Emmanuel: Celebrating God's Sovereignty and Love This Christmas
Summary
The sermon today focused on the greatness and sovereignty of God, particularly through the lens of the Christmas story. We began by reflecting on a prayer from Ephesians, which set the tone for understanding the depth of God's love and power. This love is not just a concept but a reality that surpasses all understanding, inviting us to imagine and ask for more than we can conceive, according to His power at work within us.
We explored the theme of God's greatness by examining the promise of a sovereign king, as foretold in the scriptures. This king, Jesus, is not just a historical figure but the creator and sustainer of all things. The sermon highlighted the danger of blending cultural beliefs with the gospel, emphasizing the importance of holding onto the full truth of God's word. Any dilution of this truth is no truth at all.
The message also addressed the heresies that infiltrated the early church, such as the worship of angels and the acceptance of evolution over divine creation. These serve as warnings for us today to remain vigilant against allowing secular ideas to undermine our faith. The sermon underscored that Jesus is the glue that holds everything together, and His birth is a testament to God's sovereignty and love.
Christmas is more than a celebration of Jesus' birth; it is a declaration of God's initiative to be with us, to redeem and restore us. The prophetic words of the Old Testament, fulfilled in Jesus, affirm His identity as the Messiah. This season is an opportunity to reflect on who is the king in our lives, as we cannot serve two masters.
The sermon concluded with a call to live in the power, purpose, and presence of Christ. We are encouraged to trust in God's plan, letting go of past pains and embracing the inheritance we have in Christ. This Christmas, we are reminded that God is with us, and His presence brings peace, joy, and purpose to our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Love and Power: God's love is immeasurable and surpasses all understanding. It invites us to imagine and ask for more than we can conceive, according to His power at work within us. This love is not just a concept but a reality that transforms our lives. [28:42]
2. The Danger of Diluted Truth: Blending cultural beliefs with the gospel dilutes the truth of God's word. Any truth that is watered down is no truth at all. We must remain vigilant against allowing secular ideas to undermine our faith. [35:29]
3. Jesus, the Sustainer: Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things. His birth is a testament to God's sovereignty and love. He is the glue that holds everything together, and His presence in our lives brings peace and purpose. [37:54]
4. Living in God's Power and Purpose: We are called to live in the power and purpose of Christ. Trusting in God's plan requires letting go of past pains and embracing the inheritance we have in Him. This trust brings joy and peace, even in difficult times. [49:38]
5. Emmanuel, God with Us: Christmas is a declaration of God's initiative to be with us, to redeem and restore us. We are reminded that God is with us, and His presence brings peace, joy, and purpose to our lives. This season, we must choose who will be the king in our lives. [01:03:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:42] - Opening Prayer and Reflection
- [35:29] - The Greatness of God
- [37:54] - Jesus, the Sustainer
- [40:04] - Prophetic Fulfillment
- [42:50] - The Sovereign King
- [44:52] - The Battle for Authority
- [46:27] - God's Initiative
- [49:38] - Living in God's Power
- [50:50] - The Power of Love and Peace
- [52:56] - The Cosmic Christ
- [54:49] - Our Inheritance in Christ
- [57:27] - Living with Purpose
- [01:03:11] - Living in His Presence
- [01:11:14] - Invitation to Know Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 3:14-21
2. Colossians 1:15-20
3. Isaiah 9:6-7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 3:14-21, what does Paul pray for the believers in Ephesus to experience in their inner being? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on God’s love and power? [28:42]
2. In Colossians 1:15-20, what roles are attributed to Jesus in creation and sustaining the universe? How does this passage support the sermon’s claim that Jesus is the glue that holds everything together? [37:54]
3. Isaiah 9:6-7 describes several titles for the coming Messiah. How do these titles reflect the sermon’s message about Jesus being the sovereign king and the Prince of Peace? [40:04]
4. What warnings does the sermon give about blending cultural beliefs with the gospel, and how does this relate to the heresies mentioned in Colossians? [35:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the depth of God’s love, as described in Ephesians 3:14-21, challenge or change a believer’s perspective on their relationship with God? [28:42]
2. The sermon warns against the dilution of truth by cultural beliefs. How might this warning apply to contemporary issues within the church today? [35:29]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus’ role as the sustainer of all things impacts a believer’s daily life and faith journey? [37:54]
4. How does the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus, as discussed in the sermon, strengthen the believer’s faith in God’s sovereignty and plan? [40:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges. How can the understanding that Jesus is the sustainer of all things provide peace and assurance in such moments? [37:54]
2. The sermon emphasizes the danger of blending cultural beliefs with the gospel. Are there any cultural beliefs or practices in your life that might be diluting your faith? How can you address these influences? [35:29]
3. Christmas is described as a declaration of God’s initiative to be with us. How can you make this season a time to deepen your awareness of God’s presence in your life? [46:27]
4. The sermon calls believers to live in the power, purpose, and presence of Christ. What specific steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God’s purpose for you? [49:38]
5. Consider the idea that you cannot serve two masters. What are some “kings” in your life that compete with Jesus for authority? How can you prioritize Jesus as the sovereign king in your life? [44:52]
6. The sermon encourages letting go of past pains to embrace the inheritance in Christ. Is there a past hurt or regret you need to release? What practical steps can you take to move forward in God’s peace and joy? [49:38]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of God’s immeasurable love and power in your daily routine, especially during this Christmas season? [28:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Boundless Reality of God's Love
God's love is not merely an abstract concept but a transformative reality that surpasses all human understanding. It invites believers to imagine and ask for more than they can conceive, according to His power at work within them. This love is a dynamic force that reshapes lives, offering a depth of relationship with God that is both intimate and profound. As believers reflect on this love, they are encouraged to open their hearts to the possibilities that God's power can bring into their lives, trusting that His love is active and present in every circumstance. [28:42]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel limited by your own understanding. How can you invite God's immeasurable love to transform your perspective and actions in this area today?
