Embracing the Savior: The Heart of Christmas

 

Summary

In tonight's gathering, we are reminded of the profound connection between music and the message of Christmas. As we listen to the choir and orchestra, it's not just about appreciating their technical excellence but about opening our hearts to what God is communicating to us through these melodies. The story of the angels appearing to the shepherds on the first Christmas night serves as a powerful illustration. The shepherds, going about their ordinary lives, were suddenly met with a divine message delivered through song, revealing the birth of a Savior in Bethlehem. This narrative underscores the truth that we all need a Savior, not just a good example or teacher, but someone who can truly save us from our struggles, be it mental health issues, addiction, or any other burdens we carry.

Jesus' incarnation is a testament to God's desire to unite His story with ours, transforming us from mere creations to adopted children of God. This transformation is available to everyone, and it begins with trusting Jesus Christ. The true meaning of Christmas is found in this divine love and purpose for our lives. If you have never trusted Christ, know that God knows your name and has a purpose for you. By surrendering control and trusting in Jesus, the child from Bethlehem, you can experience a life-changing relationship with God.

Tonight, if you feel a stirring in your heart, an invitation to stop running and trust Jesus, I encourage you to respond. This decision to trust Christ is the most important one you can make, moving from being made by God to becoming a child of God. If you prayed to trust Jesus tonight, I invite you to share this decision with someone, whether it's me, a friend, or a leader here. Embrace this new life and hope, knowing you are incredibly loved by God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Music in Worship: Music in worship is not just about technical excellence but about opening our hearts to God's message. It invites us to listen deeply to what God is communicating, drawing us closer to Him and His purpose for our lives. [42:12]

2. The Need for a Savior: We all face struggles and burdens that we cannot overcome on our own. Jesus came not just as a teacher or example but as a Savior, offering us redemption and hope in our darkest times. [01:18:09]

3. The Incarnation's Significance: Jesus' incarnation is a profound act of love, uniting His story with ours and transforming us from creations to children of God. This relationship is available to all who trust in Him. [01:22:54]

4. Responding to God's Call: If you feel God calling you, it's an invitation to stop running and trust Him with your life. This decision is transformative, moving you from being made by God to becoming His child. [01:23:50]

5. Sharing Your Decision: If you've chosen to trust Jesus, share this decision with others. It's a step into a new life filled with hope and love, and being part of a community can support and nurture this journey. [01:25:20]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:12] - The Message in Music
[43:32] - Offering and Mission
[01:18:09] - The Need for a Savior
[01:22:54] - Jesus' Incarnation
[01:23:50] - Invitation to Trust
[01:24:37] - Prayer of Commitment
[01:25:20] - Sharing Your Decision
[01:26:18] - Closing Prayer and Song

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:8-14 - The story of the angels appearing to the shepherds.
2. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
3. Romans 8:14-17 - Adoption as children of God.

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the reaction of the shepherds when the angels appeared to them, and how did the angels communicate the message of Jesus' birth? [01:18:09]

2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' incarnation in relation to our relationship with God? [01:22:54]

3. What role does music play in the worship service, according to the sermon, and how is it connected to the message of Christmas? [42:12]

4. What invitation does the pastor extend to those who feel God calling them during the sermon? [01:23:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the story of the angels and shepherds illustrate the need for a Savior beyond just a teacher or example? [01:18:09]

2. How does the concept of Jesus' incarnation as described in the sermon deepen our understanding of God's love and purpose for humanity? [01:22:54]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of trusting in Jesus, and how does this relate to becoming a child of God? [01:23:50]

4. How does the pastor's invitation to trust Jesus reflect the broader message of hope and redemption found in the Christmas story? [01:23:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when music in worship has deeply impacted your understanding of God's message. How can you be more intentional in listening for God's voice through music? [42:12]

2. Identify a struggle or burden in your life where you feel the need for a Savior. How can you invite Jesus into that specific area for healing and redemption? [01:18:09]

3. Consider the significance of Jesus' incarnation in your own life. How does knowing that God desires a personal relationship with you change your perspective on your daily interactions? [01:22:54]

4. If you feel God calling you to trust Him more deeply, what steps can you take this week to respond to that call? How can you share this journey with someone in your community? [01:23:50]

5. Have you ever shared your decision to trust Jesus with someone else? If not, what might be holding you back, and how can you overcome that barrier to share your faith story? [01:25:20]

6. How can you support others in your community who are on their journey to trusting Jesus? What role can you play in nurturing their faith and helping them feel loved by God? [01:25:20]

7. Reflect on the pastor's encouragement to embrace a new life filled with hope and love. What practical steps can you take to live out this new identity as a child of God in your everyday life? [01:25:20]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Transformative Power of Music in Worship
Music in worship serves as a conduit for divine communication, inviting us to open our hearts to God's message. It is not merely about the technical skill of the choir or orchestra but about the spiritual experience that unfolds as we listen. The melodies and harmonies can touch our souls, drawing us closer to God's purpose for our lives. Just as the angels delivered a divine message to the shepherds through song, music in worship today continues to reveal God's love and intentions for us. By engaging with music in this way, we allow ourselves to be transformed and inspired by the divine presence. [42:12]

Psalm 40:3 (ESV): "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."

Reflection: How can you intentionally listen to worship music this week, allowing it to open your heart to what God might be communicating to you?


