Behold the Gift: Embracing Jesus This Christmas
Summary
Merry Christmas to all of you gathered here at Lake Forest and across our Saddleback campuses worldwide. This year has been challenging, but we made it through together. As we celebrate our 42nd Christmas as a church family, I want to share a message that centers on the word "behold," a term that invites us to focus deeply and appreciate fully. In our fast-paced world, we often fail to truly behold the things that matter, including the profound gift of Christmas.
The word "behold" appears 1,275 times in the King James Bible, urging us to pay attention and reflect deeply. This Christmas, I encourage you to behold the best news ever: God's love for us, demonstrated through Jesus Christ. God came to earth in human form so we could understand His nature and love. Jesus, called the Word of God, existed from the beginning and created everything. Through Him, we see God's full grace and truth, something we can't fully grasp through nature alone.
Christmas is a reminder that God took the initiative to establish a relationship with us. Jesus lived a sinless life and paid for our sins, offering us redemption and grace. This is not about religion but a personal relationship with God. Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, proving His divinity and offering us eternal life. His resurrection split history into BC and AD, underscoring its significance.
As we look forward, remember that God's plan isn't finished. Jesus will return to complete His work and take us to heaven. Until then, He is with us, guiding and comforting us. This Christmas, I urge you to focus on Jesus, the true gift of the season. He stands at the door of your life, knocking, waiting for you to open and let Him in. Trust Him, love Him, and make Him the most important part of your life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Behold the Gift of Christmas: Christmas is a time to truly behold the gift of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to reveal God's love and grace. In a world where we often glance at things, take time to focus deeply on the significance of this season. [06:49]
2. God's Initiative for Relationship: God desires a personal relationship with each of us, not just religious adherence. He took the initiative by sending Jesus, who lived a perfect life and paid for our sins, offering us redemption and grace. [09:40]
3. The Significance of the Resurrection: Jesus' resurrection is the most important event in history, proving His divinity and offering us eternal life. It is the foundation of our faith and the reason we celebrate Christmas. [27:26]
4. God's Unfinished Plan: God's plan for the universe and for us is not yet complete. Jesus will return to fulfill His promises, and until then, He is with us, providing comfort and guidance. [36:15]
5. A Personal Invitation: Jesus stands at the door of your life, inviting you to open it and let Him in. This Christmas, consider what you will give to Jesus, the birthday boy, and make Him the most important part of your life. [44:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Merry Christmas Greetings
- [00:25] - Reflecting on a Challenging Year
- [00:53] - 42nd Christmas Together
- [01:11] - NBA Game Clip and "Behold"
- [02:22] - The Importance of "Behold"
- [03:23] - Definition of Behold
- [04:26] - Our Short Attention Spans
- [05:09] - The Art of Beholding
- [06:09] - Glimpsing vs. Beholding at Christmas
- [07:12] - The Best News Ever
- [08:23] - God's Plan for You
- [09:40] - God Came to Earth
- [10:49] - Jesus, the Word of God
- [14:18] - The First Christmas Announcement
- [19:25] - Jesus' Perfect Life and Sacrifice
- [27:26] - Jesus Defeated Death
- [36:15] - God's Unfinished Plan
- [44:59] - Jesus' Invitation to You
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:1-14
2. Luke 2:8-14
3. Revelation 3:20
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the significance of the word "behold" in the context of Christmas? ([02:22])
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary reason God came to earth in human form? ([10:19])
3. What does the sermon say about the role of Jesus' resurrection in the Christian faith? ([27:26])
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of redemption and grace introduced by Jesus? ([21:01])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that beholding Jesus can change one's perspective on life and faith? ([06:49])
2. How does the sermon interpret the significance of Jesus being called the "Word of God" in John 1? ([10:49])
3. What implications does the sermon draw from Jesus' resurrection for believers today? ([27:26])
4. How does the sermon describe the ongoing nature of God's plan and Jesus' eventual return? ([36:15])
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Application Questions:
1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of truly beholding Jesus during Christmas. What practical steps can you take to focus more deeply on Jesus this season? ([06:49])
2. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you move beyond religious adherence to a more personal connection with Him? ([09:40])
3. Jesus' resurrection is described as the cornerstone of faith. How does this belief impact your daily life and decisions? ([27:26])
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus stands at the door of your life, knocking. What might be preventing you from fully opening that door, and how can you address it? ([44:59])
5. Consider the idea that God's plan is not yet complete. How does this perspective influence your understanding of current events and your personal future? ([36:15])
6. The sermon challenges us to give Jesus a gift for His birthday. What specific gift can you offer to Jesus this Christmas, and how will you go about giving it? ([46:09])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of "beholding" into your daily routine to deepen your spiritual life and awareness of God's presence? ([05:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Beholding the True Gift of Christmas
Christmas invites us to pause and truly behold the profound gift of Jesus Christ. In a world that often encourages us to glance quickly and move on, this season calls us to focus deeply on the significance of Christ's birth. Jesus came to earth to reveal God's love and grace, offering us a chance to understand His divine nature. This Christmas, take the time to appreciate the depth of this gift, recognizing that it is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms lives. [06:49]
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."
