Genesis
John 3:16
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:13
Proverbs 3:5
Romans 8:28
Matthew 5:16
Luke 6:31
Mark 12:30
SPOKEN WORD HIGHLIGHT
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by Menlo Church on Dec 08, 2024
In this time of celebration, we gather to reflect on the wonder of Christmas, a story that transcends fairy tales and stands as a pivotal event in human history. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, it's easy to lose sight of the heart of this story—a story of waiting, longing, and the fulfillment of a promise. For generations, people awaited a Messiah, a rescuer who would bring hope and salvation not just for a select few, but for the entire world. This is the essence of Christmas: the arrival of a hero in the form of a vulnerable baby, a reminder that God's kingdom often defies our expectations.
As we navigate the season, we often find ourselves waiting for our wants—new toys, treasures, and thrills. Yet, the true meaning of Christmas invites us to consider what we are truly waiting for. Is it grand enough to capture the imagination of a being created by the Creator of the universe? The people of old clung to prophecies, enduring oppression and silence, yet holding onto the promise that God would not abandon them. This promise was fulfilled in a way no one expected, with humility and peace instead of power and conquest.
The shepherds, the first to hear the news, remind us that God's message is for everyone, regardless of status. In a world obsessed with power, the Creator stepped down to offer something greater than power—life and light that shines in the darkness. This is the hope we need, a hope that assures us that darkness, fear, and despair do not have the final say. Jesus, the light of the world, shines through our pain and uncertainty.
As we celebrate, we are called to respond, to not just return to the routine of our culture but to embrace the kingdom Jesus came to reveal. Whether it's faith affirmed, rediscovered, or discovered for the first time, Christmas is a reminder that the wait is over. The Messiah has come, and He continues to come into our hearts and lives. Let us be bearers of this hope, longing for God to do something greater through us, knowing that God is with us, even in the mess.
**Key Takeaways**
- Christmas is a reminder of the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise, a story of hope and salvation for all humanity. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate wants and consider the grander purpose we were created for. [47:26]
- The arrival of Jesus as a vulnerable baby instead of a warrior king teaches us that God's kingdom often defies our expectations, bringing humility and peace instead of power and conquest. [50:45]
- The light of Jesus shines in the darkness, offering hope that fear, despair, and brokenness do not have the final say. This is the essence of Christmas, a reminder that the darkness will never overcome the light. [51:49]
- The shepherds' response to the angel's message encourages us to act on the hope we receive, to not just return to our routines but to embrace the kingdom Jesus came to reveal. [52:45]
- Christmas is an opportunity to share the good news that the wait is over, that the Messiah has come, and continues to come into our lives. We are called to be bearers of this hope, longing for God to do something greater through us. [56:35]
