Culto del 4 de enero de 2026

Name: Culto del 4 de enero de 2026
Uploaded: 2026-01-05T07:33:54.000Z
Duration: 2 h 48 min 41 s

Worship and Confession in the Church

Opening Worship and Acknowledgment of God

The congregation acknowledges God as their rock, refuge, and salvation, emphasizing His eternal faithfulness. They express their dependence on Him as their Almighty Father.

A call to worship is made through a reading from Psalm 138, highlighting the importance of praising God's name for His love and faithfulness. The community is invited to join in this act of worship together.

Praise Through Song

The lyrics reflect deep personal devotion to Jesus, describing Him as the source of hope and joy. The singer expresses gratitude for salvation received through Christ.

Repeated affirmations of praise are made towards Jesus, reinforcing the theme of constant worship regardless of circumstances. This highlights a commitment to glorifying God at all times.

Reflection on Humility and Community

A reading from Philippians 2:1-4 encourages unity among believers, urging them to consider others above themselves rather than acting out of selfishness or vanity. This sets a tone for communal reflection on humility within the church body.

The speaker reflects on human tendencies to prioritize personal interests over others', acknowledging this as a common sin that requires repentance and growth in Christian life. This emphasizes the need for self-examination within the community context.

Call to Repentance

Reference is made to Psalm 51:3-4 where David recognizes his transgressions against God, illustrating the necessity of acknowledging one's sins before seeking forgiveness and renewal from God’s spirit. This serves as an invitation for congregational confession during worship.

The congregation is led in singing "Create in Me a Clean Heart," which echoes themes of repentance and desire for spiritual renewal, aligning with David's plea for a pure heart before God. This reinforces the message about seeking transformation through divine grace.

Prayer and Confession of Sins

The Importance of a Clean Heart

The speaker emphasizes the need for a clean heart and a right spirit, invoking God to create this within them.

Reiterates the plea for renewal of spirit, highlighting the joy that comes from salvation.

Acknowledges the importance of not being cast away from God's presence or having His Holy Spirit removed.

Confession and Repentance

Encourages individuals to approach God in silence, confessing sins and repenting sincerely.

Leads a collective prayer acknowledging shortcomings in loving God and others, seeking mercy and forgiveness.

Expresses humility before God, recognizing failures in justice and love towards neighbors.

Restoration Through Faith

Quotes David on restoring joy through belief in forgiveness; references Romans 8:1 about no condemnation for those in Christ.

Invites congregants to stand and sing praises, reflecting on their relationship with God amidst personal struggles.

The Assurance of No Condemnation

Affirmation of Salvation

Repeatedly asserts that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, emphasizing security in faith.

Personal Reflection on Forgiveness

Urges listeners to embrace this truth personally; encourages coming to Christ for assurance of forgiveness.

Seeking Refuge in God

Crying Out to God

Shares Psalm 61:1–4 as an expression of desperation for divine help; highlights the need for stability during difficult times.

Trusting God's Protection

Reminds believers that they are children of God by grace; emphasizes reliance on Him as their eternal refuge.

Prayer and Reflection for 2026

Seeking Guidance and Healing

The speaker reflects on the upcoming year, 2026, expressing hope for both good and challenging times while emphasizing the importance of resting in faith.

A prayer is offered to entrust lives and families into God's hands for healing, growth in relationships, and overall well-being throughout 2026.

The speaker acknowledges the fallen world we live in, requesting healing for those unable to attend due to illness, specifically mentioning Sister Blanquita.

Health and Strength

A specific prayer is made for Sister Blanquita's recovery and gratitude is expressed for improvements in the speaker's mother-in-law's health.

The need for daily strength and health is highlighted, with a reminder that one day believers will receive bodies free from sickness.

Work as a Calling

The speaker prays about work perspectives, encouraging a view of work as a divine calling where God is seen as the ultimate boss.

There’s an emphasis on working excellently not just for personal gain but also to serve others effectively.

National Concerns

A prayer is directed towards the country's future and government decisions influenced by those who do not recognize God.

Concern is raised over educational values contradicting biblical teachings; prayers are requested for children being indoctrinated in schools.

Spiritual Growth

The speaker emphasizes reliance on God rather than human leaders or political parties, highlighting that true hope lies in divine guidance.

A call to spiritual transformation through the Holy Spirit is made, urging believers to develop a desire to reflect Christ more closely.

Offering Time

Gratitude and Generosity

An invitation to worship through tithes and offerings begins with thanks for God's provisions over the past year.