Reflection: What specific aspect of Jesus' birth can you focus on this Christmas to deepen your appreciation of God's gift to you?
Day 2: God's Initiative for a Personal Relationship
God's desire for a personal relationship with each of us is evident in His initiative to send Jesus to earth. This act was not about establishing a new religion but about offering redemption and grace through a personal connection with the divine. Jesus lived a sinless life and paid for our sins, bridging the gap between humanity and God. This Christmas, reflect on the personal nature of this relationship and how it transcends mere religious adherence. [09:40]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper personal relationship with God this season, beyond religious practices?
Day 3: The Resurrection's Significance
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, proving His divinity and offering eternal life to believers. This event is not only the foundation of our faith but also the reason we celebrate Christmas. It underscores the victory over sin and death, providing hope and assurance of eternal life. As you celebrate this season, remember the significance of the resurrection and its impact on your faith journey. [27:26]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus influence your daily life and decisions?
Day 4: Embracing God's Unfinished Plan
God's plan for the universe and for us is ongoing, with the promise of Jesus' return to complete His work. Until that time, He remains with us, providing guidance and comfort. This Christmas, embrace the hope and assurance that God's plan is not yet finished, and that He is actively working in your life and the world. Trust in His promises and find peace in His presence. [36:15]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's ongoing plan in your life and community?
Day 5: Responding to Jesus' Personal Invitation
Jesus stands at the door of your life, inviting you to open it and let Him in. This Christmas, consider what you will give to Jesus, the birthday boy, and make Him the most important part of your life. His invitation is personal and requires a response. Reflect on how you can prioritize your relationship with Him and allow His presence to transform your life. [44:59]
Revelation 3:20 (ESV): "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to open the door of your life to Jesus and deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
"Behold, what does the word behold mean? Well, to behold something means to hold in focus for an extended period of time. You don't just glance at it, you really look at something for an extended period of time. To behold means to gaze at something with awe and appreciation." [00:03:34]
"Now, it starts like this. You're not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God planned you, you're not an accident, God made you to love you. God wanted a family, the whole reason the universe exists. The Bible tells us, God wanted a family." [00:08:11]
"Behold, God came to earth, that's a big deal. God came to earth, He became a human, why? So we could see, write this down, what He's really like. God came to earth at Christmas in the form of a human being, so we could see what He's really like." [00:10:04]
"Now, for thousands of years. God told us that He was gonna be coming to earth one day, He predicted over and over through a lot of different wise and holy men. Let me just show you one example, up here on the screen in Isaiah 7, this was like 600 years before Jesus." [00:14:06]
"Behold, God lived a perfect life, a sin-free life on Earth. This is really important, we'll come back to it in a minute, He lived a sin-free life on Earth, then He paid for your sins and my sins, so that we would not have to. That's really good news." [00:19:21]
"Behold, Jesus defeated death. He defeated death by raising Himself back to life, so we can live forever with Him. We don't have to be afraid of death anymore. Jesus changed our understanding of death by defeating it." [00:27:15]
"Behold, God's plan for the universe and for you, isn't finished yet. It's not done. Jesus will return to complete God's plan, and take us to Heaven. Now, if He comes in our lifetime, that'll happen that way, if He comes after we've already died, and we're already in heaven, it'll be for whoever those who are there." [00:36:15]
"Behold, I'm standing at the door, at your door, the door of your life and I'm knocking. And if you hear my voice and you open the door, I'll come in and we'll fellowship. You can begin a friendship with God tonight. I'm not talking about religion folks. I'm talking about a relationship to God." [00:44:50]
"Jesus died because He made you, He loves you, He wants you in Heaven with Him, He came to be your Savior, and there's no other way you're getting saved. And if you didn't need a savior, Christmas wouldn't have happened. For unto you is born a Savior, He is Christ the Lord." [00:45:28]
"Stop celebrating Christmas, if you're not gonna give Him your gift, the gift that He wants from you, He wants you to trust Him, He wants you to love Him. He has never not loved you. And 1000 years before you were born, He knew that on Christmas Eve 2021, you'd sit in a cold Saddleback Church." [00:46:41]
"Dear God, thank you that you came to Earth, and became a human being, so we could know what you're like, so we could see your full grace and your full truth, not just get a glimpse of you, but know what you're really like. And thank you, Jesus Christ, that you lived a perfect life, so you could die for my imperfections." [00:48:02]
"And thank you, Jesus, that you rose back from life, you raised yourself from death, to defeat death, to show us that there's life after death. To give us the promise that we can live forever with you. Thank you for that. And God I know your plan is not finished yet." [00:48:49]
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