Embracing Grace: The Promise of Christmas

 

Summary

As we step into the new year, we continue to reflect on the profound impact of Christmas, a celebration that transcends a single day and extends into our daily lives. The message of Christmas is not just about the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago; it is about the ongoing promise of grace, mercy, and redemption that God offers to each of us, regardless of our past. The genealogy of Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, is a testament to this promise. It includes individuals like Rahab, a Canaanite and a prostitute, and King David, who despite his significant failures, was a man after God's own heart. These stories remind us that God’s grace is extended to all, even those who seem the most unlikely candidates for His love.

Rahab's story is particularly striking. Despite her past and her status as an outsider, she became an integral part of Jesus's lineage. Her faith in the God of Israel led to her salvation and inclusion in the community of God's people. Similarly, King David, despite his grievous sins, was assured of God's enduring promise. This promise was not based on David's righteousness but on God's unwavering faithfulness. The narrative of these individuals underscores the central theme of Christmas: Jesus came to save sinners, to offer peace and joy to all people, regardless of their past.

The promise of Christmas is twofold: joy and peace. The joy that comes from knowing we are loved and forgiven by God, and the peace that comes from having our sins removed through Jesus. This peace is not something we can negotiate or earn; it is a gift that comes from accepting God's forgiveness. As we embrace this promise, we are invited to live in the freedom and joy that comes from being reconciled with God.

As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The bread and the juice symbolize His body and blood, given for our sins so that we might have eternal life. This act of remembrance is a call to live in the light of His grace, to be bearers of His peace and joy in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways:

- God's promise of grace and mercy is extended to all, regardless of their past. The inclusion of Rahab and David in Jesus's genealogy highlights that no one is too far gone for God's love and redemption. [27:51]

- Rahab's faith in the God of Israel led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating that faith, not heritage or past actions, is what brings us into God's family. [31:44]

- King David's story illustrates that even when we fail, God's promises remain. His grace is not contingent on our perfection but on His faithfulness. [41:41]

- The joy and peace promised at Christmas are available to all who accept God's forgiveness. This peace is not something we can earn; it is a gift that comes from having our sins removed through Jesus. [52:35]

- The Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus's sacrifice for us. It calls us to remember His love and to live in the freedom and joy of His grace, being agents of peace in the world. [58:01]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The King Has Come
[02:00] - The Significance of Genealogy
[03:30] - God's Promise to the Imperfect
[05:00] - Rahab's Story of Faith
[06:45] - The Battle of Jericho
[08:00] - Rahab's Inclusion in Jesus's Lineage
[09:30] - King David's Legacy
[11:00] - God's Enduring Promise to David
[12:30] - The Story of Bathsheba
[14:00] - David's Repentance and God's Forgiveness
[15:30] - The Promise of Joy and Peace
[17:00] - The Message of Christmas
[18:30] - Invitation to the Lord's Supper
[20:00] - Closing and Communion

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:1-6 - The genealogy of Jesus, highlighting Rahab and King David.
2. Joshua 2:8-11 - Rahab's declaration of faith in the God of Israel.
3. 2 Samuel 7:8-16 - God's promise to David about his enduring kingdom.

