God's Inclusive Love: A Christmas Message for All
Summary
The Christmas season is a time of joy and reflection, and it is essential to remember that the message of Christmas is for all people. The angel's announcement in Luke 2:10, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people," emphasizes the inclusivity of God's love and salvation. This message transcends race, religion, economic status, and gender, affirming that God's grace is available to everyone without restrictions or conditions.
At Saddleback Church, we embrace this inclusivity by celebrating diversity and striving to reflect the heavenly community. God's love is not limited to a select few; it is a universal gift. The first lesson of Christmas is that God shines His goodness on all people. This is not based on our goodness but on His grace, which is freely given to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or actions. This common grace is a testament to God's unconditional love.
Furthermore, God showers His love on all people, pouring out His compassion and care abundantly. This love is not conditional on our actions or worthiness. It is a love that pays attention to every detail of our lives, demonstrating that God is deeply interested in each of us. He knows our struggles, our joys, and even the number of hairs on our heads.
God also shares in our pain. He is not distant or indifferent to our suffering. Through Jesus, who experienced the full range of human emotions and pain, God empathizes with our struggles. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying on our behalf when we are too weak or overwhelmed to pray ourselves.
The ultimate expression of God's love is the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for all people. This act of love provides salvation and the promise of eternal life to anyone who believes and receives Him. Christmas is a reminder of this profound gift, and it calls us to respond by accepting God's invitation to be part of His family.
Finally, God offers to share His eternal home with all who believe and receive His Son. This invitation is open to everyone, regardless of their past or background. It is a call to a personal relationship with God, one that promises hope and a future beyond this life.
Key Takeaways:
- God's goodness is a gift to all people, not based on our merit but on His grace. This common grace is a reminder of His unconditional love and care for everyone. [04:24]
- God's love is abundant and unconditional, yet it does not mean He approves of all our actions. His love is demonstrated through His attention to every detail of our lives. [09:39]
- God shares in our pain and is not distant from our suffering. Through Jesus, He empathizes with our struggles, and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness. [15:08]
- The sacrifice of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's love for all people. It offers salvation and the promise of eternal life to anyone who believes and receives Him. [22:41]
- God's invitation to share His eternal home is open to everyone. It is a call to a personal relationship with Him, offering hope and a future beyond this life. [25:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Christmas Greetings
[00:23] - Understanding Christmas Time
[00:38] - The Message for All People
[00:59] - Inclusivity of the Good News
[01:55] - Simeon's Declaration
[02:35] - Diversity in God's Family
[03:23] - Upcoming Civil Forum
[04:24] - God's Goodness for All
[06:34] - Grace vs. Karma
[08:39] - Finding God's Goodness
[09:39] - God's Love for All
[11:32] - God's Attention to Details
[15:08] - Sharing in Our Pain
[22:41] - Sacrifice for All
[25:49] - Invitation to God's Family
[31:03] - Spirit of Christmas
[31:32] - Prayer for All People
[34:14] - Responding to God's Call
[35:11] - Looking Forward to the New Year
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:10
- Psalm 145:9
- Romans 8:26
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the angel's announcement in Luke 2:10, and how does it emphasize the inclusivity of the Christmas message? [00:38]
2. According to Psalm 145:9, how does God demonstrate His goodness to everyone, and what term is used to describe this grace? [05:08]
3. How does Romans 8:26 describe the role of the Holy Spirit when we are in pain or too weak to pray? [19:39]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate God's attention to the details of our lives, and how does this reflect His love for us? [11:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "common grace" challenge the idea that we must earn God's favor through our actions? [05:08]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's love is both abundant and unconditional, yet not approving of all our actions? [11:08]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate expression of God's love for all people? [22:41]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of diversity within the church, and how does this reflect God's love for all people? [02:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's goodness in your life, even when you didn't deserve it. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of His grace in your daily routine? [06:34]
2. Consider the ways you might be limiting God's love to certain groups or individuals. How can you actively embrace and demonstrate God's inclusive love in your community? [02:35]
3. When you experience pain or suffering, how do you typically respond? How can you lean on the Holy Spirit's intercession and God's empathy during these times? [19:39]
4. Think about the diversity within your own church or community. How can you contribute to creating an environment that reflects the heavenly community described in the sermon? [02:35]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him and respond to His invitation to be part of His family? [25:49]
6. How can you share the message of God's unconditional love and the gift of salvation with someone who may feel excluded or unworthy? [26:36]
7. Reflect on the areas of your life where you might feel left out or inadequate. How can you find comfort in the knowledge that God wants you in His family and has a plan for your life? [29:38]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Grace is a Universal Gift
God's grace is a profound and universal gift, extended to all people without regard to their merit or actions. This grace is a testament to God's unconditional love, a love that is not earned but freely given. It is a reminder that God's goodness is not limited to a select few but is available to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. This common grace is a reflection of God's desire for all people to experience His love and compassion. [04:24]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's grace through you today, and how can you extend it to them in a tangible way?
