Embracing the True Gift of Christmas
Summary
Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection on the profound story of Jesus' birth. It's easy to get caught up in the festivities and overlook the deeper meaning behind the season. This year, I encourage you to delve deeper into the Christmas story, exploring the lives of the characters involved and the extraordinary events they experienced. Each person in the story of Jesus was an ordinary individual who became part of something extraordinary. By understanding their stories, we can gain a richer appreciation for the Christmas narrative and feel a deeper warmth towards Jesus.
As we prepare for our Christmas celebrations, let's remember the true essence of the season. The story of Christmas is not just about the birth of a child but the arrival of a King. Isaiah 9:6 tells us of a child born to us, a son given to us, who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy, written 500 years before Jesus' birth, was a whisper of the Messiah, a promise of God with us. It reminds us that God is for us, that He cares deeply for each of us, and that He sent Jesus as a gift, not something we earned or deserved.
Gift-giving at Christmas is a reflection of the ultimate gift God gave us—Jesus. It's a reminder of the joy and anticipation we should feel in receiving God's gift of salvation. The kingdom Jesus came to establish is not a physical place but a community of people who know and love Him. As we celebrate Christmas, let's open the gift of Jesus, making Him the centerpiece of our lives and sharing His love with others.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christmas story is about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events, reminding us that God uses everyday individuals to fulfill His divine purposes. This season, take time to explore the deeper stories of the characters involved in Jesus' birth. [21:05]
- Isaiah 9:6 prophesies the coming of a child who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy, fulfilled in Jesus, assures us that God is with us and for us, offering us His love and presence. [46:34]
- Gift-giving at Christmas reflects the ultimate gift God gave us—Jesus. This act of giving reminds us of the joy and anticipation we should feel in receiving God's gift of salvation, a gift we did not earn but was freely given. [51:22]
- The kingdom Jesus came to establish is not a physical place but a community of people who know and love Him. As believers, we are called to be part of this kingdom, sharing the love of Jesus and building His community on earth. [01:04:26]
- Christmas is an invitation to open the gift of Jesus, making Him the centerpiece of our lives. It's a call to reflect on how we are receiving and sharing the gift of Christ, ensuring that He is our hope and the foundation of our lives. [01:08:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[21:05] - The Deeper Story of Christmas
[42:30] - Anticipation and Celebration
[43:42] - The Stress of Gift-Giving
[46:34] - Isaiah's Prophecy of the Messiah
[48:34] - God's Sign to Ahaz
[49:49] - God is For Us
[51:22] - The Gift of Jesus
[53:08] - Joy of Receiving Gifts
[57:32] - The Attributes of the King
[01:03:06] - The Kingdom of God
[01:04:26] - Becoming God's Children
[01:06:13] - Receiving the Gift of Jesus
[01:08:04] - Reflecting on the Gift
[01:09:17] - Communion and Reflection
[01:19:43] - Vision 2020 Update
[01:22:11] - Saturate: Restore and Reach
[01:25:50] - Chad's Role in the Campaign
[01:29:42] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:6-7
Observation Questions:
1. What are the four titles given to the child in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character and role? [46:34]
2. How does the sermon describe the kingdom that Jesus came to establish, and how is it different from earthly kingdoms? [53:08]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of gift-giving at Christmas, and how does it relate to the ultimate gift God gave us? [51:22]
4. What role do ordinary people play in the Christmas story, and how does this reflect God's use of individuals for His purposes? [21:05]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7 assure believers of God's presence and support in their lives? [46:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the kingdom of God is a community of people rather than a physical place? [01:03:06]
3. How does the concept of Jesus as a "Wonderful Counselor" challenge or expand one's understanding of His role in their life? [57:32]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of receiving and sharing the gift of Jesus during the Christmas season? [01:08:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the ordinary people in the Christmas story. How can you see God using your ordinary life for His extraordinary purposes this season? [21:05]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making Jesus the centerpiece of our lives. What specific steps can you take to ensure Jesus remains central in your daily routine? [01:08:04]
3. Consider the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6. How can you personally experience Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace this Christmas? [46:34]
4. Gift-giving is a reflection of God's ultimate gift. How can you incorporate the spirit of giving into your interactions with others, beyond just material gifts? [51:22]
5. The sermon mentions the kingdom of God as a community. How can you actively participate in building and nurturing this community within your church or local area? [01:03:06]
6. Reflect on the idea of peace as described in the sermon. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's peace, and what steps can you take to pursue it? [57:32]
7. How can you use the Christmas season as an opportunity to share the love and message of Jesus with someone who may not know Him? [01:06:13]
Devotional
Day 1: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes
The Christmas story is a profound reminder that God often chooses ordinary individuals to fulfill His extraordinary plans. Each character in the narrative of Jesus' birth, from Mary and Joseph to the shepherds and wise men, was an ordinary person who became part of a divine story. By exploring their lives and the events they experienced, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the Christmas narrative. This season, take time to delve into the stories of these individuals, understanding how God used them to bring about His purposes. Their stories remind us that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or background, to accomplish His will. [21:05]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "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, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt ordinary or inadequate. How might God be calling you to step into His extraordinary purposes today?
