Embracing the Joy of Jesus: Our Eternal King

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unexpected Plans for Our Lives

God's plans for us often exceed our expectations, as seen in the life of David. Despite being the youngest and least likely, God chose him for a significant purpose. This teaches us that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or past, to fulfill His divine plans. David's story is a testament to the fact that God sees beyond our limitations and societal labels, choosing us for roles we might never envision for ourselves. His life, filled with both triumphs and sorrows, reflects the unpredictable yet purposeful nature of God's plans. [01:03]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overlooked or underestimated. How can you trust in God's greater plan for your life today, even if it seems unlikely or unexpected?

Day 2: The Eternal Significance of Our Relationship with Jesus

The most important aspect of our lives is our relationship with Jesus. Achievements and accolades fade, but our connection with Christ is eternal. This relationship defines our true identity and purpose, transcending all earthly accomplishments. In a world that often measures worth by success and status, the eternal bond with Jesus offers a deeper, unshakeable foundation. It is through this relationship that we find our true selves and understand our place in God's kingdom. [03:24]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus, ensuring it remains the central focus of your life?

Day 3: Jesus, the Fulfillment of God's Promise

The promise of a kingdom that lasts forever was fulfilled in Jesus, who is both David's descendant and his Lord. This dual identity of Jesus as both God and man is central to understanding His role as the Savior. He bridges the gap between humanity and divinity, offering us a path to eternal life. Jesus' birth and life are the realization of God's promise, a testament to His faithfulness and love for humanity. Through Jesus, we are invited into a kingdom that transcends time and space, offering hope and salvation to all who believe. [05:18]

"And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:16, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as both God and man impact your view of His role in your life and His promise of eternal life?

Day 4: Jesus' Victory Over Sin and Death

The story of David and Goliath is a metaphor for Jesus' victory over sin and death. Just as David faced Goliath, Jesus faced the ultimate enemies on our behalf. His victory is our victory, achieved not by our strength but by His sacrifice and resurrection. This triumph is the essence of Christmas, a celebration of what has been done for us, not what we must do. It reminds us that through Jesus, we are more than conquerors, freed from the bondage of sin and death. [21:55]

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a "giant" in your life that you are currently facing. How can you rely on Jesus' victory to overcome this challenge today?

Day 5: Recognizing Jesus as the King of Kings

Jesus is the King of Kings, the ultimate ruler who surpasses all earthly kings, including David. His reign is characterized by justice, mercy, and love, offering us a model of leadership and a source of hope. Recognizing Him as our King transforms our lives and aligns us with His eternal kingdom. This Christmas, let us rejoice in His victory and the eternal life He offers, acknowledging His sovereignty and embracing His rule in our hearts and lives. [26:26]

"On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize Jesus as King? What steps can you take to submit to His loving authority and leadership today?

Sermon Summary

It is a joy to share the story of Christmas, a narrative that intertwines with my own life and lineage. As the youngest in my family, I never imagined the plans God had for me, much like how He has plans for each of you. My life was filled with triumphs and sorrows, but the most significant aspect was my relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the most important thing about me, and it will be for you as well. God made a promise through the prophet Nathan that a descendant of mine would establish a kingdom that lasts forever, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Jesus, my greater son, is both my descendant and my Lord. He is the God-man, born into my lineage but from above, embodying the promise that God would be his Father. This promise was not just for me but for all who believe. The story of my life, including the well-known battle with Goliath, serves as a window into understanding Jesus' mission. Just as I faced Goliath, Jesus faced the greater giants of sin and death, winning a victory for all of us. His triumph is the essence of Christmas, a celebration of what has been done for us, not what we must do.

After my victory over Goliath, I was made king, but my failures showed the need for a greater king. Jesus is that King, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He stands with us, fights for us, and brings the benefits of His triumph to all who belong to Him. This Christmas, let us recognize Jesus as our King and Lord, rejoicing in His victory and the eternal life He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. God's plans for us often exceed our expectations, as seen in my life. Despite being the youngest and least likely, God chose me for a significant purpose. This teaches us that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or past, to fulfill His divine plans. [01:03]
2. The most important aspect of our lives is our relationship with Jesus. Achievements and accolades fade, but our connection with Christ is eternal. This relationship defines our true identity and purpose, transcending all earthly accomplishments. [03:24]
3. The promise of a kingdom that lasts forever was fulfilled in Jesus, who is both my descendant and my Lord. This dual identity of Jesus as both God and man is central to understanding His role as the Savior. He bridges the gap between humanity and divinity, offering us a path to eternal life. [05:18]
4. The story of David and Goliath is a metaphor for Jesus' victory over sin and death. Just as I faced Goliath, Jesus faced the ultimate enemies on our behalf. His victory is our victory, achieved not by our strength but by His sacrifice and resurrection. [21:55]
5. Jesus is the King of Kings, the ultimate ruler who surpasses all earthly kings, including myself. His reign is characterized by justice, mercy, and love, offering us a model of leadership and a source of hope. Recognizing Him as our King transforms our lives and aligns us with His eternal kingdom. [26:26]
** [26:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to the Christmas Story
[00:33] - God's Unexpected Plans
[01:03] - Triumphs and Sorrows
[02:14] - Achievements vs. Relationship with Jesus
[03:42] - The Promise of a Lasting Kingdom
[05:18] - Jesus: My Son and My Lord
[06:39] - The Davidic Line and Its Challenges
[09:28] - The Joy of Jesus' Birth
[11:37] - The Shepherds and the Angels
[13:23] - Jesus as the Son of David
[16:38] - The Story of David and Goliath
[21:36] - Jesus' Greater Victory
[23:35] - The Significance of Christmas
[26:26] - Jesus: The Greatest King
[27:51] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

