Christmas Solidarity - John Piper
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. —1 John 3:8
The assembly line of Satan turns out millions of sins every day. He packs them into huge cargo planes and carries them to heaven and spreads them out before God and laughs and laughs and laughs.
Some people work full-time on the assembly line. Others have quit their jobs there and only now and then return. Every minute of work on the assembly line makes God the laughing stock of Satan. Sin is Satan’s business because he hates the light and beauty and purity and glory of God. Nothing pleases him more than when creatures distrust and disobey their Maker.
Therefore, Christmas is good news for man and good news for God. “ The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That’s good news for us.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). That’s good news for God. Christmas is good news for God because Jesus has come to lead a strike at Satan’s assembly plant. He has walked right into the plant, called for the Solidarity of the faithful, and begun a massive walkout. Christmas is a call to go on strike at the assembly plant of sin. No negotiations with the management. No bargaining. Just single-minded, unswerving opposition to the product. Christmas Solidarity aims to ground the cargo planes. It will not use force or violence, but with relentless devotion to Truth it will expose the life-destroying conditions of the devil’s industry. Christmas Solidarity will not give up until a complete shutdown has been achieved. When sin has been destroyed, God’s name will be wholly exonerated. No one will be laughing at him anymore. If you want to give a gift to God this Christmas, walk off the assembly line and never go back. Take up your place in the picket line of love. Join Christmas Solidarity until the majestic name of God is cleared and he stands glorious amid the accolades of the righteous.
Solidarity is unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest. I would like to tell you about a powerful example of solidarity in my life.
When I was working with our lead team to relaunch our church I was struggling. There were some people who were opposed to how I was trying to relaunch the church. I was doing everything I could to not run away screaming in fear of failure and in addition to dealing with my fears I had to deal with the opposition of church members who were consistently voicing their distaste for my leadership. One Sunday morning (because of my own weakness) I had reached my breaking point. I shared with our church family that I love you but if you don't want to do this church relaunch then please tell me and we can just end this. As I was saying these things one of our church members, Ron Mann, stood up and said I'm with you Darryl. It was such a powerful moment. It was encouraging to know someone was with me in the fight for our church family. After Ron stood up many others stood up too. Soon nearly the whole room was standing in solidarity for the life of our church. It was such a beautiful moment.
I want us to continue to stand together for the life of our church. I want us to stand together against sin in each others lives. I want to have the kinds of relationships with each other where it is clear to the world that we stand together to see godliness increasing in each others lives. The way that Ron stood up for me that day is how I want to stand for each of you. In a move of solidarity lets choose to walk off the assembly line of sin. In a move of solidarity lets all choose to give our lives to each other for the glory of God and for the elevation of His kingdom.
- Darryl