Hope and Salvation: A Wild West Christmas
Summary
In the sermon titled "Sunday 12/17/2023 - Wild West Christmas," the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the children's production and acknowledges Debbie's ministry with the kids, presenting her with a gift. The central message of the sermon is the hope found in Jesus Christ. Reflecting on the previous week's sermon, the speaker reiterates that Jesus, despite his humble birth, is the Son of God, the King of Kings, and the Lord of lords. The speaker underscores the significance of God coming to humanity in the form of Jesus, bringing hope to all believers.
The speaker then shares a personal revelation of never having accepted Jesus and the unfamiliarity with the concept of asking for forgiveness or inviting Jesus into their heart. They stress that Jesus' birth was the beginning of a mission that culminated in his sacrifice on the cross, a punishment meant for humanity. Through Jesus, we gain access to God, and salvation is presented as a free gift that cannot be earned. The speaker urges the congregation to make the decision to reconcile with God and accept Jesus, declaring it the best decision one could ever make. The sermon wraps up with a prayer for salvation and blessings for all individuals and families during the Christmas season.
Additionally, the speaker thanks the congregation for their support of the children's program and invites them to participate in upcoming events, including a family celebration and a Christmas Eve service. The importance of the church as a family is highlighted, and an open invitation is extended to those seeking a church home. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God's blessings on every family and individual during the Christmas season.
Key Takeaways:
- The humility of Jesus' birth juxtaposed with his divine kingship serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are not our ways. The King of Kings chose a lowly manger over a royal palace, demonstrating that true greatness is found in humility and service. This challenges believers to adopt a similar mindset in their own lives, valuing humility over worldly status. [40:02]
- Salvation is not a commodity to be earned but a gift to be received. The speaker's emphasis on salvation as a free gift underscores the grace of God and the futility of trying to earn God's favor through works. This truth invites believers to rest in the assurance of God's unmerited favor and encourages them to extend the same grace to others. [42:45]
- The decision to accept Jesus is portrayed as the most significant and transformative choice a person can make. This decision is not merely a momentary prayer but the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and growth. The speaker's encouragement to get one's life right with God is an invitation to a deeper, more meaningful existence. [43:32]
- The church is more than a gathering of individuals; it is a family united by faith. The speaker's invitation to join the church community and participate in its events highlights the importance of fellowship and support among believers. This sense of belonging is crucial for spiritual growth and mutual encouragement. [45:42]
- The Christmas season is a time for reflection and gratitude, not just for the birth of Jesus but also for the hope and salvation he brings. The speaker's concluding prayer is a reminder to focus on the spiritual significance of the holiday and to seek God's blessings for ourselves and others. This perspective helps believers to celebrate Christmas with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. [44:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Wild West Christmas"
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:14 (NIV) - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
2. Romans 6:23 (NIV) - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:14 tell us about the nature of Jesus' coming to earth?
2. According to Romans 6:23, what are the consequences of sin, and what does God offer instead?
3. How does Ephesians 2:8-9 describe the process of salvation? What is emphasized about the nature of this gift?
4. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the significance of Jesus' humble birth? ([39:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14)? How does this relate to the hope mentioned in the sermon? ([40:02])
2. How does the concept of salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) challenge common perceptions about earning favor with God? ([42:01])
3. What does the speaker mean by saying that Jesus' birth was the beginning of a mission that culminated in his sacrifice on the cross? ([42:01])
4. How does the idea of the church as a family, as mentioned in the sermon, enhance the understanding of Christian fellowship and support? ([45:42])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the humility of Jesus' birth. How can you adopt a similar mindset of humility and service in your daily life? ([39:17])
2. Salvation is described as a free gift that cannot be earned. How does this truth affect your view of your relationship with God and your actions towards others? ([42:01])
3. The speaker urges the congregation to make the decision to reconcile with God and accept Jesus. Have you made this decision? If not, what is holding you back? If yes, how has this decision transformed your life? ([42:45])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the church as a family. How can you contribute to fostering a sense of community and support within your church? ([45:42])
5. The Christmas season is a time for reflection and gratitude. What specific steps can you take to focus on the spiritual significance of the holiday and seek God's blessings for yourself and others? ([44:14])
6. The speaker shared a personal revelation of never having accepted Jesus. How can you share your own faith journey with others to encourage them in their walk with God? ([41:21])
7. The sermon concludes with a prayer for salvation and blessings. How can you incorporate regular prayer for salvation and blessings for others into your daily routine? ([44:14])
Devotional
Day 1: Humility Embodies True Greatness
Humility is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of true greatness. Jesus' choice to be born in a manger rather than a palace teaches that greatness comes through service and humility. This perspective challenges individuals to value humility above status and to serve others selflessly. [40:02]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate humility in your daily interactions and prioritize serving others over seeking status?
Day 2: Grace Freely Given, Not Earned
Salvation is a gift of grace from God, freely given and not earned through human efforts. This understanding allows believers to rest in the assurance of God's favor and to extend grace to others without reservation. [42:45]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: In what ways have you tried to earn God's favor in the past, and how can you shift to fully embracing His grace today?
Day 3: The Transformative Choice of Faith
Accepting Jesus is a transformative decision that marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. This choice leads to a deeper and more meaningful existence, aligning one's life with God's purpose. [43:32]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: What does accepting Jesus mean to you, and how can you live out this decision in your daily life?
Day 4: Church as a Family of Faith
The church is a family, united not by blood but by shared faith. Belonging to a church community provides fellowship and support, which are essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. [45:42]
1 Peter 2:17 - "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of family within your church community and offer support to fellow believers?
Day 5: Christmas, a Season of Spiritual Renewal
Christmas is a time to reflect on the hope and salvation brought by Jesus. It's a season to seek God's blessings and to celebrate with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. [44:14]
Colossians 3:15-16 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: How can you focus on the spiritual significance of Christmas this year and share the joy and hope of Jesus with others?
Quotes
"We have hope in Jesus still today, amen, because God came to us. We don't have to reach God; we don't have to do anything to reach him, he already came to us." [40:02] (Download)
"Jesus, the king of kings and Lord of lords, came to us and we worship Him, amen. That's the good news church, that Jesus came to us and demonstrated his love for us on that cross." [40:46] (Download)
"When he said it is finished, we have now access to God through Jesus. We don't have to earn anything; we can't work our way to him. We accept his free gift of Salvation in his grace through faith." [42:01] (Download)
"In your great love for us, you bore our punishment, our pain, everything that we deserved, you took it upon yourself, went to the Cross, but then you rose again on the third day, declaring victory over death and sin in the grave." [43:32] (Download)
"We thank you for this message of hope that comes through Christmas, that you came to us, that you humbled yourself to become a man, but that one day you would go to the cross in your great love for us." [43:32] (Download)
"This is family, this is family. So love for you guys to be part of the family here." [45:05] (Download)
"God bless you guys." [45:42] (Download)
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