Embracing Love: The Advent Call to Action
Summary
In this season of Advent, we are reminded of the profound love that came down to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, with love being the focus this week. The story of Jesus' birth is a testament to God's love for humanity, a love that was promised through the prophets and fulfilled in the humble town of Bethlehem. This love is not just a historical event but a living reality that calls us to action.
The prophecy from Micah reminds us that God's plans often defy human expectations. Jesus, the Savior, was born in Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant place, and came as a shepherd, not a king. This choice underscores the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where the last are first, and the humble are exalted. Jesus' life and ministry exemplified this, as He reached out to the marginalized and brought dignity to those society shunned.
Mary and Joseph's response to God's call is a powerful example of faith and obedience. Despite the potential for shame and misunderstanding, they embraced their roles in God's plan with humility and courage. Their story challenges us to consider how we respond to God's call in our own lives. Are we willing to sacrifice and serve, even when it means facing difficulties or going against societal norms?
As we await Christ's return, we are in a new season of anticipation. This is not a time for passive waiting but for active participation in God's work on earth. We are called to mirror the love of Christ in our communities, to be light in the darkness, and to share the hope and peace that Jesus brings. This Christmas, let us be inspired by the love that drove Mary and Joseph, and let us commit to showing that love to others in tangible ways.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Unexpected Plans: God's choice of Bethlehem and a shepherd to herald the Savior's birth highlights His tendency to work through the unexpected and the humble. This reminds us that God's ways are not our ways, and His plans often defy human logic to reveal a deeper truth. [25:27]
2. Mary and Joseph's Faithful Response: The courage and obedience of Mary and Joseph in accepting God's call, despite the potential for shame and misunderstanding, serve as a powerful example of faith. Their story challenges us to consider how we respond to God's call in our own lives. [34:15]
3. The Upside-Down Kingdom: Jesus' life and ministry exemplified an upside-down kingdom where the marginalized are prioritized, and societal norms are challenged. This calls us to reflect on how we can embody these values in our interactions with others. [30:02]
4. Active Anticipation: As we await Christ's return, we are called to actively participate in God's work on earth. This involves sharing the love and hope of Christ with others, being a light in the darkness, and living out the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. [49:57]
5. Love as the Driving Force: The love that drove Mary and Joseph to embrace their roles in God's plan is the same love that should drive us to serve others. This Christmas, let us be inspired by their example and commit to showing Christ's love in tangible ways. [51:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:23] - Commissioned to Show Love
- [25:27] - The Promise of Bethlehem
- [27:48] - God's Timing and Promises
- [30:02] - The Upside-Down Kingdom
- [31:24] - The Annunciation to Mary
- [32:39] - Mary's Choice and Sacrifice
- [34:15] - Joseph's Dream and Decision
- [35:51] - The Messiah's Humble Arrival
- [36:40] - Mary's Song of Praise
- [38:37] - The Cost of Love
- [39:30] - The Role of Mary and Joseph
- [41:34] - The Power of Love
- [42:39] - Jesus' Life and Sacrifice
- [44:54] - The Final Sacrifice
- [46:35] - Anticipation of Christ's Return
- [49:11] - The Beauty of the Eschaton
- [49:57] - Active Participation in God's Work
- [51:52] - Emulating Mary and Joseph's Love
- [53:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Micah 5:2-5
2. Luke 1:26-38
3. Hebrews 10:5-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the prophecy in Micah 5:2-5 reveal about the birthplace and role of the coming Savior? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on God’s unexpected plans? [25:27]
2. In Luke 1:26-38, how does Mary respond to the angel Gabriel's message, and what does this reveal about her character? [32:39]
3. According to Hebrews 10:5-10, what is the significance of Jesus' sacrifice compared to the Old Testament sacrifices? [44:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the nature of Jesus' kingdom, and how does this contrast with societal expectations of a Messiah? [30:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might the choice of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus suggest about God's values and priorities? How does this challenge our own expectations of significance? [27:48]
2. How does Mary and Joseph's willingness to embrace their roles in God's plan serve as a model for responding to divine callings in our lives? [34:15]
3. In what ways does the concept of an "upside-down kingdom" challenge the way we view power and leadership in our communities? [30:02]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to actively participate in God's work during this season of anticipation? What does this look like in practical terms? [49:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God’s plan for you was unexpected or defied your expectations. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [27:48]
2. Mary and Joseph faced potential shame and misunderstanding in their obedience to God. Are there areas in your life where you feel called to act despite potential criticism or misunderstanding? How can you find courage in their example? [34:15]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of showing love in tangible ways. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate Christ’s love in your community this Christmas season. [51:52]
4. How can you embody the values of Jesus' "upside-down kingdom" in your daily interactions, especially with those who are marginalized or overlooked? [30:02]
5. As we await Christ’s return, what are some practical steps you can take to actively participate in God’s work on earth? How can you be a light in your community? [49:57]
6. Consider the love that drove Mary and Joseph to embrace their roles in God’s plan. How can you let love be the driving force in your decisions and actions this week? [51:52]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to active anticipation. What is one area of your life where you can shift from passive waiting to active engagement in God’s mission? [49:57]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: God's Unconventional Choices
God often chooses the unexpected and humble to fulfill His plans, as seen in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This small, seemingly insignificant town was chosen to be the birthplace of the Savior, highlighting God's tendency to work through the unexpected. This choice challenges human logic and reveals a deeper truth about God's kingdom, where the last are first, and the humble are exalted. The prophecy from Micah reminds us that God's plans often defy human expectations, encouraging us to trust in His wisdom and timing. [25:27]
Micah 5:2 (ESV): "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel insignificant or overlooked. How might God be using this situation to reveal His greater purpose?
