportunities for you and me to influence those in our lives for Christ and share the Good News. You can see that Christmas is all around us:
songs, carols, decorations, Christmas parties, Christmas events, etc. These give us opportunities to share the reason for the season: Jesus! He is the greatest and most lasting gift you can give someone.
You see, the Bible did not create Christianity. It is the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that created and launched Christianity. The question is, did Jesus live, die, and rise from the dead? You can argue a lot about different things in the Bible, yet there is history that proves the person of Jesus Christ. Eyewitnesses that give testimony of these truths. (1 Corinthians 15:1-7,12–19; Acts 1:3).
Peter challenges us to be ready when these opportunities come our way.
“… in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 AMP
Here are some predictable opportunities:
December 25, 2021, from what? "A.D." stands for anno domini, Latin for “in the year of the Lord,” and refers specifically to the birth of Jesus Christ. "B.C." stands for "before Christ.” Every time you use your iPhone it gives you the date from which Jesus Christ was born. This gives you a great opportunity to have a spiritual conversation about who Jesus is. Don’t Miss the Opportunity.
Christmas Eve Services: At all of our campuses, on Dec 24 we are holding Christmas Eve services at 2, 4 & 6 p.m., titled Heaven Is Here. This is a great invest and invite for your family and friends. People are more open to come to a church service at this time of year than any other. All will learn about the Good News that will cause great joy for all people, that the angels shared a little over 2000 years ago. Around 82% of people would come to church if a friend invited them. Only 2% of Christians bother. Many unchurched people want to celebrate Christmas, so let’s make sure we give them the invitation to do so. Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
December 25, Christmas Day: This gives us a great opportunity to lead our family and friends back to the real reason for the season. A practice we have at the Mason house, no matter who is there, is that we read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) before we open any gifts. Then we take time to share about the past year, the highs and the lows, and how Emmanuel, “God with us,” has shown up through it all. Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
December 26: No services at our physical campuses. I love this one. This blows people’s minds. Most people think that being a Christian is about going to church. Though that is important to do to refocus our lives, being a Christian is much more about developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and following Him. We don’t have a service for a number of reasons, but largely to celebrate all of our volunteers and the ministry they give every other weekend. By the way, “Thanks to all of our NewPointe volunteers!” I always love to answer the question, “What about the offering?” I tell them the NewPointe family knows that their giving isn’t about whether or not they are in a church service. It is about being a faithful steward of all that God has blessed us with and supporting God’s purposes in the world. Thank you for your faithful stewardship. Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
Remember, an opportunity has a shelf life; once it is gone, you can never get it back.
She (Mary) will give birth to a Son and you are to name him “Savior,” for he is destined to give his life to save his people from their sins. [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 TPT & AMPC
Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
Here is an invite card that you can use to invite a friend or family member.