Celebrating the True Meaning of Christmas

 

Summary

In this Christmas message, we are reminded that the essence of Christmas is not just about the festivities, but about the profound truth of God becoming flesh. Every day is Christmas for believers because we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came to be the King of kings and the sacrificial Lamb for our sins. This season, while we enjoy the joy of family, friends, and gifts, it is crucial to keep Jesus at the center of it all. Our recent outreach at Rolling Hills Apartment Complex exemplifies the spirit of giving and community, as we shared love and resources with those in need. This act of service is a reflection of our worship, as giving is a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.

The story of Jesus' birth, as recounted in Luke 2, is a powerful reminder of God's plan for salvation. The shepherds and wise men recognized the significance of Jesus' birth, and their response was one of worship and proclamation. This narrative invites us to examine our own response to Jesus. Have we made Him the Lord of our lives? The call to follow Jesus is a call to lay down our lives, to repent, and to walk in the purpose He has for us. It is a journey of transformation, where we find peace and fulfillment in His presence.

As we partake in communion, we remember not just the birth of Jesus, but His death, burial, and resurrection. The bread and the cup symbolize His body broken and His blood shed for our sins. This act of remembrance is a declaration of His sacrifice and our redemption. In this season, let us be mindful of those who are mourning or struggling, offering them the love and hope found in Jesus. As we celebrate, may we keep Jesus at the heart of all we do, recognizing His kingship and the joy He brings.

Key Takeaways:

1. The True Essence of Christmas: Christmas is a daily celebration for believers, as it marks the incarnation of God in Jesus, who came to be our Savior. This truth should remain central amidst the festivities, reminding us of the profound love and sacrifice of God. [14:55]

2. The Power of Giving: Our giving is an act of worship, reflecting God's generosity towards us. Through giving, we impact lives and spread the love of Christ, as seen in our outreach efforts. This season, let us give with a heart of gratitude and worship. [18:56]

3. Responding to Jesus' Birth: The birth of Jesus calls for a response of worship and proclamation, as demonstrated by the shepherds and wise men. We are invited to make Jesus the Lord of our lives, laying down our own ways to follow Him fully. [27:33]

4. Communion as Remembrance: Communion is a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice. It is a time to reflect on His body broken and His blood shed for our sins, declaring our redemption and His victory over sin and death. [52:54]

5. Walking in Purpose and Peace: Following Jesus means walking in the purpose He has for us, finding peace and fulfillment in His presence. It requires a daily commitment to lay down our lives and follow His ways, trusting in His plan for us. [47:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:55] - The Essence of Christmas
- [15:28] - Keeping Jesus at the Center
- [18:56] - The Power of Giving
- [19:34] - Scripture Reading: Luke 2
- [23:38] - The Shepherds' Encounter
- [27:33] - The Shepherds' Response
- [38:42] - The Visit of the Wise Men
- [39:35] - Herod's Inquiry
- [43:58] - The Significance of Jesus' Birth
- [45:32] - Making Jesus Lord
- [46:05] - The Cost of Following Jesus
- [47:30] - Walking in Purpose and Peace
- [52:54] - Communion: Remembering His Sacrifice
- [55:55] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 2:4-7
- Luke 2:8-20
- Matthew 2:1-12

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of the shepherds' response to the angel's announcement in Luke 2:8-20? How did they react after visiting Jesus? [27:33]
2. In Matthew 2:1-12, how did the wise men find Jesus, and what was their response upon meeting Him? [38:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the essence of Christmas for believers, and what role does Jesus' kingship play in this understanding? [14:55]
4. What examples of giving and community outreach were highlighted in the sermon, and how do they reflect the spirit of Christmas? [15:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the shepherds and wise men challenge us to respond to Jesus' birth today? What does it mean to make Jesus the Lord of our lives? [45:32]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of Christmas celebrations. What are some practical ways to ensure that Jesus remains the focus during this season? [15:28]
3. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, and why is it significant to remember His death, burial, and resurrection during Christmas? [52:54]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between giving and worship, and how can this perspective influence our approach to generosity? [18:56]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current Christmas traditions. How can you incorporate more intentional focus on Jesus' birth and kingship in your celebrations this year? [15:28]
2. Consider a recent opportunity you had to give or serve others. How did it reflect the spirit of Christmas, and what impact did it have on you and those you served? [15:28]
3. The sermon invites us to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. What specific areas of your life do you need to surrender to Him, and what steps can you take to do so? [45:32]
4. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can this act of remembrance deepen your understanding of His love and influence your daily walk with Him? [52:54]
5. Identify someone in your life who may be struggling or mourning this season. How can you offer them the love and hope found in Jesus? [49:46]
6. The sermon mentions the joy and fulfillment found in walking in Jesus' purpose. What is one area of your life where you seek His guidance and peace, and how can you pursue it this week? [47:30]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the power of giving. What is one way you can practice generosity this Christmas season, and how can it become a regular part of your life? [18:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation as a Daily Celebration
The true essence of Christmas is not confined to a single day but is a daily celebration for believers. It marks the profound truth of God becoming flesh in Jesus, who came to be our Savior. This truth should remain central amidst the festivities, reminding us of the profound love and sacrifice of God. As we go about our daily lives, we are called to keep this truth at the forefront, allowing it to shape our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. The incarnation is a reminder of God's immense love and His desire to be with us, guiding us through every moment of our lives. [14:55]

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you make the truth of the incarnation a daily reality in your life, influencing your actions and interactions with others today?


