Hope and Healing Through Jesus' Incarnation
Summary
The sermon explores the themes of hope, shame, healing, and the significance of Jesus' incarnation. The speaker begins by affirming the eternal hope found in Jesus' words and promises, grounding this hope in the historical significance of His coming. This hope is characterized by love, forgiveness, and salvation. The congregation is encouraged to share this hope, especially during the Christmas season, by inviting others to services that reflect on Jesus' birth.
The speaker then delves into the significance of Jesus taking on flesh, allowing humanity to witness His glory and understand His truth. The power of shame is addressed, with the speaker praying for its breaking in the lives of listeners and for Jesus to confront anything that steals their peace. The congregation is invited to respond in praise to Jesus, who sets them free.
Jesus' role in taking away the power of shame is further discussed, with the speaker emphasizing that shame only has power if believed in. Jesus endured shame at the cross and exposed the powerlessness of rulers and authorities. He affirms the worth of individuals, offering salvation that is complete and holistic.
The power of salvation and the importance of sharing one's story are highlighted. The speaker notes that salvation is complete, permanent, and eternal, and that Christmas provides an opportunity to reach out and touch Jesus, allowing us to be seen, known, and believed by Him. Sharing our stories can lead to life-changing encounters with Jesus.
The importance of telling God our whole story with honesty and vulnerability is emphasized. Jesus, as the light of the world, exposes things for what they truly are and changes the trajectory of our lives. The speaker encourages the audience to share their stories with God for healing of their souls.
The story of a woman healed by Jesus is discussed, illustrating the need to be known by God for healing. The woman's pursuit of Jesus, driven by superstition, is contrasted with Jesus' desire to address her shame. The speaker highlights the difficulty of turning towards someone in shame but emphasizes the importance of seeking healing.
The destructive power of shame is further explored, with references to Christian psychiatrist Kurt Thompson. The story of a woman suffering from a flow of blood for many years is used to illustrate the impact of shame and the transformative power of Jesus' healing.
The sermon also reflects on the physical appearance of Jesus and its significance in relation to our spiritual reality. The speaker suggests that Jesus' average appearance points to the greater importance of spiritual truth over physical reality. The story of Mary accepting God's plan for her life is used to illustrate profound spiritual truth.
The story of Mary and Elizabeth is recounted, with Elizabeth's spiritual truth to Mary highlighting the importance of hope in a world where shame often prevails. The significance of Christmas is emphasized as a reminder that God sees and heals us when no one else does.
Finally, the speaker announces the schedule for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve services, celebrating the collision of the spiritual and the physical. The promise of spiritual transformation through Jesus' physical incarnation is underscored, with further exploration promised for Easter.
Key Takeaways:
- The eternal hope found in Jesus Christ transcends the physical realm and is rooted in the historical reality of His coming, offering believers a sense of being loved, cherished, forgiven, and saved. This hope is not just a feeling but a tangible reality grounded in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. [12:54]
- Jesus' incarnation is significant because it allows humanity to witness divine glory and truth in a tangible form. The breaking of shame's power in our lives is a key aspect of Jesus' ministry, as He confronts lies that make individuals feel inadequate and unlovable, offering freedom and peace. [41:32]
- Shame loses its power when confronted with the greater truth of Jesus Christ. He endured shame on the cross and exposed the powerlessness of earthly authorities, affirming the worth of every individual and offering holistic salvation that is primarily spiritual but also leads to physical healing. [35:22]
- The act of sharing one's story is a powerful means of experiencing Jesus' salvation. As believers share their encounters with Christ, they provide opportunities for others to have life-changing experiences with Him, especially during the Christmas season, which emphasizes His presence and healing. [38:51]
- The importance of being known by God for healing is underscored by the story of the woman healed by Jesus. Despite her fears and doubts, her faith led to both physical and spiritual healing. This story encourages believers to face their shame and seek healing in Christ. [29:51]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 5:25-34 - The story of the woman healed by Jesus.
2. Philippians 3:20-21 - The promise of transformation of our bodies.
3. Isaiah 53:2 - Description of Jesus' appearance and its significance.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the physical and social condition of the woman described in Mark 5:25-26?
