Hope Personified: The Birth of Jesus Christ
Summary
In the sermon "Christmas at Relevant 2023," the speaker, whose name is not discernible from the title, delivers a message centered on the theme of hope brought into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ. The sermon underscores the significance of Jesus' arrival not as a political savior to overthrow the Roman government, but as a beacon of hope for a world mired in despair. The speaker recounts how Jesus called his disciples to follow him and change the world, bringing hope through miraculous acts such as calming storms, forgiving sins, healing the sick, and even raising the dead.
The speaker further illustrates the transformative power of hope by sharing biblical stories where Jesus healed a leper, restored sight to the blind, and forgave a tax collector, among others. These stories emphasize that Jesus' ministry was about more than adhering to religious systems; it was about caring for people and offering them hope and healing.
Reflecting on the historical context of Jesus' birth, the speaker describes the oppressive Roman rule over the Jewish people, marked by fear, high taxes, and the marginalization of women, children, and the disabled. Despite these dire circumstances, Jesus' humble birth in a manger and the angelic announcement to shepherds symbolize the arrival of hope in a time of darkness.
The sermon also includes personal testimonies from members of Relevant Church who have experienced hope in their own lives. Stories of overcoming grief, addiction, rejection, and shame illustrate the ongoing impact of hope in the congregation. The speaker shares their own story of hope when their mother was healed from cancer, reinforcing the message that hope is alive and active today.
The speaker concludes by affirming that hope, personified in Jesus Christ, is still present and powerful. Jesus' life and ministry, including raising Lazarus from the dead and offering living water to the Samaritan woman at the well, demonstrate that hope can triumph over death, shame, and sin. The congregation is invited to stand and sing praises to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of hope and the Lord of all.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus Christ's arrival in the world signifies the embodiment of hope, transcending political aspirations and offering a profound spiritual liberation to those burdened by life's challenges. His ministry was marked by acts of compassion and miracles that provided tangible evidence of hope's power to transform lives. [40:08]
- Hope is not confined by societal norms or religious regulations; it is a divine force that prioritizes the well-being of individuals. Jesus' interactions with those deemed unclean or unworthy by society illustrate that hope reaches out to everyone, offering healing and acceptance without discrimination. [43:54]
- The historical backdrop of Jesus' birth, amidst Roman oppression and societal turmoil, serves as a stark contrast to the humble and hopeful circumstances of His arrival. This juxtaposition highlights that true hope often emerges in the midst of adversity and can inspire change in the darkest of times. [37:52]
- The personal stories shared by members of Relevant Church demonstrate that hope is not a relic of the past but a present and active force in the lives of believers. These testimonies of overcoming adversity through faith underscore the relevance and necessity of hope in contemporary life. [49:03]
- The sermon culminates with the declaration that hope has a name: Jesus Christ. This personification of hope as Jesus emphasizes that the Christian faith is rooted in a relationship with a living Savior who continues to fight for humanity and offers a hope that is both eternal and transformative. [51:29]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Christmas at Relevant 2023"
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 2:1-14 (NIV)
> In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the historical context of Jesus' birth according to the sermon? ([35:45])
2. How did the speaker describe the significance of Jesus' birth in relation to the Roman oppression? ([37:52])
3. What were some of the miraculous acts performed by Jesus that the speaker highlighted? ([41:22])
4. How did the personal testimonies shared in the sermon illustrate the ongoing impact of hope? ([49:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the speaker emphasized that Jesus was not a political savior but a beacon of hope? ([40:47])
2. How do the stories of Jesus healing the sick and forgiving sins demonstrate the transformative power of hope? ([42:02])
3. In what ways does the historical backdrop of Jesus' birth enhance our understanding of the hope He brings? ([37:52])
4. How do the personal testimonies shared in the sermon help us understand the relevance of hope in contemporary life? ([49:03])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. How did you find hope, and how does that experience relate to the hope brought by Jesus' birth? ([40:47])
2. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of compassion and miracles. How can you bring hope to someone in need this week through a simple act of kindness? ([42:02])
3. The sermon highlighted that hope is not confined by societal norms or religious regulations. How can you challenge societal norms to offer hope and acceptance to someone marginalized? ([43:54])
4. Considering the oppressive context of Jesus' birth, how can you find and share hope in the midst of your own adversities? ([37:52])
5. The personal stories shared in the sermon show that hope is alive today. Can you share a personal testimony of how hope has transformed your life or someone you know? ([49:03])
6. The speaker mentioned that hope has a name: Jesus Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus to experience and share His hope more fully? ([51:29])
7. Reflect on the story of the woman at the well. Is there an area of your life where you feel shame or isolation? How can you invite Jesus into that area to experience His healing and hope? ([46:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Beyond Political Aspirations
Hope in Jesus transcends earthly power structures, offering spiritual freedom and transformation. His arrival signaled a shift from seeking political deliverance to embracing a deeper, more profound liberation. His ministry of compassion and miraculous works provided a living testament to the power of hope to change lives. [40:08]
Isaiah 9:6-7 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from earthly solutions to the hope found in Jesus for the challenges you face?
