We are in a new series called, “The Night that Changed Everything.”  We’re looking at the significance of Christmas, a night that changed much more than most of us imagine.  We’ll see its impact on five segments of society:

  1. The Night That Changed the Religious
  2. The Night That Changed the Powerful
  3. The Night That Changed the Poor
  4. The Night That Changed You
  5. The Night That Changed the Wise

Four of the five happened long ago, with categories of people who look different today – our wise aren’t Magi, our poor aren’t always shepherds, and our powerful are seldom kings.

Today, we’re looking at how it changes us today, not just those long ago.  We’re looking at how it changes me, and you.

How can the birth of a baby 2000 years ago impact people today?

Whatever the reason or mechanism, we can simply note that it has.  We still date years with AD/BC – a dating system intended to be based on Christ’s life.  In popular culture, we see much discussion of Jesus, with new books, blogs and films created regularly.  People still quote Jesus to prove their points.

And of course, many people like myself will tell you Jesus is alive and well in their lives today.

Question: What impact do you see Jesus having in the world today?

Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community – so check out today’s reading here.

Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today!

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - June 20, 2013

Thursday - Act On It - The Golden Rule

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV) Which way will you go? Follow the law to keep in a right position, watching what you do? People will try to tell you their way to please God, go to heaven, to be a good person, etc. Or will you go the hard way, relying on God’s grace alone? We can’t take anything with us through the narrow gate. Only a few make it through, it's true enough. Everyone can avoid hurting others. But can you love others? That's hard. Thankfully Jesus has gone ahead. He is the door. The way. He doesn't just avoid sin, he loves sacrificially, to the death. He uses death to destroy death. He uses self-love to teach us to love others. His power and genius! Others will tell you, “here’s what not to do, and do, to reach God.” Jesus says God reaches us…and he is the door, the gate, who lays down everything to love sacrificially. He gave us his love, rather than what we deserved, death. How? You start with God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. God helps us see ourselves clearly, destroys our self-centeredness, then teaches us to love others. Challenge: Make a list of the ways you like to be treated. Not just favourite flavours and colours, but what helps you relate well with people. Now consider, who will you see today, whom you do not treat in this way? Pick one of those list items, and change that today.

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