Having an easy, comfortable, good time

A “Feel-Good” Christmas

We Make the Christmas Story a “Feel-Good” Time

Go with an easy, traditional date

Feel good with singing angels announcing

Comfortable with three wise men

We like the wise men at the manger

Comfortable with the traditional Bible story of the “first” Christmas

Although no shepherds in the field

Although no text says they were singing

Although the number is not given

Although scripture points to a house, later

Although no apostle taught/wrote/honored such an activity

Why Are Churches/Believers/Religion so Caught Up in an Unbiblical PracticePart of a culture shift? Moving toward “easy” religionAnd a “feel-good” church

For the time is coming when people will not

endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they

will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit

their own passions,(2 Timothy 4:3 ESV)

• Will not endure sound doctrine? • Having itching

ears?• Will suit themselves?

…knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in

the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful

desires. (2 Peter 3:3 ESV)

These are grumblers, malcontents, following

their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed

boasters, showing favoritism to gain

advantage. (Jude 1:16 ESV)

How Can We Tell a “Feel-Good” Church?

It isn’t committed to sacrifice (of Christ or self)

Birth celebrationMusic

DramaSpecial services

Celebration of His death

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them,

intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

(Acts 20:7 ESV)

When (?) you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.

(1 Corinthians 11:20 ESV)On the first day of every week, each of you is to put

something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

(1 Corinthians 16:2, ESV)

How Can We Tell a “Feel-Good” Church?

It isn’t committed to sacrifice (of Christ or self)It isn’t committed to obedience

Great focus on an annual day

of praise

Weekly day of praise and worship is inconvenient

…in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (Mark 7:7-9 ESV)

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand

souls. And they (continually, NASV) devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the

prayers. (Acts 2:41-42 ESV)

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked

with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

(Acts 20:7 ESV)

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may

prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

(1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love

and good works, not neglecting to meet

together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging

one another, and all the more as you see the Day

drawing near.(Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

How Can We Tell a “Feel-Good” Church?

It isn’t committed to sacrifice (of Christ or self)It isn’t committed to obedienceIt isn’t committed to personal responsibility

Focus on Jesus coming to us,

asking into our heart, sinners’

prayer, etc.

Versus clear and plain examples of believers being saved

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the

apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37 ESV)

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

(Acts 16:30 ESV)

But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to (must, NASV) do.”

(Acts 9:6 ESV)

Holidays should be easy, comfortable, and recreational…

But don’t get that attitude mixed up with the church

God’s people are a faithful, committed peopleCommitted to sacrifice, of

Savior and of selfCommitted to obedience,

trusting, servingCommitted to personal

responsibility