A prayer accompanies this act of giving, asking that contributions be made with love and used effectively for spreading God's glory.

Children's Ministry Announcement

Children up to fourth grade are invited to participate in Bible story activities during this time.

Scripture Reading Introduction

Resuming Biblical Study

The congregation is invited to open their Bibles as they resume their series on the Gospel of Matthew.

The Servant King: Understanding Jesus' Leadership

Introduction to the Sermon

The sermon begins with a reading from Matthew 20:20-34, where the mother of Zebedee's sons requests positions for her sons in Jesus' kingdom.

Jesus questions their understanding of what they are asking and speaks about the suffering he will endure, indicating that true leadership involves sacrifice.

The Nature of Greatness in God's Kingdom

Jesus contrasts worldly leadership with His model, stating that greatness comes from serving others rather than exercising authority over them.

He emphasizes that He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many, highlighting the selfless nature of His mission.

The Healing of the Blind Men

As Jesus leaves Jericho, two blind men call out for mercy. Despite being rebuked by the crowd, they persist in their cries.

Moved by compassion, Jesus heals them, restoring their sight and leading them to follow Him. This act illustrates His servant heart and willingness to help those in need.

Reflection on Leadership Values

The speaker reflects on a personal story about a former president of Mexico's Human Rights Commission who exemplified humility and genuine connection with his staff.

This leader’s approach was characterized by closeness and authenticity, contrasting sharply with typical hierarchical behaviors seen in governance.

Characteristics of True Leadership

The discussion shifts towards societal expectations for leaders—valuing humility, simplicity, love, and dedication to others.

There is an acknowledgment that while society admires these traits in leaders, such qualities stem from Christ’s example rather than modern corporate models.

Conclusion: The Model of Christ's Kingship

The sermon concludes by reiterating that true governance in God’s kingdom is marked by service and compassion towards others.

It poses critical questions about how one governs within God's kingdom—emphasizing servitude as central to leadership.

Petition of a Mother

The Request to Jesus

A mother approaches Jesus with a request, differing from others who sought healing for their children.

Understanding the Disciples' Commitment

Jesus questions the disciples’ understanding of their request, asking if they can endure the suffering he will face. They confidently affirm they can.

Jesus acknowledges that while they will share in his suffering, positions of honor are determined by God, not him.

Misunderstanding and Ambition Among Disciples

The disciples seem eager to follow Jesus but misunderstand the nature of true commitment, focusing on potential rewards rather than genuine service.

Other disciples express indignation towards James and John’s ambition for high status, revealing a shared desire for recognition among them all.

The Nature of Competition and Envy

Reactions to Ambition

The anger from other disciples stems from their own aspirations for honor; they feel equally deserving due to their efforts alongside James and John.

True Motivations Revealed

Craig Kenner notes that competition for status was prevalent in their culture; this reveals that many followed Jesus not out of love or service but for personal gain.

Self-Centered Attitudes

Pride vs Service

Robert Tun discusses how self-centered pride contradicts the essence of serving others, leading individuals to become consumers rather than servants.

Lack of Faith as Root Cause

Concerns about others' opinions stem from a lack of faith in God's approval; people compete for attention because they doubt divine reward for secret acts.

Human Nature and Relationships

Desire for Control

Human tendencies lean towards seeking control and authority over others instead of serving them; relationships often become transactional rather than genuine connections.

Reflection on Apostolic Attitudes

The attitudes displayed by the apostles mirror contemporary human behavior—seeking benefits rather than fostering authentic relationships based on mutual support and service.

Jesus' Response to His Disciples

Teaching on Leadership

Instead of abandoning his team due to their selfishness, Jesus patiently instructs them about true leadership within his kingdom: it is about serving others rather than seeking personal gain.

Redefining Greatness

He emphasizes that greatness comes through servitude; those who wish to lead must be willing to serve everyone else selflessly—a radical departure from worldly views on power dynamics.

Understanding the Concept of Servanthood in Jesus' Teachings

The Paradox of Being a Servant

Jesus challenges the notion of servitude, suggesting that true honor lies in being a servant to others rather than seeking freedom from servitude.

The disciples are confronted with difficult teachings from Jesus, prompting questions about His intentions—whether He aims to discourage them or reveal deeper truths about Himself.

Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Servanthood

In John 13, just before His crucifixion, Jesus exemplifies servanthood by washing His disciples' feet, an act reserved for the lowest servants.