Day 2: Faithful Obedience in Uncertainty
Mary and Joseph's response to God's call is a powerful example of faith and obedience. Despite the potential for shame and misunderstanding, they embraced their roles in God's plan with humility and courage. Their story challenges us to consider how we respond to God's call in our own lives. Are we willing to sacrifice and serve, even when it means facing difficulties or going against societal norms? Their faithfulness invites us to trust in God's plan, even when it is not clear or easy. [34:15]
Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV): "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, despite uncertainty or fear? How can you take a step of obedience today?
Day 3: Embracing the Upside-Down Kingdom
Jesus' life and ministry exemplified an upside-down kingdom where the marginalized are prioritized, and societal norms are challenged. This calls us to reflect on how we can embody these values in our interactions with others. Jesus reached out to the marginalized and brought dignity to those society shunned, demonstrating that God's kingdom values humility and service over power and prestige. We are invited to follow His example and prioritize those who are often overlooked or marginalized in our communities. [30:02]
Luke 4:18-19 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Reflection: Who in your community is marginalized or overlooked? How can you reach out to them and show them the love and dignity that Jesus exemplified?
Day 4: Active Participation in Anticipation
As we await Christ's return, we are called to actively participate in God's work on earth. This involves sharing the love and hope of Christ with others, being a light in the darkness, and living out the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives. This is not a time for passive waiting but for active engagement in God's mission. We are invited to mirror the love of Christ in our communities and to be agents of hope and peace in a world that desperately needs it. [49:57]
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (ESV): "For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can actively participate in God's work in your community this week? How can you be a light in the darkness?
Day 5: Love as the Driving Force
The love that drove Mary and Joseph to embrace their roles in God's plan is the same love that should drive us to serve others. This Christmas, let us be inspired by their example and commit to showing Christ's love in tangible ways. Love is not just a feeling but a call to action, inviting us to serve and sacrifice for others. As we reflect on the love that came down to earth in the form of Jesus, we are challenged to let that love be the driving force in our lives, motivating us to serve and care for those around us. [51:52]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can show Christ's love to in a tangible way this week? What specific action can you take to demonstrate that love?
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Quotes
"Micah 5, verses 2 -5. Not Micah 2. But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth, and he will be our peace." [00:26:08]
"As God spoke through Micah, Micah, one of the prophets, that someone that God chose to speak to his people mentioned that he would come from Bethlehem and that he would be a shepherd. But why these things? It doesn't make sense, right? If you're going to have this Messiah come, the one who's going to save all of humanity, who's going to come and fix everything, why a shepherd? Why from Bethlehem? Well, as we look all through our scripture, we see that God doesn't do things the way we think they should be done." [00:28:48]
"We look at the life and the ministry of Jesus and it's kind of sometimes described as he came to bring an upside down kingdom, different way of thinking. But really, he came to make things right side up, the way things were meant to be. When you look at those that were shunned in society, Jesus went to them first and highlighted their significance. When you look at those that were maybe looked down upon, that were seen as shameful, Jesus chose to highlight them, to focus them." [00:29:23]
"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus. He will be great, and he will be called the son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever. His kingdom will never be." [00:32:39]
"But Mary had this choice, and she chose to serve God, to humble herself in the midst of great sacrifice. In consequence, at the time in her culture to be pregnant outside of wedlock, because at the time she was only engaged to Joseph, this could have brought great shame. And then I wonder if she was thinking about, how am I going to tell Joseph?" [00:33:52]
"Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. He was a respectful. I know that doesn't seem like a great choice. It's like, she's pregnant, she's alone, I'm going to divorce you. But he was trying to do the right thing. He was trying to save her from this public disgrace, this shame." [00:35:06]
"God's plan was to see love come down to this earth, to see love in action. And that was what I think drove Mary and Joseph to say yes. They humbled themselves before God. They saw God's love for them and wanted to see that love on this earth come through the form of the Messiah." [00:36:40]
"Sometimes I don't think Mary and Joseph are given enough credit. I think there's some deep Christian history that shows how wonderful they are to humble themselves, to choose to serve God in this way. And Scripture doesn't really highlight them a whole lot other than right here. We see Mary mentioned a couple of other times in the life of Jesus. Once going to visit Him. Another time, actually one of the first mentions I think is interesting." [00:39:08]
"Love drove Mary to undergo all of that. Love drove Joseph to say, yes, I will do this. And love came down. And Jesus came in the form of the baby, fully God, fully man. Lived a life like the rest of us, endured trials like the rest of us, temptations, frustrations, I'm sure. All the while, He never sinned, though. And then He died. He chose that. He was willing to do that." [00:42:39]
"And I've seen you mirror that in this city. Because we have that choice to take all of that love that we've been shown and not hold on to it so tightly that it just affects us, but rather hold on to it so loosely that we can then show it to others. To take that light and shine it in those dark places in this world where it's so beautiful. And it seems like there's no hope or no peace or no goodness." [00:50:32]
"Thank you that you love us and care for us so much. Thank you, Jesus, that you were willing to come as this small child, this baby, this infant so helpless, but yet you came both fully God, fully man. You came, you lived life amongst us and showed us love. Showed us what love is and what love looks like." [00:53:27]
"As an example for us to carry on as we patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, await for you coming again to set everything right, to make it perfect. So I pray that while we wait, we would not be passive, but we would continue to be active, showing your love to everyone around us this Christmas, as well as for the rest of this year and into the next. And forever until you return in your" [00:54:20]
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