Christmas Communion 11 pm 24^th December  2003

Some of you might have seen all three of the Matrix films. They are all included in the box office successes of the last couple of years. The underlying plot seems to be mentioned, only in the first film “Matrix”. I will try to explain it for those of you who haven’t seen that film.

Humanity has been taken over by computers, and to keep themselves alive, the computers have to feed on human life. They do this by keeping people asleep, and dreaming, in a virtual reality, computer generated world. In truth, people are connected to wires, in large storage areas feeding the computers.

In this dream-world, humans sleep and dream, and life seems just like life before they were enslaved. They go to work; go on holiday to sun soaked beaches; or enjoy the sights around the world. They enjoy meals and drinks with friends, and family.

Just occasionally someone spots something in the world around them that seems odd or wrong.

Here is a short clip from the film which shows one of these people, Neo. . . . .(Chapter 8 Morpheus’ proposal)

Would you choose, and swallow, the red tablet to know the truth? Or would you choose the blue tablet to forget your suspicions and live life as you are accustomed, without the occasional nagging suspicion?

Why am I telling you this? I thought about the Christmas celebrations. A time for giving and receiving presents. A time for being with, or thinking about, family. A time for good natured, childlike fun.  A time for be eating too much, and perhaps, for some, getting drunk.

Most people in this county celebrate Christmas and yet for many it seems an unreal celebration with no meaning. Many people either don’t believe in Jesus or have never thought about WHY he was born. Just any excuse for a good time!

So WHY WAS Jesus born?

If you haven’t already got one of these little booklets “The real story of Christmas” take one before you leave tonight.

It tells of a very special, miraculous, baby, Jesus being born. Look at any baby, {have we got one on the screen?} it makes you realise how awesome a creator, God is.

But why was Jesus born? The booklet starts to answer that question. Jesus is the Son of God. But more than just a son. Jesus is Immanuel. “God come to be with us”. So when Jesus said something it was as if God the Father had said the words. Jesus’ words are the truth.

When Jesus was a man he told a story about a rich man who wasn’t caring, and a beggar, named Lazarus.  Both eventually died. Lazarus was carried off by angels to be with Abraham, who is one of the first of God’s followers mentioned in the Bible, but the rich man went to the place of torment.

A place of everlasting torment, day and night.

A place of emotional and physical pain. A place that God hasn’t blessed and where God doesn’t go. A place where there is no beauty, in sight, sound or smell. A place where there is no love, hope or peace.

In the Harry Potter film due out next year based on the third book, we are introduced to dementors, which the book says (Page 140)

Dementors infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory on decay, and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. They suck every good feeling, every happy memory out of you. You will be left with nothing but the worst experience of your life.

I think I would describe that as hell.

The rich man in Jesus’ story, not surprisingly, makes a request from hell, to Abraham, whom he can see in heaven. His request is to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, what will happen to them if they don’t change their ways.

Abraham says, he can’t do that. Then the rich mans says, “But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.”

To which Abraham replies, “They won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.” ( See Luke 16.30)

On projector - "The rich man replied, `No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.'

 (Luke 16:30 NLT)

And that, is what has happened later to Jesus.

A baby, Jesus, was born over 2000 years ago. Pages in the Bible written over 500 years before, got the details of his conception, birth place, life, character, and the way he died, all correct. Although many people didn’t realise who this man was until after his death.

Because then, he did return from the dead, and spent 40 days adding to the teaching he had already given to his followers.

He couldn’t teach, and help everyone at once, but His Holy Spirit could. So Jesus returned to heaven and the Holy Spirit came to help and advise his followers.

Why was Jesus born? He came so that we might know the truth. He came so that we could have real life. Life to the full. A life full of hope.

On projector - Jesus said, “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”  (John 10:10 NLT)

God sent Jesus into the REAL world to talk too and teach real people. The people who believe in Jesus are not immediately taken out of this world with its wars, arguments, and suffering.

But they are given the help of the Holy Spirit to help in the difficult times. The Bible also tells them their suffering will end and they will eventually enjoy, a new totally fulfilled life, in a new healthy body for eternity.

Like it or not. Choose to believe in a God who is totally powerful or not. It doesn’t change the truth.

In the Matrix film there are two tablets on offer. One lets you live in an unreal state for all your life. The other, if swallowed, lets you see what life is really like.

Jesus explained that God wants us to have a relationship with Him. One in which we submit to His will. “If you love me”, he says, “you will obey my commands”. One of the blessings we get in return is, His help, with difficult situations.

On projector - Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult.  (1 John 5:3 NLT)

When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  (John 15:10 NLT)

We each have a choice. We can take the tablet to live our lives in unreality. As though Jesus was never born, as though there is no powerful, creator God. It is a choice God gives us.

Do you choose truth or unreality?

This right to choose, in this life, is never taken away. Even someone who has seen many miraculous answers to prayers, still has the choice of saying “get lost” to God if they choose to go against Him.

Or we can choose to see life and ourselves as they really are. We can choose God’s way and a relationship with Him. Slowly and gently God shows Christians ways in which we should change. What we are really like. The things we must stop doing and the people we should forgive.

Because of Jesus we can see things as they really are.

Each time God points out a problem with us, we have a choice. Genuinely, tell Jesus we are sorry for the way we are behaving and receive his help in changing or not listen, and have to be told again. Do this too often, and of course, you are really saying, “I’ve changed my mind, I want to live life my way. Not God’s”

Because Jesus was born, we can choose to see the truth and live God’s way, we can receive a new eternal life on the world to come.

When you come forward for communion tonight, you are being offered that “tablet” which if you swallow it says “I believe Jesus is the son of God, and I want to live my life God’s way. Show me the truth and where to change, Lord”.

If you are unsure, then think about it, pray about it, discuss your feelings with a church member. And when you decide you would like REAL life, please let us know because we would like to celebrate your decision with you.

Amen