Ours is a world that could use an infusion of hope. A lot of hope. Let’s face it, with all that’s happening around us – in our cities, in our nation, and in our world – a large dose of hope is needed and welcome.

The story of Christmas is a story of hope. Genuine hope. Ginormous hope. Life-changing hope.

It’s not an “I hope so” kind of hope. It’s definite. Guaranteed. A sure reality. How that’s possible will be our focus this year on Christmas Eve.

“...people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

No matter how dark your Christmas may seem, at this time of year we celebrate the dawning of the Light. Rather than needing everything to be perfect to enjoy the holidays, Christians can rejoice because of the One who came into the world to set everything right.

One can only imagine what our lives would be like as believers if we were to actually become more and more like Christ every day as we walk through this fallen world. If we all became more loving, joyful, patient, kind, and gentle. If our default became to be at peace, no matter what circumstances rocked our world. If we intentionally and consciously walked step by step through our days with God, instead of sometimes losing control – whether from fear, or anger, or even from just living on auto-pilot.

I can only imagine how awesome that would be. But is it possible?

In our study this week in Galatians we will be looking at what God had done to make it possible, and what we are each responsible for if we want Him to do that work in us.

Let’s be honest: There’s not a day that goes by when either by thought, word, desires, or action we fail to demonstrate that we’re needy people. Maybe it’s an outburst of anger. Maybe it’s a flash of envy or selfishness. Maybe it’s an ugly moment of pride. Maybe it’s bending the truth to your own advantage. Or perhaps it’s an unwise moral decision that you hope no one will ever notice.

We’ve seen over the past several weeks of our current sermon series that one of the primary themes of the book of Galatians is that those who are in Christ have been set free from the law and from sin. But if we are free, why do so many of us continue to find ourselves feeling enslaved and stuck and powerless, making sinful choices and repeating the same selfish behaviors again and again? Why do we promise ourselves, “I’ll never do that again!” only to impulsively end up making the same foolish mistakes just a few days later?

This time of year we often talk about being thankful. We may even decorate our homes with items that call us to count our blessings, but is being thankful really part of the fiber of your being? Do you regularly set aside time to ponder God’s goodness in your life? Is your level of thankfulness dependent upon your circumstances and possessions? Is it possible to live a life that is characterized by joy and thankfulness, regardless of hardship and desires?

This week's message will explore what the Scriptures have to say about having a grateful heart in all circumstances.

There are a lot of things in life that we can lose - keys, teeth, cell phones, hearing, job enthusiasm, health, friends, loved ones. Some of those things are more significant than others. Some can be replaced, while some can’t. But whichever they are, for the most part, we don’t like losing things.

This week, in our ongoing Galatians message series, we are focused on a spiritual matter that’s too valuable to lose. But unfortunately, the probability of losing it is high. Especially if one fails to do what Paul calls to his hearers’ attention in this letter.

This week we’ll see what we must do if we hope to hold on to and benefit from this thing that every believer needs, so we can live in the abundance of what the Lord wants for His children.

Getting past one's past is easier said than done. Especially when a person's past is steeped in religious activity and works. It will be difficult to say good-bye for good to any "rules or regulations" that once were valued and dearly practiced.

For some, letting go of past rules and rituals may seem unimportant. Like, who cares? Why bother? As long as they don't hurt me or others, so what? Well, to the Apostle Paul, "rules and rituals" are a big deal. Enough for Paul to call into play "the awareness factor."

Just like awareness matters when it comes to how much gas is in your car, knowing the place of religious rules and regulations could be the difference between a powerless works-driven faith and a faith that works.

When someone says, “I’m at my wits' end,” their condition usually connects with someone or something that’s got them baffled. Perplexed.

That was the Apostle Paul’s reaction to the believers living in Galatia. They were loved ones who were dear to him. People he deeply cared about. But whose beliefs and behaviors had gone askew. They were messing up big time.

He could have said, “We’re done. See ya. Have a nice life.” But he didn’t. Instead, he did what we need to do the next time we find ourselves at wits’ end with a friend, family member, co-worker, schoolmate, and even fellow Christian. That’s what our message is about this Sunday.

From rags to riches. The slave who becomes king, or the transformation of an outcast stepsister into Princess Cinderella. These stories captivate our attention and warm our hearts. But could they be our story? Can knowing God and trusting Christ change us into someone resembling royalty?

This week, we’ll look at God's promised inheritance through Christ and the new status we have as a result.

If we are accepted by God through faith in what Christ did on the cross and not by behaving a certain way, then why are there “rules" in the Bible? If the ten commandments aren’t a check list to perform to gain favor or blessing from God, then what are they? If following the rules have absolutely no bearing on how God views us, then why are there so many of them?

At some point, every Christian ends up asking these questions. This week, we’ll look at the piece of Scripture which answers them.