Anticipating Grace: The Christmas Story Unveiled

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of Grace

God's grace is a profound gift that transforms lives. The angel's announcement to Mary highlights the favor and grace bestowed upon her, reminding us that the fear of the Lord is about reverence, not fear. This grace is so significant that it moved God to step into creation, addressing the problem of sin through Jesus. As believers, we are called to live in anticipation of this grace, praying boldly and expecting God to work in unexpected ways. This anticipation is not passive but active, inviting us to engage with God in prayer and trust, knowing that His grace is sufficient for every need. [44:51]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to actively anticipate God's grace? How can you pray boldly about this today?

Day 2: Restoring Glory Through Jesus

The announcement to Mary signifies the restoration of glory through Jesus, whose name means "God saves." He is the fulfillment of God's promise to restore the broken image of Adam. As the Son of the Most High, Jesus embodies divine nature and mission, actively working to redeem and restore what is broken in creation. This announcement is a powerful reminder that God is not distant but intimately involved in the world, bringing hope and restoration. As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in this redemptive work, allowing His glory to shine through our lives. [50:51]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you reflect the glory of Jesus in your daily interactions? How can you be a part of God's work of restoration today?

Day 3: Investing in the Eternal Kingdom

Jesus is born as the heir to an eternal kingdom, fulfilling the promise made to David. This kingdom is not just for Israel but for all eternity, challenging us to invest in it rather than in the temporary empires of this world. The joy and wonder of the Christmas story lie in the anticipation of what is to come, inviting us to be part of this eternal narrative. As believers, we are called to prioritize the eternal over the temporal, aligning our lives with the values and purposes of God's kingdom. [01:02:22]

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to invest in God's eternal kingdom rather than the temporary things of this world?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

The announcement to Mary is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises. From Genesis to the New Testament, God has been working to fulfill His promise to address the problem of sin. The birth of Jesus is the culmination of this promise, inviting us to trust in God's faithfulness and anticipate His continued work in our lives. In times of uncertainty and doubt, we can hold onto the assurance that God is faithful and His promises are true. [41:13]

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness in a current challenge you are facing? What promise of God can you hold onto today?

Day 5: Dependence on God in Trials

In life's trials, we can depend on the Son of God, who is with us. The announcement to Mary assures us that God is present and active in our lives, working to restore and redeem. We are called to live with an attitude of "we can fix it," trusting in God's power and grace to work through us and bring about His purposes. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of God's strength and sufficiency in every situation. [58:39]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing where you need to depend more on God? How can you actively trust Him to work through this situation today?

Sermon Summary

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a cherished tradition at Southview, providing us with a unique opportunity to share the gospel globally through the International Missions Board. This offering is a tangible way to extend the message of Jesus Christ to children and adults worldwide. As we delve into the Christmas story, we focus on the announcement made to Mary by the angel in Luke 1, which reveals profound truths about Jesus as the king of grace, glory, and an eternal kingdom. This announcement signifies a pivotal moment in history, marking the fulfillment of God's promise from Genesis 3:15, where He declared His plan to address the problem of sin through a descendant of Eve.

The angel's message to Mary is rich with meaning, emphasizing God's favor and grace. The Greek words for "greetings" and "highly favored" are intertwined, highlighting the grace bestowed upon Mary. This grace is a reminder that the fear of the Lord is not about being afraid but about living in reverence. God's grace is so significant that it moved Him to step into creation, bringing the ultimate solution to sin through Jesus. We are called to live in anticipation of God's grace, praying boldly and expecting God to work in unexpected ways.

The announcement to Mary also speaks of restoring glory. Jesus, whose name means "God saves," is the fulfillment of God's promise to restore the broken image of Adam. He is the Son of the Most High, a title that signifies His divine nature and mission. This announcement is a reminder that God is actively involved in creation, working to redeem and restore what is broken.

Finally, the announcement points to the restoration of the kingdom. Jesus is born as the heir to an eternal kingdom, fulfilling the promise made to David. This kingdom is not just for Israel but for all eternity. As we anticipate the reality of this eternal kingdom, we are challenged to invest in it rather than in the temporary empires of this world. The joy and wonder of the Christmas story lie in the anticipation of what is to come, and we are invited to be part of this eternal narrative.

