Embracing Faith: The Christmas Journey of Belief
Summary
In the sermon titled "Believe Again | Christmas 2023," the pastor invites the congregation to reflect on the essence of faith and belief, particularly in the context of the Christmas story. The sermon begins with a heartfelt prayer of commitment to Jesus, acknowledging His love, sacrifice, and resurrection. The pastor encourages the congregation to stand as a physical affirmation of their decision to follow Jesus, assuring them that Heaven rejoices in their commitment.
The pastor then prays for those seeking hope in various aspects of their lives, reminding them that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with their desires. The pastor emphasizes that life with God is not free from challenges but is ultimately better. The significance of Christmas is highlighted as the celebration of Jesus' birth, life, and sacrifice for humanity's sins, offering a chance for those who feel distant from God to reconnect.
Addressing the pain and disappointment that life often brings, the pastor acknowledges the difficulty in maintaining belief amidst such hardships. They draw parallels to the biblical story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who faced their own impossibilities, and the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, underscoring the importance of God's timing.
The pastor also discusses the struggle with questioning God's fairness and existence during personal trials. They share the story of Zechariah, who doubted the angel Gabriel's message but ultimately witnessed a miracle. The pastor reassures the congregation that their problems may persist, but they will not face them alone, as faith in God transforms them into a new person, forgiven of past mistakes.
The congregation is invited to participate in a Christmas survey to help the church better understand and connect with the community. The pastor expresses gratitude for financial supporters and encourages the audience to reach out through email or social media for inquiries or to share the message.
The pastor then poses questions to the congregation about their concerns for the upcoming year, relationship status, church attendance, and faith journey. This information is gathered for an upcoming message series and to offer support to those new in their faith.
The pastor shares a personal story of doubt and questions, emphasizing the importance of childlike faith and the transformative experience of encountering Jesus. They invite those feeling a rise in faith to take a step toward God.
The sermon concludes with a reflection on the impossibility surrounding Jesus' story, suggesting that the miraculous elements are signs of God's love and care. The pastor encourages embracing the Christmas spirit with childlike faith, regardless of age.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of standing up in response to a prayer of commitment serves as a powerful, tangible expression of an inward decision to follow Christ. This physical response not only solidifies the commitment in the individual's heart but also serves as a testimony to others, reinforcing the communal aspect of faith. Heaven's celebration of this decision reminds believers that their spiritual choices have eternal significance and are recognized by the divine. [35:04]
- God's timing in answering prayers is a recurring theme that challenges believers to trust in His wisdom and sovereignty. The pastor's message underscores that while God may not grant requests on our timeline, He is always present and working for our good. This perspective helps believers to maintain hope and patience, even when the desired outcomes seem delayed or unattainable. [32:03]
- The pastor's discussion of life's hardships and the dimming of our inner light resonates with the universal human experience of suffering. By referencing the biblical narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the pastor illustrates that even the most faithful can face moments of doubt and that these struggles are part of the journey towards a deeper understanding of God's plan. [23:01 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
- The transformative power of faith is a central theme in the pastor's message. By choosing to believe in God, individuals are not merely altering their perspective; they are undergoing a fundamental change in identity. This new identity comes with the assurance of divine companionship and the forgiveness of past transgressions, offering a fresh start and a reason to celebrate. [37:11]
- The pastor's personal narrative of encountering Jesus at a young age and the subsequent journey of faith, filled with doubts and questions, serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of belief. It encourages believers to embrace their questions and to seek God earnestly, with the understanding that faith is not static but evolves through personal experiences and revelations. [29:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Believe Again | Christmas 2023"
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:11-20 (NIV)
> "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.' Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.' The angel said to him, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.'"
