There is an epidemic of loneliness happing in our country. Cigna found that in 2019, before the pandemic, 61% of Americans reported feeling lonely consistently. That number has only been exacerbated post-pandemic. The 2021 Cigna report states that young adults aged 18-24 are twice as likely to be lonely than seniors aged 66 and older. The data also showed that 65% of parents and guardians are classified as lonely and report a strong sense of feeling left out.

With lives hanging in the balance, the young Hebrew exile Daniel entered the throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Following a terrifying dream, the king had threatened to execute all his counselors if they couldn’t do the impossible; tell him his dream and also its interpretation.

Unity is difficult. Our differences divide us. We live in a fractured world. Few of us get along well with our spouses and children, much less with our neighbors and our “friends” on social media. I’m pretty sure you and your spouse do not see the world the same way. And your adult children do not see the world the way you do, which of course, is the right way. Our country reels with harsh divisions into red and blue, Republic and Democrat. We rage against each other over vaccines and so much else.

I have often felt weak in evangelism. I felt like I was not doing well enough in sharing my faith with those who do not know Jesus. It’s easier for me to study the Bible. As a pastor-theologian. I love teaching serious believers who want to go deep, and I love mentoring leaders. Talking about Jesus with those who are not Christians has been more challenging for me.

How about you?

I struggle with sin. I wish I did not sin at all, which I know is not possible this side of eternity, but I wish I sinned less. Do you struggle with sin, with temptation? Do you occasionally do something you wish you had not done? Don’t you wish we could just quit sinning? Sin hurts us and hurts other people. In this sermon, Pastor Bruce will teach how the Holy Spirit gives us the power for a Godly Life.

Most people say that they don’t feel close to God. They feel spiritually weak. God seems far away. And yet, nothing is more important than a close relationship with the living God. Only the Holy Spirit can empower us to know God.

In the story of Spiderman, the alien symbiote takes control of him, and him being set free of its control, but he still struggles with the lasting effects of being under evil’s control.

As Christians, we once were all under the control of sin but can now put on the new self.

Marvel at the Word made flesh. While Christmas calls us to wonder and marvel, I find it hard to slow down. It’s hard to marvel at traffic on the highway, trying to merge into the next lane while getting cut off by a big truck. It’s hard to wonder at Christ while you are dealing with customer service on the phone, talking to a person you can barely understand.

Like John, we are witnesses to the Light. God sent John. Furthermore, we are sent by Jesus with the courage to face any situation confidently since we have God's power to enable us. Listen as Leroy Armstrong teaches about the mission of John the Baptist.