Day 2: Hope for the Marginalized
Hope reaches out to all, especially those society overlooks. Jesus' interactions with lepers, the blind, and tax collectors reveal a divine force that heals and accepts without prejudice, prioritizing individual well-being over societal norms. [43:54]
Luke 14:13-14 - "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Reflection: Who in your community is often overlooked, and how can you extend hope and compassion to them this week?
Day 3: Hope in Adversity
True hope emerges in the midst of adversity, as demonstrated by Jesus' humble birth under oppressive Roman rule. This juxtaposition of darkness and light underscores the power of hope to inspire change in the darkest times. [37:52]
Micah 5:2-4 - "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. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time of darkness in your life. How did hope in Christ help you overcome that period?
Day 4: Hope's Ongoing Impact
Hope is not a relic of the past but an active force in believers' lives today. Personal testimonies from the congregation illustrate the relevance and necessity of hope in overcoming modern struggles such as grief and addiction. [49:03]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: Can you identify a trial you are currently facing? How can you actively seek and hold onto hope in this situation?
Day 5: Hope Personified in Jesus
Hope has a name, and it is Jesus Christ. The Christian faith is rooted in a relationship with a living Savior who offers eternal and transformative hope, fighting for humanity against death, shame, and sin. [51:29]
Colossians 1:27 - "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Reflection: How does the person of Jesus embody hope for you, and how can you share this hope with others this week?
Quotes
"It was hope that helped Terina through griefshare and other people find Healing from losing her spouse in a hopeless situation ready to give up now she's serving others and helping others find hope." [49:03] (Download)
"It was hope who stood by my mom's bedside beside me when I was 16 years old she was destined to die with brain cancer and breast cancer and God reached down from heaven and healed her body and let me see the hand of God at work in my life and in her life." [50:19] (Download)
"Hope Came Down walked with them, fought for them and now they're fighting with other people and other families, bringing foster children in their home giving them a sense of hope." [51:29] (Download)
"Hope has a name and his name is Jesus Christ, Lord of all." [51:29] (Download)
"It was hope that forgave the sins and healed a paralyzed man not only indicating that hope could bring physical healing but could heal you from spiritual Brokenness no matter how far you are from God." [42:02] (Download)
"Hope looked down at a woman and he saw the value inside of her not on the external part of her and he looked at her and said look around does anyone condemn you and he says neither do I go and sin no more." [47:50] (Download)
"It was hope that preached the message for two or three days to his disciples and he would walk down the side of the mountain and he would see a lonely leper at the side of the mountain who no one would touch because he was seen as unclean." [43:21] (Download)
"Indicating that God can restore and he accepts you just the way you are if you'll come to him, it was hope that stopped mid-sentence of a sermon because four men carried a man on a mat to him." [43:54] (Download)
"Indicating that he cares more about hurting people than he does your religious system, it was hope that would heal a man with dropsy in front of the Pharisees on the Sabbath." [44:29] (Download)
"The fear that darkened the hearts of so many people that day was this: at any moment your name could be called, and if you offended Herod or the government, he could bring you in and slit your throat." [36:18] (Download)
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