Empowered Words: Embracing Faith and Gratitude This Christmas

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound power of our words and the importance of gratitude, especially during the Christmas season. Life often feels overwhelming, leading us to want to "lie down" under the weight of our burdens. However, we are reminded that our true position as believers is to stand firm and use our words to bring life and encouragement. Our words have the power to change our perspective and bring us closer to God.

We delved into the story of Mary in Luke 1, who, despite the uncertainty surrounding her miraculous pregnancy, chose to rise and respond to God's call. Her song, the Magnificat, is a testament to her faith and gratitude. Like Mary, we are encouraged to rise and glorify God, acknowledging His goodness and the blessings He has bestowed upon us. This season, we are called to slow down, appreciate the gifts around us, and recognize the holy moments in our everyday lives.

Mary's response to God's promise mirrors the story of Hannah in the Old Testament, highlighting the theme that nothing is impossible with God. Both women exemplified faith and action, rising to meet God's call despite their circumstances. We are reminded that God's love and favor are not based on our achievements but on His grace and mercy.

In our daily lives, we are encouraged to "repeat the sounding joy," a phrase from the hymn "Joy to the World." This means continually reflecting on God's goodness, speaking His praises, and allowing His joy to fill our hearts. By doing so, we combat the enemy's attempts to fill our minds with anxiety and doubt. Instead, we stand firm in faith, trusting that God is in control and that He will work all things for our good.

As we navigate the challenges of life, we are reminded of God's covenantal love, His unwavering faithfulness, and His power to transform our reality. We are called to trust in His promises, knowing that He is leading us on the wisest path, even when we don't understand. This Christmas, let us declare God's greatness in our thoughts, prayers, and words, trusting in His eternal promises and His love for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Words: Our words hold the power to bring life or death, encouragement or discouragement. By choosing to speak life, we can change our perspective and align ourselves with God's truth. This Christmas, let us use our words to glorify God and bring joy to those around us. [01:18]

2. Rising to Respond: Like Mary, we are called to rise and respond to God's call, even when faced with uncertainty. Her faith and willingness to embrace God's plan serve as a model for us to trust in His promises and act in faith. [04:50]

3. Repeating the Sounding Joy: Continually reflecting on God's goodness and speaking His praises fills our hearts with joy and combats the enemy's attempts to sow doubt and anxiety. By focusing on God's blessings, we can experience His supernatural joy. [11:06]

4. God's Covenant Love: God's love for us is unwavering and not based on our achievements. His covenantal love is a reminder that He is faithful and will come through for us, no matter our circumstances. [24:55]

5. Trusting in God's Promises: God's plans are higher than our understanding, and His ways are the wisest. By trusting in His promises, we can navigate life's challenges with hope, knowing that He is in control and working all things for our good. [35:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:18] - The Weight of Life's Burdens
- [03:13] - Mary's Faithful Response
- [04:50] - Rising to God's Call
- [06:35] - Recognizing God's Blessings
- [08:38] - Magnifying the Lord
- [11:06] - Repeating the Sounding Joy
- [12:45] - Combating Anxiety with Faith
- [15:42] - Bringing Our Problems to Jesus
- [18:38] - Appreciating God's Gifts
- [20:07] - God's Unconditional Love
- [21:23] - Recognizing God's Favor
- [23:18] - Covenant Love and Faithfulness
- [26:19] - Jesus' Compassion and Love
- [28:18] - Trusting God's Power and Wisdom
- [31:51] - God's Transformative Power
- [33:41] - Stirring Up Faith
- [35:22] - God's Promises and Faithfulness
- [37:15] - The Wisest Path
- [39:15] - Teaching God's Faithfulness
- [40:23] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 1:46-55: Mary's Song, the Magnificat
- 1 Samuel 1:10-20: Hannah's Prayer and God's Response
- Mark 1:40-41: Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did she express her faith and gratitude? [03:13]
2. How does Mary's song in Luke 1:46-55 reflect her understanding of God's character and promises?
3. In what ways does the sermon compare Mary's response to God's call with Hannah's story in the Old Testament? [04:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the power of our words during the Christmas season? [01:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mary's willingness to rise and respond to God's call, despite uncertainty, serve as a model for believers today? [04:50]
2. What does the phrase "repeat the sounding joy" mean in the context of the sermon, and how can it impact a believer's life? [11:06]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God's covenantal love and faithfulness through personal stories and biblical examples? [24:55]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's plans are higher than our understanding, and how should this influence our trust in Him? [35:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your words brought life or encouragement to someone. How can you be more intentional about using your words to glorify God this Christmas? [01:18]
2. Like Mary, have you ever faced a situation where you needed to rise and respond to God's call despite uncertainty? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? [04:50]
3. What are some practical ways you can "repeat the sounding joy" in your daily life to combat anxiety and doubt? [11:06]
4. How can you recognize and appreciate the "holy moments" in your everyday life, especially during the busy Christmas season? [06:35]
5. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's covenantal love and faithfulness when facing challenges or feeling overlooked? [24:55]
6. How can you trust in God's promises and His control over your life, even when His plans seem unclear or take longer than expected? [35:22]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to surrender control to God and trust in His wisdom. What steps can you take this week to do so? [38:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Creative Power of Words
Our words have the ability to shape our reality and influence the lives of those around us. In moments of stress or difficulty, it can be easy to speak negatively or to allow our words to reflect our burdens. However, as believers, we are called to use our words to bring life, encouragement, and hope. By choosing to speak words that align with God's truth, we can change our perspective and the atmosphere around us. This Christmas season, let us be intentional about using our words to glorify God and to spread joy to those we encounter. [01:18]

