Christmas according to Paul (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of a 4-Part Advent sermon series titled “Christmas according to Paul” preached at Mt. Gilead UMC in Georgetown, KY. The whole worship service is in the link below titled “Sermon Video,” and the sermon begins at minute marker 8:05. For Part 1, click here. For Part 3, click here.

Sermon Video

Introduction

1. You might be wondering why I chose this passage this morning for a Christmas or Advent sermon from Paul.
   • Doesn’t entirely relate to Christmas…
   • It’s the application that really relates to us…
2. Often times today, the Christmas season and the holidays can be a painful one for many who have lost loved ones or simply those who lack close family, either relationally or in proximity.
   • Many experience tremendous grief during these times, even though the songs we hear tell us that it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
   • That’s not the experience of so many people that I know.
   • Sure, it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but that’s because it is a time when we are supposed to gather close with family, friends, and our loved ones.
   • But that just isn’t always possible, especially if those loved ones have gone on to be with the Lord.
   • More and more each year though, I see that more people are aware of this, or at least people are more open to talk about it, and I think that that is a good thing.
   • So this morning, I want to talk about what we should do when holidays hurt, and I think that Paul’s words really speak into this situation and offer us both comfort and courage. Because, let’s face it, such pain and loss tempt us to question God and turn us away from loving Christ. Paul, more than, any other Christian in the early church knew pain and suffering. Jesus was upfront with Paul and told him from the beginning that he would have to suffer greatly for Christ and bringing the gospel to the Gentile, pagan world. So Paul knew the temptation of letting our sufferings and loss turn us away from God. Let’s see what Paul has to say.

Love of Christ (8:35)

1. Paul inquires, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (8:35 NIV).
   • In terms of translation, “what” is more fitting than “who,” and both Augustine and Luther viewed “love of Christ” here more so as our love for Christ.
   • Thus, “What shall separate us from loving Christ?” is preferable.
2. And then Paul lists several types of difficulties and hardships asking if they will separate us from loving Christ 8:35b-36.
3. His answer is a resounding, “No!” (8:37-39).
4. Nothing shall separate us from loving Christ and nothing shall separate us from Christ loving us—love is a two-way street.

“…neither death nor life…” (8:38)

1. The first thing Paul lists is death. That’s no coincidence.
   • Death will not be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
   • Death here is not just our own death, but even the deaths of our beloved and cherished family and friends.
2. I can attest, that even though we have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and been survivors of lost loved ones, that one thing endures. One thing remain. Not faith. Not even hope. But love. God’s love endures forever. The psalmists declare it over and over again.
3. And even though the sorrow lasts through the night, joy comes in the morning. The Lord walks with us and holds us in his hands and loves us all the more when we are in grief. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt 5:4).
4. So not even death can separate us from God’s love for us, and neither should the death of our loved ones separate us from loving God.

Conclusion

1. Whatever pain, grief, or loss you may be carrying this Christmas season, don’t let it stop you from loving the Lord.
2. God promises that we share in Christ’s sufferings, so that we may also share in his glory (8:17).
3. And take comfort in the words of Paul, where elsewhere he says in 1 Thess 4:13-18.
   • The Thessalonians had endured tremendous suffering and loss and many of their loved ones had died in a recent persecution of the Christians there. Paul speaks right into their pain and even confusion, and reassures them that their loved ones are with the Lord, that their loved ones won’t miss out on the second advent of Jesus, but instead that their loved ones will be resurrected first, and that at Jesus’ second advent that we will be reunited together with them when heaven comes down to earth. And thus, Paul encourages them to encourage and comfort one another with these words. May they encourage and comfort us as well this Advent and Christmas seasons, when the holidays hurt. Let’s pray.

Prayer

• Lord, hold us in your loving arms during this season. May the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor bring us comfort and hope as we grieve those we miss so much. May we never stop loving you because of the suffering and trials we endure. Thank you that in all these things you work for our good, for us who love you. We trust you, Lord. Amen.