Purpose of Christmas

Here is the last sermon in our 5 Part series, "What is the Purpose of Christmas?". I spoke this message on December 25th, 2011. Enjoy.

           Over the last few weeks, we have been asking and answering a very important question: “What is the Purpose of Christmas?”

            The Bible tells us that on the night Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds, and gave them the message of Christmas:

“…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10b-11, NIV)

“Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: 

¹⁴ "Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” (Luke 2:13-14, NCV)

The purpose Christmas can be summed up into three simple truths:

1.     Christmas is a time for celebration;

2.     Christmas is a time for salvation;

3.     Christmas is a time for reconciliation.

Christmas is a time to receive the best Gift of all, Jesus our Immanuel.

In fact, dear friends, this is the 4^th --and best-- purpose of Christmas: It’s a

time to know that God is with us!

As you may know, the Christmas story was written by two gospel writers. We have spent some time studying Luke’s account, and this morning we will be looking briefly at Matthew’s account.

The birth of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter 1:18-25: ^“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born.

His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.” (NLT2)

If there is only one thing that you leave with today, let it be this simple truth: the purpose of Christmas is a time to rejoice, because God is with us!

Over and again, the Bible reminds us that God is not against us but God is for us. Because God is for us, God is with us.

God has not abandoned us to lead a life of hopeless existence, rather God is with us.

God does not want anyone to perish, but God wants everyone to come to know Him. Because God is with us, we can be with Him.

Because God came near; because the Word became flesh and lived among us, we can receive the best gift we’ve ever been given, the gift of Jesus, our Immanuelà God with us.  

This assurance—Immanuel—was first given to King Ahaz in the Old Testament book of Isaiah.

The Kingdom of Judah was about to be attacked by Syria and Israel in an attempt to force Ahaz into a coalition against Assyria. (A modern day episode of

Survivor) 

“Isaiah called on Ahaz to place his trust in the word of the Lord, so that the threat of Syria and Israel would come to nothing.” (NIBD,593)

God then gave Ahaz a sign that Syria and Israel wouldn’t be a threat to Judah, and that sign was Immanuel, God with us. (See Is.7:14)

Even though Judah would endure treacherous hardships at the hands of the Assyrians, they would not be wiped out, because God was with them.

The promise of Immanuel “offered a future and a hope for those who would place their trust in God.” (ibid)

Seven hundred years later, the Promise of God was realized through the offspring of Mary. Immanuel had finally come to save His people.

Church: no matter what we endure, we have the Promise of Immanuel—God with us.

No matter how many times we have to face trials and tribulations, the Promise of Immanuel is still true: God is with us. Always.

Jesus said, before He ascended into heaven: “…be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20c, NLT2)

The Promise given to King Ahaz has been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ: God is with us.

ILLUSTRATION- Author and Pastor Max Lucado shares this thought with us. 

Blake and Maura share a kindergarten class. One day, Maura started humming. Her teacher appreciated the music but told her to stop. It’s not polite to hum in class.

            (Try as she might) she couldn’t stop. The song in her head demanded to be hummed.

            After several warnings, the teacher took decisive action. She moved Maura’s clothespin from the green spot on the chart to the dreaded blue spot. This meant trouble.

            This (also) meant a troubled Maura. Everyone else’s clothespin hung in the green. Maura was blue all by herself.

            Blake tried to help. He patted her on the back, made funny faces and offered comforting words, but nothing worked.

            Maura still felt alone. So Blake made the ultimate sacrifice.  Making sure the teacher was watching, he began to hum.

The teacher warned him to stop. He didn’t. She had no choice but to move his clothespin out of the green into the blue.

            Blake smiled and Maura stopped crying. She had a friend and we have a picture of what Christ did for us.

            Color us blue. Every single one of us has sinned a blue streak. Our clips hang from the wrong end of the rope. Our sins have separated us from God.

            Jesus loved us too much to leave us alone. Like Blake he voluntary passed from green to blue, from righteous to unrighteous.

            Blake may have taken Maura’s loneliness, but Christ… took our place. He passed from green to blue so we might pass from blue to green.” (Lucado, 2005, 67-68)

            Because God is with us, we can receive the best gift we could ever hope to receive: freedom.