**Youtube Chapters**
[00:00] - Welcome
[47:26] - The Heart of Christmas
[48:11] - Waiting for the Messiah
[49:46] - Fulfillment of the Promise
[50:45] - God's Kingdom Upside Down
[51:49] - Light in the Darkness
[52:45] - Responding to the Message
[54:56] - Sharing the Good News
[56:35] - Bringing Hope with Us
[57:00] - Closing Prayer
**Bible Study Discussion Guide**
**Bible Reading:**
1. Isaiah 9:6 - "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."
2. John 1:4-5 - "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
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**Observation Questions:**
1. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the Messiah that people were waiting for, and how does this compare to the actual arrival of Jesus? [49:46]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the shepherds in the Christmas story, and what does this signify about God's kingdom? [50:45]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the things people typically wait for during Christmas, and how does this contrast with what humanity truly waited for? [47:26]
4. What does the sermon say about the light of Jesus and its impact on darkness in our lives? [51:49]
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**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How might the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 have shaped the expectations of the people waiting for the Messiah, and how did Jesus' arrival challenge those expectations? [49:46]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the arrival of Jesus as a vulnerable baby instead of a warrior king defies human expectations of power and leadership? [50:45]
3. How does the sermon interpret the significance of the shepherds being the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about the inclusivity of God's message? [50:45]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of hope that Jesus brings, and how does this hope address the fears and uncertainties in our lives? [51:49]
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**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on your own expectations for Christmas. Are there ways in which your focus on material wants might be overshadowing the deeper meaning of the season? How can you shift your focus this year? [47:26]
2. Consider the humility and peace that Jesus' birth represents. How can you embody these qualities in your interactions with others during this holiday season? [50:45]
3. The sermon highlights the shepherds' response to the angel's message. How can you actively respond to the hope and message of Christmas in your daily life? [52:45]
4. Think about a situation in your life where darkness seems to prevail. How can the light of Jesus bring hope and change to that situation? [51:49]
5. The sermon encourages us to share the good news that the Messiah has come. Who in your life needs to hear this message, and how can you share it with them this Christmas? [56:35]
6. Reflect on the idea that God is with us, even in the mess. How can this truth provide comfort and guidance in a current challenge you are facing? [56:35]
7. How can you be a bearer of hope in your community, longing for God to do something greater through you this Christmas season? [56:35]
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: The Promise Fulfilled
The story of Christmas is not just a tale of a miraculous birth but a profound fulfillment of a promise that had been awaited for generations. People longed for a Messiah, a savior who would bring hope and salvation to all humanity. This promise was not just for a select few but for everyone, transcending cultural and social boundaries. The arrival of Jesus as a vulnerable baby in a humble setting challenges us to look beyond our immediate desires and consider the grander purpose for which we were created. It invites us to reflect on the deeper meaning of our existence and the hope that this promise brings. [47:26]
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are holding onto today? How does the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness?
Day 2: God's Kingdom Upside Down
The arrival of Jesus as a vulnerable baby instead of a warrior king teaches us that God's kingdom often defies our expectations. It is a kingdom characterized by humility and peace rather than power and conquest. This unexpected fulfillment of prophecy reminds us that God's ways are not our ways, and His plans often unfold in ways we cannot predict. As we reflect on this, we are invited to embrace the values of God's kingdom, which prioritize love, service, and humility over worldly power and success. [50:45]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking power or control? How can you embrace the humility and peace of God's kingdom in those areas today?
Day 3: Light in the Darkness
The light of Jesus shines in the darkness, offering hope that fear, despair, and brokenness do not have the final say. This is the essence of Christmas—a reminder that the darkness will never overcome the light. In a world filled with uncertainty and pain, the presence of Jesus brings assurance and peace. His light guides us through our struggles and illuminates the path to hope and healing. As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded that we are not alone in our darkness; the light of Christ is with us, offering comfort and strength. [51:49]
John 1:4-5 (ESV): "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Reflection: What is one area of darkness or uncertainty in your life right now? How can you invite the light of Jesus into that area today?
Day 4: Responding to the Message
The shepherds' response to the angel's message encourages us to act on the hope we receive. They did not return to their routines but embraced the kingdom Jesus came to reveal. This response challenges us to not just hear the message of hope but to live it out in our daily lives. We are called to be active participants in God's kingdom, sharing the good news and embodying the values of love, peace, and service. As we reflect on the shepherds' example, we are invited to consider how we can respond to the message of Christmas in our own lives. [52:45]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: How can you actively respond to the message of hope and salvation in your daily life? What is one specific action you can take today to embody the values of God's kingdom?
Day 5: Bringing Hope with Us
Christmas is an opportunity to share the good news that the wait is over, that the Messiah has come, and continues to come into our lives. We are called to be bearers of this hope, longing for God to do something greater through us. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that His presence is not confined to a single moment in history but is a continual reality in our lives. We are invited to carry this hope with us, sharing it with others and allowing it to transform our hearts and actions. [56:35]
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope and salvation this Christmas? How can you share the light of Christ with them in a meaningful way today?
