The Gospel states we are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared to believe, but more accepted and loved than we ever dared hope.

Timothy Keller

In a consumer culture like ours, it’s important to remember that we have not been forgiven just for our own benefit. From Paul’s testimony we will learn lessons that will encourage us to move beyond consumer Christianity and towards sharing the life-changing message of Jesus with others.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, is writing to counteract the influence of people who were deliberately twisting Scriptures in order to gain a following, look good to others, and avoid persecution. In the first chapter of his letter we are reminded that there is only one gospel message. His words challenge us to question whether or not we are more concerned about pleasing God or pleasing others.

Pastoral changes are seen in the Bible. All pastors are interim pastors. What can we do as a church body to be ready for the growth God has planned for us during this time of change.

God’s unstoppable movement continues to move forward as believers share how God has changed their lives with unbelievers. Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 provides us with a template that we can use to construct and share our own testimonies with others.

Our current culture is much like the one Paul encountered in Athens. Many people are not that interested in the God of the Bible. Others see belief in God as something for uneducated people. Still others are content worshipping a host of contemporary idols. In this sermon, we will study Paul as he masterfully reaches out to the educated elite of Athens. Through this study, we will gain ideas and insights on being more ready to reach out with both strong biblical roots and cultural relevance.

Disagreements among Christians are going to occur, especially Christians that are trying to fulfill Christ’s mission from Acts 1:8. But what is worth fighting for? What things should all Christians consider essential? And how should we handle things that some may consider things that some Christians would consider non-essential? In this sermon, we look at a disagreement that arose in the early church between Jewish and Gentile believers. From their experience we will learn what is essential to our faith and how to work through disagreements in a way that pleases God.

Peace is a defining attribute of God and was visibly expressed in Jesus’ life. Now through faith in Jesus, what was once only a defining characteristic of God can become a defining characteristic of our lives as well. And while it only takes faith to experience peace between ourselves and God, it takes work to experience peace between ourselves and others. God is pleased when we work for peace, but our efforts to work for peace are profitable when we remove sinful things from our lives. Doing this is pleasing to God and as a result He gives us the peace we need to make progress in our lives.

CHRISTMAS JOY

Luke 2:8-20, Hebrews 12:2, John 15:11, I Thessalonians 2:20

Main Thought: God’s joy is the salvation of sinners.

1.Jesus’ birth brought joy because it was the start of the salvation process.

2. Jesus’ death brought joy because salvation was accomplished in the resurrection.

3.To experience the Joy of Christmas live out and share the Gospel.

God’s love turned the world inside out when He sent His Son to live among us—the God of the universe to be born in a stable, die on the cross, and rise again from the grave. It took love to disrupt and overturn the power of death and evil.

The story is not about a feeling though. It’s God’s story of love in action—how the God of the universe loves you so much that He left everything in order to be with you, to sacrifice His life that you could be with Him. This love is the second gift of Christmas that we’ll unwrap this Advent season.