Christmas: Our Need for Redemption and Blessing

 

Summary

In this Christmas season, it's important to remember that while we often say "Jesus is the reason for the season," it might be more accurate to say that we are the reason for the season. Without our need for redemption, there would be no Christmas. God sent Jesus into the world because of His love for us, a rebellious race in need of a Savior. This season, we are reminded that the birth of Jesus was for our benefit, and it is a time to reflect on the reasons Jesus came and how His coming has blessed us.

The story of Christmas doesn't begin with Mary and Joseph but with a man named Abraham, 2000 years before the first Christmas. God promised Abraham that through him, all nations would be blessed. Despite the dysfunction and failures within Abraham's lineage, God remained faithful to His promise. The story of Christmas is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.

When Jesus was born, the world was in a state of political and social turmoil. Yet, God chose this moment to fulfill His promise to Abraham. Jesus came not to conquer the world but to bless it by giving His life for it. His birth was the fulfillment of God's promise that through Abraham, all nations would be blessed.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a blessing to the world. If Jesus' arrival was a blessing, then our presence as His followers should also be a blessing to our communities. We are challenged to reflect on whether our lives and our collective presence as a church make the world a brighter and better place. This Christmas, let us strive to live out the values of Jesus, making our communities better and brighter.

Key Takeaways:

- The true reason for the season is our need for redemption. Without our brokenness, there would be no Christmas. God's love for us, despite our rebellion, is the reason He sent Jesus into the world. [02:57]

- The story of Christmas begins with Abraham, not Mary and Joseph. God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him is fulfilled in Jesus. This reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. [05:13]

- Jesus came not to conquer but to bless the world by giving His life for it. His birth was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, demonstrating that God's plans are often beyond our understanding but always for our good. [21:37]

- As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a blessing to the world. Our presence should make our communities better and brighter, reflecting the light of Jesus. This is a challenge for us to live out the values of Jesus in our daily lives. [23:30]

- The Christmas story is a reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Despite the dysfunction and failures within Abraham's lineage, God remained faithful. This encourages us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is always at work, even when we cannot see it. [22:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:03] - Introduction and Greeting
[02:23] - Jesus: The Reason for the Season
[02:57] - We Are the Reason for the Season
[03:54] - The Birth of Jesus: Our Benefit
[04:25] - The Story of Christmas Begins
[05:13] - Abraham: The Backstory
[06:09] - God's Promise to Abraham
[07:07] - A Blessing to All Nations
[08:22] - The Dysfunctional Lineage
[10:09] - Israel's Struggles
[12:43] - Prophets and Promises
[15:33] - Malachi's Prophecy
[17:29] - God's Perfect Timing
[19:20] - The Birth of Jesus
[23:30] - Our Call to Be a Blessing
[26:28] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 12:1-3 - God's promise to Abraham.
2. John 3:16 - God's love for the world and the sending of Jesus.
3. Galatians 4:4-5 - The fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus.

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial promise God made to Abraham, and how does it relate to the Christmas story? (Genesis 12:1-3)
2. According to the sermon, why might it be more accurate to say that we are the reason for the season rather than Jesus? [02:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the state of the world when Jesus was born, and why was this significant? [17:29]
4. What role does the lineage of Abraham play in the fulfillment of God's promise, despite its dysfunction? [08:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" find its fulfillment in Jesus? [07:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed or impossible? [18:01]
3. How does the sermon challenge the traditional view of Christmas by suggesting that our need for redemption is the true reason for the season? [02:57]
4. What implications does the sermon draw from the idea that Jesus came to bless the world, not to conquer it? [21:37]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that we are the reason for the season due to our need for redemption. How does this perspective change your approach to Christmas this year? [02:57]
2. The sermon emphasizes being a blessing to our communities as followers of Jesus. What specific actions can you take this week to be a blessing in your community? [23:30]
3. Consider the dysfunction in Abraham's lineage and God's faithfulness to His promise. How does this encourage you to trust in God's promises in your own life, despite personal or familial challenges? [08:22]
4. The sermon suggests that Jesus' followers should make the world a brighter place. Identify one area in your life where you can reflect the light of Jesus more effectively. [24:02]
5. How can you incorporate the values of Jesus into your daily interactions to ensure that your presence is a blessing to those around you? [23:47]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of God's perfect timing. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's timing? How can you practice patience and faith in this area? [18:01]
7. Reflect on the idea that the kingdoms of this world cannot bless the world, only rule it. How does this influence your view of worldly power and your role as a follower of Jesus? [20:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Our Need for Redemption
The Christmas season is a reminder of our deep need for redemption. While we often focus on the joy and celebration, it's crucial to remember that the birth of Jesus was necessitated by our brokenness and rebellion. God, in His immense love, sent Jesus into the world to redeem us. This act of love underscores the true reason for the season: our need for a Savior. Without our need for redemption, there would be no Christmas. This perspective shifts the focus from a festive celebration to a profound reflection on God's love and our need for His grace. [02:57]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel most in need of redemption, and how can you invite Jesus into those areas today?


