Generations Community Church

Much of what takes place in our society is “Here’s why WE are right and YOU are wrong.” People don't need that. People don't need advice. People don't want to be told what they "need to do." People need to be HEARD. In this message, Max Vanderpool makes a case for why listening matters. It matters - because often there’s a question behind the question, the issue behind the issue. And what most people need in not an expert but as friend with open ears.

Many of us can think of someone in our neighborhood, work, school, family, or friend circles who is lost. Someone who really needs to see Jesus for who Jesus really is. But we often jump in and attempt to get them to the finish line (or a point of decision) before we prayerfully assess what's going on. The TRUTH of the matter is God is already at work. As Rick Richardson says, "Before we talk to people about God, we need to talk to God about people."

Many of us can think of someone in our neighborhood, work, school, family, or friend circles who is lost. Someone who really needs to see Jesus for who Jesus really is. But we often jump in and attempt to get them to the finish line (or a point of decision) before we prayerfully assess what's going on. The TRUTH of the matter is God is already at work. As Rick Richardson says, "Before we talk to people about God, we need to talk to God about people."

Every single one of us wants to be noticed, wants to be seen. It's why babies become distressed when a mother's gaze is turned away toward a smartphone or something else. And, despite all the growth that happens in us (from toddlerhood to adulthood), we still want to be noticed and seen. Here's the good news: Jesusa notices people. Jesus sees them. And Jesus wants to use us so that others can feel "seen" by their Heavenly Father.

Every single one of us wants to be noticed, wants to be seen. It's why babies become distressed when a mother's gaze is turned away toward a smartphone or something else. And, despite all the growth that happens in us (from toddlerhood to adulthood), we still want to be noticed and seen. Here's the good news: Jesusa notices people. Jesus sees them. And Jesus wants to use us so that others can feel "seen" by their Heavenly Father.

Responsibility - showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you. And the greatest reponsbility we have is the LOVE God and LOVE others.

Responsibility - showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you. And the greatest reponsbility we have is the LOVE God and LOVE others.

Generations' first-ever "radio players" put on a Christmas skit that entails going to Grandma's house.

Generations' first-ever "radio players" put on a Christmas skit that entails going to Grandma's house.

At Christmas, we retell the story. Caesar & Herod, Zechariah & Elizabeth, Mary & Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the innkeeper, and the wise men. And in these narratives about the birth of Jesus, the Gospel writers are wanting us to know that Jesus is a king. All the kings in the Old Testament point to Jesus.

And sometimes, it's okay to admit that you don't know what to do. It's okay to say to God, "I don’t know how you’re going to fix this, solve this, deliver us, provide for us. I just don’t know. But I’m going to pause (right now) and focus on Jesus – I’m going to look to you. YOU alone are my deliverer. YOU alone are my savior." This Christmas, look to Jesus.