A Deeper Meaning of Christmas (December 3, 2023)

Sermon Outline for Sunday, December 3, 2023

Pastor Andy Lambert

PASSAGES: Ephesians 3:20; Psalm 51:1–2; Psalm 51:10; John 11:40; Psalm 51:12; Philippians 2:12–13; John 5:30

 

Ephesians 3:20 “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

God is able to do what we ask, look at just how strong and powerful God is … He is able to do …

  • “far more” – to surpass; to go beyond any request; to overcome and do anything
  • “abundantly” – to overflow and to do more than enough; to go over and beyond, surpassing any need
  • “we ask or think” – imagine going beyond anything we can think! What is the greatest answer or deliverance we can think? God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can think.

 

When we look at the power and strength of God, we need to also see what else in Scripture we find, God is able to …

  • raise up children from stones (Luke 3:8 “8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” )
  • fulfill promises even if they are humanly impossible (Romans 4:21 “21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” )
  • make grace abound (2 Corinthians 9:8 “8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” )
  • subdue all things (Philippians 3:21 “21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” )
  • guard the soul’s treasure (2 Timothy 1:12 “12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” )
  • save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25 “25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” )
  • keep from falling (Jude 24 “24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,” )

 

Note that verse 20 also says “according to the power at work within us”. What power within us? It is the combined power of all that God has put within us, all that for which we are praying:

  • the power of the Spirit strengthening us
  • the power of Christ indwelling us
  • the power of love working in us
  • the power of understanding all that God does
  • the power of the fullness of God Himself

 

Add A Note

 

Psalm 51:1–2 “1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”

When David faced God as a sinner, a terrible sin, no excuses, just guilt and brokenness, he threw himself on the mercy of God, appealing to God’s loving-kindness and mercy. David asked for …

  • Mercy – this word depicts a heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need. It describes an action from a superior to an inferior who has no real claim for gracious treatment.
  • Loving-kindness – this is God’s unfailing, steadfast love. It is often translated as mercy and is one of God’s attributes or qualities. This trait stirs God to offer His wonderful promises to us and to keep them without fail. We may fail God, but He will never fail us.
  • Abundant Mercy – this comes from the Hebrew word for womb, signifying the deep, tender love a mother has for her helpless newborn baby. It is deep compassion, intensely emotional pity and affection felt from the most inward parts of one’s being. David referred to God’s multitude of tender mercies, meaning that His heartfelt compassion toward us cannot be measured.

 

  • CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART

Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

CREATE – a work of almighty power

IN ME – to me, for me, bestow as a gift, a heart free from taint of sin

 

  • RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME

Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

RENEW – already in me, essential principle of a new nature that is not lost, but its influence has been interrupted

RIGHT SPIRIT – literally, constant, firm, not yielding to temptation

Add A Note

 

John 11:40 “40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?””

Jesus has challenged Martha, and us today, to take an enormous leap of faith. He wanted her to conquer her complaining and set aside her objections. He wanted her to trust Him, to quit questioning what He did. He wanted her to trust …

  • His judgment and will
  • His knowledge and understanding
  • His Word and instructions.

 

Very simply, God has sent His Son to be born, live a life as an example, die for you and I, and God/Jesus wants us to just rest in Him, to place unlimited, resting faith in Him.

 

 

  • GRANT ME A WILLING SPIRIT TO SUSTAIN ME

Psalm 51:12 “12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Notice that David did not ask for God to restore his salvation, because he knew it had not been lost. Instead, David asked God to restore the JOY of his salvation. God’s greatest gift to us is His salvation. Nothing can bring greater joy to our lives than knowing that our sins are forgiven, that we are living in victory over sin and in the presence of God. David’s unconfessed sin has choked out this joy from his heart.

 

In order to be upheld or sustained when facing future temptations, David asked God for an additional gift: a willing for free spirit. It is possible that David was referring to the Holy Spirit, but it is more likely that he was repeating his request for a steadfast spirit. He desired a spirit of integrity, one that would always do the right thing and obey God.

 

When Christ was born, it was for one purpose, to purchase our redemption on the cross and to buy back everything that sin cost us. This does not mean we will not suffer the natural consequences of sin. We cannot undo the damage we inflict on ourselves and others when we sin – a tragic truth we should seriously consider when we are tempted. But as this Scripture teaches, we can be restored; God can heal us from the wounds of our sin, and He stands ready to give back what we forfeit when we give into temptation, such as …

  • a clear conscience
  • physical and emotional rest
  • joy
  • gladness
  • fellowship with God
  • an open door into God’s presence
  • a pure heart
  • a steadfast spirit
  • the power of the Holy Spirit
  • the joy of salvation

 

Philippians 2:12–13 “12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

 

John 5:30 “30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

 

Add A Note

  

Pastor Andy Lambert ~ pastorandy@cvcog.church

Call/Text: 205.642.8744 ext 101

Email my notes