Sermon Notes
Follow along with the latest sermon with engaging
discussion questions and challenging truths.
discussion questions and challenging truths.
Let My People Go
Sunday, December 14th
Summary
This Advent sermon explores Jesus's declaration that he is the Messiah who came to "proclaim
good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). The preacher emphasizes that while poverty is endemic to
our fallen world and Jesus didn't eliminate material poverty, he addressed a deeper
need—spiritual poverty. Through the account of feeding the 5,000 and Jesus's subsequent
teaching about being "the bread of life," the sermon illustrates how Christ offers eternal
sustenance that transcends physical hunger. The poorest people are those without salvation,
regardless of earthly wealth, while those who know Jesus possess heavenly treasures. The
sermon concludes by calling the church to be God's plan for addressing poverty through
compassionate ministry, citing how Christian faith has historically birthed orphanages, hospitals,
food pantries, and even Sunday schools (originally created for poor factory children in 18th
century England). Christians are urged to be "openhanded" toward the needy, recognizing that
spiritual and material needs are often intertwined.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways do you think Jesus showed compassion to the poor?
2. The sermon stated that it is not a sin to be poor. How do you react to that statement?
3. The sermon states that Jesus didn't make eliminating poverty his primary goal, but rather
addressed spiritual poverty. How should the church balance meeting immediate physical
needs with sharing the gospel?
4. In Deuteronomy 15:4 it says, “There should be no poor among you, for in the land the
Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.”
What does it mean practically for the church to work to eliminate poverty from the family
of believers as the sermon suggests? What would this entail?
5. How do you respond to the idea that "the poorest people alive today are the ones who
have not been saved from their sins," even if they're materially wealthy?
6. The sermon mentions various ministries born from Christian compassion (hospitals,
orphanages, Sunday schools, etc.). What contemporary needs might God be calling the
church to address in similar innovative ways?
7. Reflecting on Deuteronomy 15:7-11, what does it mean to be "openhanded" rather than
"hardhearted or tightfisted" toward those in need? Are there areas where you struggle
with this?
This Advent sermon explores Jesus's declaration that he is the Messiah who came to "proclaim
good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). The preacher emphasizes that while poverty is endemic to
our fallen world and Jesus didn't eliminate material poverty, he addressed a deeper
need—spiritual poverty. Through the account of feeding the 5,000 and Jesus's subsequent
teaching about being "the bread of life," the sermon illustrates how Christ offers eternal
sustenance that transcends physical hunger. The poorest people are those without salvation,
regardless of earthly wealth, while those who know Jesus possess heavenly treasures. The
sermon concludes by calling the church to be God's plan for addressing poverty through
compassionate ministry, citing how Christian faith has historically birthed orphanages, hospitals,
food pantries, and even Sunday schools (originally created for poor factory children in 18th
century England). Christians are urged to be "openhanded" toward the needy, recognizing that
spiritual and material needs are often intertwined.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways do you think Jesus showed compassion to the poor?
2. The sermon stated that it is not a sin to be poor. How do you react to that statement?
3. The sermon states that Jesus didn't make eliminating poverty his primary goal, but rather
addressed spiritual poverty. How should the church balance meeting immediate physical
needs with sharing the gospel?
4. In Deuteronomy 15:4 it says, “There should be no poor among you, for in the land the
Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you.”
What does it mean practically for the church to work to eliminate poverty from the family
of believers as the sermon suggests? What would this entail?
5. How do you respond to the idea that "the poorest people alive today are the ones who
have not been saved from their sins," even if they're materially wealthy?
6. The sermon mentions various ministries born from Christian compassion (hospitals,
orphanages, Sunday schools, etc.). What contemporary needs might God be calling the
church to address in similar innovative ways?
7. Reflecting on Deuteronomy 15:7-11, what does it mean to be "openhanded" rather than
"hardhearted or tightfisted" toward those in need? Are there areas where you struggle
with this?