            Joseph was told to name the Child inside Mary, Jesus: “…because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21b, NIV)

            Our Immanuel has come to this earth to deliver us from the problem that has been plaguing humanity for centuries. Immanuel has come to remove sin from—and live in—us.

            The Bible reminds us that God is with us. Here. In this place. Right now.

            He is “not an above us God.” Or a “somewhere in the neighborhood God.” He came as the “with us God.” God with us.

            “Not “God with the rich” or “God with the religious” but God with us. All of us.” (Lucado, 2005,65)

            God has come for us. God has come to us. God is for us. God is with us.

            He has come to change your world. He has come to live inside your world. He has come to live inside of you. He has come to be your Immanuel. He has come to be God with you.

            Have you received your Immanuel?  Have you taken the time to unwrap the Gift of God with us? Have you received Jesus, God with us, God in us?

He was given to and for us, and He is a gift that is still waiting to be opened.

PLAY “FOUR WORDS” CLIP

            Only Immanuel can make sense of your world. Only a God who is with us can help us through our best—and darkest-- days. Only Immanuel was given to and for you.

            In all the hustle and bustle of this day, please don’t miss this important truth: God is with us.

Purpose of Christmas 4

this post is sermon 4 in our "What is the Purpose of Christmas" series. Enjoy!

            For the last few weeks, we have been examining the purpose of Christmas; more specifically, we have been asking “What is the Purpose of Christmas?”

            Is the purpose of Christmas found in the items pictured hereà a Big Screen TV; a purse full of money; toy animals such as the stuffed bear or the “my little pony” ® doll?

(Or is the purpose of Christmas found in the item not pictured here…my iPad 2?)

            As good and fine and practical as each one of these things may be—especially the iPad—they are only secondary to the true message of Christmas. 

            As we have been examining over the last 2 Sunday’s, the purpose of Christmas is a time to celebrate, and it’s a time for salvation:

            “…the angel said to (the shepherds in the field) them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11, NIV)

At Christmas, we celebrate the fact that Jesus has come to this earth to find, and bring us back to God.

The Bible says: “When the right time came, God sent his Son who was born of a woman and lived under the law.

⁵ God did this so he could buy freedom for those who were under the law and so we could become his children.” (Gal. 4:4-5, NCV)

            God sent Jesus at just the right time to ensure that we would find our way back home.

            "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13, NIV)

            Christmas is a time to celebrate the Savior’s birth and Christmas is a time to make this Savior your Lord. 

            Jesus did not come “just to” save us from our sins. Jesus came to be the Lord of our lives.

            There is at least one more purpose of Christmas, one more truth that deserves our attention: “Christmas is a time of reconciliation.” 

            To understand the context of this truth, I would like to read again Luke 2 beginning at verse 8:

            “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone

around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:8-14, NIV)

One angel of the Lord brought the news of Christ’s birth to the shepherds, and after that message was delivered, an entire host of angels came to proclaim that Christmas is a time for peace.

ILLUSTRATION- According to an article from the Moody Bible Institute, “since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than 8% of the time.

            In a study, researchers discovered that of the 3,530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. 

In that time, 8000 peace treaties were made and 8000 peace treaties

were broken. (http://bible.org/illustration/world-turmoil)

            Peace is a novel idea, but apparently peace has evaded us.

Everyone is looking for peace, but no one can seem to hold on to peace.

            Author and Pastor Rick Warren says that: “There will never be peace in the world until there’s peace within our nations. And there will never be peace in our nation until there’s peace in our communities.

            “There won’t be peace in our communities until there is peace in our families. And there won’t be peace in our families until there’s peace in our individual lives.”

“That won’t happen until the Prince of Peace reigns in our hearts” (Warren, 2008-95-96)

Instead of looking to the world to bring peace, we must look to the Church to bring peace, for this is where peace was supposed to start:

“Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” (Luke 2:14, NCV) 

The Bible says that there is to be peace among the people of God.

Is this true? Is there peace among the people of God? To answer this question, we have to look no further than…..to ourselves.

Think of your relationshipsà your family, your friends, your acquaintances,

even the people in this very room.

Are you in turmoil with anyone? Are you avoiding certain people because you have a problem with them?

While you won’t get along with everyone all of the time, you are called to be at peace with the people of God.

