Celebrating the Miraculous Birth of Our Savior

Devotional

Day 1: God's Eternal Plan for Redemption

God's foreknowledge and love are evident in His eternal plan for our redemption through Jesus Christ. Even before sin entered the world, God had already made provision for our salvation. This demonstrates His immense love and foreknowledge, as He created us knowing the cost of our salvation. The birth of Jesus Christ, foreseen even before the existence of sin, underscores the immense value God places on each of us. This divine plan was set in motion from eternity, highlighting God's sovereign love and commitment to humanity. [01:41]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How does knowing that God planned your redemption from eternity change your perspective on your worth and His love for you?

Day 2: The Promise of a Savior

The promise of a Savior was given immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve, showing God's immediate response to sin with a plan for redemption. This promise was reiterated through various prophets over centuries, emphasizing its importance and certainty. From Genesis 3:15 to the prophecies of Moses and Isaiah, the promise of a Messiah was a constant reminder of God's unwavering commitment to redeem humanity. This long-awaited promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous life, died for our sins, and offers us eternal life. [03:00]

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: Reflect on a promise from God that you are still waiting to see fulfilled. How can the certainty of God's promise of a Savior encourage you to trust in His timing and faithfulness?

Day 3: God's Sovereign Orchestration

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not a coincidence but a fulfillment of prophecy, orchestrated by God using even secular events like a Roman census. This shows God's sovereignty and His ability to use all things for His purposes. The journey to Bethlehem, the angelic announcements, and the visit of the wise men were all divinely orchestrated events that fulfilled ancient prophecies. This divine orchestration reminds us that God is in control and can use any circumstance to accomplish His will. [15:40]

Micah 5:2 (ESV): "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

Reflection: Think about a situation in your life that seems chaotic or out of control. How can you trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to use all things for His purposes in that situation?

Day 4: Emmanuel - God with Us

Jesus' name, Emmanuel, means "God with us," highlighting His divine nature and presence among humanity. His life and ministry fulfilled numerous prophecies, affirming Him as the promised Messiah. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that reveals God's desire to be intimately involved in our lives. As Emmanuel, Jesus not only walked among us but also experienced our struggles and pain, offering us a personal and relatable Savior. [28:15]

Matthew 1:22-23 (ESV): "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)."

Reflection: In what ways do you experience God's presence in your daily life? How can you become more aware of Emmanuel, God with us, in your everyday moments?

Day 5: Assurance of Eternal Life

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. This gift is available to all who believe in Him, and it calls us to renew our relationship with Him continually. The immense love and sacrifice of Jesus, who endured misunderstanding, abuse, and crucifixion, provide us with the assurance of eternal life. As we reflect on this miraculous event, we are reminded to live in the light of this assurance and to continually seek a deeper relationship with our Savior. [42:06]

1 John 5:11-12 (ESV): "And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ impact your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take today to renew and deepen your relationship with Him?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a miraculous event that was foreseen even before the existence of sin. Our sovereign God, who knows all things, created humanity despite knowing the fall that would come. This act of creation underscores the immense value God places on each of us. From eternity, God made provision for our sin through the promise of a Savior, Jesus Christ, who would live a righteous life, die for our sins, and offer us eternal life.

The promise of a Savior was given immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, as seen in Genesis 3:15. This promise was reiterated through various prophets over centuries. Eve initially hoped her firstborn, Cain, would be the promised deliverer, but the fulfillment of the promise took over 4,000 years. Prophets like Moses and Isaiah continued to foretell the coming of a Messiah, emphasizing His divine nature and eternal reign.

When the time came, God revealed the birth of Jesus to Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Son of God, fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was orchestrated by divine intervention, even using a Roman decree to ensure Mary and Joseph were in the right place at the right time.

The birth of Jesus was announced to shepherds by angels, and wise men from the East followed a star to worship Him, bringing gifts that signified His kingship and divine nature. Jesus' life and ministry fulfilled numerous prophecies, affirming Him as the Messiah. His name, Emmanuel, means "God with us," highlighting His divine presence among humanity.