#### Observation Questions
1. What is significant about the inclusion of Rahab and King David in Jesus's genealogy according to Matthew 1:1-6? [29:21]
2. How does Rahab express her faith in the God of Israel in Joshua 2:8-11? [31:44]
3. What promises does God make to David in 2 Samuel 7:8-16, and how do they relate to the Christmas story? [41:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the ongoing impact of Christmas in our daily lives? [49:46]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that God's grace is extended to those with a troubled past, like Rahab and David? [27:51]
2. How does Rahab's story illustrate the concept of faith over heritage or past actions in becoming part of God's family? [31:44]
3. In what ways does King David's story demonstrate that God's promises are not contingent on human perfection? [41:41]
4. How does the sermon explain the joy and peace promised at Christmas, and what is required to receive them? [52:35]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How does the inclusion of Rahab and David in Jesus's lineage encourage you? [27:51]
2. Rahab's faith led to her inclusion in God's family. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith, regardless of your past? [31:44]
3. King David experienced both failure and God's enduring promise. How can you find assurance in God's faithfulness despite your own shortcomings? [41:41]
4. The sermon mentions the joy and peace that come from accepting God's forgiveness. What obstacles might be preventing you from fully embracing this gift? [52:35]
5. During the Lord's Supper, we remember Jesus's sacrifice. How can this act of remembrance influence your daily life and interactions with others? [58:01]
6. Consider the promise of peace through forgiveness. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from to experience this peace more fully? [52:35]
7. How can you be a bearer of God's peace and joy in your community, especially in times of turmoil? [56:31]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace Transcends Our Past
God's promise of grace and mercy is extended to all, regardless of their past. The genealogy of Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, includes individuals like Rahab, a Canaanite and a prostitute, and King David, who despite his significant failures, was a man after God's own heart. These stories remind us that God’s grace is extended to all, even those who seem the most unlikely candidates for His love. Rahab's story is particularly striking. Despite her past and her status as an outsider, she became an integral part of Jesus's lineage. Her faith in the God of Israel led to her salvation and inclusion in the community of God's people. Similarly, King David, despite his grievous sins, was assured of God's enduring promise. This promise was not based on David's righteousness but on God's unwavering faithfulness. The narrative of these individuals underscores the central theme of Christmas: Jesus came to save sinners, to offer peace and joy to all people, regardless of their past. [27:51]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a part of your past that you feel disqualifies you from God's love. How can you invite God's grace into that area today?


Day 2: Faith Overcomes Heritage and Past Actions
Rahab's faith in the God of Israel led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating that faith, not heritage or past actions, is what brings us into God's family. Rahab, a Canaanite and a prostitute, was an unlikely candidate for God's grace. Yet, her faith in the God of Israel was so profound that it led to her salvation and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus. This story illustrates that it is not our background or past actions that determine our place in God's family, but our faith in Him. Rahab's story is a powerful reminder that faith can overcome any barrier, and that God's love is available to all who believe. Her inclusion in Jesus's genealogy is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the inclusivity of God's kingdom. [31:44]

"And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' Then those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?' And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" (Luke 7:48-50, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you, like Rahab, exercise faith to draw closer to God today?


Day 3: God's Promises Are Unwavering
King David's story illustrates that even when we fail, God's promises remain. His grace is not contingent on our perfection but on His faithfulness. David, despite his grievous sins, was assured of God's enduring promise. This promise was not based on David's righteousness but on God's unwavering faithfulness. David's story is a powerful reminder that God's promises are not contingent on our perfection, but on His faithfulness. Even when we fail, God's grace remains. This is a central theme of Christmas: Jesus came to save sinners, to offer peace and joy to all people, regardless of their past. The narrative of David underscores the enduring nature of God's promises and the depth of His grace. [41:41]

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you struggle to believe. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 4: The Gift of Joy and Peace
The joy and peace promised at Christmas are available to all who accept God's forgiveness. This peace is not something we can earn; it is a gift that comes from having our sins removed through Jesus. The promise of Christmas is twofold: joy and peace. The joy that comes from knowing we are loved and forgiven by God, and the peace that comes from having our sins removed through Jesus. This peace is not something we can negotiate or earn; it is a gift that comes from accepting God's forgiveness. As we embrace this promise, we are invited to live in the freedom and joy that comes from being reconciled with God. This is the heart of the Christmas message: Jesus came to bring joy and peace to all who believe. [52:35]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a source of unrest in your life. How can you invite God's peace into that situation today?