This shocking act highlights the humility and love of Christ, who embodies the role of a servant despite being divine.

The Significance of Christ's Actions

The concept that God Almighty would take on such a lowly position is radical; it subverts societal norms where the powerful dominate the weak.

This inversion challenges our understanding of greatness and power—Jesus serves those considered least in society.

Purpose Behind Jesus’ Servanthood

According to Matthew, Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. This illustrates His mission beyond mere example; it's about redemption.

Our identity shifts from being slaves to sin to becoming servants of Christ due to His sacrificial love and service.

Living Out the Gospel Through Service

By accepting Christ’s servanthood model, believers transition from bondage under sin to serving King Jesus—a fundamental aspect of Christian faith.

Reflecting on this truth leads us to understand that Christ came not for personal glory but for sacrificial love towards humanity.

A Modern Testimony: Richard Stearns

Richard Stearns shares his journey from corporate success as CEO of Lenox to serving impoverished communities after embracing his faith in Christ.

He recalls how he was challenged to leave behind material comforts for a life dedicated to helping those in need during crises like AIDS pandemics.

Emulating Christ's Sacrificial Love

Stearns’ story illustrates how following Jesus means prioritizing service over personal gain—mirroring Christ’s own sacrifice on behalf of humanity.

Just as Jesus left His throne for our sake, believers are called to step out of comfort zones into lives marked by service and compassion.

This structured summary encapsulates key themes regarding servanthood as taught by Jesus while providing timestamps for easy reference back into specific parts of the discussion.

The Essence of True Greatness

Serving Others as a Path to Honor

William Barkley states that true greatness lies in serving others rather than seeking personal gain, emphasizing that the greater the service, the greater the honor.

The speaker highlights Jesus' example of selfless service and urges listeners to embody these values in a world desperate for mercy and compassion.

The Call for Compassion

Reference is made to Matthew 20:29-31, where two blind men call out to Jesus for compassion as he passes by Jericho, illustrating their desperation and faith.

The title "Son of David" signifies recognition of Jesus' messianic identity, indicating that these men understood him as their savior.

Social Indifference and Its Consequences

The blind men represent marginalized individuals who rely on charity; this reflects ongoing societal issues where similar groups are often overlooked.

Society's indifference towards poverty is critiqued, drawing parallels between historical attitudes and contemporary neglect of those in need.

Cultural Absorption and Loss of Indignation

Richard Stears comments on cultural desensitization, suggesting that society has become numb to injustices that should provoke outrage.

The speaker notes how cities with advanced resources still face high poverty rates, questioning systemic solutions like financial aid without deeper change.

Jesus’ Compassionate Response

In Matthew 20:32-34, Jesus stops to address the blind men's needs directly, demonstrating his willingness to engage with society's most vulnerable.

The repeated mention of "compassion" underscores God's active response to human suffering rather than indifference or exploitation.

Divine Mercy and Human Agency

God’s mercy compels action; He does not ignore human misery but actively seeks to alleviate it through compassionate engagement.

Believers are called to be agents of mercy themselves, helping those in need with love reflective of the divine compassion they have received.

Adopting Hope: The Story of Cory and Mark

The Journey of Adoption

Cory Scher and her husband Mark have eight children and decided to adopt children in palliative care, particularly infants.

They adopted a baby named Emalí, who was born without both hemispheres of her brain. Doctors predicted she would not live long.

Tragically, Emalí passed away just 50 days after adoption. This experience raises questions about the motivations behind such difficult choices.

Love Amidst Loss

Despite the pain, Cory and Mark believe their love may be the only love these children know from God.

The narrative draws parallels between their actions and Jesus' ability to see hope where others do not; He serves in places lacking compassion.

Serving Others as Christians

The speaker challenges listeners to consider how they will serve those around them now that they understand Christ's sacrificial service.

A call for repentance is made for those focused on personal needs rather than serving others, emphasizing the need to embody Christ’s servant heart.

Embracing Service with Joy

Jesus served so that believers can also become servants; this service should bring joy rather than burden.

A prayer is offered for fervor in demonstrating Christ's servitude through unconditional love towards others.

Blessings and Community Engagement

The speaker acknowledges God's intervention in human misery through His service, which ultimately leads to salvation.

A prayer is made for communities in need, asking for eyes that reflect God's compassion and a desire to serve selflessly.

Closing Blessing

The session concludes with a priestly blessing from Numbers 6:22–24, invoking peace and favor upon the congregation.