Day 2: Recognizing Our Need for a Savior
In our lives, we all encounter struggles and burdens that we cannot overcome on our own. These challenges, whether they be mental health issues, addiction, or other personal battles, highlight our need for a Savior. Jesus came not just as a teacher or a moral example but as a Savior who offers redemption and hope in our darkest times. His birth in Bethlehem was a divine intervention, providing a path to salvation and a source of strength for those who trust in Him. By acknowledging our need for a Savior, we open ourselves to the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace. [01:18:09]

Isaiah 43:11 (ESV): "I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior."

Reflection: Identify a specific struggle or burden you are facing. How can you invite Jesus into this area of your life to experience His saving grace?


Day 3: The Profound Significance of the Incarnation
The incarnation of Jesus is a profound act of divine love, where God chose to unite His story with ours. This event transforms us from mere creations to adopted children of God, offering us a new identity and purpose. Jesus' birth signifies God's desire to be intimately involved in our lives, providing a way for us to experience His love and guidance. This relationship is available to everyone who chooses to trust in Him, offering a path to spiritual renewal and transformation. By embracing the incarnation, we acknowledge the depth of God's love and His desire for a personal relationship with each of us. [01:22:54]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: Reflect on what it means to be an adopted child of God. How does this identity influence your daily life and decisions?


Day 4: Responding to God's Call
Feeling a stirring in your heart is often an invitation from God to stop running and trust Him with your life. This decision to trust Christ is transformative, moving you from being made by God to becoming His child. It is a call to surrender control and embrace a life-changing relationship with Jesus. By responding to this call, you open yourself to the hope and love that God offers, allowing His presence to guide and shape your life. Trusting in Jesus is the most important decision you can make, leading to spiritual growth and fulfillment. [01:23:50]

1 Samuel 3:10 (ESV): "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel God is calling you to trust Him more deeply? What steps can you take today to respond to this call?


Day 5: Sharing Your Decision to Trust Jesus
If you have chosen to trust Jesus, sharing this decision with others is an important step in your spiritual journey. It signifies a commitment to a new life filled with hope and love, and being part of a community can support and nurture this journey. By sharing your decision, you invite others to witness the transformation in your life and encourage them to explore their own faith. This act of sharing not only strengthens your relationship with God but also builds a supportive network of fellow believers who can walk alongside you in your spiritual growth. [01:25:20]

Philemon 1:6 (ESV): "And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."

Reflection: Who can you share your decision to trust Jesus with this week? How can this conversation encourage both you and the person you share with in your faith journeys?

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Quotes

"We're going to take up an offering. And we do this because one of the things that we're deeply passionate about is saturating Spartanburg, the Carolinas, and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that's a mission that we've committed ourselves. We want to see every single person in Spartanburg, the Carolinas, and the world know that there is a Savior in heaven that loves them." [00:42:58] (21 seconds)


"And as you're listening to the music, I just want to invite you to just press into what is being sung. When we're listening to this music, it's not just simply music that we get to appreciate and just kind of watch the technical excellence of the choir and the orchestra and how Steve's leading everything. All that stuff is great, but the most important part is the message." [00:42:12] (21 seconds)


"Music and Christmas have had a connection from the very beginning feel back to the very first Christmas the angels appear to the shepherds what I love about that story is that the shepherds are minding their business they're out in the fields watching their flocks and they're just kind of having a night just like any night there's no electricity they're sitting by a fire and then an angel shows up and he says don't be afraid the reason he says that is because they're probably freaking out wouldn't you angel middle of nowhere showing up all you know is that angels are warriors and they are messengers and then the angel does something that surprises them." [01:18:09] (51 seconds)


"All of us have a need for a Savior. That's why Jesus came. You see, when Jesus stepped out of heaven and into earth, when he took on flesh, he came and united his story with ours so that we could no longer be apart from the story that God was telling in history." [01:21:03] (22 seconds)


"When Jesus came and took on flesh, he said, I'm going to become one of you so you can understand what it looks like to be somebody who's truly in a relationship with God, where you can move from simply being God's created intellectual property to a relationship with God. People that God created in his image to now becoming adopted sons and daughters of the King of the universe." [01:22:54] (27 seconds)


"And so I don't want anyone to leave a night like tonight, and go back home without hearing that you today can choose Christ and trust him with your life. And the way that you do that is simply by saying, Jesus, I want in. I want you." [01:22:37] (17 seconds)


"I'm giving up full control of my life, and I'm trusting the child from Bethlehem because he is the hope of the world. Because the Savior is not just born to us. He's born to you and to me." [01:22:54] (14 seconds)


"And you can simply just do that by praying a prayer like this. You pray straight to Jesus, not to anybody else. And just tell him, Jesus, Jesus, I'm in. I know that I've been running. I've been running for a long time, and tonight I want to stop running." [01:23:50] (20 seconds)


"I want to trust you with all the brokenness of my story, all the rebellion, all the times that I've thought that I don't need you, and I want to trust you with my life. I'm doing that right now." [01:24:37] (14 seconds)


"And friend, if you prayed that prayer tonight, it's the most important decision you can ever make. You move from being somebody who is made by God to being a child of God." [01:25:20] (15 seconds)


"And I want you to tell somebody. You can tell me, you can tell a friend, you can tell the person you came with, you can tell one of our leaders afterwards. But if you want to tell me right now, you can just raise your hand and let me know if there's anybody who made that decision tonight. If that's you, I want to just help you." [01:25:20] (15 seconds)


"God, I pray that today would be a day of new life and new hope. And God, I pray that they'll experience how incredibly loved, they are by you. Thank you for these brothers and sisters that have joined the family." [01:26:18] (17 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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