Embracing God's Love: The Unexpected Christmas Story

 

Summary

The Christmas story is a profound reminder of God's love and the unexpected ways He fulfills His promises. As we delve into Luke chapter 2, we see the narrative of Jesus' birth unfold in a manner that challenges our preconceived notions. The story begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus, a powerful figure in the Roman Empire, who unknowingly sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's plan. This reminds us that God can use even those who oppose Him to accomplish His purposes. Despite the might of the Roman Empire, God's plan for salvation through Jesus was unstoppable.

The birth of Jesus in a humble setting, not in a stable as often depicted, but likely in a family home, emphasizes His entry into the ordinary and messy aspects of human life. This challenges the romanticized view of the nativity and highlights that Jesus came to be with us in our everyday lives. His birth in the midst of a bustling family home signifies His desire to be present in the center of our lives, amidst all our imperfections and dysfunctions.

The announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds by the angels is a powerful moment. The angels use language familiar to the shepherds, likening the birth of Jesus to the ascension of a new emperor, to convey the significance of this event. This good news is not just for the shepherds but for all people, signaling the arrival of a Savior who brings joy and peace.

The shepherds' response to the angelic message is a model for us. They did not remain passive but moved towards Jesus, driven by faith and belief. This is a call for us to respond to God's work in our lives with action and celebration. We are encouraged to embrace the wonder of God's miracles and to celebrate His presence and favor in our lives.

Finally, the sermon touches on the theme of God's unmerited favor. God's favor is a gift that comes without merit, and accepting it requires humility. It is a reminder of God's love and the peace that comes from being in relationship with Him. As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited to embrace this favor, to celebrate God's goodness, and to live in the joy and peace that Jesus brings.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Sovereignty in Unexpected Ways: God can use even those who oppose Him to fulfill His purposes. The decree by Caesar Augustus, a powerful ruler, set the stage for Jesus' birth, demonstrating that God's plans are unstoppable and not threatened by earthly powers. This reminds us that God can use any situation or person to accomplish His will in our lives. [58:17]

2. Jesus in the Ordinary: Jesus' birth in a family home, rather than a stable, signifies His entry into the ordinary aspects of human life. This challenges the romanticized view of the nativity and highlights that Jesus came to be with us in our everyday lives, amidst all our imperfections and dysfunctions. It is a reminder that God is present in the midst of our normal, messy lives. [01:03:51]

3. Responding to God's Work: The shepherds' response to the angelic message is a model for us. They moved towards Jesus, driven by faith and belief. This is a call for us to respond to God's work in our lives with action and celebration, embracing the wonder of His miracles and celebrating His presence and favor. [01:14:23]

4. The Gift of God's Favor: God's favor is a gift that comes without merit, and accepting it requires humility. It is a reminder of God's love and the peace that comes from being in relationship with Him. Embracing God's favor involves recognizing our unworthiness and responding with gratitude and celebration. [01:18:28]

5. Celebrating God's Presence: The sermon encourages us to celebrate God's presence and favor in our lives, especially during the Christmas season. By throwing off our inhibitions and embracing joy and thanksgiving, we can experience a change in our hearts and a deeper connection with God. This celebration is a response to the good news of Jesus' birth and the peace and favor He brings. [01:16:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [48:23] - Introduction to the Christmas Story
- [50:09] - Questions to Consider
- [52:47] - The Birth of Jesus
- [55:10] - Challenging Nativity Myths
- [57:16] - God's Use of Opposing Forces
- [58:17] - God's Unstoppable Plan
- [59:33] - Facing Opposition with Faith
- [01:00:07] - The Reality of Jesus' Birth
- [01:01:25] - Understanding "Kataluma"
- [01:02:22] - Jesus in the Center of Life
- [01:03:51] - Jesus' Presence in Our Lives
- [01:06:18] - The Angelic Announcement
- [01:07:49] - The Significance of the Sign
- [01:09:46] - Responding to Miracles
- [01:14:23] - The Call to Celebrate
- [01:16:02] - Embracing Joy and Thanksgiving
- [01:18:28] - Understanding God's Favor
- [01:20:58] - The Promise of Favor and Peace
- [01:22:09] - Celebrating God's Love and Grace
- [01:24:01] - God's Unfailing Purpose
- [01:25:13] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
- [01:26:04] - Invitation to Respond
- [01:27:13] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:1-20

