THE DEMANDS OF CHRISTMAS
Holiday Pressures of Difficult People (Part 2 of 3)
December 4, 2005

Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, [3] for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

James 1:2-4 (Living)

On the path to spiritual maturity, even temptation becomes a stepping-stone when you realize that it is just as much as occasion to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing.

Happy is the man who doesn't give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.

James 1:12 (Living)

Temptation provides a choice. Every time you choose to do good instead of sin, you are growing in the character of Christ.

When the Holy Spirit controls your life, he will produce this kind of fruit in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

How were Mary and Joseph pressured by difficult people? How are you pressured by difficult people?

Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1-6)

1. UNEXPECTED DEMANDS ON YOUR TIME

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

Luke 2:1 (NASB-U)

2. UNEXPECTED TRAVEL

Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.

Luke 2:3 (Msg)

3. UNEXPECTED FINANCIAL EXPENCES

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. [5] He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

[6] And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

Luke 2:4-6 (NLT)

Shepherds

4. UNANTICIPATED GUESTS

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

[16] So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:15-16 (NIV)

5. CROWDED CONDITIONS

When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child.

Luke 2:17 (TEV)

6. KEEPING CONVERSATION GOING WITH PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW THAT WELL

You know how you feel when someone is talking about something:

  • you have no interest in
  • you have no knowledge or very little knowledge about
  • you think it is not that important

God develops fruit within you, not by making things go the way you planned, but by allowing times of chaos and confusion.

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality.

Inn Keeper:

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn't any room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 (GW)

7. DISCOURAGED FOR NOT GETTING WHAT YOU WANTED [A ROOM]

8. DEPRESSED FOR GETTING WHAT YOU DIDN'T WANT [A STABLE]

9. DISAPPOINTED WITH FAMLY MEMBERS [MY HUSBAND DIDN'T PLAN VERY WELL]

Three ways to overcome temptation

Refuse to be intimidated. You will never outgrow temptation. Temptation is a sign Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness.

Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it.

  • When am I most tempted?
  • Who is usually with me when I am most tempted?
  • How do I usually feel when I am most tempted?
  • Where am I most tempted?

Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. [27] Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.

Proverbs 4:26-27 (TEV)

God's people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go.

Proverbs 16:17 (CEV)

Request God's help.

And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.

Psalm 50:15 (NASB)

Question to Answer: What Christ-like character quality can you develop by defeating the most common temptation you face?

Prayer

Father, when we feel tempted, help us not to give in or give up but look up and expect you to help us. Temptation is a choice to do good or wrong. Please help us to make the right choices.

Now you pray: Father, when I am tempted by unexpected demands on my time, travel, financial expenses, guests, crowded conditions or keeping conversations going with people I don't know that well, produce the kind of fruit in my life to develop the character of Christ in me. Help me to refuse temptation to sin, recognize my pattern of temptation and seek your help so I won't give in to my temptations. In Jesus name. Amen