DOES CHRIST BELONG IN X-MAS?

“The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”

Pastor Duane Cross | 12.11.2011

“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:40-52(NIV)

“Peter Pan Syndrome”: a refusal to GROW UP, SETTLE DOWN and COMMIT.

I. HE GREW UP.

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10(NLT)

II. HE SETTLED DOWN.

“My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 8:21(NLT)

Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

III. HE COMMITTED.

“Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)