2. Luke 18:17 (NIV)
> "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Zechariah's initial reaction when he saw the angel in the temple? How did the angel respond to his fear? [08:35 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
2. What message did the angel Gabriel deliver to Zechariah, and what was Zechariah's response? [11:00 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
3. According to the sermon, what does the act of standing up in response to a prayer of commitment symbolize? [34:11 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
4. How does the pastor describe the significance of childlike faith in the context of the Christmas story? [26:41 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Zechariah doubted the angel's message despite his long-standing prayers for a child? What does this reveal about human nature and faith? [11:36 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
2. How does the pastor relate the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth to the broader theme of God's timing and the challenges of maintaining faith? [22:29 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
3. What does the pastor mean by "childlike faith," and how does it differ from "childish faith"? How can this concept be applied to our faith journey? [27:22 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
4. In what ways does the pastor suggest that life's hardships and disappointments can impact our belief in God? How does he propose we address these challenges? [15:17 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Zechariah, doubting God's promises due to prolonged waiting or disappointment. How did you handle that situation, and what might you do differently now? [11:36 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
2. The pastor emphasizes the importance of God's timing. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing in your current life circumstances? [22:29 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
3. Think about the concept of childlike faith. What specific steps can you take to approach your faith with more innocence and trust, despite your doubts and questions? [27:22 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
4. The sermon discusses the transformative power of faith. How has your faith transformed you in the past, and in what areas of your life do you still seek transformation? [36:11 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
5. The pastor shared a personal story of encountering Jesus and the journey of faith filled with doubts and questions. How can you support others in your community who are struggling with their faith? [28:30 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
6. The act of standing up in response to a prayer of commitment was highlighted as a powerful expression of faith. What are some tangible ways you can publicly affirm your faith in your daily life? [34:11 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
7. The pastor invites the congregation to take a step toward God. What is one specific step you can take this week to deepen your relationship with God? [29:39 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of faith, belief, and God's timing as presented in the sermon "Believe Again | Christmas 2023." Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment's Visible Testimony
Standing in response to a prayer of commitment is a profound act that signifies an inward decision to follow Christ. This outward expression not only cements the commitment within one's heart but also acts as a witness to the surrounding community, reinforcing the collective nature of faith. The joy of Heaven over this decision reminds believers of the eternal significance of their spiritual choices. [35:04]
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: How can you make your commitment to Christ more visible in your daily life, serving as a testimony to those around you?
Day 2: Trusting in Divine Timing
God's timing in answering prayers is a lesson in trust and surrender to His wisdom and sovereignty. While answers may not come according to our schedules, the assurance is that God is always at work for our good. This understanding fosters patience and hope, even when outcomes are delayed or seem out of reach. [32:03]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's timing differed from your own? How did the outcome reflect His wisdom and care?
Day 3: Embracing Faith Amidst Doubt
Life's hardships can dim our inner light and challenge our belief. The biblical story of Zechariah and Elizabeth teaches that even the faithful can experience doubt. These moments are part of our journey toward a deeper understanding of God's plan and His perfect timing. [23:01 <6vavWR1Ixb4>]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Reflection: When facing doubt or hardship, how can you remind yourself to trust in God's greater plan for your life?
Day 4: Transformation Through Faith
Choosing to believe in God is not just a change in perspective; it is a fundamental transformation of identity. With this new identity comes the promise of divine companionship and the forgiveness of past mistakes, offering a fresh start and a reason to celebrate. [37:11]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: What aspects of your old identity do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new life Christ offers?
Day 5: Childlike Faith in the Divine
Encountering Jesus and embracing a childlike faith can lead to a transformative experience. This faith is dynamic, evolving through personal experiences and revelations, and encourages believers to seek God earnestly, embracing their questions along the way. [29:00]
Matthew 18:3 - "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: What does having childlike faith mean to you, and how can you cultivate it in your relationship with God?
Quotes
"Your problems don't disappear just because of this moment, but I will tell you something: you will not face them alone because God's with you." [36:11 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"Anything and everything you ever did that you're ashamed of when you walked in here between you and God, that is wiped clean. The slate is wiped clean; he has forgiven you of everything you've ever done." [36:42 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"From this moment forward with my doubts and my questions and my disappointments I choose to follow you." [33:45 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"I just believe maybe tonight was a night of recommitting your life to Jesus Christ if that was you I want to ask you to stand and I don't want you to shy away." [34:35 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"Welcome to the family of God. Congratulations to all of you guys." [35:04 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"It doesn't mean that you have to put away your intellect, it doesn't mean that you just blindly believe. What it means is that you take a posture with childlike faith, not childish faith." [27:53 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"My whole journey of faith has been filled with questions and struggles and doubts and disappointments, but I've chosen to take that journey with God and can I just tell you it's the greatest decision of my life." [29:00 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"Faith comes alive in the magic of Christmas is really around putting your faith in the one that it's about, Jesus Christ, and that's when everything changed in my life." [29:39 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"God, your promises... you don't always promise to give us what we ask for, but your promise to always show up, to always reveal your purpose and your plan. It happens at the proper time." [30:54 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
"It doesn't mean that your life is going to be perfect the moment you take a step of faith toward God, but I can tell you that it'll be so much better doing it with him." [31:28 <6vavWR1Ixb4>] (Download)
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