Embracing Freedom and New Beginnings in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that as children of God, we are no longer slaves to the world or sin. This freedom is not just a concept to be celebrated within the walls of our sanctuary but a reality to be lived out in our daily lives. The world may try to bind us to various forms of slavery—be it to jobs, culture, or personal struggles—but we are reminded that through Christ, we have been set free. This freedom is not just about liberation from sin but also about embracing a new life in Christ, where our past is not discarded but transformed into something new and beautiful.
We delved into the Christmas story, focusing on the characters of Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna. These individuals, especially the older ones, symbolize the transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace brought by Jesus. Their stories remind us that God's promises are fulfilled in His time, and they encourage us to remain faithful and hopeful, even when the fulfillment seems distant. The blending of the old and new is a testament to God's unchanging nature and His ability to bring newness into our lives.
The narrative of Jesus' birth is not just a historical account but an invitation for us to embrace the new beginnings God offers. Just as Simeon and Anna recognized the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus, we too are called to recognize and receive the new things God is doing in our lives. This requires patience, faith, and a willingness to let go of the old to embrace the new.
As we leave this place, we are encouraged to live out this freedom and newness in our daily lives, sharing the love and grace of Christ with those around us. We are reminded that God's mercies are new every morning, and He continually offers us opportunities to grow closer to Him and to be transformed into His likeness.
Key Takeaways:
1. Freedom in Christ: As believers, we are no longer slaves to sin or the world. This freedom is a reality to be lived out daily, reminding us that our identity is rooted in being children of God, liberated by His grace. [00:00]
2. The Old and the New: The Christmas story illustrates the transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace. Characters like Simeon and Anna embody the hope and faithfulness required to embrace God's new work in our lives. [50:57]
3. God's Timeless Nature: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His principles are timeless, yet His mercies are fresh every morning, offering us new opportunities to experience His grace and transformation. [55:17]
4. Embracing New Beginnings: We are invited to recognize and receive the new things God is doing in our lives. This requires letting go of the old and being open to the new, trusting in God's promises and timing. [56:40]
5. Community and Support: God provides us with a faith family to support us in our journey. We are called to walk alongside each other, offering love and encouragement as we live out our freedom in Christ. [01:03:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Opening Prayer
[01:45] - Freedom in Christ
[05:20] - Living Out Our Freedom
[10:15] - The Christmas Story
[15:00] - Mary's Yes
[20:45] - Zechariah and Elizabeth
[25:30] - Simeon and Anna
[30:00] - The Old and the New
[35:40] - God's Timeless Nature
[40:25] - Embracing New Beginnings
[45:00] - Community and Support
[50:00] - Closing Prayer
[55:00] - Announcements
[01:03:52] - Prayer for Liz and Frank
[01:07:52] - Final Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:25-38 - The story of Simeon and Anna recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Matthew 5:17 - Jesus speaks about fulfilling the law and the prophets.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Simeon and Anna's recognition of Jesus in the temple? ([49:25])
2. How does the sermon describe the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant of grace? ([51:46])
3. What role did Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth play in the Christmas story as discussed in the sermon? ([46:29])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of freedom in Christ? ([49:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for believers to live out their freedom in Christ daily, as mentioned in the sermon? ([49:33])
2. How do the stories of Simeon and Anna reflect the blending of the old and new covenants? ([51:46])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's timeless nature is evident in the Christmas story? ([55:17])
4. How can the concept of embracing new beginnings be applied to the lives of believers today? ([56:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a personal struggle or "slavery" that you feel bound to. How can you apply the freedom in Christ to this area of your life? ([49:33])
2. Consider a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can the patience and faithfulness of Simeon and Anna inspire you during this waiting period? ([49:25])
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to let go of the old to embrace the new. What steps can you take to trust in God's timing and promises? ([56:40])
4. How can you actively participate in your faith community to support others in their journey of living out freedom in Christ? ([49:33])
5. Think about a time when you experienced God's fresh mercies. How can you remain open to new opportunities for grace and transformation in your daily life? ([55:17])
6. How can you share the love and grace of Christ with someone in your life who may feel bound by their past or current struggles? ([49:33])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to recognize and receive the new things God is doing in your life? ([56:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Living in Freedom
As believers, we are called to live in the freedom that Christ has given us, no longer bound by the chains of sin or the world's expectations. This freedom is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should permeate every aspect of our lives. It means recognizing that our identity is rooted in being children of God, liberated by His grace. The world may try to bind us to various forms of slavery—be it to jobs, culture, or personal struggles—but through Christ, we have been set free. This freedom is not just about liberation from sin but also about embracing a new life in Christ, where our past is not discarded but transformed into something new and beautiful. [00:00]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel enslaved by worldly expectations? How can you begin to live in the freedom Christ offers you today?
