CHRISTMAS WITH C. S. LEWIS
Christmas Stories #1
Pastor Mark Warda
Woodland Church
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
In his book, Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis summed up Christmas in one sentence: “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.”
Like each one of us, C. S. Lewis has a story.
1. C. S. Lewis
A. Before Conversion
B. Conversion
C. After Conversion
2. __________________________
(Your Name)
A. Before Conversion
B. Conversion
C. After Conversion
3. Lessons from Lewis
“The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this.” – Miracles
“The Church exists for nothing else than to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose.” – WWII Radio Broadcast
4. Takeaway
Celebrating God’s love by persuading people to become passionate followers of Christ.
Through His incarnation, Christ was born into the world.
Through His earthly ministry He proclaimed the kingdom of God.
Through His sinless life, He became the acceptable sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
Through His resurrection, He conquered death and offers all who believe eternal life with Him.
Through His church, His message of salvation is brought to the world.
We are His church, meant to tell His Story.
The best way to tell HIS story, is to begin by sharing YOUR story.
(Luke 2:15-18, NLT) When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
(John 4:26-30, NLT) Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.”
Growthwork
- Briefly describe your life before conversion; your conversion experience; and your life since your conversion in two minutes.
- What has Christmas meant to you before and after your conversion?
- Do you recognize the distinction Lewis wrote about between Xmas and Christmas? How might you influence others to embrace the true meaning of Christmas he adored instead of the commercialized one he criticized?
- Who will you share your story with this Christmas?
- Who will you invite to our Christmas and Christmas Eve services?