DP 12/7/25, Sermon Ai, Spirit Of Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: God's love initiates generous giving.

God's love always begins with a gift; the Father's heart moved first toward the world, and generosity is the natural response. When God gave his Son, he modeled the pattern: receive grace, then give it away. This season calls people to remember that every act of giving flows from having first been given to. [06:57]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you most clearly experienced God's initiating love this year, and how might that memory move you to give differently this Christmas season?

Day 2: Generosity enlarges your world and blessing.

Generosity is a spiritual principle that paradoxically increases what it seems to expend; when a person scatters, life expands rather than diminishes. Holding tight narrows vision and results in want, but open hands position a life for supernatural provision and favor. Living into a bigger world begins with choosing to give beyond what feels safe. [11:57]

"There is one who scatters and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is rightfully due, but it leads only to want and poverty." (Proverbs 11:24, Amplified)

Reflection: What is one specific area (time, talent, treasure) you can intentionally scatter this month to trust God for increase, and what small first step will you take?

Day 3: Gifts reveal worship: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

The Magi's treasure chest declared who Jesus is: king, priest, and suffering servant—so the gifts they brought become an invitation for what we can give today. Gold represents a heart fully surrendered; frankincense represents true worship and life offered; myrrh represents the pain and loss laid at Jesus' feet. Bringing those three things—heart, worship, and brokenness—becomes an appropriate offering to the King. [19:34]

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1–12, ESV)

Reflection: Which of the three gifts (heart, worship, or brokenness) is hardest for you to bring to Jesus right now, and what would surrendering that look like in concrete terms this week?

Day 4: Wholehearted devotion shows in our giving.

True surrender begins with the heart; God wants not merely outward offerings but a life centered on him. Where your treasure goes shows where your heart is—time, talent, and treasure reveal what you truly worship. The call is to give Jesus first place so that everything else flows from a heart fully offered. [23:49]

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV)

Reflection: Examine your weekly rhythms: where are you investing time, money, and attention? Name one adjustment you will make so your treasure better reflects wholehearted devotion.

Day 5: True worship is a life offered.

Worship is more than songs; it is the living sacrifice of a life laid down to the Lord because of his mercy. Presenting bodies as a living, holy, pleasing sacrifice is the reasonable response to grace—this is spiritual worship and frankincense that fills heaven. When worship is genuine it fuels generosity, service, and a church that looks like a palace in the spirit. [29:17]

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what concrete way will you offer your life as a living sacrifice this week (a change in schedule, a service commitment, a financial step), and how will you invite someone to hold you accountable?

Sermon Summary

We welcomed and set in Nico and Ansley Villareal as pastors, recognizing the gift and grace of God on their lives and committing as a family to cover them in prayer. From there, I leaned into our Advent focus on the Spirit of Christmas—generosity—and our Legacy Offering. Generosity doesn’t begin with us; it begins with God. John 3:16 shows the pattern: God loved, so God gave. When love initiates, giving naturally follows. I shared how immature hearts fixate on receiving, but maturity in Christ shifts the question from “What can I get?” to “How can I bless?” It truly is more blessed to give, not simply because it feels good, but because God enlarges the world of the generous.

We traced the roots of gift-giving to St. Nicholas and challenged the consumer version of Christmas that drives debt and anxiety. God is inviting us back to handmade-hearted generosity—time, presence, and sacrificial love. Proverbs 11 reminds us that scattering doesn’t decrease us; it positions us to live in a bigger world. That’s why we’re giving through Legacy to two lanes: our Beyond campaign (facilities and expansion across campuses—Napa, East Bay, Calgary, Roseville, and a seed to reach Marin) and the Prison Church Network (including yesterday’s Santa’s Toy Shop). Your generosity is opening doors for middle schoolers to encounter Jesus, new campuses to be planted (like Santa Barbara), and incarcerated brothers and sisters to be discipled.

We then looked at the Magi’s gifts and what we can bring Jesus today. Gold represents a fully surrendered heart. God doesn’t primarily ask for our stuff; He asks for our heart, because when He has that, everything else follows. Frankincense speaks of true worship—a life laid on the altar, not Sunday karaoke but Spirit-ignited surrender. Myrrh is the most surprising gift: our pain, grief, and unanswered questions. Jesus receives even that, because He was broken to make us whole. Before we bring finances, He invites us to bring our heart: our gold (surrender), our frankincense (worship), and our myrrh (pain). Many responded with full surrender, declaring, “Jesus, You can have it all.”