2. How did the woman approach Jesus, and what was her reasoning for doing so? (Mark 5:27-28)
3. What was Jesus' reaction when He realized power had gone out from Him? (Mark 5:30-32)
4. How did Jesus address the woman after she told Him the whole truth? (Mark 5:34)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the woman told Jesus "the whole truth" about her situation? (Mark 5:33-34)
2. How does Jesus' response to the woman in Mark 5:34 demonstrate His concern for both physical and spiritual healing? [36:48]
3. In Philippians 3:20-21, what does Paul mean by the transformation of our bodies, and how does this relate to the hope discussed in the sermon? [16:52]
4. How does Isaiah 53:2's description of Jesus' appearance challenge our cultural emphasis on physical appearance? [18:02]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt shame. How did it affect your relationship with others and with God? How can you bring this to Jesus for healing? [26:06]
2. The woman in Mark 5 took a risk by reaching out to Jesus despite her shame. Is there an area in your life where you need to take a similar step of faith? What might that look like? [27:17]
3. Jesus called the woman out publicly to affirm her healing and worth. How can we as a church community help affirm the worth and healing of those who feel ashamed or marginalized? [34:43]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of sharing our stories with God and others. Have you ever shared your full story with God? If not, what holds you back? [32:48]
5. Christmas is a time to share the hope found in Jesus. Who in your life needs to hear about this hope, and how can you share it with them this season? [38:51]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of the spiritual truths about your identity in Christ, especially when faced with feelings of shame or inadequacy? [35:22]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of being known by God for healing. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of being known by God in your daily spiritual practices? [29:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Anchored in Historical Reality
Hope in Jesus Christ is not a fleeting emotion but a solid foundation based on the historical truth of His life, death, and resurrection. This hope is a gift that encompasses love, forgiveness, and salvation, and it is meant to be shared with others, particularly during the Christmas season, as a reflection of Jesus' birth and the promises He brings. [12:54]
Hebrews 6:19-20 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf."
Reflection: How can you actively share the hope of Jesus with someone this week, especially with those who may be experiencing hopelessness during the holiday season?
Day 2: The Incarnation Breaks Shame
The incarnation of Jesus is a profound event that allows us to see divine glory and truth in a tangible way. It is through His taking on flesh that the power of shame is broken in our lives, as He confronts the lies that make us feel inadequate and unlovable, offering us freedom and peace instead. [41:32]
Isaiah 61:1 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where shame has been holding you back, and how can you allow Jesus' truth to free you from that shame today?
Day 3: Shame's Power Overturned by Christ
Shame loses its grip when faced with the truth of Jesus Christ, who endured shame on the cross and disarmed the powers of this world. He affirms our worth and offers a salvation that is complete, healing both our spiritual and physical ailments. [35:22]
Colossians 2:15 - "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by shame. How can the example of Jesus' triumph over shame and power encourage you to live in the freedom He provides?
Day 4: Salvation Shared Through Our Stories
Sharing personal encounters with Jesus is a powerful way to experience and extend His salvation. As believers recount their transformative experiences, they invite others to meet Jesus and find hope and healing, especially during the season of His birth. [38:51]
1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your personal journey with Christ that you can share with someone this week to encourage them in their own faith?
Day 5: Known by God for Healing
The story of the woman healed by Jesus teaches us the importance of being known by God for true healing. It is through our faith and willingness to be vulnerable before Him that we can face our shame and receive both physical and spiritual restoration. [29:51]
Psalm 139:1-3 - "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."
Reflection: How can you practice vulnerability with God today, and in what ways might this lead to healing in areas of your life marked by shame or pain?
Quotes
"Grace and Truth, Lord, I pray that you would be so kind even to break the power of Shame now in our lives, those things that tell us we're not enough, those lies that say you'll never be loved." [41:32] (Download)
"We're desperate for Christmas because we're desperate for Hope. Lord, as we see it not just around us but in us, might you speak to us, might you touch us." [43:01] (Download)
"Confront anything this morning, Lord Jesus, that is stealing our peace, confront it and Deliver Us from it in your name and for your glory." [43:39] (Download)
"Shame has only the power that we give it; it is only true to as far as we will believe it, and Jesus knows this and gives us a greater truth meant to penetrate our hearts." [36:00] (Download)
"Christmas offers us the opportunity to reach out and touch him, gives us the opportunity to be seen by him and known by him, and be believed by him. By centering our Christmas on Jesus, we're going to hear the grace and truth that each one of us needs." [40:45] (Download)
"Jesus may or may not heal us physically, but he will always heal us spiritually. Always. How do we know that? That's why he came. It's the whole reason for this season." [40:04] (Download)
"Those who understand the power of Shame are desperate to hear it. We need to tell this story because right now in our culture, people are desperate for some sort of spiritual reality to touch them and give them hope." [38:51] (Download)
"When it says that Jesus is the light of the world, he comes and with the truth shows us what is actually true. He sheds light on our anxieties, sometimes showing us they're not as big as we think, or affirming that they are big, but He is bigger." [34:04] (Download)
"You can't be healed by God without being known by God. Jesus wants to see her and even though she was in the crowd no one saw her but Jesus knew that he wanted to see her, he wanted to hear her so that he might bless her." [29:51] (Download)
"God sees us when no one else does, that God heals us when no one else can. So we're going to look at a bad thing, the best thing, the very worst thing, and the even better best thing." [23:10] (Download)
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