Many people today believe that Jesus never claimed to be God. They think Jesus was merely a wise teacher whose followers later deified him. Yet, key passages, such as Philippians 2, demonstrate that from the very beginning of Christianity, Jesus was worshiped as God. In our lives, we can only see Jesus’ love for us once we realize that he is God. Jesus left the perfect love of the Trinity in order to serve us. He then sends His disciples out into the world, following in his footsteps, serving and sacrificially loving others.

What does it mean to say God is with us? The meaning of Christmas is that the Creator of the universe has become a human being. It means that the terrifying God who appeared in the Old Testament as a whirlwind and a fire has become a vulnerable baby in order to be close to us. What, in turn, will we do in order to be close to Him?

Additional scriptural references made in this sermon are: John 1:1, 14, 17; Acts 20:28; Acts 14:11-13; Job 38:1; Genesis 15:17; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Exodus 33:18-23; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 3:13; Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 13:7.

All of us are seeking a verdict. Whether it’s the anxiety we feel when we go out on a date with someone we like or when we are interviewed for a job, we need to know that we have passed the test. In the beatitudes Jesus teaches that only those who are poor in spirit, only those who rely on Jesus’ record instead of their own, can pass the ultimate test—whether we can enter the Kingdom of God.

Additional scriptural references made in this sermon are: John 3:3; Romans 3:10.

One of the clearest commands Jesus gives us in the Gospels is to give to the poor. Jesus became poor for us, and we must also love the poor with radical generosity.

The biblical concept of justice emphasizes restoring the wholeness of the world. However, we contribute to the breakdown of the society when we put ourselves first. In Isaiah, we are shown some of the ways that God identifies with the poor, calls us to change our self-centered hearts, and works towards restoring the shalom of the world.

The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual power available to all Christians. When we trust in Christ’s work done on our behalf, we can turn from trusting ourselves, and our spiritual life will begin.

The gospel should change not just our inner being but also the way we relate to the outside world. Paul engaged with society every day. He was distressed, indignant and compassionate about the Athenians' beliefs, but he kept his eyes on the cross to inform his words. He recognized their idols and raised up Jesus as the only true God.