"Is it grand enough to capture the imagination of a created being by the creator of the universe who loves you so desperately that he wants you to have the thing you were actually made to experience? I hope you get that thing that you're waiting for, the thing that's on your Christmas list, but I hope you realize you were made for so much more, that oftentimes what we want has been shrunk down." [00:48:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Yet, they held onto a promise that God would not leave them. God would not abandon them. God would not forget about them. He would bring the rescuer that would accomplish what all of their best efforts never could. And this rescuer was not just for them, but this rescuer who came 2,000 years ago was for all of us." [00:48:50] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The shepherds, the lowest of society, were the first to hear the news, a reminder that God's kingdom turns our expectations upside down. In our moment, in our culture, in our world, we are consumed with getting and keeping power. But the creator of the universe stepped down from heaven to grant us something even greater than the greatest power you could imagine." [00:50:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The apostle John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, captures this mystery beautifully when he says, In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This is the essence of Christmas, that the darkness will never win." [00:51:13] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And some of you, that's the hope you need to hear. And believe tonight, not just the darkness in the world, but the darkness in our lives. Fear, despair, brokenness, uncertainty, it does not have the final say. Jesus, the light of the world, shines through the pain in the world." [00:51:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The shepherds remind us that the Messiah meets us where we are, in the ordinary, in the everyday, in the regular patterns of our lives, in our fears, in our insecurities, and yes, in our waiting. God sees you. He has come near to you through Jesus." [00:52:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"They said, let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. They responded. They did something with it, and tonight, as we sing these carols and we reflect on the Christmas story, let us also respond. Let us respond in the days and weeks to come, not just go back to the cruise control of the culture that we find ourselves in." [00:54:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But we owe the people in our lives the good news that the wait is over. The Messiah has come. As a matter of fact, the Messiah has come. He's still coming into our hearts, our homes, our world, our lives." [00:56:26] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
...someone brought you here and you thought you were coming to Moana too. No matter why you're here, we are so glad that you are.
Tonight is a time of celebration, a time for carols, a time for scriptures, a time to reflect as we maybe center, or for some of us, re-center on the wonder of Christmas. Because I've found that without rhythms like this, in the busyness of the season we find ourselves in, it is easy to lose sight of the heart of this story.
That a group of people were waiting for a messiah, a rescuer, and that's what we come to remember and celebrate. A rescuer who didn't just come for them, but came for the entire world, came for you. And it's not just a fairy tale, it's not a story we tell ourselves, it's an event in human history that breaks through our routines of just moving from a season where we're in the middle of Christmas to the end of Christmas. We say we are so thankful for, to a season where we say we must have even more.
Recently, my wife and I were shopping for Christmas gifts for our kids, and as we're looking at one particular item, my wife made this statement. She said, "They need that." And a complete stranger who we never met in the store chimed in, "It's not about what they need."
See, Christmas for us, it centers around waiting for our wants. We want a new toy, a new treasure, a new thrill, a new tool, which can all be so special as moments and memories with people that we love, but they can also distort the meaning of Christmas if they become the centerpiece of it.
See, we wait for our wants, but humanity waited for its hero. That's what we come to celebrate. I wonder, what are you waiting for this Christmas? And is it big enough? Is it grand enough to capture the imagination of a created being by the creator of the universe who loves you so desperately that he wants you to have the thing you were actually made to experience?
I hope you get that thing that you're waiting for, the thing that's on your Christmas list, but I hope you realize you were made for so much more, that oftentimes what we want has been shrunk down, far smaller than it was ever meant to be.
For generations, God's people waited. They clung to prophecies like the prophet Isaiah's, where he declared, "For to us, a child is born. To us, a son is given," as we heard just a few moments ago. Imagine the anticipation of that moment of people longing for peace, for hope, for salvation.
In their waiting, they endured oppression, silence, and death. And so, we're waiting for that moment to come. Silence, exile, and suffering. Yet, they held onto a promise that God would not leave them. God would not abandon them. God would not forget about them. He would bring the rescuer that would accomplish what all of their best efforts never could.
And this rescuer was not just for them, but this rescuer who came 2,000 years ago was for all of us. See, the plan was always that the hope he would bring was a hope for everyone. And we still believe that hope is for everyone.
2,000 years ago, after 400 years of silence between the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament of our Bible, in a quiet town, the waiting ended. A first-century physician, so captured by this early movement of Jesus' followers, recorded these eyewitness details for us. He says, "See, the promise was fulfilled, but not in the way that anyone expected."
Instead of a warrior king, God sent a vulnerable baby. Instead of a warrior king, God sent a vulnerable baby. Instead of a warrior king, God sent a vulnerable baby. Instead of a warrior king, God sent a vulnerable baby. Instead of a warrior king, he brought humility. And instead of conquering armies, he brought peace.
The shepherds, the lowest of society, were the first to hear the news, a reminder that God's kingdom turns our expectations upside down. In our moment, in our culture, in our world, we are consumed with getting and keeping power. But the creator of the universe stepped down from heaven to grant us something even greater than the greatest power you could imagine.
