Wonders of His Love: Joy in Christmas
Summary
As we embark on the Christmas season, we begin a new series titled "Wonders of His Love," inspired by the profound lyrics of beloved Christmas carols. This series aims to delve into the deep theological truths these songs convey, truths that often become mere background noise amidst the holiday hustle. The first week focuses on the joy that comes with the arrival of the Lord. Christmas, while often busy and chaotic, holds a beauty and joy that we must not overlook. It's a time when the story of Jesus' birth should invade our hearts, transforming our experience of the season into something truly beautiful.
The Advent season, which begins today, serves as a reminder that our hope is rooted in something eternal, something that doesn't get packed away with the decorations. Advent, meaning "coming," reflects the anticipation of Jesus' birth and the hope of His return. This season invites us to wait with joy, a joy not dependent on circumstances but on the reality of Jesus' life and sacrifice.
We explored the parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15, a story that beautifully illustrates why we have joy as Christians. The story reveals a father who, despite his son's waywardness, responds with compassion and grace. This father, representing God, is wastefully extravagant with his love, running to embrace his son despite the cultural norms of pride and dignity. This is a picture of the Christmas story—a God who is willing to do anything to restore us to Himself.
The joy of Christmas is rooted in the understanding that we have a Father in heaven who would give anything for us. This joy is not based on temporary circumstances but on the eternal truth of God's love and grace. As we celebrate this season, let us remember that we are no longer defined by our worst moments but are made right with God through Jesus' sacrifice. This Christmas, may we experience the wonder of His love anew.
Key Takeaways
- The Advent season is a reminder that our hope is rooted in something eternal, not something that gets packed away after Christmas. It signifies the anticipation of Jesus' birth and His eventual return, inviting us to wait with joy, a joy that is not dependent on our circumstances but on the reality of Jesus' life and sacrifice. [06:34]
- The parable of the prodigal son illustrates God's extravagant love and grace. Despite the son's waywardness, the father responds with compassion, running to embrace him. This story reflects the Christmas narrative—a God willing to do anything to restore us to Himself, demonstrating that our joy is rooted in His unending love. [19:45]
- Joy in the Christian life is not based on external circumstances but on the internal reality of what Jesus has done. His coming, life, and sacrifice provide a foundation for joy that transcends the temporary challenges we face, reminding us of the eternal hope we have in Him. [12:21]
- The Christmas story is about a God who is wastefully extravagant with His love, willing to sacrifice everything for our reconciliation. This understanding should fill us with joy, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator, who desires a relationship with us. [23:41]
- This Christmas, we are reminded that we are no longer condemned by our past mistakes or defined by our sins. Through Jesus' coming, we are offered forgiveness and a new identity in Him, allowing us to experience the joy and freedom that come from being made right with God. [28:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:00] - Christmas Spirit and Traditions
[04:44] - The Over-Promise of Christmas
[06:34] - The Meaning of Advent
[09:11] - The Mess of Life
[10:50] - Childhood Messes and God's Response
[12:21] - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
[14:34] - Jesus' Audience and Message
[16:44] - The Son's Journey and Realization
[19:45] - The Father's Compassionate Response
[21:57] - The Extravagance of God's Love
[23:41] - Mercy and Grace in the Christmas Story
[25:44] - Heaven's Joy Over Repentance
[26:41] - The Eternal Joy of Christmas
[28:25] - Invitation to Experience God's Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Wonders of His Love - Week 1: Joy to the World
Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the prodigal son, how does the father respond when he sees his son returning from a distance? What does this reveal about his character? [19:45]
2. What are the three parts of the speech the prodigal son prepares to say to his father, and how does the father interrupt him? [21:57]
3. How does the father’s reaction to his son’s return contrast with the cultural expectations of a Jewish father during that time? [19:45]
4. What actions does the father take to celebrate the return of his son, and what do these actions symbolize? [21:57]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the father’s willingness to run to his son challenge the cultural norms of pride and dignity? What does this tell us about God’s love for us? [19:45]
2. The sermon mentions that joy is not based on circumstances but on what has happened. How does the story of the prodigal son illustrate this concept of joy? [23:41]
3. In what ways does the father’s response to his son’s return reflect the Christmas narrative of God’s extravagant love and grace? [23:41]
4. How does the concept of Advent, as described in the sermon, relate to the themes of waiting and joy found in the parable of the prodigal son? [06:34]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you perceive His response to your return, and how does this compare to the father’s response in the parable? [19:45]
2. The sermon emphasizes that joy is rooted in the eternal truth of God’s love. How can you cultivate this kind of joy in your life, especially during the busy Christmas season? [06:34]
3. Consider the cultural norms or personal pride that might prevent you from fully embracing God’s love. What steps can you take to overcome these barriers? [19:45]
4. The father in the parable is described as wastefully extravagant with his love. How can you demonstrate this kind of love to others in your life? [23:41]
5. Advent is a time of waiting with joy. What are some practical ways you can incorporate the spirit of Advent into your daily routine this season? [06:34]
6. The sermon suggests that we are no longer defined by our worst moments. How can this truth impact the way you view yourself and others? [28:25]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to experience the wonder of God’s love anew. What specific actions can you take to invite God into that area this Christmas? [28:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Eternal Hope in Advent
The Advent season is a profound reminder that our hope is anchored in something eternal, not something that fades away with the holiday decorations. Advent, meaning "coming," is a time of anticipation for both the birth of Jesus and His eventual return. This season invites believers to wait with joy, a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the reality of Jesus' life and sacrifice. As we enter this season, we are called to reflect on the eternal hope that Jesus brings, a hope that transcends the temporary challenges and chaos of life. [06:34]
"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace the eternal hope of Jesus? How can you actively wait with joy in this area today?
