In this "podcast-like" sermon, Kyle chats with his friend Brian, a former pastor. At one of their coffee meet-ups recently, they reminded themselves of what they already knew, that their sins are forgiven and their eternity is secure in Jesus. This is a great antidote to stress and our tendency to take too much responsibility. Instead, we trust God. This is also a reminder that we need godly friendships (and coffee).

In a continuation of last week's message, we establish that Truth is grounded in God (the Great "I AM"). He is the Most Real, on which all of Creation depends for its existence. So when we know the Truth, what we really mean is that we know God and speak and act in ways that align with his nature and character. Thus, the Truth of the kind we talk about being used by humans is a combination of facts, love and faith. How can we know and live in this Truth? By knowing and obeying Jesus. He is the embodiment of the Reality of the Father. Many man-made tools and technologies in our world try to separate us from Reality, both in a spiritual sense and practical sense. We must be aware, therefore, of things that confuse us about what is true. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We also look at Ephesians 5, which talks about Light and Darkness, and how our life as a disciple of Jesus is one that pursues the truth in both words and actions. At the end of the message, Kyle offers some practical suggestions for how we can resist deception and live as people of Light.

Pilate and Jesus have a little chat in John 18. "So you're a king?" Loaded question. "You say I'm a king," says Jesus, but then he explains that what he really came to do was testify to the truth. "What is truth?" retorts Pilate. What IS truth? Why does it matter? Is Pilate right, that even if big T Truth exists, that it's all but useless in a broken sinful world? And what are the consequences of not defending truth or simply not caring about it? Ai is a technology that is presenting some significant challenges to telling the truth. It gives humans, who already have lying in their DNA, some pretty fancy tools to use in distorting reality. But beyond the tool itself, there are economic and social systems that are willing to subjugate truth in service of profit or power. This message begins our look at how Ai interacts with truth from a Biblical perspective. In it, we remind ourselves of how important truth is to God and why it's essential that we resist anything, be it Ai or our own sinful heart, that twists it.

"God in the Box: Part 1, Summoning the Demon" - The Ai revolution is here. This has been a long time coming (starting with the first mechanical counting machine), but only relatively recently has hit the common person. And it has done so with a swiftness unparalleled by any other innovation humans have come up with. Software that thinks, talks, creates, plans, works...thousands if not millions of times faster than humans. The promises are great, but so are the dangers and there are many voices who are involved in Ai development warning us of these dangers. Not just dangers inherent to the technology itself, but dangers in how people will use it and be used by it. Is suspicion of Ai just a Luddite stereotype? Is this just a technology that old fashioned people resist because they don't like change or is there something to the concern, especially as a Christian? Is the pursuit of Ai an attempt to use a "god in a box" to become gods ourselves? Are we helping humanity transcend or are we summoning the demon? This sermon is an introduction to Ai and Kyle's request that we try to filter the Ai phenomenon through a uniquely Christian perspective: the mind of Christ. Will Ai help us look more like Jesus, or more like the world?

In Matthew 22:15-46, we see Jesus interacting with religious leaders. Right away we're told they are trying to trap him, but you couldn't tell based on how they address him. In fact, they are quite complimentary. Jesus sees through the flattery. He calls them out on it, gives them truth without falling into their traps and gains respect as an authority. Watching Jesus in these passages should increase our respect for him, and also teach us the value of deeply studying and believing God's word. It's the best way to avoid getting burned.

In Matthew 21:28-46, we find Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God using two parables: the first about two rascally sons, the second about evil renters. Both hit on a common theme: your life matters. What you do, how you behave, matters. Your words matter, too, but if your words don't match your lifestyle, your lifestyle will "win" or be the thing you are judged by. So Jesus tells us better to be a prostitute who listens to Jesus and repents, then a person says he knows God but doesn't produce any fruit (the kind that comes from love and true righteousness). The second parable is about the Jewish religious leaders, entrusted to lead God's people and produce good fruit, but instead try to steal God's authority and glory. It doesn't go well for them when the Owner returns. So what about your life? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe enough to do his work?

In anticipation of the new year, Kyle shares a church-wide challenge to grow in prayer this next year. Why? Yes, because it's part of the privilege we have being children of God (we can talk to our Creator?!??), but also because it's essential to grow in holiness and effectiveness by keeping God's voice as the primary influence in our lives. It's also how we receive direction and empowerment to do what God calls us to do. A thriving prayer life is the difference between living a vanilla life as an ok person who says they are a Christ-follower and a person in a real relationship with God and fulfilling his will. The "First, Pray" monthly prayer guide is introduced.

As we consider Peace on this advent Sunday, we go back to the most basic meaning of the Hebrew term for peace, which is "shalom". Shalom means wholeness or completeness. From there, we get other uses of the word, ideas like calmness or lack of conflict. If we are complete or whole (and don't have any more needs or insecurities), we experience what we typically mean by peace. Where is your peace coming from this Christmas? And when you hear Jesus say, "blessed are the peace makers", what does that mean for you? How do you become one of those people? Thinking about the meaning of shalom, we understand that when we try to make people or situations "whole" or "unbroken", we bring peace. May we give the gift of peace to our world this Christmas.

In Ruth 1, we see a woman with every reason to be unhappy. And no doubt, she was to some degree, dealing with the grief of loss and cultural upheaval. And yet, she didn't succumb to her pain, but became an example of extreme loyalty and love. Student Ministry Director Hayden explores how people can use thankfulness to foster joy and not be enslaved to our circumstances for our happiness.

In John 3:16, we are reminded that God loves us and that's why He sent Jesus. And towards the end of the chapter, we are reminded that the Father loves Jesus, too, and has given all things into his hands. So the one the Father loves enough to give everything to...has been given to us. Kyle dives in to some of the words used in scripture to describe to us God's love and we land on Communion as a reminder that we take in God's gift, which gives us life.