Embracing God's Love: A Call to Humility
Summary
In a sermon delivered on Sunday Morning, December 17, 2023, at the Depoe Bay Campus, the pastor delved into the essence of the Christmas story and its profound message of love. The sermon began with a reflection on the significance of growing closer to God, as exemplified by Simeon's encounter with the infant Jesus. The pastor emphasized that Jesus came for the salvation of all people and encouraged the congregation to avoid complacency in their faith.
The pastor then drew parallels between the shepherds who first heard the news of Jesus' birth and the ordinary people of today, suggesting that God chooses to use the humble and the lowly for His purposes. The shepherds' response to the angelic announcement was to seek Jesus and worship Him, a model for personal experience and relationship with Christ.
A poignant reminder was given that upon reaching heaven, believers will be asked what they did with Jesus in their lives. The pastor urged everyone to live with a sense of urgency in spreading Jesus' love and to strive to present a crown of meaningful actions to the Father.
The sermon also highlighted the shepherds' lack of formal qualifications, yet their willingness to share the good news about Jesus. A personal encounter with Christ was presented as transformative, with an anecdote about Francis Chan's wedding for a widow illustrating the power of love and commitment.
The choice of shepherds as the first to hear of the Messiah's birth was underscored as a testament to God's humility and inclusivity. The pastor encouraged the congregation to align their hearts with God's word and to be in awe of the angelic proclamation that brought fear and wonder to the shepherds.
The unconditional and undeserved nature of God's love was a central theme, with references to Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16. The story of the prodigal son was used to illustrate the opportunity for reconciliation and the pastor highlighted that salvation is a gift, not earned through works.
The Christmas story was presented as a testament to God's great love, with Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection being central to the plan of salvation. The pastor expressed that this plan should have been announced to influential people, but instead, it was revealed to humble individuals like Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
The sermon concluded with a call to accept and embrace each other's flaws because of God's unfailing love. The pastor reminded the congregation that God's love is not based on our performance but on Christ's sacrifice. The early church's experiences were cited as evidence that nothing can separate us from God's love.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor highlighted that true faith is not about complacency but about actively seeking to grow closer to God each day, much like Simeon who awaited Jesus' arrival. This growth requires deep roots and a life that bears fruit, not just going through the motions. Believers are encouraged to have something meaningful to present to Jesus, symbolized by the crowns they will offer Him. [01:05:49]
- God's choice to reveal the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, a group considered lowly and despised, serves as a powerful reminder that He often uses the ordinary and humble to fulfill His purposes. This choice challenges us to see the value in every person and to recognize that God's message is for everyone, not just the elite or influential. [42:59]
- The pastor stressed the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus, akin to the shepherds who went to see Him after hearing the angels' proclamation. This relationship is essential for entering heaven and cannot be replaced by mere knowledge or ritual. It is through personal experience that faith becomes alive and transformative. [45:50]
- The sermon underscored the transformative power of a genuine encounter with God, which can lead to a life of sharing the good news, regardless of one's background or qualifications. The story of Francis Chan's act of love at a wedding serves as a reminder that love and commitment can have a profound impact on others and reflect the heart of the gospel. [49:19]
- The pastor conveyed that God's love is unconditional and not based on our achievements or righteousness. This love was demonstrated through the story of the prodigal son, who was accepted by his father despite his failings. The church, as a community of imperfect people, is made functional through this same love, which calls us to accept one another and work together. [59:10]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
> "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.'"
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
> "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
3. John 3:16 (NIV)
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the shepherds when the angel appeared to them and announced Jesus' birth? ([42:09])
2. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the basis of our salvation?