Day 2: Guarding the Integrity of God's Truth
In a world where cultural beliefs often blend with spiritual truths, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of God's word. Any dilution of this truth is no truth at all, and believers must remain vigilant against allowing secular ideas to undermine their faith. This vigilance requires a commitment to discernment and a willingness to stand firm in the full truth of the gospel, even when it contradicts popular opinion. By holding fast to God's word, believers can navigate the complexities of modern life with clarity and conviction. [35:29]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Identify a cultural belief or idea that has subtly influenced your understanding of the gospel. How can you realign your perspective with the undiluted truth of God's word today?
Day 3: Jesus, the Sustainer of All Things
Jesus is not only the historical figure celebrated at Christmas but the creator and sustainer of all things. His birth is a testament to God's sovereignty and love, and His presence is the glue that holds everything together. In recognizing Jesus as the sustainer, believers are reminded of His constant presence and the peace and purpose He brings to their lives. This understanding calls for a deeper reliance on Him, trusting that He is actively involved in every aspect of creation and personal life. [37:54]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel things are falling apart. How can you invite Jesus to be the sustainer and bring His peace and purpose into this situation?
Day 4: Embracing God's Power and Purpose
Living in the power and purpose of Christ involves trusting in God's plan and letting go of past pains. This trust allows believers to embrace the inheritance they have in Christ, bringing joy and peace even in difficult times. By focusing on God's purpose, believers can find direction and meaning in their lives, knowing that they are part of a larger divine narrative. This perspective encourages a proactive approach to faith, where believers actively seek to align their lives with God's will. [49:38]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What past pain or regret are you holding onto that hinders you from embracing God's purpose? How can you begin to release it and trust in His new work in your life today?
Day 5: Emmanuel, God with Us
Christmas is a declaration of God's initiative to be with us, to redeem and restore us. This season is an opportunity to reflect on who is the king in our lives, as we cannot serve two masters. The presence of God brings peace, joy, and purpose, reminding believers that they are never alone. By choosing to make God the king of their lives, believers can experience the fullness of His presence and the transformative power it brings. This choice requires intentionality and a daily commitment to prioritize God's will above all else. [01:03:11]
Matthew 1:23 (ESV): "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you have allowed other "kings" to take precedence. How can you intentionally make God the king of your life today, experiencing His presence and peace?
Quotes
"And I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power together with all the Lord's holy people to grasp. How wide and how long and how high and how deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses all understanding or knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." [00:14:18] (27 seconds)
"Any truth that is watered down is no truth at all. Let me shout that to you again. Anything that is not full truth, if it's part truth, if it's watered down the least little bit, it's no truth at all." [00:35:29] (15 seconds)
"So everything that we find there sets us up for. For a good strategy before he is before all things. And watch this. And in him, all things hold together. Now, that's a good word for us this morning because it says that in God, in Christ Jesus, he is the glue for all things." [00:36:55] (22 seconds)
"Therefore, it is important to understand as we go into this Christmas season, we're not going into it with some kind of hyped up idea about a baby being born only in a manger. We're talking about the sovereign king being born into our world." [00:37:54] (18 seconds)
"Christmas is also a season where we display our theological connecting to the greatness of our God. So the birth of the Messiah, Jesus, is a testimony to the sovereignty of our God. This is key." [00:38:29] (14 seconds)
"Micah 5 and 2 says, 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 of old, from ancient times." [00:46:27] (18 seconds)
"The sovereign king wants you to live in his presence. Can I just can I just go ahead and tell you that in his presence? There's fullness of joy. Come on. Look at your neighbor and tell them in his presence." [01:03:11] (16 seconds)
"Because he knows apart from him. Watch this. You can do nothing. You lose the inheritance. I'm not talking about the financial gain. I'm talking about the power. I'm talking about listen the peace of his presence. I'm talking about the purpose for your life." [01:10:06] (22 seconds)
"And he became Emmanuel, but he didn't come to just hang out with us. It came to redeem us and restore us and to empower you to be able to live a life of purpose in his presence that would glorify and honor him." [01:15:20] (22 seconds)
"This is the real truth. Without deception. That God loves you. He loves you so much that while you were yet dead in your sins. He sent his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him." [01:16:02] (18 seconds)
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