Day 2: Giving as an Act of Worship
The power of giving is a reflection of God's generosity towards us. Our giving is an act of worship, impacting lives and spreading the love of Christ. This season, let us give with a heart of gratitude and worship, recognizing that our acts of service and generosity are sweet-smelling sacrifices to God. The recent outreach at Rolling Hills Apartment Complex exemplifies this spirit of giving and community, as love and resources were shared with those in need. Through giving, we not only meet physical needs but also demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. [18:56]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or circle of influence can you bless with an act of generosity today, reflecting God's love and generosity towards you?


Day 3: Worship and Proclamation in Response to Jesus' Birth
The birth of Jesus calls for a response of worship and proclamation, as demonstrated by the shepherds and wise men. They recognized the significance of Jesus' birth and responded with worship and proclamation. This narrative invites us to examine our own response to Jesus. Have we made Him the Lord of our lives? The call to follow Jesus is a call to lay down our lives, to repent, and to walk in the purpose He has for us. It is a journey of transformation, where we find peace and fulfillment in His presence. [27:33]

"And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them." (Luke 2:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can proclaim the significance of Jesus' birth to someone in your life today, through words or actions?


Day 4: Communion as a Sacred Act of Remembrance
Communion is a sacred act of remembering Jesus' sacrifice. It is a time to reflect on His body broken and His blood shed for our sins, declaring our redemption and His victory over sin and death. As we partake in communion, we remember not just the birth of Jesus, but His death, burial, and resurrection. This act of remembrance is a declaration of His sacrifice and our redemption. In this season, let us be mindful of those who are mourning or struggling, offering them the love and hope found in Jesus. [52:54]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice into your daily routine, allowing it to shape your perspective and actions?


Day 5: Walking in Purpose and Peace
Following Jesus means walking in the purpose He has for us, finding peace and fulfillment in His presence. It requires a daily commitment to lay down our lives and follow His ways, trusting in His plan for us. As we celebrate this season, may we keep Jesus at the heart of all we do, recognizing His kingship and the joy He brings. This journey of transformation invites us to examine our own lives and align them with His purpose, experiencing the peace and fulfillment that comes from walking in His ways. [47:30]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can more fully align with God's purpose for you, and how can you take a step towards that today?

Quotes



"And so getting a few things out of the way right from the get-go, guys, I just want to quickly encourage you guys to give. How many of you know our giving is a form of worship? The Bible says that the Lord receives that as a sweet, smelling sacrifice for his throne. And I'm so thankful that we have a church that loves to give." [00:17:33] (18 seconds)


"Lord, we're thankful that when we were bankrupt and empty and desolate and alone, you had a plan. You wanted a relationship with us. And we know that bridging that gap came at a very, very costly price. It was a sending of your son. Lord, we thank you for Jesus, God in flesh, the word." [00:18:56] (24 seconds)


"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, don't be afraid, he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David." [00:27:00] (19 seconds)


"After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherd's story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard." [00:33:04] (20 seconds)


"And he would become the king of kings and the Lord of lords. He would become the perfect lamb, the one who would be sacrificed for the sin of the world. And if you've never made Jesus Lord of your life, this is your moment. He lived the life that we were supposed to live and he died the death that we deserved." [00:45:20] (23 seconds)


"All right, guys. So we take communion remembering Jesus. But it's remembering this is not necessarily about his birth. This is about his death, burial, and resurrection, right? So we're going to take communion together. We know that Jesus came into the world as a baby. But he would be the Messiah, the Savior." [00:52:54] (22 seconds)


"And it says, in the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, this cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me. And I want you to picture, we're not picturing the baby Jesus for just a moment. As you drink it, for every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you're announcing the Lord's death until he comes." [00:55:04] (21 seconds)


"Lord, as we celebrate this Christmas season, may we always remember the great price that was paid. May we remember the sacrifice and the hope and the joy. The joy that we have in Him. God, fill our hearts this day with that hope and that joy and that love. In Jesus' name, everybody said, Amen." [00:56:23] (26 seconds)


"And listen, guys, first and foremost, there was quite a handful of folks that raised their hand to give their life to Christ or recommit their life to Christ. And guys, that's something to celebrate. But listen, I'm telling you, guys, it's not something to keep quiet. It's something to shout out." [01:11:04] (17 seconds)


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Transcript
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