Hope in Darkness: The Promise of Christmas
Summary
In the sermon titled "Micah's Christmas Hope Micah 4-5," delivered on December 24, 2023, the speaker delves into the profound message of hope that Christmas brings to a world shrouded in darkness, sin, and brokenness. The speaker underscores the infinite value God places on each individual, as evidenced by Jesus' birth, life, and death for all, regardless of personal feelings of worth. The prophecy in Micah 5 is highlighted, revealing that the savior would be born in humble Bethlehem, not amidst royalty, signifying that God's greatest works often occur in unexpected places and through unexpected people.
The congregation is reminded of the importance of supporting missionaries through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, which helps spread the hope of Christmas globally. The speaker extends a warm welcome to all attendees, especially children, and invites them to participate in a special story and gift session around the Christmas tree. The sermon calls for worship through the reading of Jesus' birth from Luke chapter 2, emphasizing the world's need for redemption that Jesus came to fulfill.
The faithfulness of God is a central theme, with the speaker reflecting on the 700-year wait for the fulfillment of God's promise, culminating in Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. This event brought light and hope into a world of darkness, pain, and despair. The Christmas story is presented as a narrative of Jesus entering the darkest corners of the world to offer hope, with an encouragement to hold onto this hope for a future without darkness, brokenness, or suffering.
The speaker urges the congregation to keep the flame of hope in Christ alive within their hearts, even amidst darkness. The church's tradition of keeping a flame burning as a reminder of Jesus' presence and promise is mentioned. An invitation is extended to those who have not yet surrendered to Jesus to do so, emphasizing His role as the Savior who can redeem from darkness and sin.
The hope of Christ is also discussed in the context of a warning of judgment from Micah 4 and 5. The speaker explains that Micah's message, delivered to a suffering and sinful people, was one of hope, promising a savior who would bring redemption and change. Christmas is portrayed as the story of Jesus entering a dark and broken world.
The inclusive and redemptive nature of Jesus' birth is highlighted, with the speaker referencing Micah chapter four, where Jesus is described as coming for the spiritually fallen and those limping in life. Jesus is depicted as gathering those who are outcast and undeserving, not just the righteous.
Finally, the sermon reflects on the biblical account of the shepherds visiting baby Jesus, filled with awe and wonder. Mary treasures these events in her heart. The congregation is invited to worship and give thanks for Jesus Christ, who brings hope and peace to a broken world, as prophesied by Micah.
Key Takeaways:
- The birth of Jesus Christ is a testament to God's unyielding commitment to humanity, demonstrating that no place is too humble and no person too insignificant for His redemptive work. The prophecy of Micah, which foretold the Savior's birth in Bethlehem, serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses the unexpected to reveal His glory and grace. [56:02]
- The act of supporting missionaries is not merely a charitable contribution but a participation in the global mission to extend the hope of Christmas to every corner of the earth. This offering is a tangible expression of the church's collective commitment to sharing the transformative message of Jesus' birth with those in the most challenging circumstances. [08:30]
- The long-awaited fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus' arrival is a beacon of hope that pierces through the deepest darkness. This historical event reassures believers that despite the prevalence of pain and despair, the light of Christ prevails and promises an ultimate end to suffering. [44:27]
- The continuous flame in the church symbolizes the enduring presence and promise of Jesus Christ. It serves as a call to those who have yet to embrace faith, reminding them that Jesus' saving grace is readily available to all who seek redemption from the shadows of sin. [01:06:31]
- Jesus' mission to gather the outcasts and the fallen illustrates the breadth of God's grace, which reaches beyond societal boundaries to embrace those deemed unworthy. This inclusive love challenges believers to recognize the value in every soul and the potential for redemption in every life. [51:17]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Micah 5:2 - "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."
2. Micah 4:6-7 - "In that day, declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forevermore."
3. Luke 2:1-20 - The account of Jesus' birth, including the shepherds' visit and the angelic announcement.
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Micah 5:2, where was the Savior prophesied to be born, and what significance does this location hold?
2. In Micah 4:6-7, who does the Lord say He will gather and make into a strong nation?
3. What was the reaction of the shepherds when they heard the news of Jesus' birth from the angels in Luke 2:8-20? How did they respond to this news?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the prophecy of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) reveal about God's ways of choosing unexpected places and people for His purposes? [01:01:14]
2. How does the imagery of God gathering the lame and outcasts in Micah 4:6-7 reflect the inclusive and redemptive nature of Jesus' mission? [51:34]
3. Reflect on the shepherds' response to the angelic announcement in Luke 2:8-20. What does their reaction teach us about the appropriate response to the good news of Jesus' birth?