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words could have been more life-giving. How can you intentionally speak words of encouragement and truth in your interactions today?


Day 2: Embracing God's Call with Courage
Mary's response to the angel's message in Luke 1 is a powerful example of faith and courage. Despite the uncertainty and potential challenges she faced, Mary chose to rise and embrace God's call for her life. Her willingness to trust in God's promises and to act in faith serves as a model for us. We, too, are called to rise and respond to God's call, even when the path is unclear. By trusting in His promises, we can step forward with confidence, knowing that He is with us. [04:50]

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a step towards embracing that call today?


Day 3: Reflecting on God's Goodness
The phrase "repeat the sounding joy" from the hymn "Joy to the World" encourages us to continually reflect on God's goodness and to speak His praises. By focusing on His blessings and expressing gratitude, we can fill our hearts with joy and combat the enemy's attempts to sow doubt and anxiety. This practice of gratitude and praise helps us to remain anchored in God's truth and to experience His supernatural joy, even in challenging times. [11:06]

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What are three specific blessings in your life that you can thank God for today? How can you make gratitude a daily practice?


Day 4: Resting in God's Unconditional Love
God's love for us is not based on our achievements or circumstances but is rooted in His grace and mercy. His covenantal love is unwavering and serves as a reminder of His faithfulness. No matter what we face, we can rest in the assurance that God is with us and that His love will never fail. This understanding of God's love empowers us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that He will come through for us. [24:55]

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's unconditional love change the way you view your current circumstances? In what ways can you rest in His love today?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan
God's plans and ways are higher than our understanding, and His wisdom surpasses our own. By trusting in His promises, we can navigate life's challenges with hope and assurance, knowing that He is in control and working all things for our good. Even when we don't understand the path ahead, we can have confidence that God is leading us on the wisest path. This Christmas, let us declare God's greatness and trust in His eternal promises. [35:22]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you surrender this area to Him and trust in His wisdom today?

Quotes

"Fighter position is standing up. Fighter position is ready to go, right? There's no fight on the ground. So yeah. So I want to talk to you today about how we can use our mouth this Christmas, our mouth. This Christmas, all right? We say, what we say out of our mouths has power. There is a life that can come out of our mouth or death. We can encourage with our voice or we can discourage. Y 'all, what we say out of our mouths can change our perspective just like that." [00:00:47] (31 seconds)


"So we need this sermon today because don't you feel like everything in our life is going super speed, right? And we are just going through our life and we don't, take the time to stop and really appreciate the things around us. Some of us have a really hard time being in the moment. Do you have a hard time being in the moment? Yeah, I do too. And, but we don't stop to be grateful and really look around and see all the things that God has given us around us, right? And so we fall into ungratefulness and that ungratefulness leads to less joy. And our mind starts getting hijacked with all these worries and anxieties that lead us down this road that we don't want to go. Leading us to want to lie down, right?" [00:01:18] (44 seconds)


"And she responds by singing this song of praise and gratefulness to the Lord. What I think is interesting is this song that Mary sings to Jesus is very much like an Old Testament character in 1 Samuel named Hannah. Do you remember Hannah? She was, she couldn't have any children. And she was sad. And she was full of anguish. And she, also went before the Lord. She was ridiculed by people around her. But she knew she could just go before the Lord and pray. God, I pray." [00:03:43] (31 seconds)


"Mary, which is important to know here, she doesn't know how Joseph is going to respond to this baby. She doesn't know how her family is going to respond. She doesn't know what this is going to do to her reputation. She has no idea, but she doesn't lie down. She rises to respond to the Lord. And that is what we need to do too. We need to rise to respond to the Lord. So let's read what she sings. In Luke 1, 46 through 55, she says, and Mary said, my soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed for the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name." [00:04:50] (53 seconds)


"Mary does that with the song that she sings in Luke. And her song is a model for us of all the things that we should be applauding the Lord for, like wildly applauding the Lord. Okay. So I don't know what you think about her. That's fine. Whatever you think, fine. Okay. So my girls, some of my girls and I watched the Taylor Swift concert. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Okay. So we were watching the Taylor Swift concert. It was, I love it. Okay. So this time when we were watching it, I was watching the audience. Okay. And I'm telling you, these girls and guys are crying as they watch her. And they're magnifying. They're like. They're adoring her, right? They're like, I love you, Taylor Swift. That's awesome. And I think, why do they do that? Because I remember New Kids on the Block in sixth grade. Okay." [00:07:34] (55 seconds)


"over and over and over again. I am thinking on what God has done for me. I am repeating out loud the sounding joy that means I'm making noise with my mouth. I'm not just thinking about it. I'm saying it out loud. And that repetition leads to joy. Joy in my life. It doesn't matter what my circumstances are in the moment. It is because he is good. And as I repeat that sounding joy, I am filled with supernatural joy." [00:10:36] (30 seconds)


"Y 'all, we need to bring Jesus our problems. We all have problems. We all have things that we're dealing with right now. Some are really heavy. Some are really heavy. And we need to bring them before the Lord. We can't do it on our own. We can't do this by ourselves. We need Jesus. And my friends, Jesus is the solution." [00:15:18] (22 seconds)


"And then we need to ask. We need to continue to ask that he moves on our behalf. We need to ask him to remind us of the things that he's done in the past. God, remind me of how good you've been. Remind me of how you've been faithful before so that I can think on those things and pray those things so that I will believe those things. That just like you came through last time, you're going to come through this time. I am believing for that. We also pray, Lord, fill me with peace that surpasses all understanding while I'm waiting. And help me in the midst of this onslaught and unknown to just stand strong in you. He is holding you up right now. He is your strength and he knows the way. And then we give the ultimate punch. We speak the word of God out of our mouths. Okay? We agree with what has already been said. And we say it boldly out of our mouths. This allows it when we speak the word out of our mouths, we hear it. And it becomes part of us." [00:15:56] (62 seconds)


"Mary said in verse 47, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. God is recognized as Savior. Mary recognizes this and it affirms both his power to deliver her but also his care for her, his personal care for Mary. He doesn't just do this to show his power but it also demonstrates how much he loves you. He loves her completely and unconditionally and this love in our lives is not because of something we've accomplished." [00:19:34] (33 seconds)


"And then he goes on to say, say his mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation. That mercy word there is Hebrew for his said love. That's God's covenantal, loyal, and steadfast love. Unchanging, never wavering. It means that it describes a love that's not based on just emotions, but on commitment and mercy and grace. And that it's reflecting God's unwavering kindness and faithfulness towards his people. Even when he's not there, even when they falter, his love never changes. So, some of you know, many of you probably don't, I have chickens. They're gonna come soon. My chicken, oh, look at them. These are my chickens. This is Millie. She's got the height, like the taller comb. She's really developing well." [00:22:08] (58 seconds)


"Jesus is going to be faithful to you and we say it and walk it out of our mouth. All right, so God has given us far more than we deserve because he loves me. The second way we can repeat the sounding joy is that God's power and wisdom is in us. God is giving us far more than we deserve because he loves me. Wisdom are far beyond our grasp. God's power and wisdom are far beyond our grasp. We need to know that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and God's ways are higher than our ways. We don't even begin to grasp how big God is and his plans and his sovereignty and how he's completely in control. Completely. There is nothing out of his control. No circumstance that you are walking through right now in your life, he doesn't know exactly what he's doing. He is in control. Control of it all. We oftentimes can't figure out what God is doing, but he is doing it all in love. Remember what Mary said?" [00:28:18] (56 seconds)


"God is going to take you down a path that we don't always understand. So if you would have asked me five years ago, what do you think you'll be doing in five years? I don't think I would have said, I'm about to finish nursing school. I would never have said that, honestly. I didn't even know. This was going to happen five years ago. I didn't even know this was part of God's plan. I don't even, I didn't even, when God started to open doors for this and lead me towards this, I didn't even know why at the time. I didn't even understand. Why would you want me to do that? I thought I was doing other things. But God has the wisest way, and he changed the plan. And that's good. And was it hard? Yes. Yes. It's been really hard. It's been really challenging. And it hasn't been what I expected. But God is good. And he has taken me the wisest way possible." [00:37:15] (58 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 23, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?