Fox Valley Church

Passage: Romans 5:1-11 

 A surprising move of God is that He would declare rebels right with Him based on a crucified messiah.  With layers of revelations flowing from good news, what are the benefits of justification by grace alone through faith alone, in Christ alone?  While the benefits are many, the letter focuses us on reconciliation with God and hope.

 

Passage: John 15:1-8 

Jesus lived the Word.  He quoted, taught, explained, preached, loved and obeyed the Word, but with penetrating insight. “Abiding” is not just knowing the Word or memorizing the Word, but “abiding” is allowing the Word to take root in our souls and shape us, such that we are set apart for Kingdom impact.   Difference Makers follow Jesus’ pattern of keeping the Word a central part of their lives.  

Passage: Matthew 6:9-13 

Jesus lived a life of prayer.  The connection between prayer and the power, miracles and the laser-like focus of His ministry is unmistakable.  No wonder He exhorted His followers to pray and to pray unceasingly  Prayer is absolutely essential for Kingdom Impact. Difference Makers pray because they know the power of God-centered, kingdom-centered prayer. 

Passage: Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus lived with strong kingdom focus!   Jesus compared the kingdom to a treasure that is more valuable than anything else in this world and showed the supreme importance of the kingdom perspective because of eternal destinies at stake. Difference Makers are people who maintain a kingdom focus.

Mark 1:35-39 

Genesis 18:1-15 

Christ wants to be in the center of our families, working more and more miracles, showing more and more of His power.  When Christ is at the center it means we are not.  It means that God is on the throne and we are not on the throne calling the shots.  Christ at the center ushers in extending grace (hospitality) to people.  As Jesus taught, if you do it to the least, you have done it to Me. 

 

 

Passage: John 2:13-17; Isaiah 9:6-7 

Feast times were really important in Israel, especially Passover.  With all the challenges of travel and preparations, many things could distract people from keeping God at the Center in worship.  Many came to Jerusalem to worship and with all the energy, commerce and excitement, people exchanged the most important thing — worship for an external, empty set of activities.  Let’s keep Christ at the Center of all our worship.  Even the Lord is full of zeal for His Son! 

Passage: Luke 14:7-14 

The Christmas season is festive, bringing lots of opportunities for social gatherings.  It is easy to become inward focused and make it about us.  But Christmas is a time for humility in which we put others first and there are many opportunities to be generous.  We honor Christ at Christmas, or better, have Christ at the Center, when we follow the attitudes and actions of his teachings.  

Passage: John 12:1-8 

Christmas often becomes secularized or commercialized.  How can Christ be at the center when it comes to our celebrations?  At a dinner celebration (likely a banquet), we see Jesus becomes the focus as Mary anoints him.  He makes a bold clear statement, “You do not always have me.”  Said a little differently, we won’t always have opportunity to make much of Jesus before a lost world.  So, it begs the question, how can we “anoint” Jesus in our celebrations this Christmas season? 

Passage: Mark 6:31-46 

The Christmas season can be a very busy, demanding and tiring time. Jesus said to the disciples who were weary from ministry demands, “come away and rest.” However, this didn’t go as planned and crowds of people followed them, to the point that the disciples grew demanding. But Jesus turned the tables and said, “no, you give them something to eat.” Jesus then beautifully modeled a love (and compassion) to others as he cared for people. And so it goes for us at Christmas with Christ at the Center and his concerns front and central, we will genuinely love others.