This is the directive given at the time of the Savior’s birth. Not just one

Angel proclaimed this; countless angels proclaimed this truth: God’s people are to live in peace.

            Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NIV)  

            When Jesus becomes your Savior and your Lord, you will work for peace.

            Rick Warren reminds us that “When Christ comes into your life, one of the first areas where you see a difference is in your relationships.” (Warren, 2008, 107)

            The Bible says: ¹² Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?

¹³ Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!

¹⁴ Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (Psalm 34:12-14, NLT2)

Friends: it takes work to work for peace. It takes work to be a peacemaker. It takes work not to lash out at someone when they anger us.

When Jesus is the Lord of your life, He will help you respond in a peaceful way.

This doesn’t mean that conflicts will never come, because they will!

Being a person of peace means that you will do whatever you can do to ensure that your relationships are on the up and up, instead of on the down and out.

With Jesus as the Lord of your life, it is possible to walk hand in hand even if you don’t always see eye to eye.

You see peace starts at home, peace starts with me. God is calling each one of His children to be a peacemaker.

According to the heavenly hosts, peace is supposed to start with the family of God first.

So I wonder today, who do we need to approach and make amends with?  Who has been hurt by what we said, or what we didn’t say?

Who has been hurt by what we did—or didn’t do? Who do we need to make peace with?

This is the 3^rd purpose of Christmas; it’s a time to make wrong relationships

right.

Peace is what we have received from God, and peace is what we must pass on to others.

The Bible says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV)

If you are a child of God, you have a responsibility to be at peace with your fellow man, especially with those who belong to the family of God.

So again, I ask you to consider the people in your life: are you at odds with any of them?

If you want to receive all that God has for you at Christmas—and every other time of the year—you must take steps to repair the broken relationship.

You must go and speak to them, you must say “I’m sorry I hurt you, can we talk about this…?”

Understand friends that it won’t be easy! It will probably be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. You might even scratch your head and ask yourself if repairing a broken relationship is worth it…

ILLUSTRATION- I am in the midst of repairing a broken relationship. More than once I have wondered if taking the time to repair this relationship was worth it—is worth it….

But then I read this pronouncement from the angel and I am convinced that reconciliation is God’s plan for the human race.

            You see peace begins with God’s people first. Peace begins with you, peace begins with me; peace begins with the people of God.

            Is there someone whom you haven’t spoken to in years? Is there someone—perhaps someone in this room—who aggravates you? Is there a strain on your relationship? 

            The Good News of Jesus Christ is that you can repair this broken relationship: you can fix what is broken.

            The Bible says: “…if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, ²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24, NLT2)

            Fixing a broken relationship is of such importance to God, that Jesus reminded us that if we in the middle of church and an offence comes to mind, we must stop what we are doing and be reconciled to the offender and then we can come back and worship God again.

Our God wants His people to be a people of peace. So who needs to hear from you this week? Who do you need to have a discussion with? Who do you

need to be reconciled to?

ILLUSTRATION- In 1965, a show premiered at Christmas time on television and this show has appeared at Christmas time on television ever since. The show is called “a Charlie Brown Christmas.”

It was on TV as recently as this past Thursday night. My wife and I stayed up to watch it…

            This show addresses the “what purpose of Christmas” question in a wonderful way.

            Charlie Brown is confused as to the true meaning of Christmas. The over-commercialization of Christmas is getting the best of him.

            His dog, Snoopy, is busy decorating his dog house in an attempt to win a prize in “a neighborhood Christmas lights and display contest”.

            Charlie’s sister, Sally, is asking Charlie if he could write a letter to Santa and wanted to make sure that he included in this letter the fact that she wanted “large sums of money”, causing Charlie even more heartache.

            When Charlie Brown arrives at the school, he finds that his friends want to “modernize” the Nativity story with glitz and glamour.

            Thinking that all the play needs is a Christmas tree, Charlie Brown sets out, and finds the worst looking Christmas tree you have ever seen.

            Bringing the tree back to the school, his friends laugh at the tree, and Charlie brown, in a loud voice asks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

            Charlie Brown heard for the first time the message of Christmas. Charlie Brown heard that Christmas isn’t about the letters to Santa; Christmas isn’t about the “neighbourhood Christmas lights and display contest.”

