Finding Joy and Jesus in Christmas Celebrations
Summary
The sermon explores the multifaceted nature of Christmas, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the season beyond the commercial and cultural aspects. The speaker begins by cautioning against allowing the innocence of children or the financial pressures of the holidays to diminish one's faith or joy. Instead, they encourage finding Jesus in the Christmas lights, gifts, and music, recognizing Him as the light of the world and the manifestation of God's power in human form. The congregation is urged to pray for awareness of joy-stealing elements and to see Jesus amidst the festivities.
The narrative of Jesus' public ministry is recounted, focusing on the wedding at Cana where He turned water into wine. This miracle, Jesus' first, is presented as a testament to God's concern for human joy and happiness. Mary's unwavering faith in God's plan is highlighted, as is the idea that God's work is good, pleasing, and perfect, occurring in His timing. The speaker reassures that despite life's challenges, believers can trust in Jesus' goodness and the promise that all things work together for good for those who love God.
Belief in Jesus as God is underscored as a defining characteristic of a true Christian Christmas. This belief is contrasted with a worldly Christmas, which cannot bring true satisfaction. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus has done everything for believers to find delight in Him, replacing worry with spiritual joy. The congregation is encouraged to enjoy Christmas and not let any lack or loss overshadow their blessings.
The sermon also touches on the idea that God can use suffering and trials for good, as illustrated by Jesus' miracle of feeding five thousand people with only a few loaves and fish. This abundance is a reminder of God's provision. The speaker reflects on the joy of Christmas, the incarnation of God as a human being, and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry through miracles.
The Old Testament context of worship is discussed, with the plagues on Egypt and the bloody, violent nature of worship serving as a backdrop to the transformative work of Jesus. The speaker contrasts the Old Testament's demand for purification with Jesus' declaration that such rituals are no longer necessary, highlighting the beauty and wonder of Jesus' actions.
Generosity is emphasized as a year-round practice, not just a seasonal one, to avoid guilt and shame. The speaker reflects on Mary's role in Jesus' life and her faith in His divine power. The importance of understanding the biblical context of Jesus' actions is discussed, as is the transformative power of His message.
The speaker concludes by addressing the congregation's financial situation, expressing gratitude for their support, and reflecting on personal memories of Christmas joy and the importance of not allowing external circumstances to diminish the wonder of the season.
Key Takeaways:
- The innocence of children and the financial pressures of the holidays should not be allowed to diminish one's faith or joy. Instead, believers should seek to find Jesus in every aspect of Christmas, recognizing Him as the light of the world and the manifestation of God's power in human form. [57:39]
- The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana serves as a testament to God's concern for human joy and happiness. This event also highlights Mary's unwavering faith and the idea that God's work is good, pleasing, and perfect, occurring in His timing. [37:05]
- A true Christian Christmas is characterized by the belief in Jesus as God, which shapes everything in one's life. This belief brings spiritual joy and satisfaction, replacing worry and concern, and allows believers to enter the Christmas season with a physical expectation of happiness. [55:01]
- The story of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only a few loaves and fish illustrates that God can use suffering and trials for good, providing an abundance that serves as a reminder of His provision. This abundance allows believers to enjoy blessings without feeling entitled to them. [44:24]
- The transformation of religious rituals by Jesus, from the Old Testament's demand for purification to His declaration that such rituals are no longer necessary, highlights the beauty and wonder of His actions. This event is significant in understanding the transformative power of Jesus' message. [48:43]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 2:1-11 (Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding at Cana)
- Romans 8:28 (All things work together for good for those who love God)
- Luke 2:46-55 (Mary's song of praise)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the problem at the wedding in Cana, and how did Jesus respond to it? (John 2:1-11)