Key Takeaways

1. God's grace is a central theme in the announcement to Mary. The angel's greeting highlights the favor and grace bestowed upon her, reminding us that the fear of the Lord is about reverence, not fear. God's grace is so profound that it moved Him to step into creation and address the problem of sin. We are called to live in anticipation of this grace, praying boldly and expecting God to work in unexpected ways. [44:51]
2. The announcement to Mary signifies the restoration of glory. Jesus, whose name means "God saves," is the fulfillment of God's promise to restore the broken image of Adam. He is the Son of the Most High, a title that signifies His divine nature and mission. This announcement reminds us that God is actively involved in creation, working to redeem and restore what is broken. [50:51]
3. Jesus is born as the heir to an eternal kingdom, fulfilling the promise made to David. This kingdom is not just for Israel but for all eternity. As we anticipate the reality of this eternal kingdom, we are challenged to invest in it rather than in the temporary empires of this world. The joy and wonder of the Christmas story lie in the anticipation of what is to come, and we are invited to be part of this eternal narrative. [62:22]
4. The announcement to Mary is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises. From Genesis to the New Testament, God has been working to fulfill His promise to address the problem of sin. The birth of Jesus is the culmination of this promise, and it invites us to trust in God's faithfulness and anticipate His continued work in our lives. [41:13]
5. In life's trials, we can depend on the Son of God, who is with us. The announcement to Mary assures us that God is present and active in our lives, working to restore and redeem. We are called to live with an attitude of "we can fix it," trusting in God's power and grace to work through us and bring about His purposes. [58:39]
** [58:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:21] - The Power of Announcements
[35:28] - The Announcement to Mary
[37:03] - Jesus: King of Grace and Glory
[37:44] - Anticipating Grace
[38:50] - God's Initiative and Promise
[40:02] - Messianic Expectation
[41:13] - God's Faithfulness
[42:04] - The Meaning of Favor
[43:03] - Reverence Over Fear
[44:51] - Living in Anticipation
[46:39] - Bold and Specific Prayers
[50:51] - Restoring Glory
[52:24] - The Greatness of Jesus
[56:12] - The Incarnation of God
[58:39] - Dependence on God in Trials
[62:22] - Restoring the Kingdom
[65:06] - Anticipating the Eternal Kingdom

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific message did the angel deliver to Mary in Luke 1:28-33, and how did Mary initially react to it? [37:03]
How does the sermon describe the significance of the Greek words for "greetings" and "highly favored" in the angel's message to Mary? [42:04]
According to the sermon, what does the name "Jesus" signify, and how does it relate to His mission? [50:51]
What promise made to David is fulfilled in the announcement to Mary, as discussed in the sermon? [01:02:22]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the concept of "God's grace" in the context of the announcement to Mary, and why is it significant for believers today? [44:51]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' birth signifies the restoration of glory and the fulfillment of God's promise to restore the broken image of Adam? [50:51]
What does the sermon imply about the nature of Jesus' kingdom, and how does it challenge believers to view their investments in life? [01:02:22]
How does the sermon interpret the phrase "Son of the Most High," and what does it reveal about Jesus' identity and mission? [53:32]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in an unexpected way. How can you live in anticipation of God's grace in your current circumstances? [44:51]
The sermon encourages bold and specific prayers. What is one specific prayer you can commit to praying this week, trusting in God's unexpected ways? [46:39]
How can you actively participate in God's work of restoring what is broken in your community or relationships? What steps can you take this week? [50:51]
Consider the eternal kingdom of Jesus. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities? Are there areas where you need to shift your focus from temporary to eternal investments? [01:02:22]
In life's trials, the sermon suggests adopting an attitude of "we can fix it" with God's help. How can you apply this mindset to a current challenge you are facing? [58:39]
The sermon highlights the importance of reverence over fear. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to overcome fear? [44:05]
How does the promise of Jesus' eternal kingdom inspire you to engage with others about your faith? Identify one person you can share this hope with this week. [01:03:41]

Sermon Clips

"From the very beginning, from the promise in Genesis 3:15, generations lived in eager expectation, awaiting the fulfillment of God's enduring promise. All the way back in Genesis 3:15, the promise was made, and people eagerly waited in anticipation." [00:38:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You're going to have a descendant. A descendant to whom the serpent will injure, but who will destroy the serpent. This is the first declaration of the good news. That God was going to step into history and solve the problem of sin." [00:39:35] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Greetings, you who are highly favored, you who God has bestowed his grace upon. The Lord, God himself is with you. You've been waiting. You've been waiting in anticipation. God's about to act." [00:42:46] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But what does that even mean? It means to revere God because God is all-powerful. God is almighty. God is fierce, powerful, magnificent, and present, involved in creation." [00:44:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Ultimately the biggest thing that God is doing though is redeeming restoring that which is broken in verses 31 the second half through the first half of 32 what I see is restoring glory the announcement that is given to Mary is an announcement that God's glory is being restored." [00:50:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus's name itself which means by the way God saves reiterates his mission the angel tells Mary and you are to call him Jesus Jesus is our translation of the word Yeshua which is really the Hebrew word Joshua which if you break it down is broken into two phrases Yahweh and shua which means Yahweh saves." [00:50:58] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The son that would be born to Mary will solve the problem of Adam's fall. He will be great. He will be called son of the most high. God the son became incarnate. The solution is profound." [00:56:46] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"In life's trials, remember, we can depend on the Son of God God with us. God came to earth to be with us. We need to have an attitude in life of we can fix it." [00:58:30] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"That's what comes last in this announcement photo. Restoring the kingdom. The fallen throne of David would be rebuilt in the Lion of Judah." [01:00:34] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus was born heir of an eternal kingdom. 2 Samuel 7, verses 12 through 16, has a promise made to David. I want you to listen to the promise that's made to David in 2 Samuel 7, starting in verse 12." [01:01:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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