Day 2: God's Love is Attentive and Unconditional
God's love is abundant and unconditional, yet it does not mean He approves of all our actions. His love is demonstrated through His attention to every detail of our lives, showing that He cares deeply for each of us. This love is not based on our worthiness but on His desire to be intimately involved in our lives. God's love is a constant presence, guiding and supporting us through every circumstance. [09:39]
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to trust in God's attentive love today, and how can you invite Him into that area?
Day 3: God Shares in Our Pain
God is not distant from our suffering; He shares in our pain and empathizes with our struggles. Through Jesus, who experienced the full range of human emotions and pain, God understands our challenges and walks alongside us in our trials. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying on our behalf when we are too weak or overwhelmed to pray ourselves. This divine empathy is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our suffering. [15:08]
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of pain or struggle in your life where you need to invite God's presence and comfort today?
Day 4: The Sacrifice of Jesus is the Ultimate Expression of Love
The sacrifice of Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's love for all people. This act of love provides salvation and the promise of eternal life to anyone who believes and receives Him. Christmas is a reminder of this profound gift, calling us to respond by accepting God's invitation to be part of His family. This sacrificial love is a powerful demonstration of God's commitment to humanity and His desire for a relationship with each of us. [22:41]
"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you respond to Jesus' sacrificial love today in a way that deepens your relationship with Him?
Day 5: God's Invitation to Eternal Life is Open to All
God offers to share His eternal home with all who believe and receive His Son. This invitation is open to everyone, regardless of their past or background. It is a call to a personal relationship with God, one that promises hope and a future beyond this life. Accepting this invitation means embracing the hope and assurance of eternal life, a gift that transforms our present and future. [25:49]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your personal relationship with God and embrace the hope of eternal life He offers?
Quotes
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people." This is the first public announcement of Jesus' birth and who is this announcement for? Everybody, everybody, everyone, all people. That means, every race, every religion, every economic status, both men and women and people in all places around the world. [00:00:55]
God shines His goodness on all people. Many people think you only get good from God if you are good. No, no, no. That's confusing God with Santa. Santa is the one who said, "You better watch out." Santa Claus coming, you better do good. No, no, no. The Bible says in Job 25:3, "God's light shines on all people." [00:04:24]
God showers His love on all people. He shines his goodness, but he showers his love on all people. God has never created anybody he doesn't love. You ever had a wedding shower? You ever gone to a baby shower? What happens when you go to a shower? You get tons of gifts. Psalm 145:9 says, "God showers compassion on all His creation." [00:09:39]
Unconditional love, which God has for you doesn't mean unconditional approval of everything you do. God loves you unconditionally. He certainly doesn't approve of everything you do. He loves me unconditionally. He certainly doesn't approve of everything I do. Do you love your kids? Yes. Do you approve of everything they do? No. Do you still love them? Yes. [00:11:01]
God is not some distant God when you're going through pain, when you're hurting. God is not unfeeling. He's not aloof. He's not callous. God is not some cosmic force in the sky, may the force be with you, that doesn't really care if you're in pain. He is aware. And not only is He aware, He cares. And He actually even goes beyond that. He shares. [00:15:08]
The Holy Spirit, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, all three of them are sharing your pain. First, the Father shares your pain because He wired you. God made you. You're made in God's image. The only reason, by the way, you have the ability to feel anything is because you're made in God's image. God is an emotional God. [00:16:04]
Now, not only does Jesus be aware of your pain and care about your pain, but He shares your pain because He suffered it on earth. When Jesus was born at that very first Christmas, couple thousand years ago, He certainly wasn't born in the lap of luxury. He was born into poverty. He was born into a barn. [00:17:01]
He understands emotional pain. He experienced abandonment. He understands loneliness. He understands being hated, being criticized and maligned unjustly. He understands bigotry. He understands discrimination. He understands rejection and betrayal. All of those emotions, Jesus experienced. So He understands when you go through any of those. [00:18:10]
God sacrificed His son, that's Jesus, for all people. That old guy in the temple in Jerusalem was named Simeon. And when they brought the baby Jesus to be dedicated at the temple, Simeon looks at the baby and says, "I have seen the Savior given for all people," all people. And the Bible says in first 1 Timothy 2:5-6, "Jesus sacrificed Himself for all people to free themselves from their sins." [00:22:41]
Christmas has no significance without the cross. If Jesus hadn't died for our sins, He would have just been a good teacher, another guru, another wise man, another philosopher with some good thoughts. No, no, no. There have been great thinkers, philosophers and good people throughout history who've shared great ideas, but none of them could save you. [00:23:56]
God will share His home for all who believe and receive His Son. Now, if you go through life saying, "I don't want to have any part of God." God assumes that that's true in eternity too. And God will say like, "Burger King, have it your way. You didn't want me on earth. Why would you want me for eternity? So go spend eternity apart from me. That would be hell." [00:25:49]
The Bible says in John 1:12 this good news, "To all," that includes you, no matter who you are, no matter what age you are. "To all who receive Him and believed in His name, Jesus gave the right to become children of God." How do you become a child of God? You believe and you receive. You believe that Jesus is who He said He was. [00:26:36]
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