Christ In Me- I Am A Christmas Tree Pt 2

I invited us to see every Christmas tree as a living parable of Christ in us. A tree only becomes a Christmas tree when it’s cut from the forest, lifted from its old roots, and set upon a firm base. In the same way, we live in this world but are no longer of it—our identity, supply, and strength come from Jesus. The fruit and lights on a tree mirror the Spirit’s fruit and fire in us: love that keeps no record of wrong, joy that overflows, peace that steadies, patience that outlasts, kindness that disarms, self-control that holds the line. When people gather around us, they should encounter provision, deliverance, identity, and hope—the kinds of encounters Moses had at the burning bush.

I pressed on the rhythm of the kingdom: receive, then give. Trees receive gifts; trees give gifts. We receive love, joy, and peace; then we give them away. Jesus said His joy fills us—then it becomes our joy to steward and share. Joy is not a mood; it is strength. It preaches without a microphone and is meant to be seen. Faith is the title deed God places in our hands—He doesn’t take it back. He has already qualified us in Christ and commissioned us to speak, act, and shine. So stop waiting for permission; do the works of Jesus and expect greater works because His Spirit rests upon you.

Our mouths matter. We are God’s mouthpiece. Like a musician who learns the mouthpiece before the instrument, we learn to speak with the Spirit’s tone—right words in the right spirit—so our sound carries life. Each morning, wake with Isaiah’s posture: “He awakens my ear to hear,” and then speak a word in season to the weary. Darkness cannot overcome what God has illuminated; fiery darts cannot consume what the All-Consuming Fire has already ignited. No one can pluck you from His hand. So stand tall. Shine bright. Let the fruit inside be evident outside. Christ in me, I shine. Christ in me, I stand. Christ in me, I bring joy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Cut to be set apart Being “cut down” is surrender—leaving old roots and identities to stand on Christ alone. A tree in the forest can’t be a Christmas tree; it needs a new base, a new source. The Christian life begins where self-reliance ends, and steadiness begins at the foundation of Jesus. What’s cut is not your life, but your bondage; what remains is your true identity. [40:45]
• 2. Receive freely, then give freely Grace makes us generous because we only give what we’ve first received. The tree that receives gifts naturally becomes the place of giving and celebration. When you receive God’s love, joy, and peace, you become a conduit, not a cul-de-sac. Giving stops feeling like performance and starts looking like overflow. [42:36]
• 3. Joy given becomes your joy Jesus fills you with His joy until it becomes your joy to steward. That means joy isn’t borrowed emotion; it’s a spiritual possession that outlasts weather, mood, and circumstance. Use it—speak it, sing it, share it—because what you deploy multiplies. Your joy is meant to be visible, strong, and contagious. [52:20]
• 4. Qualified and commissioned to shine In Christ, you’re already qualified—no more waiting rooms, just obedience. Faith is a title deed placed in your hands; authority resides with the one holding it. Step into the works of Jesus: preach good news, heal, set captives free, and expect God to act as you act. You’re not asking for permission; you’re answering a commission. [1:12:02]
• 5. Wake up to hear and speak Mornings are invitations to listen—God awakens your ear so you can carry a timely word to the weary. How you say it matters as much as what you say; tone carries the cargo of truth. Train your mouth like a musician trains embouchure—so your speech releases presence, not just information. Believe, then speak; the Word works when it’s voiced. [1:03:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [36:03] - Prayer: Fruit of the Spirit
• [37:26] - Childlike faith receives blessing
• [40:03] - Christ in me: Christmas tree
• [40:45] - Cut down, set apart life
• [41:52] - Firm foundation for standing
• [42:36] - Receive and give like Jesus
• [45:12] - Your life is a letter
• [49:12] - Burning bush: deliverance and purpose
• [50:06] - Joy that overflows visibly
• [55:59] - Wake up, stand up, speak up
• [57:02] - Works and greater works
• [1:00:54] - Learning to be God’s mouthpiece
• [1:05:54] - Qualified and not waiting
• [1:14:32] - The Spirit is upon me

1. Read Luke 4:18–19. Which actions does this passage list as the public work of God’s anointing (for example: heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty, etc.)? How do those actions shape the picture of what people should encounter around a Christian?
2. The fruit of the Spirit was named in the talk. Which specific items were listed as fruit, and which one stood out as the signal that the tree is “on fire but not burning up”? [36:03]
3. The Christmas-tree image was described: cut from the forest, lifted from old roots, set on a firm base. What changes in a tree’s situation were named as essential for it to function as a Christmas tree? [40:45]
4. The rhythm “receive, then give” was illustrated by how a decorated tree receives gifts and gives joy. Which specific things did the talk say we first receive and then give away? [42:36]

1. What does being “cut down” and “set apart” mean for a believer’s identity and daily loyalties (for example: what is given up, and what replaces it)? [40:45]
2. How does the pattern “receive freely, then give freely” reshape the group’s understanding of generosity and spiritual service (is giving framed as duty, overflow, stewardship, or something else)? [42:36]
3. Hebrews 11:1 was used to say faith is a title deed. What are the practical implications if faith is treated as a legal claim (a possession) rather than only an inner feeling? [53:09]
4. Being “God’s mouthpiece” and waking with Isaiah’s posture were linked. How should the daily practice of “God awakens my ear to hear” change how a believer prepares to speak to others? [01:03:15]

1. Identify one concrete “root” (habit, identity, fear, relationship, or resource) you need to be willing to be “cut” from so Christ can be your firm base. What is one practical step you will take this week to begin that surrender? [40:45]
2. Name one specific way you will practice the rhythm “receive, then give” in the next seven days (for example: receive prayer or encouragement, then offer it to someone else; receive a meal, then bring a meal to another). How will you know whether you are giving from overflow or performance? [42:36]
3. The joy of the Lord is our strength and is meant to overflow. What is a short phrase, song line, or truth you will speak or sing aloud this week to steward the joy you have been given? When will you make that your habit? [52:20]
4. If faith is a title deed already placed in your hand, what one action (a phone call, a prayer you will voice, a visit, a step of service) will you do this week that demonstrates you are acting on that authority? [53:09]
5. Think of one person in your life who needs deliverance, identity, or hope. What is one specific, simple word or invitation you can speak to that person—asking the Lord to equip you—by tomorrow morning? [49:12]
6. When doubt or condemnation comes, what short reminder will you use to stand firm (“No one can pluck me from God’s hand,” or similar)? Where will you put that reminder so you actually see and say it when you need it? [01:11:13]