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that Jesus entered into a dark and broken world to bring hope. How can you hold onto the hope of Christ in your own moments of darkness and despair? [47:22]
2. Supporting missionaries through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering was highlighted as a way to spread the hope of Christmas globally. How can you personally contribute to this mission, and what other ways can you support global evangelism? [08:30]
3. The continuous flame in the church symbolizes the enduring presence and promise of Jesus. What practical steps can you take to keep the flame of hope in Christ burning in your heart daily? [01:05:30]
4. The sermon mentioned that Jesus came to gather the outcasts and those deemed unworthy. How can you reflect this inclusive love in your interactions with others, especially those who feel marginalized or undervalued? [51:34]
5. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 shows that God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. Can you identify a situation in your life where God worked in an unexpected way? How did this experience shape your faith?
6. Reflecting on the shepherds' awe and wonder at Jesus' birth, how can you cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude in your daily worship and relationship with God? [12:47]
7. The sermon called for those who have not yet surrendered to Jesus to do so. If you have not yet made this decision, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you encourage others to embrace the hope and redemption found in Christ? [01:07:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Unexpected Places of Divine Work
God often chooses the most humble settings and unlikely individuals to manifest His glory and grace. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a place of no great renown, exemplifies this truth, reminding us that no person or place is too insignificant for God's redemptive work. [56:02]
Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when God worked through an unexpected person or situation in your life? How did that experience change your perspective on God's ability to work through the humble and the small?
Day 2: Global Mission Participation
Supporting missionaries is an active participation in God's global mission, extending the hope of Christmas to all. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering is a practical way to join in the collective effort to share the transformative message of Jesus' birth with those in the darkest corners of the world. [08:30]
2 Corinthians 9:12-13 - "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the global mission of the church, beyond financial support? Are there actions you can take this week to impact someone's life with the hope of Christ?
Day 3: Beacon of Hope in Darkness
The arrival of Jesus, fulfilling God's long-awaited promise, is a beacon of hope that pierces the deepest darkness. This historical event reassures us that despite the prevalence of pain and despair, the light of Christ prevails and promises an ultimate end to suffering. [44:27]
Isaiah 9:2 - "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."
Reflection: In what ways can you be a bearer of Christ's light in your community, especially to those who are struggling with despair or hopelessness?
Day 4: Enduring Presence and Promise
The continuous flame in the church symbolizes the enduring presence and promise of Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder that Jesus' saving grace is available to all who seek redemption from the shadows of sin. [01:06:31]
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What does the 'continuous flame' of Jesus' presence mean to you in your daily life? How can you keep this flame alive in your heart and actions?
Day 5: Embracing the Outcasts
Jesus' mission to gather the outcasts and the fallen illustrates the breadth of God's grace, reaching beyond societal boundaries to embrace those deemed unworthy. This inclusive love challenges us to recognize the value in every soul and the potential for redemption in every life. [51:17]
Luke 14:21-23 - "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.'"
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outcast or unworthy? How can you extend God's inclusive love to them this week?
Quotes
"To remind God's people, though it be dark out there, we have the presence and the promise of Jesus. So no matter what's going on in your life, believer, keep the light of the flame of the hope of Christ burning in your heart." [01:06:31] (Download)
"Christmas is the story that God not only finds you valuable, but that Jesus finds you infinitely valuable. And he came in that manger to collect you for himself, to live for you and to die for you." [56:02] (Download)
"That Christmas is proof that God does his greatest work in unexpected places, unexpected ways, and unexpected people." [01:01:34] (Download)
"Christmas means there is hope for the most hopeless person in this room. Jesus gathers the lame. That is the limping, the fallen, the stumbling and the slipping." [51:17] (Download)
"Jesus has come into this world to collect for himself what no one else finds value in. Jesus came to collect what no one else wants. To gather those who have been driven away." [52:59] (Download)
"If there's ever a place in which we ought to say children belong here and are welcome here it's on Christmas Eve Sunday as we worship the Lord Jesus Christ." [08:30] (Download)
"Fantastic morning because this is the kind of world that the Lord Jesus Christ chose to come into. A world in which not everything was right. A world that needed redeeming and changing." [10:05] (Download)
"Jesus has come into this broken, dark, sin-filled, despairing world to save a people, to redeem, to heal, to seek the lost, and to give light in this dark world." [46:44] (Download)
"The Christmas story is the story of Jesus breaking into the darkest corners of this world and saying, Oh people of God, there's hope." [46:44] (Download)
"Micah's message is, oh, dark, despairing world, hope in God. God will send you a savior. One day a baby will be born in little Bethlehem who will rescue you. He will be your peace." [42:12] (Download)
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