Incarnational Culture

Dec 7, 2025  •  Chris Foster

ABOUT THIS MESSAGE

The incarnation of Christ isn't just a historical event we celebrate—it's an invitation to personal transformation. This message challenges us to examine the culture within our own hearts and lives. Just as God sent Jesus to earth to establish heaven's culture among humanity, we're called to allow that same heavenly culture to invade and transform our personal lives. Through the announcements surrounding Christ's birth—to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to Mary, to Joseph, to the shepherds, and to the wise men—we discover five powerful cultural shifts that God wants to work in us. From Zechariah we learn about moving from spiritual stagnation to hope, even when our prayers seem unanswered for years. Mary teaches us about surrender, saying yes to God before we know the cost. Joseph models obedience over reputation, choosing God's will when it's costly. The shepherds remind us that God's joy is for everyone, especially those society overlooks. And the magi show us that true worship reorients our entire lives around Christ's sovereignty. The most challenging aspect of Christianity isn't the disciplines—it's allowing heaven's spotlight to reveal who we really are inside, then surrendering to God's transforming work. When we stop trying to fix ourselves and instead yield to His presence, we discover that Christ in us truly becomes our hope of glory.


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