Day 2: God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The story of Christmas begins long before the birth of Jesus, with God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him. Despite the dysfunction and failures within Abraham's lineage, God remained faithful to His promise. This narrative is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. It reminds us that God's plans are often beyond our understanding but are always for our good. As we reflect on the Christmas story, we are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises in our lives. [05:13]

Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV): "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Reflection: What promise from God are you holding onto, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in fulfilling it?


Day 3: Jesus Came to Bless, Not Conquer
When Jesus was born, the world was in a state of political and social turmoil. Yet, God chose this moment to fulfill His promise to Abraham. Jesus came not to conquer the world but to bless it by giving His life for it. His birth was the fulfillment of God's promise, demonstrating that God's plans are often beyond our understanding but always for our good. This perspective challenges us to see Jesus' arrival as a blessing and to reflect on how His life and teachings can transform our own lives and the world around us. [21:37]

Matthew 20:28 (ESV): "Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: How can you embody the spirit of Jesus' servanthood in your interactions with others this week?


Day 4: Our Call to Be a Blessing
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a blessing to the world. If Jesus' arrival was a blessing, then our presence as His followers should also be a blessing to our communities. This is a challenge for us to live out the values of Jesus, making our communities better and brighter. We are encouraged to reflect on whether our lives and our collective presence as a church make the world a brighter and better place. This Christmas, let us strive to live out the values of Jesus, making our communities better and brighter. [23:30]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to be a blessing in your community, reflecting the light of Jesus?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Unwavering Commitment
The Christmas story is a reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Despite the dysfunction and failures within Abraham's lineage, God remained faithful. This encourages us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is always at work, even when we cannot see it. As we reflect on the Christmas story, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises in our lives. This trust is not passive but active, inviting us to participate in God's work in the world. [22:37]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's work, trusting in His promises, even when the outcome is uncertain?

Quotes

"For God so love this rebel race, we talk about this all the time, for God so love this rebel race that he actually moved in our direction, sent us a savior. So maybe, and this is probably a terrible idea some new clings or some new bumper stickers or maybe some new Christmas tree ornaments are in order maybe one that says, I'm the reason for the season." [00:03:16]

"The story of Christmas does not begin with a pregnant teenager who's wondering exactly how in the world did I become pregnant. It actually begins with a couple who could not get pregnant. It begins with a couple, this is the amazing thing about the story of Christmas. It begins with a couple who lived 2000 years before the first Christmas, who wanted to have a child and they were not able to have a child." [00:04:42]

"And all people's on earth will be blessed or all peoples on earth will be better off because of you. Now, this was unimaginable just on the surface but within that cultural context, you need to know that in ancient times people did not bless one another. They they conquered, they enslaved and they plundered one another. But no, they did not bless one another." [00:07:51]

"Then if you know the story, God sent Moses this is hundreds of years later, God sent Moses and by the time Moses led the nation of Israel out of slavery, Egypt was not feeling very blessed. Not very long after that, the Canaanites were not feeling very blessed either. So this goes on and on and on. And perhaps people had forgotten about God's promise to Abraham." [00:10:16]

"Isaiah writes these famous words. He says, I will also, this is God speaking to the nation. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles. I'm gonna make you a light, a bright shining example to all the surrounding nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. To which they must have thought a light to the Gentiles?" [00:13:14]

"Malachi comes along and he says this, don't give up hope. Don't surrender hope. Don't quit believing. And to which the people are like, what? Malachi says, 'My name' again God's speaking to the prophet, 'My name will be great among the nations'. The people of Israel are like if they'd had a opportunity to respond they would say, no, it won't." [00:14:38]

"When the set time had fully come, when things were just the way God wanted them to be, God finally the nation would eventually understand those who became Jesus followers. God finally sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth a town in Galilee to a virgin pledge to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. And the Virgin's name was Mary." [00:18:40]

"When Jesus was finally born, Babylon was uninhabitable. When Jesus was born, the entire Persian empire had been greatly diminished. When Jesus was born, Alexander's kingdom had been carved up. Rome was considered eternal but eventually even Rome would capitulate to the baby king. And perhaps, and this is just my opinion, perhaps, maybe, perhaps the reason God waited so long was a political reason." [00:19:41]

"I've not come to assume command. I've not come to assume command of a network of failed kingdoms filled with peacekeepers but not peacemakers. I've not come to conquer the world. I've come to bless the world by giving my life for the world to demonstrate the way forward for the world. The virgin's name was Mary." [00:21:18]

"And the angel went to her and said, again, unimaginable. But the whole story's unimaginable. The backstory, these story's all unimaginable. You will conceive the angel says, and give birth to a son. And you were to call him Jesus and he will be great. And again, how great will he be? Will finally, the name of Abraham is great and Jesus your son will be even greater." [00:21:44]

"If the arrival of Jesus was a blessing to the world, shouldn't Jesus followers be a blessing to the world as well? If the using the word that God said to Abraham that then said that Angel said to Mary, if the arrival of Jesus was intended to be a blessing and has and turned out to be a blessing to the world, should not Jesus followers be a blessing to the world as well?" [00:23:30]

"The reason is because you have chosen not to be content with simply believing things about Jesus. But you have decided to follow Jesus and to live out the values of Jesus and to embrace the way of Jesus. And whenever a community of people come together and do that, the world becomes a better place. So at Christmas, God blessed the world with a different kind of king." [00:25:33]

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Transcript
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