As we reflect on this miraculous event, we are reminded of the immense love and sacrifice of God. Jesus endured misunderstanding, abuse, and crucifixion to offer us forgiveness and eternal life. Let us renew our relationship with Him and leave this service with the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Foreknowledge and Love: Even before sin entered the world, God had a plan for our redemption through Jesus Christ. This demonstrates His immense love and foreknowledge, as He created us knowing the cost of our salvation. [01:41]
2. The Promise of a Savior: The promise of a Savior was given immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve, showing God's immediate response to sin with a plan for redemption. This promise was reiterated through various prophets, emphasizing its importance and certainty. [03:00]
3. Divine Orchestration: The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not a coincidence but a fulfillment of prophecy, orchestrated by God using even secular events like a Roman census. This shows God's sovereignty and His ability to use all things for His purposes. [15:40]
4. Jesus' Divine Nature: Jesus' name, Emmanuel, means "God with us," highlighting His divine nature and presence among humanity. His life and ministry fulfilled numerous prophecies, affirming Him as the promised Messiah. [28:15]
5. The Assurance of Eternal Life: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. This gift is available to all who believe in Him, and it calls us to renew our relationship with Him continually. [42:06]
### [42:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - God's Foreknowledge and Love
[03:00] - The Promise of a Savior
[04:04] - Prophecies of Moses and Isaiah
[05:41] - Simeon's Revelation
[09:12] - The Annunciation to Mary
[10:43] - The Virgin Birth
[15:40] - Journey to Bethlehem
[16:21] - Birth of Jesus
[20:54] - Angels Announce to Shepherds
[25:37] - The Star and the Wise Men
[28:15] - Jesus' Divine Nature
[35:02] - Peter's Confession
[42:06] - Assurance of Eternal Life
[48:09] - Closing Remarks and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 3:15, what was the promise given immediately after Adam and Eve sinned? How does this verse foreshadow the coming of Jesus? [03:00]
In Isaiah 9:6-7, what titles are given to the promised child, and what do they signify about His nature and mission? [04:04]
How did God reveal the birth of Jesus to Simeon, and what was Simeon's reaction upon seeing the Messiah? (Luke 2:25-32) [05:41]

Interpretation Questions

What does the promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15 tell us about God's immediate response to sin and His plan for redemption? [03:00]
How do the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6-7 (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) help us understand His divine nature and eternal reign? [04:04]
Simeon was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. What does this reveal about God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises? [05:41]

Application Questions

Reflecting on God's foreknowledge and love, how does knowing that God had a plan for our redemption even before sin entered the world impact your view of His love for you? [01:41]
The promise of a Savior was given immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve. How can you find hope in God's promises during times of personal failure or sin? [03:00]
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was orchestrated by God using even secular events like a Roman census. Can you think of a time when God used unexpected circumstances in your life for His purposes? [15:40]
Jesus' name, Emmanuel, means "God with us." How does this truth affect your daily life and relationship with God? [28:15]
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. How can you continually renew your relationship with Him and live with the assurance of eternal life? [42:06]
The wise men brought gifts that signified Jesus' kingship and divine nature. What gifts or talents can you offer to Jesus in your life, and how can you use them to honor Him?
Reflect on the immense love and sacrifice of God. How can you show gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice in your daily actions and interactions with others? [42:06]

Sermon Clips

1. "We serve a sovereign God who knows all things. The future is as clear to Him as the past. even though He created mankind, placed them in a perfect world, placed them with no desire to sin whatsoever, He knew that it would happen. And yet, mankind, Adam and Eve, their descendants, you and me, were important enough to God. They chose to create us anyway, even though He knew what He would have to go through so that ultimately we could fulfill the purpose. That He has for each one of us." [01:41] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God gave the promise of a Savior. Right off in Genesis chapter 3, verse 15. And I'll put enmity between you, referring to Satan, and the woman, between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise your head, the promised one. What ultimately destroys Satan. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. In the process, the coming Messiah would also receive a wound. For centuries, God's people longed for that promise to be fulfilled." [03:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The time had arrived for the Messiah to be born. Again the prophet Isaiah foretold the event. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive. And bear a son. And shall call his name Emmanuel. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. And in Luke 1 we read. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God. To a city of Galilee named Nazareth. To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph. Of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary." [09:12] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The night Jesus was born Angels appeared to shepherds Announcing his birth Luke chapter 2 Now there were in the same country shepherds Living out in the fields Keeping watch over their flock by night Behold an angel of the Lord stood before them And the glory of the Lord shone around them And they were greatly afraid Then the angel said to them Do not be afraid For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy Which is to be to all people For there is born to you this day In the city of David A Savior Who is Christ the Lord." [20:54] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When they heard the king They departed behold the star which they had seen in the east Went before them Till it came and stood Over where the young child was When they saw the star They rejoiced with exceeding great joy And when they had come into the house They saw the young child with Mary his mother And fell down and worshipped him And when they had opened their treasures They presented gifts to him Gold, frankincense, and myrrh Then being divinely warned In a dream That they should not return to Herod They departed for their own country Another way." [27:39] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Scripture clearly reveals that Jesus is the messiah his name is Jesus his name revealed who he was matthew 1 23 behold a virgin shall be with child shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name emmanuel which being interpreted is god with us when he walked the roads of palestine he declared in john chapter 8 your father abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad and the jews said to him you are not yet 50 years old and yet you have seen abraham jesus answered to them most assuredly i say to you before abraham was i am." [28:15] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When Christ gave us what's called the Lord's Prayer, as part of that prayer, we were to ask the Father that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And that's fascinated me for years. And it had a major impact. In my life and as a pastor, to realize that when God wants something done in this world, it's absolutely essential that we as Christians ask him to do it. And that gives him the rite of passage. So in our church here in Surprise, we have as our mission statement to be spirit-filled, spirit-empowered, and spirit-led." [48:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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