What is God like?

What is the miracle of Christmas?

We have the what(s), who(s), and where(s) of the stories but what of the why(s) of the stories which God gave to us? Hear this message. Hear this message of hope as we live in trying times waiting... waiting... living on the footing of God's interpretation of our world and the hope we have in Christ.

Jesus is the light of the world and we who follow Him are lightbearers. Having received new life in Christ, he made us a new creation to shine light into the darkness, His ambassadors. Let us hold fast to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and offer that truth to the world.

In the stories of the Bible we can see themes of Light, God's love reaching into the darkness of our lives.

Who is Jesus? His coming demands a response from every one of us. Who do you say He is?

In Christ Jesus, we have new life indwelt by God's Spirit. God sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ in whom we have power to live our lives, participating in our sanctification and telling others.

Jesus prayed before calling Lazarus from death to life and we are called from death to life as was Lazarus. The prayers of Jesus were of scripture, the language of prayer available to us from the Word by the Holy Spirit who aids our understanding. And more, Jesus prayed for us and the Spirit prays for us and in these things, God has freed us to live daily even in our darkest times.

Our responses to the things that cause us to manifest outrage or fall apart are rooted in something deep within, an enemy in the camp. How might we resolve the conflict that rages within us? Outline for this sermon: 1) The smoke, 2) the fuel of the fire, and 3) an exit strategy.

Poverty: 1) What is it?, 2) What are we to do about it?, and 3) And how are we to do so?