2. How does Romans 8:28 relate to the idea that God can use suffering and trials for good? [44:17]
3. What does Mary's song in Luke 2:46-55 reveal about her faith and understanding of God's plan?
4. According to the sermon, what are some elements that can steal our joy during the Christmas season? [30:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the miracle of turning water into wine significant in understanding Jesus' concern for human joy and happiness? [40:18]
2. How does the belief in Jesus as God shape a true Christian Christmas, as opposed to a worldly Christmas? [55:10]
3. What does the transformation of religious rituals by Jesus signify about the new covenant He established? [46:13]
4. How can the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand illustrate God's provision and abundance in our lives? [44:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when financial pressures or the innocence of children affected your joy during the holidays. How can you shift your focus to find Jesus in every aspect of Christmas this year? [30:40]
2. How can you cultivate a sense of spiritual joy and satisfaction in Jesus, replacing worry and concern, during this Christmas season? [55:10]
3. Think about a current challenge or trial in your life. How can you trust in God's goodness and the promise that all things work together for good? [44:17]
4. In what ways can you practice generosity year-round, not just during the Christmas season, to avoid feelings of guilt and shame? [52:19]
5. How can you remind yourself of the beauty and wonder of Jesus' actions, especially His declaration that purification rituals are no longer necessary? [46:13]
6. Identify one specific way you can see Jesus in the Christmas lights, gifts, or music this year. How will this change your perspective on the season? [58:06]
7. Reflect on a personal memory of Christmas joy. How can you ensure that external circumstances do not diminish the wonder of the season for you this year? [32:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy Unshaken by Circumstance
Joy in Christ transcends the commercialism and stress of the holiday season. It's a reminder to seek the true essence of Christmas in the simplicity of faith and the warmth of God's love, rather than in the fleeting satisfaction of material gifts. This joy is rooted in the recognition of Jesus as the light of the world, illuminating the path to genuine happiness and contentment. [57:39]
Isaiah 35:10 - "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of spiritual joy this Christmas season, despite the distractions and pressures that may surround you?
Day 2: Faith in Divine Timing
God's concern for our joy is evident in Jesus' first miracle, where He turned water into wine. This act of transformation symbolizes the divine intervention in our lives, ensuring that our joy is complete. It teaches patience and trust in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances seem bleak or ordinary. [37:05]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you had to wait for God's timing? How did the outcome reflect His concern for your joy and happiness?
Day 3: The Satisfaction of Belief
Belief in Jesus as God is the cornerstone of a fulfilling Christmas. This belief shapes our lives, bringing a deep sense of spiritual joy that worldly pleasures cannot match. It is this faith that allows us to approach the Christmas season with an expectation of true happiness, found not in material abundance but in the richness of God's love. [55:01]
1 John 5:11-12 - "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Reflection: How does your belief in Jesus as God influence your daily life, especially during the Christmas season?
Day 4: Abundance in Scarcity
The miracle of feeding the five thousand demonstrates that God's provision transcends our understanding of scarcity. It is a powerful reminder that, even in times of lack, God can multiply our little to satisfy not just our needs but also to provide an abundance for others. This abundance is a testament to God's unending care and provision. [44:24]
2 Kings 4:43-44 - "But his servant said, 'How can I set this before a hundred men?' So he repeated, 'Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, "They shall eat and have some left."' So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's provision in your life when you thought there wasn't enough?
Day 5: Transformative Worship
Jesus' life and ministry revolutionized the concept of worship, moving from the Old Testament's rituals of purification to a new covenant of grace and truth. This transformation invites us to worship in spirit and truth, appreciating the beauty and wonder of Jesus' sacrifice and the freedom it brings. [48:43]
John 4:23-24 - "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Reflection: How does the transformation from Old Testament rituals to New Testament grace affect your personal worship and daily walk with God?
Quotes
"Be reminded that he's the light of the world in the gifts remind us that he's gifted us the presence of God in the music. Remember that he's the word of God speaking promise and in all of that recognize that the power of God was Manifest in a child in God taking on human flesh." [59:13] (Download)
"Today I'm thankful that the same God who took on flesh and became a baby who turned water into wine, died in my place rose again so that I could know I could know a God who delights in me and wants me to delight in him." [59:13] (Download)
"There may be more water than wine in your life right now, you may be wondering what Jesus is doing, but you don't need to worry because what he's doing is good." [43:33] (Download)
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, not just in times of triumph but also in times of suffering." [43:49] (Download)
"The tree could fall over, the turkey could be dry, the kids could have temper tantrums, and it doesn't have to steal our joy. No one else is watching if we got off Instagram and were just present in our lives." [42:33] (Download)
"Jesus takes something and instantaneously ages it, you know why? Because He's the alpha and the omega, He's the beginning and the end, He's not bound by time, and what He gives them is something good, He does something that is good and pleasing." [42:57] (Download)
"Those who believe saw the God behind the good; they saw his grace behind his greatness and that shapes everything. This makes all the difference between a Christian Christmas and a worldly Christmas." [55:18] (Download)
"Jesus has done everything possible for us to be satisfied and delighted in him. To have a hope one day that even as we experience the brokenness in this world, there is a time coming where the only human experience will be one of joy and peace, basking in the love of Christ." [56:30] (Download)
"Don't let the lack, don't let what's not there steal your blessing. Don't let the loss overwhelm your joy; don't let the pressure steal your rest. Don't let the little people steal your faith." [56:30] (Download)
"A joy that is not dependent on circumstances, that is not dependent on our health, that is not dependent on our wealth, that is not dependent on our kids or on our grandkids, but is simply found perfected in you." [24:09] (Download)
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