Loving our neighbors is a command from Jesus and is part of who he is described to be in the opening words of John's Gospel. Hear this message from our Minister to Students, Josh Godwin on sharing the love of Christ.

-Rev. Josh Godwin

The true light that shines at Christmas is for everyone. And the most amazing part of it is darkness cannot snuff it out. Christ is the light that shines love to all corners of the world. It flows fro the heavens, from the manger, and lands in the souls of all people and creatures. Seeing this light, and shining this light, is the call of Christmas on our lives.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

As Matthew tells it, Joseph wants nothing to do with Mary’s pregnancy until an angel of the Lord stepped in and spoke. This voice was game-changing for Joseph, and what unfolds still has ramifications for us today. This voice gave Joseph the deep joy needed to move forward from his fear.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Matthew’s gospel opens with a very intentional genealogy. On the surface, it is quite boring, but as you dig into it, you discover it is anything but. Matthew knows what he’s doing. He’s opening his gospel by setting the stage that this newborn baby matters. He comes with a grand tradition. And he’s its fulfillment and the promised peace for the future of God’s chosen people.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jeremiah prophecies about how God will fulfill the promise made to the house of Israel. He says a shoot or branch will spring up for David and through the lineage of David. As matter of fact, Jeremiah 33:16 says: “In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” So much hope is bound up in this prophecy. We now know this is the prophecy that is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, who comes through the lineage of David.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Why do we hate the season of waiting so much? We spend most of our time there - waiting for that new opportunity, new job, new thing to excite us. We are waiting to find joy in our new circumstances but that joy never lasts. This sermon will explore the fallacy with expectational thinking and how we can find true, lasting joy and peace in our relationship with God.

-Dr. Jim Everette

To finish out this chapter, Jesus offers yet one more story. This time he draws on apocalyptic imagery that divides the people of the earth into sheep and goats. Hearing the words of this parable read out loud may be the most important spiritual exercise of the year. To be a sheep, we must help, love, and notice the ‘least of these.’ To be a goat, we simply have to overlook the ‘least of these.’ For what we do unto the least of these, we do unto Jesus. This teaching lesson is the last one we get before reading about the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

As the gospel continues to move towards the cross, Jesus retreats with his disciples on the Mount of Olives and teaches them privately. Here, he offers a warning to the disciples to keep their lamps trimmed and burning by telling a parable full of sadness and uncertainty for five bridesmaids.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Still on the Mount of Olives with the disciples, Jesus follows up last week’s parable with another. It’s equally as concerning. A servant gets thrown into outer darkness because he didn’t make much of the talents (gold) given to him. This story, along with last week’s, is a warning from Jesus to his disciples that they must make something of the time and opportunities given to them.

-Rev. J. Barrett Owen

The tumultuous relationship between the religious authorities and Jesus is getting worse. To open this chapter, Jesus denounces their leadership by calling them hypocrites. He ends his admonishment by reminding us all in v11-12: “The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Rev. J. Barrett Owen