Your December 31st, Sermon & Ministry Resources

These resources are published free weekly for all who desire to use them.

Lectionary Readings — 1st Sunday after Christmas Day, December 31, 2023

Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

---

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 148)

Leader: Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

People: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!

Leader: Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

People: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Leader: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

People: Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Leader: Let us praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted.

People: He has raised up a horn for his people. Praise the LORD!

---

Opening Prayer (based on Isaiah 61:10-62:3)

Gracious and Loving God,

As we gather today, we rejoice in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who declared, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). We thank You for the joy and righteousness that You bestow upon us, clothing us in Your love and grace.

Lord, as Isaiah spoke of Your promise to bring forth a new dawn, to give Your people a crown of beauty instead of ashes, we too look forward to the renewal You bring into our lives. In this time of worship, renew our spirits, and help us to be beacons of Your hope and light in the world.

We pray for Your justice and peace to prevail, as You have promised to make us like a crown of splendor in Your hand, a royal diadem held by our God (Isaiah 62:3). May our lives reflect Your glory and righteousness, and may our actions bring honor to Your name.

Bless our time together, O Lord, and guide us in our worship. May our hearts be open to Your word, our minds receptive to Your wisdom, and our spirits willing to follow Your leading.

In Your holy and precious name, we pray,

Amen.

---

Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

Purpose: To deepen the congregation's understanding and appreciation of God's divine timing in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. By exploring the concept of 'the fullness of time,' the sermon aims to reveal how God's perfect timing in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, transformed the course of humanity from law to grace, and from bondage to freedom. Through this passage, the sermon seeks to illustrate the profound transformation from being under the law to becoming beloved children and heirs of God's kingdom. Ultimately, this sermon aims to reassure believers of their cherished position in God's family and inspire a deeper faith in His perfect plan and timing.

Title: Embracing the Fullness of Time (Galatians 4:4-7)

Introduction:

• Brief explanation of the context of Galatians 4:4-7.

• Introduce the concept of 'the fullness of time' as a pivotal moment in God's plan.

1. Divine Timing - Understanding God's Perfect Moment

• Galatians 4:4a: "But when the fullness of time had come..."

• Discuss the concept of divine timing in biblical history.

• Illustration: Compare to a perfectly timed photograph that captures a moment of beauty or significance.

2. Divine Intervention - The Sending of the Son

• Galatians 4:4b: "God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law..."

• Explore the incarnation of Jesus as the central intervention in human history.

• Illustration: Relate to a significant intervention in a crisis situation, like a life-saving medical procedure.

3. Divine Inheritance - Our Adoption as Children of God

• Galatians 4:5-6: "in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”"

• Discuss the transformation from law to grace and from slaves to children.

• Illustration: The emotional journey of an adopted child finding a forever family.

4. Divine Assurance - Heirs Through God

• Galatians 4:7: "So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God."

• Elaborate on the assurance and confidence we have as heirs of God's kingdom.

• Modern Application: Compare with the assurance of a secured future, like a guaranteed scholarship for a deserving student.

Conclusion:

• Reiterate the significance of 'the fullness of time' in God's redemptive plan.

• Encourage the congregation to reflect on their personal journey within this divine timeline.

• Close with a prayer, acknowledging God's perfect timing and our role as His children and heirs.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers