Connection Questions

December 23, 2017

Christmas Special


His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company ... sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to find Him…after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers, both listening to them and asking questions. His mother asked, “Son, why have You done this to us”? He said, “Why do you seek Me? Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business”?  But they did not understand. (Luke 2:41-50)
 

The celebration of Christmas is a joyous one - to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. Yet with all the “commercialism” Christmas has become over the years, and the rituals we as a society seemed to have embraced, the focus becomes so much more on the “other stuff” and not the real reason for the season. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season finds many of us gathering with family and friends, shopping for that special gift, planning parties, and just plain busy. It seems this time of the year takes us from the most precious gift of all, Jesus as we let the celebration of Christmas take us from the Christ of Christmas. Sometimes rather than being drawn closer to Jesus Christ at Christmas, people actually get drawn further away. It seems that in the mist of the celebration, it is possible to lose Christ.                                                             
 

How can you lose Jesus?

  1. By assuming that through your religious celebration Jesus is with you. We can assume fellowship with Jesus and still “lose” Him in the comings and goings of our daily routine

  2. You let other things take priority over Him - especially those things in your mind and in your heart.

  3. You are not careful of what you handle, the places you go, the things you listen to and your eyes look at, the friendships you have that draw you further from Christ.

How can you find Jesus again?

  1. Look right where you left Him. Go back to where you first had Him. Go back and He will show you where you lost Him.

  2. Ask God to search your thoughts, search your life. Have Him help you find what you have lost.  (Psalm 139:23-24)

  3. Get right with God. The book of Joel says, “Return to me and I will heal your “backsliding”  (2:12-13).


Connection Questions:

  1. Have you found yourself coming to church, doing religious things, but losing Jesus’ presence in the process?

  2. Emmanuel means” God is with us”. Has there ever been a time when you felt Emmanuel was not with you?

  3. How long has it been since you fellowshipped with Jesus in a powerful way?

Final Thoughts:

There is no love greater than your love for Jesus Christ. There should be no side issues, no other focus or distraction that should take our love for Jesus Christ away. It is about experiencing the presence of a living Savior. Jesus didn’t die for a religious celebration and ceremony; He died for relationship and intimate fellowship with you. You have to take spiritual inventory if you don’t want to lose Jesus. Don’t take it for granted that He is there because you felt Him a month ago, a year ago or longer. Remember God loves you, God is with you, and God is for you.
 

Scripture References:

Luke 2:41-50; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Judges 16:20; John 10:27; Psalms 139:23-24; 2Corinthians 13:5

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