Day 2: The Fulfillment of Prophecy in Jesus
Isaiah 9:6 prophesies the coming of a child who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy, written 500 years before Jesus' birth, was a whisper of the Messiah, a promise of God with us. It assures us that God is with us and for us, offering His love and presence. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus is a testament to God's faithfulness and His plan for salvation. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the significance of Jesus' birth and the hope it brings to the world. [46:34]
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: How does knowing that Jesus' birth was prophesied long before it happened impact your faith in God's promises today?
Day 3: The Gift of Jesus Reflects God's Love
Gift-giving at Christmas is a reflection of the ultimate gift God gave us—Jesus. This act of giving reminds us of the joy and anticipation we should feel in receiving God's gift of salvation, a gift we did not earn but was freely given. The joy of receiving gifts at Christmas should mirror the joy we experience in receiving Jesus into our lives. As we give and receive gifts this season, let us remember the greatest gift of all and the love it represents. [51:22]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: Consider a gift you have received that brought you great joy. How can you express gratitude for the gift of Jesus in your life today?
Day 4: Building the Kingdom of God
The kingdom Jesus came to establish is not a physical place but a community of people who know and love Him. As believers, we are called to be part of this kingdom, sharing the love of Jesus and building His community on earth. This involves living out the values of the kingdom, such as love, peace, and justice, in our daily lives. As we celebrate Christmas, let us commit to being active participants in God's kingdom, sharing His love with those around us and working towards a world that reflects His character. [01:04:26]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to building God's kingdom in your community this week?
Day 5: Making Jesus the Centerpiece of Our Lives
Christmas is an invitation to open the gift of Jesus, making Him the centerpiece of our lives. It's a call to reflect on how we are receiving and sharing the gift of Christ, ensuring that He is our hope and the foundation of our lives. As we reflect on the Christmas story, let us examine our hearts and consider how we can make Jesus the focal point of our lives, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. [01:08:04]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally make Jesus the centerpiece of your daily life, starting today?
Quotes
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love every bit of it, the candy, the music, the lights, the family time. But one of the things that often gets lost in the shuffle is the story of Christmas. And all of us are familiar with the story of Christmas at some level. But have you ever wondered the backstory behind each one of the characters at Christmas? [00:20:15] (22 seconds)
This year, I hope that you go a little bit deeper into your study, into who Jesus is and what we can learn at Christmas. And one of the ways you can do that is through this book that I think is a very helpful guide to the different characters at Christmas. You know, it's fascinating. Every single person in the story of Jesus is a normal person who got caught up into extraordinary events. [00:20:37] (22 seconds)
Because ultimately, everything at this church, everything our lives are about, is about you. That you are worth our worship, and you're worth all of our life. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. [00:42:30] (20 seconds)
But that's not what God revealed. God reveals that he is for us. His posture is for people. He cares about you. And if you don't walk away with anything else today, I want you to hear this. God cares about you. He knows your name. He loves you. He wants you to be in a relationship with him. [00:49:50] (19 seconds)
This language that God gave us Jesus as a gift is a critical idea in the theology of the Bible. In fact, in John 3 .16, which most of us like have memorized, right? It's the most famous verse in the entire Bible. John 3 .16, we find exactly similar language taking place. John says, for God loved the world in this way, that he gave his one and only son to him. [00:51:22] (25 seconds)
There was a gift that first Christmas. It was Jesus. And this is why we give gifts. This is why gifts are so important because the very first gift that we received was Jesus. And when we celebrate gifts, there's something that is unlocked within us where we tap into this idea that God gave Jesus to us. We didn't earn it by being good enough. [00:51:22] (23 seconds)
And you would think at that point, God would say, I'm through with you. But God sent Jesus so that we'd move from just simply being God's creation to being God's children. And that's what God did at Christmas. He made it possible from a child for us to be God's children and gave us a gift unlike anything else. [01:04:26] (29 seconds)
But ultimately, we need to be the kind of people who receive the gift that God is giving us. You know, one of the things that we have here on stage is this present. I know some of you guys have been thinking about it the whole time. Like, when's he going to talk about the present? Is this just like a part of the set or whatever? [01:06:13] (22 seconds)
And today I want to give you an opportunity to reflect on how you're treating the gift that God gave at Christmas. Is Jesus Christ the centerpiece of your life? That's what it means to truly celebrate Christmas. To say, I'm opening the gift, and I'm receiving it. I'm owning it. And my life is now about helping others experience the Prince of Peace. [01:08:04] (31 seconds)
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