In today's message, we celebrate the theme of the fourth Sunday of Advent: Love.  Pastor Darrell encourages us with the love and encouragement of the Lord from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

In today's message "Gospel Joy and the Advent of Jesus" from John 16:16-24 and 15:7-11, Pastor Darrell explains how the Lord gives Gospel joy to those He's redeemed.

Today's sermon was on Gospel Peace and the Advent of Jesus. The presence of Emmanuel, God with us, brings us peace. This peace is not only our eternal peace with God through salvation, but the peace we can have now. How is current peace possible despite our circumstances? Through the fruit of the Spirit, living by faith as we remember the truths of scripture, and praying. Be encouraged to live by faith for a life of peace even now.

Scripture References:

Philippians 4:4-9

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

2 Thessalonians 3:16

2 Corinthians 13:11

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7

Luke 2:8-14

Colossians 1:20

Isaiah 53:5

Ephesians 2:13-14

Romans 16:20

Galatians 5:22-23

Matthew 1:20-23

If you are struggling to have hope this Christmas because of your life circumstances, remember with your brothers and sisters in Christ the many spiritual reasons we can hold onto hope. Romans 5:8-13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." We can ask the Lord to give us the gift of hope because He can make it abound in our lives. We can be confident of this because He is the God of hope, it's His will that we would be filled with joy and peace which leads to faith, if we are in Christ we have the presence and person of the powerful Holy Spirit, we have the promises of God,

Where does our help come from? Psalm 121 reminds us that it comes from the Lord, He who made heaven and earth. If He had the power to create all, He also has the power to meet our needs. Be encouraged to look to Him in your weakness and needfulness to find the rescue you need.

Pastor Darrell preached on Luke 14:1-24 where we see the Pharisees' pridefulness and Jesus's humbleness and compassion. Be encouraged that as we live by His Spirit and abide in Him, He will conform us to His image.

Marc Davis, speaker at our recent Gospel-Centered Life Weekend Retreat, opened God's word for us this past Sunday. Marc preached on John 1:35-51 where we see that the Christian faith is a love relationship with Jesus, a living Person, who welcomes us, knows us, and holds our future. Be encouraged to talk with Him and look with faith and expectancy toward the future He holds. He's on His throne but also a friend to sinners who need His grace and welcome.

Marc serves from the Serge home office as an Associate Area Director for Renewal, and in that role is excited to be connected to the movement of God's kingdom through many people in many places. He wants to see missionaries, pastors, and others involved in ministry empowered by the gospel to live lives of great freedom in dependence on Jesus for everything. 

Pastor Darrell preached on Luke 13:31-35 where we see the intentionality and compassion of Christ. Be encouraged that nothing could deter Jesus from His mission to carry out salvation for us because of His heart of compassion. We are called to be compassionate people since we are made in His image. 

In Luke 13:22-30 we find Jesus' challenging words concerning those who don't know Him.  Jesus invites us to a continuous faith that is marked, not by a one-time event, but by knowing Him, listening to Him, and following Him with open hearts. 

In today's sermon passage from Luke 13:18-21 Jesus asks,"To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?" Listen now to learn King Jesus' answer.