The apostle John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, captures this mystery beautifully when he says, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This is the essence of Christmas, that the darkness will never win.
And some of you, that's the hope you need to hear and believe tonight, not just the darkness in the world, but the darkness in our lives. Fear, despair, brokenness, uncertainty, it does not have the final say. Jesus, the light of the world, shines through the pain in the world.
We wait for what we want, but humanity waited for its hero and found it in Jesus. For millennia, he has shown people a different kingdom at Christmas, and we get to be reminded of it every time we celebrate it.
Tonight, I want to ask you, what are you waiting for? Not just the cheap and easy answer of what you want for Christmas, but what do you need from the kingdom that Jesus came to reveal? If you were to dream again, wonder again, imagine again, what is it that you would ask for?
Maybe it's healing that you thought long passed you by. Maybe it's the job that you've been waiting for, that you moved to the area for, that you lost along the way. Maybe it's for him or her to notice you. Maybe it's just a deeper sense of purpose because what you got, you thought would be enough, and it isn't.
The shepherds remind us that the Messiah meets us where we are, in the ordinary, in the everyday, in the regular patterns of our lives, in our fears, in our insecurities, and yes, in our waiting. God sees you. He has come near to you through Jesus.
I think sometimes in church, like tonight, we're dressed nice. If you don't normally come to Menlo, I don't normally dress this nice. Sorry to disappoint you. Sometimes in church, I think we have this idea that we have to clean ourselves up. We have to fix certain parts of our lives in order for God to love us, but the good news is God loves you exactly as you are.
As a matter of fact, he's never loved you anymore. He's never loved you. He loves you the most right now. He has already maxed out his love for you, and every Christmas is a reminder of that. Choosing to follow Jesus, it will change your life, but it's not a change so that God will love you more. It's a change so that you can love him more. He already loves you the most, no matter what you think about him.
See, when the shepherds encounter the angel's message, they didn't stay in the field. They said, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." They responded. They did something with it, and tonight, as we sing these carols and we reflect on the Christmas story, let us also respond.
Let us respond in the days and weeks to come, not just go back to the cruise control of the culture that we find ourselves in. Whether it's faith for you that's affirmed in this moment, that you go, "This helps me remember this moment," or it's faith for you that's affirmed in this moment. Remember what Christmas is all about, or maybe faith rediscovered for some of you, maybe after a long time, or maybe for some of you, it's discovering faith for the very first time, that the thing you've been waiting for, you couldn't put words to it, but it was so much greater than what your wish list could possibly hold.
Recently, a friend of mine was asking me about a movie and when it was coming to the theater, and I felt bad because not only was that movie in a theater already, I had already heard about it. I had already seen that movie and I had already seen it with friends. And I felt like I should have invited him to come see this movie with my friends.
Some of us, we stopped waiting for a rescuer years ago. We've experienced him. We're so thankful for that. But there are people around us who don't know that. They have no idea that that's true in our lives. Maybe they know that you seem more religious, maybe, or that your holidays have different truths. Maybe they know traditions that are a part of them, but they don't know that you believe that the whole world needed to be rescued and that Christmas for you is the moment we celebrate Jesus coming as a baby to live a perfect life and to die in our place only to come back from the grave three days later so that the entire world could choose to follow him both now and forever.
Even if they aren't here with you tonight, it's not too late. Don't let this season go without letting them know what it means to you. Your relationship doesn't hang in the balance. They don't have to believe the same thing as you do in order to be close to you. I hope certainly not.
But we owe the people in our lives the good news that the wait is over. The Messiah has come. As a matter of fact, the Messiah has come. He's still coming into our hearts, our homes, our world, our lives.
May we be the kind of people that bring the hope of heaven with us this Christmas, not simply waiting for what we want, but longing for God to do something even greater through us. God doesn't stay far away, even in the mess. He came near. God with us. That's what this word Emmanuel means. And he is still with us tonight.
Would you pray with me?
God, in a room like this, there are people who came from lots of different circumstances, and only you know what they need. God, would you meet them in their place of greatest need? Would you remind them of your profound and unchanging, unshakable love for them and the path that is still available for them to know you? In Jesus' name, amen.
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