As Christ followers we are in the world, but we are not to conform to the ways of the world. We are called out to live like Christ. In recent years profanity has become "popular" but the scriptures teach Christians to have self control over what they say and to not engage in filthy and foolish speech or crde jokes. Those who don't believe in Christ should see and hear something different in the life of Christians.

Last week as we focused on the God of second chances we talked about God giving us do-overs. This week we will look at how God opens doors for us. Our God opens doors and closes doors. As Christ followers, we should seek his wisdom and pray that he opens doors for us and for the mission, but be thankful when he closes doors as well. "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ..." (Col. 4:3)

Many have experienced moments they feel they will never get over, nor recover from, or they live in the cycle of regret from past failures.  Regardless, whether it's an extremely embarrassing moment or failures from the past, we believe in the God of second chances.

Our God never leaves us, he cleanses us when we get dirty, and in his grace, he gives many chances to make things right again. He is the perfect God, who uses imperfect people to accomplish his perfect plan.

In this message learn how God gives Jonah a second chance to reach Nineveh.

So far in this Christmas series we have learned about the need to SEE Jesus, HEAR Jesus, and to SERVE Jesus. Today's message will deal with BEING with Jesus.

Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins, make us Holy, and to give us eternal life. Eternal life begins the day we place our faith in Jesus but there is an eternal destination. That is heaven. God came to be with man, that man may be with God in heaven.

So far in this series we have learned about the need to SEE Jesus, and HEAR Jesus, and today we learn about the fact that we are called to SERVE Jesus. Christianity is not merely a saying faith...it is a serving faith! Jesus says, "If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (John 12:26)

Christmas can be a very busy time of year where people lose focus on what Christmas is really about: Jesus. During this time, it would be good to slow down and actually listen to Jesus and pay attention to what he has to say about who he is and what he came to do.

We make Christmas about so much more, but it's about Jesus. He is the central person of Christmas. The season of advent is about the arrival  of Jesus in a world of sin and darkness. If anything, we should use this time of year to point people back to the fact that God came to live with man, that man may live with God.

There has been much interest and also speculation concerning the kingdom of God. Jesus answers the Pharisees about the kingdom, yet explains that it had already begun as He was the king in their presence.  He also explains to the disciples that judgment will come just like it did in the days of Noah and Lot. People did life like normal and with no concern for the coming judgment. Christians are to live in this reality of Christ's coming and judgement.

Over the years I have met many people who have come to church in desperation for healing or help and quickly leave once God helps, yet never give God thanks. It is a heart condition that wants the blessings but not the blesser. In fact, it is evidence of the last days, according to the Apostle Paul (2 Tim. 3:2). In this message we'll learn that giving thanks says something about your heart.