3. How does John 3:16 describe the extent of God's love for the world?
4. What did Simeon do when he saw the infant Jesus, and what did he proclaim? ([01:03:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, who were considered lowly and despised? ([40:19])
2. How does the story of the prodigal son illustrate the nature of God's love and forgiveness? ([55:43])
3. What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and why is it essential for entering heaven? ([45:50])
4. How can the example of the shepherds' response to the angelic announcement serve as a model for our own faith journey? ([45:06])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you have become complacent in your faith? What steps can you take to actively seek to grow closer to God each day? ([01:05:49])
2. How can you recognize and value the contributions of humble and ordinary people in your community, just as God valued the shepherds? ([40:19])
3. Think about a time when you had a personal encounter with Jesus. How did it transform your life, and how can you share that experience with others? ([45:50])
4. In what ways can you demonstrate unconditional love to those around you, especially those who may feel unworthy or unloved? ([49:19])
5. How can you align your heart with God's word and be in awe of His proclamations, much like the shepherds were in awe of the angelic announcement? ([42:09])
6. Reflect on the story of the prodigal son. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? How can you take the first step towards that reconciliation? ([55:43])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to spread the good news of Jesus' love to others, regardless of your background or qualifications? ([47:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Faith Bears Fruit
True faith is not passive; it actively seeks to deepen one's relationship with God, much like the anticipation and joy Simeon experienced upon seeing Jesus. This active faith is about being rooted in God's love and producing actions that reflect a life transformed by Christ. It's about living with intention, so that when the time comes, one has meaningful offerings to present to the Lord. [01:05:49]
Colossians 1:10 - "So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can actively deepen your relationship with God this week?
Day 2: Valuing the Humble
God's revelation to the shepherds, a group often overlooked, reminds us that He values humility and uses the ordinary to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. This challenges us to recognize the worth in every individual and to understand that the gospel is inclusive, meant for all, regardless of social status. [42:59]
James 2:5 - "Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?"
Reflection: How can you show value to someone who may feel overlooked or undervalued in your community today?
Day 3: Relationship Over Ritual
A personal relationship with Jesus is paramount, surpassing mere knowledge or religious practice. Like the shepherds who sought Jesus after the angels' announcement, believers are called to a faith that is alive, personal, and transformative, leading to a genuine encounter with God. [45:50]
Luke 11:28 - "He replied, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to move beyond religious routine and foster a more personal relationship with Jesus?
Day 4: Love Transforms Lives
Encountering God's love can profoundly change a person, inspiring them to share the good news with others, regardless of their past or qualifications. This transformative power of love is evident in acts of commitment and service that reflect the heart of the gospel. [49:19]
1 John 3:18 - "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Reflection: What is one act of love you can commit to this week that will reflect the transformative power of God's love in your life?
Day 5: Embracing Imperfection with Love
God's love is unconditional, not based on our achievements or righteousness. This love calls us to accept one another, despite our imperfections, and to work together as a community of faith. The story of the prodigal son reminds us that we are accepted and loved, and this acceptance should be mirrored in our relationships with others. [59:10]
Romans 15:7 - "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to extend grace to, and how can you show them Christ's unconditional love today?
Quotes
"Even in the midst of our misunderstanding, even in the midst of our doing it our own way, the Father's ready to embrace us and say, 'Come on, put on this clean robe, put on this family ring, let's get about the Father's business.'" [01:07:52] (Download)
"Our goal is to take as many people with us to the kingdom of heaven. So Lord, would you do what only you can do, begin to speak to our hearts." [01:09:15] (Download)
"You see friends, that's God's love, that's unconditional love, and we should be in awe that he loves us not because he has to. He didn't send Jesus because he had to; he loves us because he wanted to." [50:39] (Download)
"Our Roots haven't grown deep, our fruit hasn't manifest, we're just coming to church and checking boxes." [01:05:49] (Download)
"Jesus came not just for the church, he didn't come just for Israel, he came so that all would be saved and it's up to us what we do with that." [01:05:09] (Download)
"Are you living today closer to him than you were yesterday? If the answer is no, then we need to fix some things." [01:03:34] (Download)
"God reaches beyond our circumstances. Jesus had to come because there was no other way to touch mankind with his love." [01:00:43] (Download)
"Friends, if you know nothing else about what God has called you to do, let me tell you it's twofold: number one, experience Christ for yourself, and number two is to go and tell the people the good news." [47:58] (Download)
"The Shepherds were never the same, friends. Can I tell you, if you and I have a genuine and authentic encounter with God, we will never be the same." [48:43] (Download)
"What makes up a church? Imperfect people, a group of dysfunctional people... yet because God loves us, he makes this work." [59:10] (Download)
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