It is by the grace of God that we have begun our life in Christ. And humbly depending on God, we must continue by grace to walk in Christ. To help us in this walk, we will consider the interplay of two gifts of grace, namely, faith and the Holy Spirit.

The nativity of our Lord Jesus is a setting filled with wonder. Yet, poignantly, a significant part of what makes the birthplace scene so wonderful is that looming ominously over the little body of our sinless savior is the shadow of a cross. Jesus, the Son of God, is also the Lamb of God. The Newborn King is also our Redeemer King. The Manger and the Cross are united into one story. The story of redemption. Come, listen in to this gospel message filled with pathos and joy and wonder. -Jesus - Our Redeemer King.-

In our Advent series considering Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation -Restoration-, Jared Luttjeboer reflects on Genesis 3 and the fall of man into sin. However, contained in this text we see a beautiful promise of the coming Seed of the woman - Jesus Christ - who will restore those who are dead...to life.

Advent is here. The world longs and needs to hear messages of hope. May the church proclaim those messages. During this Advent season, Beacon Light will bring messages that focus on Jesus. We will look at how Jesus Christ is involved in all of creation, from its formation to its consummation. Four great themes will be addressed- Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation -or Restoration-. Today we will hear part one of what I feel is really a four-part sermon. Today's message is titled, -The King of Creation-. As a pastor and missionary, I have preached many Christmas messages. I have nothing new to bring you today. You most likely have heard it all. But that's Ok. During this season we don't need to hear anything new. We need to hear what is eternal. The world's hope lies in the eternal gospel.

Pastor John asks the question, -How can we as God's people not be a thankful people--

During the Advent season, we think of peace. The angelic host announced, -Peace on earth...- Our present-day world, convulsed in conflict and division, says that it longs for peace. God will give peace. But it is only on God's terms that true peace comes to our world. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, speaking to his disciples, said, -Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.-

The times are crazy.--But the heavenly perspective from the throne room of God that John gets a glimpse of -which should be our perspective- grants us insight into the sovereignty of God over all things, and how God is to be worshiped because he is sovereign. And this is where we derive true comfort today- the sovereignty of God.

In our sin, we think we can be self-sufficient in everything, to the exclusion of Christ's provision for us. But in the words of the faithful one, to us unfaithful ones, we learn that he is everything we need. In Christ's rebuke to the church of Laodicea, we learn that we are insufficient. In Christ's counsel to them, we learn that he is all-sufficient. This is the final letter to the seven churches.---He who has an ear, let him hear ...-

Pastor John preaches on the second last letter to the churches- the Church of Philadelphia

Jesus, the one who has the seven spirits -the Holy Spirit- strongly rebukes the church of Sardis- they have a reputation for being alive, but, in reality, they are dead. John's letter, written nearly 2000 years ago, is meant to be read by all of us in the year 2020. As it was long ago, so it is today...many American churches look like they have life, but they are dead. What constitutes a church that is truly alive- And, having begun with life, how does a church remain alive- The Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Christ is the key.