Pastor Ryan continues his overview of the ministry of Jesus, this time focusing on the Gospels of Luke and John. The Kingdom of God can be found in the large expansive plans that God had for the world, but also can be found in the little things, the small commitments of your heart, day in, day out, until your total heart is committed to the Messiah that is both now and coming in the future.

We start the New year...and the New Testament! Pastor Ryan presents a 2-week introduction to the Gospels, today focusing on God's large picture of the Messiah's ministry as witnessed by Matthew and Mark. The kingdom of God is here! Is the King in your heart, are you a ready subject?

The focus of today's sermon is the famous passage from Luke 1:46-55, known throughout history as the "Magnificat" of Mary. She extols God in praise, but Pastor Ryan explains that this is far from being a lullaby. It is a song of revolution, in our world and in our hearts. The true light of life is issued in by God's fulfillment of His promise of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

Zechariah..a man of prayer, faith, hope....and doubt. Pastor Ryan elaborates on the faith-filled father of John the Baptist, who was used of God to herald the coming Christ. Believing and yet doubting, God gave him a gift of silence (so needed in today's world!), and gave Zechariah a message: God is coming to bring US salvation, and to bring US light in the darkness, in OUR darkness-the Messiah is here!

Pastor Ryan explains that Malachi, the last Old Testament book and prophet, is presented in a series of dialogues, between God and His people. Over and over, God conveys His love, only to be answered with suspicious queries from His children ('when did you do this?"), to which God presents evidence upon evidence of His continuously demonstrated love and forgiveness. "Do we rob God?" Malachi asks. Are we giving Him our first and best, or always shortchanging Him with our settled scraps!? Give Him your all this Christmas!

Our Broadway Christian Church youth ministry (Entourage) members bless our congregation with a special presentation of the Christmas drama "The Audition" written by "The Skit Guys". The service drama is introduced by its director, Entourage member Jeremiah Payton, with the drama commencing at 1:30" into the audio. Pastor Rick closes with a devotional message, commencing at 41:00"

Pastor Ryan returns us to the great cycle of "The Bible and God's Mission" by focusing on the last prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. Of particular emphasis is the principle of "The City of God", identifying with those Israelites who wished to choose the comforts of Babylon instead of obeying God's decree to move back to the comparably precarious Jerusalem. How about us? Do we rely on the seemingly sure lifestyle of the world's "comfort" instead of remembering that our true citizenship, our true city, is the Heavenly kingdom of God? Do we, always, put our trust in HIM? Passages from Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi are emphasized.

A second in our short series on stewardship, Pastor Rick explains the Biblical reality that there is always sufficient amounts of resources to accomplish God's work when the hearts of His people are right! Pastor rick counsels us to "affirm a vow of generosity", "accept a ministry mentality", and to "adopt a wartime lifestyle" Out of several scripture passages, I Timothy 6: 17-20 is our focused beginning.

We take a short break from the Biblical series on God's mission for Earth and His people. Today Pastor Ryan teaches and exhorts on the principles of tithing, stewardship, and contentment. Is God Lord of 10% of your income, or all 100% of it!? I Timothy 6:6, 7 is the scriptural focus for today.

Pastor Ryan shares with us from Ezra and Nehemiah - the Biblical account of temple and city restoration of Jerusalem. He emphasizes the lessons in prayer that God would have us learn Nehemiah 1 begins the scriptural references used in this sermon.