Charlie Brown heard that Christmas is about Child that has been given to and for us.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the “…good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10, NIV)

Christmas is a time to make this Jesus our Savior and our Lord: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, NIV)

And Christmas is a time to make things right with our brothers and sisters in the Lord: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” (Luke 2:14, NCV) 

Have you received the message of Christmas?

          

Purpose of Christmas

This post is message 3 in our series "What is the Purpose of Christmas". Enjoy.

ILLUSTRATION- George Mason’s life was consumed by his work. He lived alone, which only added to his work addiction.

Although he had only a few friends, each Christmas he received several invitations to spend Christmas Day with one of them. He always declined their offers. This particular Christmas was no exception.

On Christmas Eve, after all of his employees had left, George went into the office vault to get a little extra cash. To his shock, the heavy door of the walk-in safe shut behind him.

Desperately, he pounded on the steel door. But no one was around to hear. Even the custodian had left early do to some last-minute Christmas shopping.

The lonely miser consoled himself: “I can make it until morning” he thought.

But then he remembered that the next day was Christmas day, and then the day after that was Boxing Day, meaning it would be two full days before anyone would back at the office.

Panic began to set it. He tried to figure out if he would have enough air to

last him two—or more—days.

Then he remembered that the vault had recently been installed and was supposed to have a safety air hole built in somewhere.

He felt around in the dark and eventually found the emergency feature in a corner near the floor.

On December 27^th, early in the morning, the chief cashier arrived, and, as was his routine, he unlocked the vault, but didn’t open the door.

George Mason, exhausted, faint, hungry, and thirsty, exited the safe without being spotted.

By the time he went home, showered, dressed and returned to the office, no one suspected a thing. Life went on as usual—except for one thing: George Mason had missed Christmas.

It occurred to me this week that some people will end up missing Christmas just like George Mason had missed Christmas.

Some people will go through “the hustle and bustle” of the holidays; attend the parties and the functions, but will still miss the purpose of Christmas.

You see, Christmas is more than gifts, Christmas is more than holidays. As we discovered last week, Christmas is a time to celebrate!

“…the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of

great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10, NIV)

Christmas is a time to celebrate the truth that Jesus exchanged His room for a shed so we could exchange our shed for His home.

At Christmas we celebrate the truth that God came near. This is the first purpose of Christmas: we celebrate the good news of great joy that is for all the people!

But there’s more. We are also celebrating the fact that Christmas is a time for salvation.

The second announcement that the angel made to the shepherds that night long ago was: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, NIV)

The angel made sure to remind the shepherds that the Child that was recently born was given to them:

“…. A Savior has been born to you…” (Luke 2:11b, NIV)

We are reminded that this Child has been born to us; Jesus came to this earth for us.

Isaiah reminds us: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us…. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6, NLT2)

The God-Man was given to and for us….But why?

Why would the angel remind the shepherds—and us--- that the recently born Child was born for them—for us?

ILLUSTRATION- Have you ever traveled to a location that you have never travelled too before?

            Beth and I don’t travel all that much, but when we do, we have a “rule” that we follow. I drive and she tells me where to go. (Who knew a woman had so much power over a man!)

            You see, I have very little sense of direction, so anytime we are travelling in a car—to a known or an unknown location—I must listen to her give me directions.

            After about the 5^th time of me asking her if I am going the right way, she will say, something to the effect of—“do you trust me?”—and I will respond with—“I’m trying.”

            When we finally arrive at our destination, I will remark at how we arrived safe and sound, and as I do that, from the corner of my eye, I notice that she has turned to face her window to try and hide the smile on her face, as she says: “I told you so….”

            I don’t know the way, so someone – in this case, my wife—has to tell me

the way to go.

            The Bible says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Pr. 14:12, NIV)

            Each person on the planet thinks they know the way, but we will ultimately end up getting us lost, because we are lost.

            This is why Jesus came to this earth. He has come to find—and rescue—those who are lost.          

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17, NIV)

            Christmas is a time to celebrate that Jesus has come to this earth to save us, to bring us back to God.

            You see, our sin separates us from Almighty God, but because Jesus has come to this earth, we can be set free from our sin:

            “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, NIV)

            God sent Jesus to save us from our sins. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.”