Observation Questions:
1. What role did Caesar Augustus play in the fulfillment of God's plan according to the sermon? ([57:16])
2. How does the sermon describe the setting of Jesus' birth, and how does it differ from the traditional nativity scene? ([01:01:25])
3. What was the shepherds' reaction to the angelic announcement, and what does this reveal about their faith? ([01:09:46])
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being born in a family home rather than a stable? ([01:03:51])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon illustrate God's sovereignty through the actions of Caesar Augustus, and what does this teach about God's ability to use unexpected means to fulfill His purposes? ([58:17])
2. In what ways does the sermon challenge the romanticized view of the nativity, and why is it important to understand the historical context of Jesus' birth? ([01:03:09])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of responding to God's work in our lives, as demonstrated by the shepherds' actions? ([01:14:23])
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of God's unmerited favor, and what is the significance of accepting this favor with humility? ([01:18:28])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God used an unexpected situation or person to fulfill His purpose in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([58:17])
2. How can you invite Jesus into the ordinary and messy aspects of your life, as the sermon suggests He desires to be present in our everyday lives? ([01:03:51])
3. The shepherds responded to the angelic message with action and celebration. How can you actively respond to God's work in your life this week? ([01:14:23])
4. Consider the concept of God's unmerited favor. How can you practice humility in accepting God's gifts and blessings in your life? ([01:18:28])
5. The sermon encourages celebrating God's presence and favor. What are some practical ways you can embrace joy and thanksgiving during this Christmas season? ([01:16:02])
6. Think about a recent miracle or blessing in your life. How can you share this story with others to glorify God and encourage their faith? ([01:13:22])
7. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of wonder and celebration for God's work in your life, especially during times of routine or familiarity? ([01:13:22])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Circumstances
God's sovereignty is often revealed in unexpected ways, using even those who oppose Him to fulfill His purposes. The decree by Caesar Augustus, a powerful ruler of the Roman Empire, unknowingly set the stage for the birth of Jesus, demonstrating that God's plans are unstoppable and not threatened by earthly powers. This narrative from Luke chapter 2 reminds us that God can use any situation or person to accomplish His will in our lives. It challenges us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem contrary to His purposes. [58:17]

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where things seem to be going against your expectations. How can you trust that God is working through these circumstances to fulfill His purposes?


Day 2: Jesus in the Midst of Our Ordinary Lives
The birth of Jesus in a family home, rather than a stable, signifies His entry into the ordinary aspects of human life. This challenges the romanticized view of the nativity and highlights that Jesus came to be with us in our everyday lives, amidst all our imperfections and dysfunctions. It is a reminder that God is present in the midst of our normal, messy lives, desiring to be at the center of our existence. This understanding encourages us to invite Jesus into every aspect of our daily routines, recognizing His presence and influence in the mundane. [01:03:51]

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you invite Jesus into the ordinary and messy parts of your life today? How might acknowledging His presence change your perspective on these aspects?


Day 3: Responding to God's Work with Action
The shepherds' response to the angelic message is a model for us. They moved towards Jesus, driven by faith and belief, rather than remaining passive. This is a call for us to respond to God's work in our lives with action and celebration, embracing the wonder of His miracles and celebrating His presence and favor. It challenges us to actively seek out and engage with God's movements in our lives, rather than being mere spectators. [01:14:23]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively respond to God's work in your life today? How can you move from being a passive observer to an active participant in His plans?


