Christmas Worship: Honoring Christ's True Essence

In the sermon titled "Christmas Is... Worship - Part 2 - 11:00 AM ET," the pastor, whose name is not provided in the title, delivers a message centered on the theme of worship during the Christmas season. The pastor begins by calling the congregation to unite in prayer, with the hope that every seat will be filled and that their Christmas message will reach people globally, including those unfamiliar with the Christmas story. The congregation is asked to pray for those who will sit in the chairs in front of them, that they may have a transformative encounter with Jesus.

The pastor shares an anecdote about a professor who tasked students with observing a fish to illustrate the importance of spending time to truly see and understand. This concept is applied to worship, encouraging the congregation to take time to focus on God and recognize Him as their Savior, Lord, friend, King, source, creator, sustainer, and provider.

The excitement for the upcoming Christmas services at Water's Edge Church is conveyed, with an emphasis on the experience being a highlight of the celebration. The congregation is encouraged to invite others to join, turning their homes into a campus for the event. The pastor stresses the opportunity to give the gift of Jesus, hope, and peace to someone in need.

The sermon addresses the challenge of focusing on Jesus amidst the busyness of the season. The pastor urges the audience to go beyond a glance at Jesus and to have a revelation of who He is by setting aside time to focus on Him. The importance of worship is underscored by referencing the shepherds and angels who glorified and praised God during the first Christmas, emphasizing that Christmas is not truly celebrated if Christ is not worshipped.

The pastor invites anyone who has not accepted Jesus to do so and leads a prayer for those beginning their relationship with Him. The significance of Jesus in the Christmas story is highlighted, with references to biblical passages that describe Jesus as the Word who was with God from the beginning and became flesh to dwell among humanity.

The pastor emphasizes the importance of remembering Jesus' sacrifice, using the practice of communion as a way to honor His body and blood. The congregation is encouraged to see Jesus through life's circumstances and respond to Him in worship.

The sermon concludes with a focus on the angels' role in the first Christmas, praising God and proclaiming peace on earth. The pastor expresses gratitude for the congregation's support and generosity, especially in relief efforts and church initiatives. The lack of focus on Jesus in Christmas celebrations is critiqued, with the pastor calling for a return to the true essence of Christmas, which is to worship Christ.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) — > "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

2. John 1:1-14 (NIV)
> "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

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Observation Questions

1. What was the reaction of the shepherds when the angel appeared to them and announced the birth of Jesus? (Luke 2:8-9)
2. How did the shepherds respond after visiting Jesus in the manger? (Luke 2:17-20)
3. According to John 1:14, how does John describe Jesus' incarnation and its significance?
4. What did the angels proclaim during the first Christmas, and how does this relate to the theme of worship? (Luke 2:13-14) [30:32]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the shepherds were chosen to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth? What does this tell us about God's message and its intended audience? (Luke 2:8-9)
2. How does John 1:1-14 help us understand the divine nature of Jesus and the concept of "glory" as described in the sermon? [41:53]
3. The pastor mentioned that Christmas is often celebrated without focusing on Christ. How does the story of the shepherds and angels challenge this modern approach to Christmas? [28:48]
4. What does the practice of communion symbolize, and why is it significant in the context of worship during Christmas? [57:11]

Application Questions

1. The pastor emphasized the importance of inviting others to Christmas services. Who is someone in your life that you can invite to experience the message of Christmas this year? How will you approach them? [16:53]
2. Reflect on the concept of "glory" as described in the sermon. How can you incorporate the practice of glorifying God in your daily life, especially during the Christmas season? [33:09]
3. The sermon highlighted the need to set aside time to focus on Jesus amidst the busyness of the season. What specific steps can you take this week to ensure you are spending quality time in worship and reflection? [46:01]
4. The pastor shared an anecdote about observing a fish to illustrate the importance of truly seeing and understanding God. What are some practical ways you can deepen your observation and understanding of God's character? [49:11]
5. How can you use the practice of communion to remember and honor Jesus' sacrifice during this Christmas season? What does this look like for you personally? [57:11]
6. The sermon mentioned the shepherds glorifying and praising God after seeing Jesus. How can you share the message of Jesus with others in your community, similar to how the shepherds spread the word? [31:53]
7. Consider the distractions that often take your focus away from Jesus during Christmas. What is one specific distraction you can minimize or eliminate this week to better focus on worshiping Christ? [45:35]