Finding Rest and Righteousness in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering to the Spirit's Embrace

Surrender is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of yielding to the Holy Spirit's guidance. This act of faith allows believers to experience God's control and blessings, leading to a peace that transcends human understanding. [56:55]

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Grace in Our Weakness

God's grace is most evident when we are at our weakest. In moments of struggle, when human strength fails, the sufficiency of His grace shines through, restoring our souls and guiding us in His righteousness. [46:44]

2 Corinthians 12:10 - "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you felt weak? How can you invite God's grace into that area of your life to transform your weakness into strength?

Day 3: Clothed in Christ's Righteousness

Righteousness is not earned but received through faith in Jesus Christ. By trusting in His sacrifice, we exchange our flawed selves for His perfect righteousness, standing blameless before God. [50:35]

Romans 3:22-24 - "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you feel most guilty or unworthy. How does understanding your righteousness through Christ change your perspective on these feelings?

Day 4: Strength and Comfort in the Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a source of strength and comfort, empowering believers to rise above life's challenges and soar with renewed hope and endurance. [29:49]

Ephesians 3:16 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being."
Reflection: When you face difficulties, how do you typically respond? How can you more actively rely on the Holy Spirit for strength in these moments?

Day 5: The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is a celebration of God's love made manifest in Jesus, inviting us to rediscover the joy of a personal relationship with our Creator. [53:26]

Titus 3:4-5 - "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: As you approach the Christmas season, how can you focus more on the relationship with God that Jesus came to establish, rather than getting caught up in the material aspects of the holiday?

Sermon Summary

In a sermon delivered at New Richmond Baptist Church on December 24, 2023, the pastor focused on the theme of finding rest and righteousness in Jesus Christ. The sermon highlighted the importance of surrendering to the Holy Spirit, trusting in God's care, and embracing the grace that God provides in times of struggle. The pastor referenced 1 John 4:4 and 1 Peter 5:6-7 to illustrate the power and peace that come from a relationship with Jesus, and the exchange of burdens for His righteousness.

The pastor also discussed the concept of God's grace shining through in our struggles, emphasizing that God's grace is sufficient for us, as stated in Psalm 23:3. The sermon underscored the importance of living righteously for God's name's sake and the guarantee of redemption through Jesus, which allows believers direct access to God the Father.

Reflecting on the innocence of Jesus, the pastor explained that through faith in Jesus and His sacrifice, believers can be justified freely by God's grace and redemption, allowing them to stand blameless before God. The righteousness of God is manifested through faith in Jesus Christ, available to all who believe, regardless of their past sins.

The pastor also touched on the comfort and joy that Jesus brings to our lives, referencing Isaiah 40:31 and the role of the Holy Spirit as a comforter. The sermon included a reading from John chapter 11, where Jesus proclaims Himself as the resurrection and the life, and a reflection on the personal relationship with God that Christ's sacrifice established.

The pastor concluded by emphasizing that Christmas is about the profound relationship between God and humanity, and the importance of recognizing God's purpose and finding joy in His peace. The sermon encouraged listeners to rest in Jesus, understand His purpose, and find peace in His provisions.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus declare about Himself in John 11:25-27, and how does Martha respond to His declaration?
According to 1 Peter 5:6-7, what are believers instructed to do with their cares and why?
In Isaiah 40:31, what are the promises given to those who wait upon the Lord?

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of Jesus being the "resurrection and the life" provide comfort and assurance to believers? ([23:32])
What does it mean to "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God," and how does this relate to casting our cares upon Him? ([43:51])
How can the imagery of mounting up with wings as eagles in Isaiah 40:31 be applied to the struggles and challenges faced by believers? ([29:49])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt burdened. How did you handle it, and how might casting your cares upon God change your approach in the future? ([43:51])
Jesus asks Martha if she believes He is the resurrection and the life. How would you answer this question, and what impact does your belief have on your daily life? ([23:32])
The pastor mentioned that God's grace is especially evident in our weaknesses and struggles. Can you identify a recent struggle where you experienced God's grace? How did it manifest? ([46:44])
The sermon emphasized the importance of rejoicing in Jesus' presence even on bad days. What practical steps can you take to cultivate joy in God's presence during difficult times? ([26:43])
How can you actively recognize and align with God's purpose for your life, especially during the Christmas season? ([33:13])
The pastor spoke about the peace that Jesus offers, which surpasses all understanding. What specific areas of your life need this peace, and how can you invite Jesus into those areas? ([40:12])
Reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as described in the sermon. How can you shift your focus from the festivities to the profound relationship with God that Christmas represents? ([53:26])

Sermon Clips

"It's the abiding in Christ not the hiding from Christ it's that dwelling in him not running from him that brings us the joy that we desire in our life." [28:18] (Download)

"God's grace is made evident even more in your weakness. When things are going horrible, we are on our knees begging God to help us somehow, and when he does, that's the grace of God." [46:03] (Download)

"Strength is made perfect in weakness. God's grace shines through in our struggling hard times when we get ourselves in a pickle that we cannot fix. God's grace is sufficient for us." [46:44] (Download)

"Through Jesus we have direct access to God the Father. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the father. What great joy is there in that." [48:56] (Download)

"We can soar above the problems in our life, we can soar above the challenges that we have, we can rise above them, why? Because God is our strength." [31:01] (Download)

"Nobody else did, nobody else can, and if we intend to someday stand before God the Father, we can only stand before God the Father with that kind of righteousness in our life." [50:35] (Download)

"It's the faith in Jesus that gives us that righteousness, not we ourselves, and through him, we could take off this old tattered garment, this old sin-stained garment, and trade that with Jesus and put on his righteousness and stand before God blameless." [52:42] (Download)

"His purpose was to rekindle a relationship with you, his purpose was that he might somehow form this personal relationship with man once again. Christ our Emmanuel, God With Us." [37:17] (Download)

"Rest is not found in a place; rest is found in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ." [54:12] (Download)

"Good Tidings and peace are found when we understand that resting in his person is rejoicing in his presence, recognizing his purpose, reveling in his peace, reflecting in his provisions, and righteousness personified." [54:12] (Download)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?