Imagine being found guilty of a heinous crime, and instead of being rightfully punished you are set free and given a reward that will greatly bless the rest of your life.  That is the message of Christmas!  Of all the things that bring us joy during this season from an earthly practical sense, making it the most wonderful time of the year, the greatest blessing of all is that our sins are forgiven and we will be rewarded with the paradise of heaven someday.  All of it given to us by grace, none of it deserved, and that alone makes the joy beyond expression.  The birth of Jesus set all of this in motion.

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Can you think of a time when you just knew you were on the right track?  In your job, your relationships, your mental state – everything, you just seemed to be in the middle of the bullseye.  This is ultimately where God wants us to live, and He provides it through life in Jesus, existing in his kingdom.  No matter how far away we may find ourselves from this kind of hopeful living, there is always the chance to be restored to it through life in Christ.

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Message from week 2 of our series, Buddy the Elf vs. The Grinch. Delivered by Worship Pastor, Aquila Bock on 12/09/24.

It’s more blessed to give than to receive.  That’s what they say anyway.  In reality, it depends how old you are.  Not sure a five-year-old would buy into that way of thinking!  But starting this month we’re all on this line somewhere; giving to those we love and receiving from those who love us.  But the first gifts at the first Christmas were presented to Jesus.  What are you getting him this year?  He only wants one – your full devotion.  The men from the east had that figured out and can provide wise counsel on how we can do the same.

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What would you rather hear at the gates of heaven – “Well done, good and faithful servant”, or “Away from me, you evildoer”?  That’s a silly question, isn’t it?  But apparently, there are those among us who assume they will hear the former welcome but will receive the latter rejection.  Want to know how to make sure this doesn’t happen to you?  Pay attention to your fruit!

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With very little objection, the most difficult verse in the entire Bible is our focus in this sermon.  Do not worry.  How in the world can one accomplish that?  And better yet, why would a loving Father expect such an impossible task from His children?  All of us have reasons to experience ripples of anxiety over various challenges we face in this life.  Those will never go away!  But wouldn’t it be welcome news to know how to face them without the nagging and negative pressure?  Jesus said we should figure this out, and we can!

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As Christians, we all know that our definitive virtue comes down to love.  Our Father is love, and we are to be the same.  Love God and love people; those are the marching orders from Jesus.  But to love an enemy?  Isn’t that taking it a bit too far?  You know that guy we would prefer to punch in the nose, or that girl we would rather ghost?  Our Lord clarifies a radical approach, primarily because it reflects the Father who loved us.

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Message from the final week of our series, "Never Trust a Politician With Your Money." Delivered by Stewardship Pastor, Neil Lancaster on 10/20/24. 

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The idea of turning over a portion of our hard-earned income to anyone, including God, doesn’t make a whole lot of rational sense.  But God has seldom relied on our sense of reasoning.  He is faithful and will do what He says, and He would even like us to put Him to that test.  Our obedience in the act of generous giving is a step of trust in the One who will care for us more than we could possibly accomplish on our own.

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Everything we have, including our very lives, has been given to us to be used for the benefit of the One who gave it all to us.  That is a radical way of looking at economics, but it is the very principle that Jesus will look for upon his return.  Because of his vast love for us, Jesus has handed that all over to us believing that we will use it for the right reason.  The reward of obedience will be well worth the journey!

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