A Flash Of Glory

Bronx Bethany has a history of adjusting service protocols on certain days: Easter Sunday morning, the church anniversary weekend, the Sunday before Christmas, Christmas morning. Essentially, those services are packed with extras: videos, tons of choral music, special presentations, dance and drama, et cetera... and the time allowed for the sermon is cut in order to net the same length of service time as a "normal" service. I really wonder how God feels about that practice, particularly in light of First Corinthians chapter 1, and whether we will have to give an account for such on the Great Day.

That said, though, a sermon does not have to be long in order to have profound impact. Pastor Sam gave us proof of this. He spoke for just a few minutes on Christmas morning, and those few minutes carried much weight (that is, chabod). At the heart of the message was a simple, but deep, statement: God is activated, and no one can stop Him.

Rage won't stop Him. Our pastor reminded us that Jesus, thanks to the obedience of Joseph, escaped the infanticide ordered by King Herod. Herod, in ordering the murder of all male children aged 2 and under, sought to ensure for himself that no rival king would emerge in the region of his rule. But God sought to ensure that His Son would be a survivor of Herod's rage... so much so that He ordered Joseph to leave not just the region, but to leave Israel entirely and flee to Egypt, a place where Herod had neither authority nor influence.

There are times when we win by running far away from our oppressor.


Ridicule won't stop Him. He came to His own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). Pastor Sam shared with us that "God has engaged in the world, and has inaugurated His reign in the world." Christ came to earth as a baby for the ultimate purpose of triumphing, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, through His blood. The misunderstandings, jealousies, and plots against our Christ did not diminish His Lordship, and certainly did not deter His mission and purpose.

There are times when we win by remaining focused on our call and role.


Rebellion won't stop Him. Pastor Sam said, "Christmas is about God breaking in to keep His promise." The thousands of years of sin and rebellion against God was cracked and crushed by the birth of Jesus. We are without excuse. God has rescued us by sending Jesus. The One who walks on water and raises the dead with a word is standing right next to us, ready to save us the moment we ask. He is here to help us. But, He will not force us to come to Himself. We must come to Him of our own free will.

There are times when we win by reaching out, freely, to the Master.


Lord God, we adore You! We adore Your Christ! We adore Your Spirit! And we will cling to You. The rage, ridicule, and rebellion of man will not succeed in tearing us from Your side. We have said yes to You. Our yes means yes, forever. Thank You for giving us Your strength and power to walk away from sin and sinning. We are Yours. Do what You please with us, in us, through us, to the glory of Your great Name. Thank You, Jesus.