Day 2: Extravagant Love in the Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates God's extravagant love and grace. Despite the son's waywardness, the father responds with compassion, running to embrace him. This story reflects the Christmas narrative—a God willing to do anything to restore us to Himself. The father's actions defy cultural norms, showing a love that is wastefully extravagant. This is the essence of the Christmas story: a God who is willing to sacrifice everything for our reconciliation, demonstrating that our joy is rooted in His unending love. [19:45]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you can demonstrate extravagant love. What specific action can you take today to show this love?
Day 3: Joy Beyond Circumstances
Joy in the Christian life is not based on external circumstances but on the internal reality of what Jesus has done. His coming, life, and sacrifice provide a foundation for joy that transcends the temporary challenges we face. This joy is a reminder of the eternal hope we have in Him, a hope that is not shaken by the ups and downs of life. As we navigate the Christmas season, let us focus on the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and the eternal life He offers. [12:21]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you shift your focus from the circumstances to the joy found in Jesus today?
Day 4: The Sacrificial Love of Christmas
The Christmas story is about a God who is wastefully extravagant with His love, willing to sacrifice everything for our reconciliation. This understanding should fill us with joy, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator, who desires a relationship with us. As we celebrate this season, let us remember the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to restore us to Himself. This sacrificial love is the foundation of our joy and the reason for the season. [23:41]
"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." (1 John 4:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the sacrificial love of God in your life. How can you embody this love in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Freedom and New Identity in Christ
This Christmas, we are reminded that we are no longer condemned by our past mistakes or defined by our sins. Through Jesus' coming, we are offered forgiveness and a new identity in Him, allowing us to experience the joy and freedom that come from being made right with God. This season invites us to embrace our new identity in Christ and live in the freedom He provides, free from the burdens of our past. [28:25]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What past mistake or sin do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ? What step can you take today to live in the freedom He offers?
Quotes
"The story of Christmas is that we serve a God full of mercy and grace that will do anything to reconnect. That he will do anything to bring us close to him again." [00:23:41] (10 seconds)
"This Christmas and every Christmas should be a reminder that you are no longer condemned to your worst moments, that you are no longer identified by your life of sin, guilt, and shame, but because Jesus came, but because of your father in heaven and his unimaginable love, you and I can be made right with God again." [00:27:56] (24 seconds)
"Why do we have joy at Christmas? It's because we have a father who is willing to do and give and sacrifice anything so that you and I could be in right relationship with him again." [00:26:10] (20 seconds)
"Mercy gave the son a second chance, but it's grace that gave him a feast. The story of Christmas is that we serve a God full of mercy and grace that will do anything to reconnect." [00:23:41]
"The word prodigal is interesting. The actual definition of prodigal is wastefully extravagant. Who's wastefully extravagant in this story? I'd like to submit to you it's not the son. It's the father. And what is he wastefully extravagant with? His love." [00:24:25] (21 seconds)
"There is hope that never has to get put away. There is joy that no longer has to get packed up and put up, that we can experience a different kind of joy that we can experience. There is joy because Christmas is the story that we have a father in heaven who would give anything for you and me." [00:26:41] (17 seconds)
"The story of Christmas is that the world had turned its back on him. On God. Were anyone to have a reason to not love humanity, it was God. But God, like the good father in the story, stood waiting and the moment he could, he did the unimaginable for us." [00:23:32] (21 seconds)
"Because this is a picture of the Christmas story. Because this is the reason that no matter how dark or desolate your life feels, you and I can walk in joy because joy isn't based on circumstance or happenings. It's based on what has happened." [00:23:12] (17 seconds)
"This is what Christmas is about. That heaven is in the mode of throwing parties because every time someone comes to faith in Jesus, heaven loses its mind. This is what it's all about." [00:24:47] (12 seconds)
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