Day 2: Embracing the New Covenant
The Christmas story is a powerful illustration of the transition from the old covenant of the law to the new covenant of grace brought by Jesus. Characters like Simeon and Anna embody the hope and faithfulness required to embrace God's new work in our lives. Their stories remind us that God's promises are fulfilled in His time, and they encourage us to remain faithful and hopeful, even when the fulfillment seems distant. The blending of the old and new is a testament to God's unchanging nature and His ability to bring newness into our lives. [50:57]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What old habits or beliefs do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new covenant of grace in your life?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Timeless Nature
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His principles are timeless, yet His mercies are fresh every morning, offering us new opportunities to experience His grace and transformation. This truth invites us to trust in God's unchanging nature while being open to the new things He is doing in our lives. It requires patience, faith, and a willingness to let go of the old to embrace the new. Just as Simeon and Anna recognized the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus, we too are called to recognize and receive the new things God is doing in our lives. [55:17]
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily awareness of God's new mercies in your life, and what steps can you take to trust in His unchanging nature?
Day 4: Welcoming New Beginnings
We are invited to recognize and receive the new things God is doing in our lives. This requires letting go of the old and being open to the new, trusting in God's promises and timing. The narrative of Jesus' birth is not just a historical account but an invitation for us to embrace the new beginnings God offers. As we leave this place, we are encouraged to live out this freedom and newness in our daily lives, sharing the love and grace of Christ with those around us. [56:40]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)
Reflection: What new beginning is God inviting you to embrace today, and what steps can you take to welcome it into your life?
Day 5: Building Community and Support
God provides us with a faith family to support us in our journey. We are called to walk alongside each other, offering love and encouragement as we live out our freedom in Christ. This community is a vital part of our spiritual growth, helping us to remain faithful and hopeful as we navigate the challenges of life. As we share the love and grace of Christ with those around us, we are reminded that God's mercies are new every morning, and He continually offers us opportunities to grow closer to Him and to be transformed into His likeness. [01:03:52]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your faith community this week, and who can you reach out to for support and encouragement?
Quotes
"God that's our prayer that's our proclamation that's our that's our statement in this place at this time as we come before you Lord we are your children and because of that as we've just sung we are no longer prisoners no longer slaves no longer captive to this world or the sin that has pulled us away from you the sin and that that the only end result is death and separation from you we are no longer slaves Father as we let those words sink into our hearts we would ask that you would make that real to each one of us in our lives as we not just here in this place of worship in this sanctuary with other believers but outside these doors in the world that would that would desire with everything that they have to allow us or force us to take our eyes off of you to say you are a slave you're a slave to a job you're a slave to a culture you're a slave to many things we ask Lord that you would make these words real to us because we are your children and we are no longer slaves we know what the end game is we know the end of the story and that is we will spend eternity with you because you have forgiven us you have freed us you've broken those chains of bondage you've overcome the strongholds that are in our lives or you're desiring to simply by us leaving them at your feet and that's what we do during this time Lord we take our brokenness we take the the things that we're not proud of and and we shed them we drop them here during this time before you the anger and the resentment the the things that we do that fall outside of of your love and your guidelines and your compassion and your desire for us to be holy and to be your children we leave those things right here Lord at your feet we say take them say remove them from us and help us Lord to walk in your path the path that you have for each one of us from the youngest to the oldest as we journey through this life and Lord we don't do it alone we know that because you are with us every step of the way and you have given us other believers faith family people that love and care for us people that will walk with us through those thin times people will who will hold up our arms when we're tired that will pick us up when we fall you Lord provide all those things for us so that we can say these words we are no longer slaves so as we come into this service Lord continue to minister to each one of us speak to us in our hearts at the point of our need help us Lord to apply your word to our lives today that we would draw closer to you as we've already heard you are the same yesterday today and forever and your love endures throughout eternity pour your love out upon us this day in Jesus name we pray Amen Amen you may be seated as Brendan comes forward with the announcements and oh or a video I didn't do that one no that was good she was telling you to move it along right" [00:28:50]
"Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Mary. And Mary was young and vibrant. Vibrant and full of life. And her days were spent in simple routines, never suspecting that her life would change the course of history one day. Well, at one point, an angel appeared to her. And this angel came to her with a message that seemed almost too incredible, too marvelous to believe, that she would bear a child. And this is what she said. And this child would be the savior of the world. Mary said yes. And in her yes, the ancient and the new started to come together, to intertwine." [00:46:19] (55 seconds)
"Far away in the hill country, not our hill country, but in another hill country, there lived an elderly couple. Their names were Elizabeth and Zechariah. Now, they were well past the years of childbearing, of worrying about binkies and stepping on Legos in the middle of the night. But they were faithful to God even in those thin times. And in these days, one extraordinary day, that something happened to Zechariah. An angel appeared to him while he was serving in the temple, which was his duty every now and then. And the angel told him that Elizabeth was going to have a son. And they were going to name him John. And this son, this child, would prepare the way for the Lord. And so this older couple, in their sunset years, experienced the laughter of a baby in their home once again. This baby is more proof that the old was making way for the new." [00:47:14] (82 seconds)
