How radical a Savior would you like?

Hey Everybody…


We learned last Sunday that when Jesus came to “save his people from their sins,” it was SO much more than simply a rescue from the eternal consequences of our sin. We learned that God’s salvation for us is a “material rescue from all danger and harm.” Wouldn’t you like to be saved from all manner of danger, suffering, and harm? But are there limits to this for you? Are there corners in your life that you’d simply prefer the Savior stay clear of? I’d like to explore with you a radical rescue Jesus wants to perform in your life and mine. For many, this might just be in the “off limits” category. I’ll explain more in Deeper Thoughts below.


But first…


·      Are you ready for some yummies and fun?? THIS Sunday night, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. join us for a delicious potluck fellowship dinner, live nativity, and lots of friendship. Chris Nicholson’s world-renowned pork loins will lead the festivities. You’ll bring some additional sides and desserts--Click here to let us know what you’re bringing!


o   A live nativity with alpacas, mini goats, and the real Mary & Joseph can be the backdrop for your family pictures and are sure to thrill the kiddos… and adults…


o   And then… around 6:15 or 6:30-ish, we’ll gather in the sanctuary for a super-fun Christmas Pageant presented by our kids and teens!


·      Make plans and invite friends for Christmas Eve at Mt. Hope! On Sunday morning, December 24th, we’ll have a simple and meaningful family service. Then, in the evening, two candlelight worship celebrations, 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.


·      Oh…and don’t miss our continued Mt. Hope Prayer Experience testimony videos… this week, Al Villaflor shares his experience with prayer; the last two weeks Sherri shared hers, and I shared mine as well. Click our names to see those videos!


OK…that’s it today for you email skimmers and you who have no hard corners for God to poke around in. BUT…




Some Deeper Thoughts…


We have all been hurt. At least once.


Some hurts are minor. Simple disappointments, subtle rejections, a biting word, mistakes and miscommunications. These get under our skin for sure. They burn a bit, but we typically get over them without much fanfare as time moves on. Occasionally--perhaps rarely—we will have the tough conversation with those who hurt us, and a new and healthier relationship can emerge.


But then there are hurts that mark us profoundly. Sometimes permanently. A harsh and stunning betrayal. A deep offense. Destructive and harmful behavior. These are the stories that are terribly difficult to name: Abandonment. Abuse. Adultery. Addiction. Assault. Alienation.


For most of us, at least one deep wound is in our story. We keep it very well hidden. But it is there, quietly lurking layers below the surface. We don’t think about it every day. But subtly, quietly, imperceptibly, it still has energy and drives much of our emotional life.


Would you like a Savior from this?


What happens when we are deeply hurt is extremely common. But it is emotionally and spiritual paralyzing all the same. It eats away at our self-confidence. It leads us to walk on eggshells in any situation that feels remotely similar. It drives us to avoid certain relationships or certain situations for fear of being wounded again. It can torment us with unforgiveness, bitterness, or anger. It simmers and then manifests in irritability, emotional unavailability, and anxiety.


But it doesn’t have to be this way. Wouldn’t you like a Savior from this?


For many, this is in our “off limits” category not because we wouldn’t like to be free of it. We know it is quietly killing us. But the thought of being delivered from it seems wildly impossible and far too difficult to confront. Even God seems incapable to fix it. He certainly wasn’t there to save us from the hurt before it happened--or so it seems—so how could He possibly help us now?


“Ummm… Chris… you’re killing me, bro. Did you have to bring all this up today? Isn’t the Christmas season supposed to be about joy, and peace, and hope??”


There was a Savior born in Bethlehem. When God announced this Savior, His message was clear: “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).


Your sins are forgiven. You get this, right? So how can this be a “material rescue” from the impact of all the hurts and wounds that others have wrought in your life?


Your sins are forgiven. Check. But how about theirs?


At the root of every deep hurt is somebody’s sin. Sometimes it’s multiple people’s sins. Sometimes it’s our own sin. Sometimes it’s a combination of their sins and my sins. Sometimes we are purely innocent, and they alone have sinned.


And Jesus has come to save us—to “materially rescue us”—from all of it.


SO…if you’ve read this far and haven’t bailed on me yet, can I ask you to come just a little bit further? This Sunday, I want to show you Jesus. I want to show you how Jesus rose above all the profound and desperate hurt he encountered, and how he can rescue you from yours. I know it’s not really the mood we would prefer for Christmas. But I bet for a lot of us, these things Jesus wants to rescue are indeed lurking below the surface no matter how joyful the Christmas songs, how yummy the cookies, how beautiful the decorations, how exuberant the celebrations.


I’ll give you just one reading assignment before Sunday, and then let’s go there. It will be joyful--I promise—for the joy of deliverance will be the greatest Christmas gift you could ever receive. The freedom, the abundance, the comfort, the peace that will explode as you receive salvation from this deep wound… Oh… it’ll be awesome!


Read this: Matthew 2:1-23. Do you notice the part of the Christmas story that we typically leave out of all the musicals and carols? (** Parents, see a special note below my signature line.) It’s right there in verse 16-18. Its impact was every bit as profound as anything you’ve encountered in your life.


And Jesus rose above it. Way above it. Let me show you how.


Oh, beloved… we have a Savior! Let’s invite him into our deepest corners and find His victory. This will be SO good…


(BTW…Looks like a rainy Sunday in the forecast… c’mon anyway… we’ll have umbrellas, the heat will be on, and the coffee hot!!)


Much love, joy, and peace…in Jesus!!


Chris Eads
Mt. Hope Pastor
Friend