Day 4: Embracing the Gift of God's Favor
God's favor is a gift that comes without merit, and accepting it requires humility. It is a reminder of God's love and the peace that comes from being in relationship with Him. Embracing God's favor involves recognizing our unworthiness and responding with gratitude and celebration. This understanding invites us to live in the joy and peace that Jesus brings, acknowledging His unmerited grace in our lives. [01:18:28]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have experienced God's unmerited favor. How can you express gratitude for this gift today, and how might it change your perspective on your relationship with God?


Day 5: Celebrating God's Presence and Favor
The sermon encourages us to celebrate God's presence and favor in our lives, especially during the Christmas season. By throwing off our inhibitions and embracing joy and thanksgiving, we can experience a change in our hearts and a deeper connection with God. This celebration is a response to the good news of Jesus' birth and the peace and favor He brings. It invites us to live with a heart full of gratitude and joy, recognizing the transformative power of celebrating God's goodness. [01:16:02]

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally celebrate God's presence and favor in your life today? What specific actions can you take to cultivate a heart of joy and thanksgiving?

Quotes


In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place. While Quirinius was governor of Syria and everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. [00:51:56]

What do I see? I see that God will use the people who are set against him. He will use the ones who are out to steal what's rightfully his. The ones who are set against what God has placed in your life to set you up. For the greater purposes that he has for you. And to get you where you need to go. [00:57:30]

God made sure his promises were fulfilled by using a man who was at the head of a barbaric empire. Who sought glory that should only have ever been given to God himself. And I think there is a powerful truth that we can grasp hold of here. Which is that God is not threatened by what might try to stand in his way. [00:58:33]

There is a really important thing that I want us to grasp hold of as to why it's important that he wasn't born in a stable and why it's important that he wasn't born in an inn. OK, so we're just going to go through from Luke two. So I'd love just to start. This is a little bit of an aside, but I felt like the Lord kind of. [00:56:13]

Jesus came and was born into the centre of human life. He was born into the very centre of human life. He came as one of us. He came to be where we are. He was born in the middle of a full normal. What's normal? But normal family home. In all of us. In all of its dysfunctions. [01:04:51]

The angel said to them. Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. Good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David. A saviour 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. [01:07:49]

The purpose of a sign, the purpose of a miracle, is that you see Jesus and you move towards him. That's the purpose. God loves us, he will heal us, he will create direction in our lives that take us to a particular point, because he loves us. He's good. But within that, the purpose of that is that you see Jesus and that you move towards him. [01:09:46]

No, they moved and they responded to God out of belief and out of faith. And I think there is something in there for us, that any time God moves on our behalf in a sign, a miracle, or a wonder, the invitation in that moment is to see Jesus and move towards him. Every time, every time. [01:11:20]

I think we have lost, not just the wonder, but I think we've lost the, I think we've lost the celebration that is needed. That is required. That frankly is, I think the only proper response. It's the only proper response. And I'm not even, I'm not even talking about like a woo, yeah, God. It's not, yeah, sure, it could look like that. [01:13:25]

And I think that there is something that the Lord has, God's been speaking to us. And many of you know this about, through a prophetic word that in seasons of celebration, festivals, so we're talking Christmas, Easter, even birthdays, we've been told that God is going to move in greater miracles and signs and wonders here. [01:14:40]

The favor of God comes to us without merit. And something that Bill Johnson said, which I came across this week, he's talking about favor and honor. And he said, if you can't accept the favor and honor that God gives you, then you can't accept the favor and honor that God gives you. And you will have no crown to throw at his feet. [01:18:28]

God isn't after us to jump through hoops and accomplish things for him. He responds, and he's moved by our hearts, moving towards his and leaning into his and wanting more of him. And it's that simple. It's what Chris touched on last week about being wholehearted before God. It leads to favor. Proverbs 8 .35 says, For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. [01:19:32]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?