Explore the deep significance of Christmas, revealing how unexpected origins and divine grace shape its true meaning. Discover the contrast between societal expectations and the humble beginning of Jesus' birth in Galilee. Delve into the powerful metaphor of light and darkness, emphasizing the necessity of divine illumination for life. Reflect on Jesus’ identity as God incarnate and its transformative implications for humanity, culminating in a heartfelt call for humility and repentance during this Christmas season.
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insights INSIGHT
Unexpected Light
Christmas means an unexpected light coming through Jesus, receivable only by grace.
Jesus, born in obscurity, became the most influential person in history.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The Spirit of Christmas
Embrace the spirit of Christmas by not being blinded by worldly markers of success.
Learn from and respect those who may not possess traditional markers of greatness.
insights INSIGHT
The Fading Sun
The world's light, the sun, is fading, and with it, life as we know it.
This points to a need for a spiritual, ultimate light.
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Published in 1958, 'Basic Christianity' by John Stott is a seminal work in Christian literature. The book is structured into four parts: it begins by scrutinizing the identity of Jesus, including his claims about his divine nature and his resurrection. The second part delves into the universality of sin and its consequences, using the Ten Commandments to illustrate humanity's moral obligations. The third part outlines what Christ accomplished through his sacrificial death on the cross, emphasizing the significance of the crucifixion in understanding salvation. The final part examines how individuals should respond to these truths, calling for a genuine renunciation of the old self and a radical commitment to Christ. The book has been updated over the years to reflect changes in language and is now part of the IVP Signature Collection[2][4][5].
What does Christmas mean?
The Old Testament book of Isaiah helps us come to grips with the riches of Christmas. If I could put it in one sentence, it tells us that Christmas means the unexpected, ultimate light comes through the God-man, which can only be received by grace.
Let’s look at it: Christmas means 1) God does something unexpected, 2) the salvation has to do with the ultimate light, and 3) the hope you get can only be received as a gift of grace.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on December 8, 2013. Series: Jesus, Our Hope (Advent). Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7.
Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.
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