Amen Brother Linus

CB: Isn't there anyone who can tell what Christmas is all about?
LVP: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

[Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version)]

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

videophiles can find this greatest moment in the history of animation here.

A review.

and finally, from the expanded director cut.

Availability Discussion

We began with a discussion on the irony of Availability and Diligence studies garnering attendance of less the 1/3 and 1/2 of the invitees, respectfully. If there's an intention to be there, and you miss the mark, check out the Blog Archive for September, Week 3 and Week 4. It's a message worth repeating, especially in light of how it's a cyclical, if not consistent, challenge.

I. subject
Isaiah 6:5-8 Addresses how we fall woefully short of perfection, yet, by grace, can have a use in the kingdom. Here am I. Take me.

This is a great example of what Mr. Henrichson pointed out as factor one in availability;

1. The Volunteer Spirit.
followed by;
2. Free from Entanglement. See 2 Tim 2:3-4 and Proverbs 22:7
3. Freedom from Sin
4. Training. See 1 Chron 12 -- this is the book-end to the volunteer spirit. Eagerness doesn't equal availability. Your preparation, your equipping, is a key element.

II. object
To whom are we making ourselves available? Maybe it's obvious that it's to God -- to God's will. Maybe Paul had it easy. Acts 9, he's confronted. His subsequent submission seems like a pretty obvious choice.

But, how do you determine God's will for you? Of course, there's the Word. Firmly placed at the head, 1 Cor 12 , is Christ. Easy, right? But the reference isn't to a disembodied head. The head implies that the body of Christ and its various spiritual leads -- think fruit of the spirit to get a manifold view of the way of leadership -- manifest the will of God, too. The body's doing what the head wills.

2 Cor 8:5 and Acts 6 each present spirtual leaders as executors of God's will.

III. verb
So, what's up? Mr. Henrichson suggests that nothing erodes availability like a feeling of your own importance.

It's relatively simple to understand being God's servant. How are we doing at serving the body -- at our willingness to be treated like a servant, albeit not called one, when it's coming from the body and not the head?

Availability

FROM BILL --

Next week on Friday (12/15) we are back to house in front of the fireplace.

A disciple of Christ is FAT ---- Faithful, Available, Teachable.

To prepare for next Friday morning (12/15), please listen to this excellent message by Walt Henrichsen on the subject of Availability.

Message: http://turret2.discipleshiplibrary.com/C032.mp3

Webster says to be Available is to be "present and ready for use; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose."

Are you present and ready for use in the purpose to which God has called you or do you feel you too often sacrifice GREAT on the
altar of GOOD?

Listen well and take good notes so we can sharpen each other when we meet.

Merry Christmas as we honor the birth of our KING!

Diligence Discussion

I'll focus on a couple of elements from our conversation. Mr. Henrichson's focus (see below) was on 2 Timothy, chapter 4.

Bonus content was his outline of 2 Timothy as Paul's last will and testament.
By chapter;

1. Inheritance

2. Commitment

3. Learning

From bad examples

From good examples

From Scripture

• verse 14 Application
• v. 15 Power
• v. 16 Divine Origin
• v. 17 Purpose

4. Diligence

The nugget I'll choose to share in this space is related to Phil's thought starter. In the world of law, especially the world of law students, there's much ado about negligence. Basically, if there's proof of negligence, you can identify damages and set a judgment accordingly. The mass of grey area exist outside the realm of negligence. That is, you don't have to be diligent, you just shouldn't be negligent.

My take had been somewhat dialectic in nature also, but from the other end of the spectrum. That is, if you aren't diligent you are being negligent, especially in light of what we know and whom we serve. See Romans 10:9-10.

The difference between the world view and the Christian view is nothing new. However, this could be especially disconcerting in light of our consistent failure in being ever-diligent.

Relief comes in the form of Paul's close to the letter. Grace

2 Tim 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

and with you