The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year.
But not because of all the things associated with the season.
Most Wonderful | John 1:4-5 (11/30/16)
The Christmas season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the
year. But for many people, it’s complicated. It’s a time of year that surfaces
tensions in relationships, unmet expectations, and the pain of absent loved
ones. What do you do when the magic and wonder of the Christmas season feels
out of reach? How do you reconnect with the reason for the season? During the
Christmas season, we’re confronted with problems we can’t solve, people we
can’t control, and expectations we can’t meet. It’s important not to lose sight
of the truth that Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year because
of what is happening but because of what happened. Christmas isn’t the most
wonderful time of the year because of who is with us but because of who is for
us. Christmas is a reminder that Jesus is the life and light that overcomes
darkness.
Toddler King | John 1:4-5 (12/7/16)
Maybe you wandered away from the church. Maybe the church pushed you
away. You lost interest. You got busy. You got hurt. You thought you were done
with God forever. But then you started to miss the peace. Despite everything
you had experienced, you sensed a light out there. The doubt, the anger, the
disappointment with God, the sin, and the shame didn’t put out the light. And
here you are in church again. How did that happen? What will your story be in
relation to the light of the world? Do you want to build your kingdom or
participate in God’s kingdom? Do you want to cling to what you can’t keep or
surrender what wasn’t yours to begin with? Do you want your way or his way?
There is good news: the darkness has not put out the light of life in you. Take
a step to reengage or engage for the first time with the light of the world.
It's Personal | John 3:16-17 (12/14/16)
First-centuries Jews expected the arrival of a messiah. Scripture had
recorded God’s promise to provide them with a Savior. They believed that this
messiah would be a political and military leader. He would save their culture
by driving out the Roman Empire and making Israel a feared military power in
the region once again. But when God orchestrated Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, he
was up to something much bigger . . . and much more personal. We think we need
security and comfort. We think we need a life without conflict. We think we
need the right job, a beautiful home, and a perfect family. In spite of what we
think we need, God understands what we actually need: a personal Savior. That’s
why he sent his Son—Christ the Lord—to die for your sins and to give you hope
by rising from the grave and conquering death.