Sermon
The Advent of Faith
Mercy Hill Church - Cincinnati
Speaker: Ernie Bonnoitt
December 9, 2024 · 32 min
Summary
Luke's account of Jesus's birth emphasizes that Christmas is historical reality, not myth. Jesus was born in poverty among shepherds—society's most marginalized—to show that God's salvation is accessible to all people, regardless of status or spiritual condition.
Highlights
Jesus was born in poverty to rescue those who are spiritually in poverty. No matter how much you think you got it put together on the outside, the reality is apart from the grace of God, we are all spiritually bankrupt.
Don't be deceived by worldly riches that blind you to your own spiritual poverty. Jesus didn't come as a king to live in a castle, but he came in a cave and rested in a manger so that anyone can approach it.
The shepherds were dirty, messy, marginalized people, and they were the first visitors—showing us that no matter how weak, wounded, messy, broken or unimportant you are, you're the kind of person God wants to draw near.