Key Takeaways

1. Love initiates; generosity is our response. God did not wait for us to deserve; He loved, so He gave. The order matters—receiving precedes giving, grace precedes effort. When we live from received love, generosity becomes a joyful response, not a performance. Let God’s love be the well that fills your cup, and then pour freely. [03:49]
2. Resist consumerism; return to generosity. Buying more doesn’t heal the ache of the season; love does. Consider simple, sacrificial, and thoughtful giving that carries your presence, not just your purchase. Freedom comes when we step out of debt-driven expectations and into Spirit-led generosity that actually blesses. [09:58]
3. The world of the generous grows. God’s economy is counterintuitive: scattering increases, withholding shrinks. When we open our hand, He opens our world—relationships deepen, opportunities expand, and provision meets purpose. Generosity isn’t losing; it’s aligning with heaven’s flow. [11:57]
4. Bring Jesus your gold—full surrender. God asks for your heart, because your heart steers your treasure, time, and talents. If He has the center, the rest follows with joy instead of pressure. Today’s “gold” is saying, “You can have it all,” and making decisions that prove it. [22:08]
5. Offer your myrrh—pain as a gift. Your grief, disappointment, and unanswered prayers belong at His feet, not locked away. Jesus receives the myrrh because He is the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with your grief, and able to heal what you entrust to Him. Bring the pain you can’t fix, and watch Him do what only He can do. [31:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Ordaining Nico and Ansley
[03:49] - Spirit of generosity and Legacy focus
[06:57] - Maturity: from receiving to giving
[09:58] - St. Nicholas and resisting consumerism
[11:57] - The world of the generous
[15:18] - Tithing and above-and-beyond giving
[17:58] - Who were the Magi, really?
[19:34] - Scripture reading: Matthew 2
[22:08] - Gold: a surrendered heart
[23:49] - Treasure reveals the heart
[26:18] - Frankincense: worship and sacrifice
[29:17] - Reasonable worship: a life laid down
[31:28] - Myrrh: offering pain and loss
[35:51] - Prayer of full surrender

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
Matthew 2:1–12
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Observation questions

In Matthew 2 the visitors followed a star, entered the house, bowed, and opened their treasure—what do those actions reveal about who they believed Jesus to be and how they responded to him? [19:34]
The text lists three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What concrete images or roles does each gift suggest when you read the passage (kingship, worship, suffering)? [22:08]
John 3:16 frames giving as flowing from God’s love (“He loved, so he gave”). How does that pattern change the order of receiving and giving in a believer’s life? [03:49]
Proverbs 11 is summarized as “the world of the generous gets larger.” What observable differences would mark a life or community that has entered into that “larger world”? [11:57]

Interpretation questions (third person, objective)

What does it mean for a person to “bring gold” (a fully surrendered heart) in ways that shape how they invest time, talent, and money? Be specific about what changes would show the heart’s center has shifted. [22:08]
What would it look like for a person to offer “frankincense” as true worship — a life laid down rather than merely singing on Sunday? Describe practical habits that would demonstrate that kind of worship. [26:18]
What does bringing “myrrh” (personal pain and loss) to Jesus imply about vulnerability in community and the role of the church in healing? How would that look in a small group or discipleship relationship? [31:28]

Application questions (personal, specific)

God’s love initiates; generosity is our response. What is one concrete giving decision (time, money, or talent) you will make this month that flows from having first received God’s grace? Set the specific amount, hours, or date. [03:49]
Resist consumerism; return to handmade-hearted generosity. What is one non‑purchased gift (time, a handmade item, presence, service) you will commit to give this season, who will receive it, and when will you do it? [09:58]
The world of the generous grows. Identify one relationship, neighborhood, or ministry sphere where you will “scatter” time or resources this quarter. What measurable first step will you take in the next 30 days? [11:57]
Bring Jesus your gold—full surrender. What one habit or decision will you change in the next 90 days to show Jesus has first place in your schedule or finances (for example, a regular Sunday priority, a budget change, or a ministry commitment)? [22:08]
Offer your myrrh—pain as a gift. Is there a grief, unanswered prayer, or wound you need to bring to Jesus and share with one trusted person for prayer? Name the pain and the specific next step (who you will tell and when). [31:28]
Give toward legacy: Beyond campaign and Prison Church Network. What specific financial or service commitment can you make before year‑end to support one of these lanes (amount, hours, or a pledge), and when will you follow up to report progress? [15:18]

Use these questions to guide honest conversation, mutual prayer, and concrete next steps.

Sermon Clips

and then one of the reasons that we've invested millions of dollars and built this beautiful ministry facility, it gets used every day of the week, almost every night of the week, but it's for our middle schoolers. And as we laid hands on Nico and Ansley this morning, I want you just to see what we're capturing, a few pictures of what God is doing in that space. We're talking about 12, 13-year-olds coming to Jesus, suicidal ideation being broken off, depression being broken off, drug addiction being broken in our middleschoolers, the hand of God. Come on. This is why we give. This is why we sacrifice. [00:16:51] (33 seconds) #YouthLivesTransformed

Here's a question that we probably ask every Christmas season or a birthday for somebody you know. And here's the question.What do you get a guy that already has everything? Right? What do you get that guy? What do you get Jesus? He created everything. Right? He has everything. What's a gift you get for Jesus? And by the way, it says in the word, he has need of nothing. And if he did need something, he wouldn't ask you. I love that verse. It's just like, oh, I get it. But he does receive three types of gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [00:21:15] (34 seconds) #GiftsForTheCreator

And the first one, gold, by the way, was an appropriate gift for a king. In antiquity, you didn't bring a king a gift of aluminum. You didn't say, hey, king, here's some bronze.It was only gold. It was appropriate because gold speaks of kingship. And so these wise men from the east, they were declaring that he is the king of kings. In a sense, they were saying he is the one who will descend from David's throne and sit upon his throne forever and ever. And so number one, gold to us is this. It represents a heart fully surrendered and presented to Jesus. [00:21:56] (37 seconds) #GoldForTheKing

You know, there's so much in theword. And as I was studying this, I picked out a few verses. I'm going to have you help me read. But here's what I realized. God doesn't want your stuff. God never says, give me your money or give me all your time or give me, give me. You know what he does say, give me? He says, give me your heart.Why? Because when he has your heart, everything else comes with it. Your career comes with it.Your marriage comes with it.Your finances, your talent, your passion, everything comes with it when he has our hearts. [00:22:38] (33 seconds) #GiveHimYourHeart

There's incense right now burning in heaven before the throne. Guess what it is?It's your hands raised and your heart poured out before him and not karaoke songs on a Sunday morning. God's not looking for people just to sing some tunes. If you sing without the impetus of the Holy Spirit igniting your worship, it falls into the category of dead religion. But when the Holy Spirit feels a grateful heart and I come into his house and I lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting, I say, Jesus, you're my King. Thank you for rescuing my life. I love you. [00:28:05] (34 seconds) #SpiritLedWorship

I don't worship in view of my holiness or my seniority at church. I don't worship in view of my morality. I worship in view of his mercy. That's why the mostbroken, messed up person in the room, that could be you. You can come in and worship. Why? It's not about what you've earned or gained. It's about the mercy of a King that says in view of what he's done, let us lay our lives before him. [00:29:05] (26 seconds) #MercyDrivenWorship

But here's what I've seen. A lot of people, they can give God some money. They can give God a little time. They can serve here and there. But the hardest thing to lay on the altar, the hardest thing to bring the king is the loss. Is that thing you went through that nobody understands? It's the loss of a loved one. It's the breakup of a relationship. It's the pain of an unanswered prayer. It's a disease you can't find a cure for. That's the myrrh. Isn't it amazing that God wants the myrrh? That's one of the three main gifts. He says, bring me your brokenness. [00:32:19] (33 seconds) #BringYourBrokenness

So today on this Giving Sunday, I want to ask you the question, what's the gift that Jesus needs from you in this season? What is the gift that you would bring to a king? I want to invite you tobring it today, whether that is your pain, your loss, your gifts, your talent, your time, your worship, a life laid down. Bring him the gold. Bring him the frankincense and bring him the myrrh. Amen. [00:34:07] (25 seconds) #BringYourGiftToJesus

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