I was the youngest in my family. It's not easy being the youngest, as some of you know. Everyone picks on you, and there isn't always an awful lot you can do about it. When I was young, I wanted to be like my brothers. They got to do all the fun stuff. My job? I got left out there watching the sheep. If someone had come and told me that one of my father's sons would one day be the king of Israel, I would never have guessed in a million years that it would have been me. But God had plans for me that were more wonderful than anything I could have dreamed. [00:33:03]

The most important thing about me is not anything to do with the great achievements of my life. The most important thing about me is my relationship with Jesus, and one day all of you will discover that that's true for you as well. In fact, your pastor told me that some of you are big shots in business and in the city. Well, that's not exactly how he put it, but I guess that's what he meant. Well, I'm here to tell you that whatever you may achieve in your life, the most important thing about you is your relationship with Jesus. [00:27:40]

God had said that when my days were over, he would raise up my offspring, that's what God said, to succeed me, and that a future son to be born beyond the time of my death, that he would be the one to build God's house. It was amazing. Now think about this: God never made a promise like that to Moses or to Joshua or to any of the judges, but God made that promise to me. After you're dead and gone, David, there will be an offspring, and he will be the one to build a house for my name. [00:39:38]

God said two amazing things about this person. God said, "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." That made me scratch my head. No king lasts forever. How could any descendant of mine have a kingdom that lasts forever? And then God said something even more staggering. He said about this offspring of mine, God said, "I will be his father, and he will be my son." That was absolutely staggering to me. How could any son of mine be son to God? [00:47:51]

Everything that happened before the coming of Jesus was for this purpose. Your Bible says this: in order to shed light on who he is and why it is that he has come into the world. And what God did for Israel on that day is a window through which you can see what God has done for his people through Jesus. My greater son has come to fight a greater battle and to win a greater victory for you. [21:28:29]

You will face greater giants than Goliath. The real giants of your life, though you may not think about them every day, are these: sin and death. Nothing else in your life comes close to the scale of these giants, and none of us can overcome them, not one of us. But Jesus came to the field of battle. He came to stand with us, and he came to fight for us. [21:55:19]

Think about the day that I fought Goliath, and it will give you light on what Jesus came to do. The armies of God did not defeat Goliath. How could they? He was too strong. All they did was sit on the hillside and watch. They saw me, a single person, go down to the brook, and they said to themselves, "If he wins, we win, and if he loses, we're all gone." Everything hangs on what happens to that one man in this battle. [22:32:59]

Christmas is him arriving on your scene of battle, coming so that he can confront the enemy that none of us can overcome. And when he steps down into the valley of the shadow of death, he does that as our champion. Everything for you and for me hangs on what happens to him there. If he wins, we win. If he loses, there is no other hope for us. [23:20:15]

By dying, he bears sin, he brings death to death, and he splinters the very gates of hell. And on the third day, he rises in triumph over all the power of death and opens the way into everlasting life for all of his people. Friends, the Lord Jesus has accomplished a great victory, and he has done it for all his people so that we may live in the good of his triumph, even although we did not accomplish any of it ourselves. [24:11:44]

That is why Christmas is good news. It is not about what you have to do; it is about what has been done for you by this one man who came to stand with us and went into the fight that we could not win for us. Christ came to us, Christ fought for us, and Christ brings the benefit of his triumph to all who belong to him. [25:01:32]

I'm here to tell you that Jesus is the greatest king, that he is the King of Kings, that he is the Lord of Lords. He's the son of David, but he's my Lord, and I hope that he's your Lord too. [26:23:57]

Our Father, we bow before you in worship to the one who is son of David and son of God. We bless you that he is the one who has come to take his stand with us and to enter the fight for us, and that he is indeed exalted at your right hand until all his enemies shall be placed under his feet. [26:51:14]

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