Embracing Humility: The Inclusive Message of Christmas
Summary
During the Christmas season, the sermon delivered at QLBC on December 17, 2023, explored the varied emotions and spiritual lessons that the nativity story evokes. The pastor began by acknowledging that some individuals might feel excluded or stressed during the holidays, akin to the shepherds or Mary and Joseph. However, the message of Christ's birth is one of hope and joy, meant to reassure and comfort those who feel left out or overwhelmed. The pastor emphasized the importance of faith and action, as demonstrated by the shepherds who believed the angel's message and acted upon it. The congregation was encouraged to trust in God's plan and to learn from the difficulties they face, as these challenges can reveal more about God's character.
Reflecting on the birth announcement of Jesus, the pastor highlighted the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing Jesus has come in the flesh. The shepherds' experience as the first believers and preachers of the good news was underscored, with the pastor noting that Jesus' humble birth allows us to relate to him more intimately. The sermon also touched upon the significance of the Incarnation, as it marks the beginning of the story that culminates in the resurrection. The pastor expressed gratitude for God's indescribable gift and offered a prayer of thanks for His eternal love, knowledge, and forgiveness.
The pastor pondered on the implications of Luke 2:12, which describes Jesus' humble birthplace. The sermon explored the lengths God went to be with humanity and the world's indifference to this monumental event. The pastor invited the congregation to seek Jesus and follow the signs to His love, emphasizing that in Jesus, we see the fullness of God the Father's character.
The Virgin birth was discussed, with the pastor clarifying that it was the conception, not the birth itself, that was miraculous. This event highlighted Jesus' uniqueness and God's power. The shepherds' visit to the manger was also mentioned, as they saw a helpless baby who was God incarnate.
Lastly, the pastor reflected on the significance of Jesus being born in a barn and how this setting was familiar and welcoming to the shepherds. The sermon contrasted the simplicity of Jesus' birth with the commercialization of Christmas, reminding the congregation that the holiday is for the humble and the marginalized. The vulnerability of Jesus as a newborn was also contemplated, with the pastor marveling at the humility of the creator of the universe lying in a manger.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christmas story is a reminder that God's message of hope and salvation is for everyone, especially those who feel marginalized or burdened. The shepherds, often overlooked by society, were the first to receive the good news, showing that God's love extends to all, regardless of status or circumstance. [26:49]
- Jesus' humble birth in a manger is a powerful symbol of God's willingness to enter into the messiness of our world. It demonstrates that God does not distance Himself from our struggles but fully embraces our humanity to bring redemption. [23:30]
- The Incarnation is central to Christian faith, as it represents God becoming human to understand and redeem us from within our own experience. This profound mystery invites us to see the divine in the ordinary and to find hope in the fact that God is intimately acquainted with our lives. [30:08]
- The Virgin birth of Jesus underscores the miraculous nature of His entrance into the world, setting Him apart as unique and divine. This event challenges us to believe in the extraordinary and to recognize that with God, all things are possible. [17:21]
- The accessibility of the Christmas story is highlighted by Jesus' birth in a setting familiar to shepherds. It serves as a reminder that the message of Christ is not confined to the elite or powerful but is open to everyone, inviting the common person to encounter the divine. [11:23]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 2:8-18 (NIV)
- John 14:9 (NIV)
- 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of the shepherds when the angel appeared to them, and how did their behavior change after the angel's message?
2. In John 14:9, what does Jesus imply about His relationship with the Father?
3. What does the phrase "his indescribable gift" in 2 Corinthians 9:15 refer to, and why might it be described as such?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Considering the shepherds' experience, what might be the significance of the angel's message being delivered to them, and how does their response reflect the impact of the good news?
2. How does Jesus' statement in John 14:9 deepen our understanding of the nature of God and His approachability?
3. Reflecting on the term "indescribable gift" from 2 Corinthians 9:15, what aspects of Jesus' birth and mission contribute to this sense of wonder and inexpressibility?
### Application Questions
1. Identify a situation in the upcoming week where you might feel marginalized or overlooked. How can you remind yourself of the message of inclusivity and grace found in the Christmas story during that time?
2. Think of a person in your life who may be feeling distant from God. What is one tangible action you can take to demonstrate God's love and accessibility to them this week?