Day 5: Living in the Light of His Grace
The Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus's sacrifice for us. It calls us to remember His love and to live in the freedom and joy of His grace, being agents of peace in the world. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The bread and the juice symbolize His body and blood, given for our sins so that we might have eternal life. This act of remembrance is a call to live in the light of His grace, to be bearers of His peace and joy in a world that desperately needs it. The Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus's love and sacrifice, and it calls us to live in the freedom and joy of His grace. As we remember His sacrifice, we are invited to be agents of peace in the world, sharing His love with those around us. [58:01]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be an agent of God's peace and joy in your community today? What specific action can you take to share His love with others?

Quotes

"Matthew was writing to a group of people in that first century who were very religious people. They'd been taught that the only way that a person could approach God was by doing enough good things to get God's attention. It was a self-righteousness path. But, but Matthew learned something from Jesus that he wanted all of us to know. There's another way." [00:26:50] (27 seconds)


"Jesus came as the savior of the world. He came to save us from sin. At Christmas, Jesus came for us because he is for us. Did I mention that some of the folks in Matthew's lineage of Jesus were really messed up? But as Matthew lists the folks in this genealogy, he's reminding us of the fact that all throughout history, God has extended his grace and mercy to people who have not deserved it." [00:27:37] (37 seconds)


"Joshua chapter 2 records, Before the spies laid down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on all of us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to Sion and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed." [00:32:25] (30 seconds)


"She lives among them as a picture of something that was still way outside of their way of thinking. That God is a God of mercy and grace who would even spare an outsider, an enemy, a woman with a very telling nickname. Why is she even in this story? The Bible doesn't tell us, but one day as Rahab was doing her chores, a man named Solomon came over to her and asked her to go on a date." [00:34:28] (35 seconds)


"Matthew included Rahab and Ruth. Their stories were included because the entire message of Jesus is spoken through them. Outsiders, lawbreakers. Those with nicknames are all invited to be a part of Jesus's family. No one is too bad for God. No one. So, if you would help me, this is where the audience participation comes. And those of you at home, if you can turn to your spouse and say this, that would help me out." [00:36:03] (36 seconds)


"David was a sinner just like you and me. David lived a thousand years before Jesus showed up on that first Christmas. Samuel was a prophet at that time. And God told Samuel to go anoint David to be the king. The king of Israel. David lived in a little town called Bethlehem. Oh, little town of Bethlehem. The same town in which Jesus was born. And Samuel shows up and David's just a kid." [00:38:43] (38 seconds)


"Now, this is really an amazing promise. 3,000 years ago, God told David through the prophet Nathan that he would make Nathan's or make David's name great, like the greatest men on earth. So I want to do a little survey this morning. If you would help me out, how many of you before you came here this morning already had heard about King David? Anybody had heard about King David before today?" [00:41:04] (27 seconds)


"David, when you do wrong, you will be punished. My love will never be taken away. You, your throne will be established forever. Four chapters later, four chapters later, after hearing the story that his kingdom is going to endure forever, David does the unthinkable. Four chapters later is the story that all of us have heard about. About a young woman whose name was Bathsheba." [00:42:51] (40 seconds)


"David took care of the mess, and everything is going to be fine now, right? Uriah's gone. Bathsheba's his wife. It's all covered up. But God knew. God always knows. Always. Now would be a good time for God to retract his promise to David, wouldn't it? David, you are the scum of the earth. My promise is now no longer in effect." [00:46:59] (30 seconds)


"Instead, God again sends his prophet Nathan to David, and Nathan confronts David, and David calls sin, sin. And he recognizes that what he has done is evil, and he owns up to it. Have you ever done anything evil, sinful, and then tried to cover it up? Well, David when he recognizes his sin confesses his sin to God he doesn't say oh that was a mistake he doesn't blame Bathsheba he doesn't have a pity party." [00:47:43] (40 seconds)


"Jesus came to remove our sins so that we can have peace with God. That's why he came. That's why Christmas, and that's why it needs to be Christmas every day. God sent his son to us. Now, if you don't have peace with God because you're still negotiating your relationship with God because of your failure or your past promises, well, I already told God I wouldn't do that, and then I did it again, and it's like he's given up on me." [00:54:33] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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