            God sent Jesus to be our Savior, but God also sent Jesus to be our Lord.

            God did not send Jesus “just to” save you from your sins; God sent Jesus to

be the Lord of your life.

            By its very definition, the word “Lord” means: “a person who has authority, control or power over others.” (dictionary.com)

            When the word is applied to Jesus, it means: He has authority, control or power over His people.

            Based on this definition, I want to ask you if Jesus is the Lord of your life? Does He have authority, control and power over your life? Is Jesus your Master?   You see dear friends; it’s either all or nothing with God. God doesn’t want 18% of your life. God doesn’t want 55.6% of your life. God wants 100% of your life.

It’s all or nothing with God, so what are you giving to God: all, or nothing?

            God doesn’t want to be part of your life, He wants to be your entire life, and allowing Him to be your Savior and your Lord will ensure that God is your life.

            Jesus reminded us that: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NLT2)

            You can substitute the word “money” for anything:

            You cannot serve both God and self.

            You cannot serve both God and sex.

            You cannot serve both God and work.

            Whatever gets your attention has got you; whatever you think about when you allow your mind to run wild, that is what is the Lord of your life.

            Jesus did not come “just to” save you from your sins. Jesus didn’t endure unspeakable hardship and torture, just so you could live any old way you want to.

            Jesus endured unspeakable punishment, torture and death so He could have your all.

            You cannot serve two masters. You’ll either serve the one true God, or you’ll serve a substitute. Either one will be the Lord of your life.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Jesus can be the Lord of your life.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that He can be your all;

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that He can take you where you need to go.

            The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means that you can have life, now.

            Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)

            You see dear church; Jesus didn’t come “just to” be your Savior. Jesus didn’t come “just to” you from the fires of hell; Jesus came to be your Lord.

            He came to impact every decision that you’ll ever make.

            He came to help you walk through every storm that you will ever face in this life.

            Jesus came to help you in your dark days; Jesus came to help you in your brightest days… Jesus came to be your Savior and your Lord.

            Because Jesus was given to you and for you, He wants to be the Lord of your life.

            Author and Pastor Craig Groeschel wrote: “you can know the story of Christmas without knowing the Savior of the world” (Twitter)

            It is possible to go through the holiday season—attend all the parties, attend all the Christmas concerts, get that gift that you have been asking for, and still miss the purpose of Christmas.

            So don’t leave today without meeting Jesus as Savior. Don’t leave here today unless you ask Jesus to cleanse you from your sins.

            The Bible says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)

            Because all are lost, all need the One who knows the way; we need the One who is capable of being our Savior, Jesus Christ.

            But I also don’t want you leaving here unless you know Jesus as the Lord, as

your Lord.

            Jesus longs to be the Lord and Master of your life. He longs to direct you, He longs to change you, He longs to speak to you, He longs to help you. He longs to do life with you.

            Not only has Jesus come to be the Savior of the world, but He has also come to be the Lord of the world, the Lord of your world.

            This Christmas, you can receive the gift of salvation. For this is what it is. It is a gift from God to you. You can open this gift, and you can experience the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ as Savior.

            But you can also know Jesus as Lord, as the One who has come to do life with you.

            If you have received Jesus as Savior, but have yet to make Him the Lord of your life, you are selling yourself short. He longs to do more in you than just save you from hell.  He longs to be your Master.  

            If you have never received Jesus as your Savior, you must start there. You cannot make Him your Lord, unless He is your Savior.

            To receive Jesus as Savior, to receive Jesus as Lord is very simple, you must follow the words of Scripture:

            “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”  (Romans 10:9-10, NLT2)

            Jesus longs to be your Savior and your Lord. He longs to move in your life.

            Will you allow Jesus to forgive you of your sin? Will you allow Jesus to cleanse you from the burden of guilt that you are carrying? Will you confess that Jesus is your Savior?

            Will you allow Jesus to be the Lord of your life? Will you allow Jesus to influence each and every decision that you make from here on out? Will you allow Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord?

            If you want to take a step of faith and make this Jesus your Savior and your Lord, as the band comes and leads us in our closing song, I invite you to stand, kneel, bow, sit or come forward and receive Jesus, both as your Lord and Savior.