3. Reflect on a recent moment when you felt overwhelmed by circumstances. What is a specific prayer you can craft, drawing inspiration from the humility and obedience of Mary and Joseph, to help you trust in God's plan during such times?
4. In the next few days, find an opportunity to share a part of the Christmas story with someone who may not have heard it before. What is one creative way you can convey the joy and hope of Jesus' birth to them?
5. Consider the simplicity of Jesus' birth and the modern-day extravagance of Christmas. What is one specific way you can choose simplicity over extravagance in your celebrations to honor the true spirit of Christmas this year?
Devotional
Day 1: Grace for the Marginalized
God extends His grace to those who feel overlooked, just as the shepherds were the first to hear the good news. This grace is a reminder that no one is too insignificant for God's attention and love. It invites everyone, regardless of their social standing, to embrace the joy and salvation that comes with the birth of Christ. [26:49]
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: Who in your community might feel overlooked or marginalized, and how can you extend God's grace to them this week?
Day 2: The Incarnation's Assurance
The Incarnation of Jesus is a profound truth that reassures believers of God's intimate understanding of the human experience. It is a cornerstone of faith that provides comfort and a sense of purpose, encouraging believers to share the good news with enthusiasm and conviction. [30:08]
Hebrews 4:15 - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
Reflection: How does the truth of the Incarnation impact your daily life, and in what ways can you share this profound truth with others?
Day 3: Embracing God's Accessibility
The humility of Jesus' birth is a lesson in God's love and willingness to embrace our lowliness. It demonstrates that God is not distant but is a loving Father who desires a close relationship with us, regardless of our circumstances. [23:30]
1 John 4:9 - "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."
Reflection: In what ways do you sometimes view God as distant, and how can you remind yourself of His desire for closeness with you?
Day 4: The Mystery of Divine Birth
The Virgin birth of Jesus highlights the uniqueness of Christ and the power of God. It challenges us to embrace the mystery of the divine and to trust in God's sovereign power, even when it defies human logic. [17:21]
Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: How can you trust in God's sovereignty when faced with situations that are beyond your understanding?
Day 5: Gospel for the Unworthy
Jesus' birth in a humble setting signifies that the gospel is for everyone, especially those deemed unworthy by society. This inclusivity is a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas is about welcoming all to experience God's love. [11:23]
Luke 14:21 - "So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'"
Reflection: How can you embody the spirit of inclusivity in your celebrations, ensuring that you are extending an invitation to experience God's love to everyone around you?
Quotes
"God prizes your humble obedience and surrender more than he prizes giving you a trouble-free life. Some of the things we learn about God we can only learn in the times of trouble." [28:02] (Download)
"When the wall of our invincibility goes down, we are able to trust God fully. Remember, there's a word that God never says, and that word is 'oops'. He never says that; nothing surprises Him, He always has a plan." [28:39] (Download)
"When you feel the joy of Christmas, you spread the word. That's the shepherd's example and that's to be our example as well: feeling the joy and spreading the word of what it really is." [29:20] (Download)
"The Incarnation begins what the resurrection celebrates, and it is God was one of us. So when you pray, God understands your situation; when you're frustrated, God understands your situation." [30:08] (Download)
"Replace your fear with joy, because they're already afraid. Replace your fear with joy, and that's what happens when you understand that a savior has been born to us. Replace your fear with joy." [15:16] (Download)
"Joy is that sense of satisfaction in God, an abiding sense of security in God, safety in what he has done for us." [15:16] (Download)
"We would learn the lengths to which God was willing to go to come and be one of us from the courts of Heaven to a humble stable and we will also learn the disinterest of the world around him when this greatest of all events is taking place." [24:08] (Download)
"God the Father is like Jesus; there is no un-Christlike aspect of God the Father. All the mercy, compassion, love, readiness to help, forgiveness, and willingness to sacrifice we see in Jesus is in God the Father." [26:12] (Download)
"Jesus enters our world in the territory that is comfortable for the everyday working person, not the elite, not the rich, even those people that had a job that others might have looked down on somewhat." [11:23] (Download)
"Incarnation is God showing up in a new way, fully God and fully human. He came through a human birth, just like every other birth, an ordinary birth of something extraordinary." [17:21] (Download)
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