Paul’s journey brings him and his companions next to Corinth, a city that parallels the Bay Area in a number of ways. Looking both at the text and the past ten years of Anthem’s history, Pastor Allen reflects on 10 hallmarks we desire to cling to as a church during the next ten years. Above all, we desire to make Jesus known, in our own hearts and in the hearts of Marin County; our hope is to share the love of God with all and to be a place and people that honors Christ in word and in action.

Paul’s ministry in Athens is most well known for his sermon at the Areopagus on Mars Hill. However, in addition to his well-crafted message, his ministry to the Athenian people involved patience, listening, immersion in the culture, and a deep dependence on God. This text reminds us that sharing the love of God with those who are far from him is about being present - learning and listening, speaking truth clearly, and trusting God to do what only He can do as we befriend and pray for those far from Him.

The value, efficacy, and power of the word of God is highlighted clearly in this portion of the book of Acts. The bible is not a book that is simply read; it is a book that graciously examines its reader’s very soul. The Scriptures claim timeless truths about themselves, and while those who preach it can be silenced, maligned, or even killed, the word itself goes forth still, and won’t return void. Let us be a people who avail ourselves to the comfort, truth, grace, and power found within these holy pages.

God has a vision for our lives, and God wants us to know what this vision is, but often times our own visions for our lives get in the way of hearing clearly from the Lord. Observing the travels of Paul, we learn important principles regarding how God speaks, why he speaks, and the caution we should take in approaching all of these things. God desires that his people know clearly what he desires for them, that he may be glorified through their bold, Spirit-filled living in his name.

After the Jerusalem Council and the separation of Paul and Barnabas, the book of Acts picks up with Paul’s second missionary journey, where he recruits Timothy and begins his travels to Macedonia. There were a number of events and false starts along the way, but eventually these disciples of Jesus found themselves exactly where God wanted them for their next season of ministry. When we surrender our preferences, our plans, and our power to God himself, he is able to do far more than we could ever imagine for good and his glory – even if it feels like we are lost and wandering, he is working in all things.

As we begin a new year, as we make resolutions, and as we look with hope for a joyful, purpose-filled future… let us not forget to put passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ as the top of our list of priorities. He is all we truly need as we move on to what is next.

In celebration of Christmas, we remember that our God richly gives – salvation, strength, hope, and healing. Try as we may to bring these things into our lives on our own, we are reminded, in Scripture and in life both, that we need help. Luckily for us, and for all of the earth, our God is a giver who desires good for his children.

When it feels like we have been overlooked, forgotten, and neglected by God, we can be left bitter and anxious, uncertain of what the future holds. In these times we need to be reminded of his love and his might, and we need to seek Jesus and the kingdom of God first and foremost.

When making promises there are two primary things that ought to be considered: power and wisdom. As God’s creation we are limited in both power and wisdom and as Christians ought to consider our limited nature before making promises. However, we worship a God who has all power and wisdom. Therefore we ought to have full assurance that when God makes a promise He has all the power and wisdom to fulfill it. During this Advent season we reflect on the promises God made to send a Savior for His people and how He fulfilled his promise through the birth, life, death and resurrection of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

What is Jesus worth to you? On the surface, this is a simple question, but a thorough approach to its answer requires us to take stock of all we hold dear in this life. Whatever we hold as our highest value will influence and affect how we navigate our life. This portion of Isaiah 40 reminds us that nothing in this life can be compared to Christ: he is more significant, he is ultimately sufficient, and he is transcendent from all of the glories and delights of this world. It would do us well, as the people of God, to remember his great worth and love towards us; to let the idols die and to approach him boldly, letting his worth fill and fuel our joy, our service, and our love for others.