"And this little family travels to Jerusalem to present him at the temple, as the law tells them to. And as they enter, that sacred place, two very special, remarkable elders awaited them. Simeon, an aged man, who has spent his whole life waiting for something called the consolation of Israel, he was there. And the Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not see death until he experienced, the Messiah. Until he saw and held the Messiah. And Simeon saw Jesus. He took this baby and he proclaimed, Now, Lord, I can depart in peace. My eyes have seen your salvation. Well, just a little bit away from Simeon was Anna. She was a prophetess. A prophetess who had lived her whole life, or lived many decades as a widow. Lived her whole life serving the Lord. And now she, at 84 years old, spent her days worshiping and fasting there in the temple. And when she saw Jesus, her heart overflowed with a joy that caused her to tell everyone about the redemption of Jesus. The redemption that this baby would bring to the world. These two older individuals, so near the end of their lives, were the first to recognize and celebrate the dawn of something completely new." [00:48:36] (121 seconds)
"It's no coincidence that the Christmas story is filled with people like Zechariah and Elizabeth. Like Simeon and Anna. Have you ever wondered why there were, aside from Mary, so many old people in the story of Jesus' birth? Well, the Bible, Luke especially, takes great care to emphasize and tell us what their ages were. Elizabeth and Zechariah are described as not old, very old. They were unable to have children. Simeon's life had stretched so thin as he waited for God's promise to be fulfilled. And Anna's 84 years, they were marked by devotion and sacrifice, marked by hope. Why did God choose these older saints as part of his story? Maybe. It's because they symbolize something important, something profound. The old era of the law and the prophets was giving way to something new. A new era of grace and fulfillment all through this baby, Jesus." [00:50:56] (95 seconds)
"They were the embodiment of hope, faithful to God's promises, even when those promises seemed so far away and long off. And yet, they were the very first in the Christmas story to embrace this new thing that God was doing. Jesus speaks about this. Jesus himself. He would later, he would say, say this transition. He says, do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. No. He says, I have come to fulfill them. In Matthew 5, 17. And this is important. The old and the new, they're not in conflict with one another. Exactly the opposite. They're in harmony. They're in harmony. The old law and the prophets were like Simeon and Anna. They were waiting. They were the faithful and devout manner. They were ready to point the way to what was new, to Jesus coming. And when he arrived, this blending of the old and new, it's also seen in the way that Luke tells the story. And he emphasizes that Mary and Joseph followed the law in everything that they did. In Luke chapter 2, Jesus is taken by his parents to the temple and they presented him as it is written in the law of the Lord. And not just that. To fulfill the law of the Lord, they also brought sacrifices according to what is said." [00:52:56] (105 seconds)
"See, their obedience shows that the new era, this era of grace, it did not discard the old. But it fulfilled it. Even the Holy Spirit, his work bridges the old and the new in Luke's gospel when the Spirit fills people like John the Baptist, this other baby to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Later in the book of Acts, Luke will also describe the Spirit's work in the early church when he talks about Pentecost. It's not a departure from the past. From the law and the prophets. It's a continuation and an expansion of what God has been doing all along throughout the history of man. Both ancient and God can do both of those things. He's ancient and he's always new. His principles are timeless." [00:54:39] (63 seconds)
"Joe just spoke about it. God is the same yesterday, today, today, and forever. But his mercies, they are fresh every morning. He takes what is old and he transforms it, bringing new, newness and life into the present. He doesn't discard the old. Paul talks about this when he says that anyone in Christ, us, we are a new creation. That doesn't mean that God discards who we are or who we were. Instead, he takes the old, our old selves, broken, lost, and he renews us, shaping us into his image. Simeon and Anna recognized this. They knew this was happening and they saw in Jesus this little baby that's before them now, the fulfillment of everything that they had been waiting for all of their lives. Everything they had hoped for. But they also saw the beginning and of something brand new. And God was bringing this in and they were welcoming it." [00:55:17] (83 seconds)
"Very simply, that's the invitation that you and I have from the scripture today. That's the invitation that comes to us from the Christmas story, a new beginning. The old hasn't passed away. It isn't discarded. It's now blended with something new. There's a lot of debate about that in the world today. Today, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but he continually offers us fresh grace, fresh mercy, new opportunities, a new day every day. New opportunities to walk with him, to fellowship with him, to learn from him, and to tell others about this baby, and what he brings to each one of us." [00:56:40] (59 seconds)
"So if we, like Simeon and Anna, are willing to watch and to wait patiently, then we can see as well in our lives and recognize and receive this new thing that God is doing in our lives. Very simply, that's the story that he wants us to put inside ourselves, today. You think about that. Let's pray." [00:57:38] (34 seconds)
"Lord, we would ask that you would help us to believe in your promise to make all things new as we, today, thousands of years after Anna and Simeon and Elizabeth and Zechariah, as we wait. For the coming of your kingdom. And as we pray together, as we pray together the prayer that you taught us, and let's pray that now, our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." [00:58:15] (48 seconds)
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Lord, we now come to the end of this service and to the beginning of our service outside these doors. So may God, who brought forth streams of living water in the desert, make something entirely different. Make something brand new spring forth in the wilderness of your life. Amen and amen." [00:59:02] (41 seconds)
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