Where is that money tree in our backyard that we're always looking for? We joke about it but have we ever considered how we can actually plant one? In this sermon we will explore the biblical principles for the "how to" of money.

Many of us work so hard to earn money, budget that money, and save that money -- so much that the idea of giving that hard-earned money away seems ridiculous. But what might we learn about ourselves and our relationship with money when we give it away?

Grace is a freeing, life-altering experience that takes a soul-filled journey to figure out. This sermon will help people draw into the idea that grace is an amazing thing that can also surprise us by who is willing to offer it, how powerful it is when we receive it, and what it does for us when we are willing to give it.

We are in the eternal search for joy. Sometimes we find joy in objects, relationships or outcomes of some sort! The birth of Jesus is a reminder that true joy comes from following Him.

Let’s face it: For some, the holidays can be stressful. Family gatherings can turn into political rants, old emotional wounds rise to the surface, unresolved conflict reemerges, and feelings can get hurt. What might it look like to experience a stress-free Christmas?

It happens to a lot of us: the cost Christmas gifts sneaks up on us and we end up charging gifts that we can’t afford. All of this in an effort to make sure everyone gets what they want. If you Google the most stressful day of the year, you get January 24, partly because that’s when the bills come due for the overspending in December. But enjoying a Simple Christmas shouldn’t break our bank accounts. Is there a way to still give gifts but with a purpose and meaning that doesn’t send us into debt?

Almost every holiday season comes with holiday parties, and along with those parties comes an expectation that you come dressed sharp. How often do we feel the pressure to rush off and buy something new? Have we ever stopped and asked ourselves what’s wrong with the clothes we already own and, after all, who are we trying to impress?

When it comes to food, we can get whatever we want whenever we want it. During the holiday season, some of us obsess over food, asking ourselves … Will we have enough? Will the chocolate pie turn out right this year? Should we serve smoked turkey or glazed ham? Menu planning, shopping, and fixing food can be incredibly stressful. But what might it look like this year to have a Simple Christmas and bring God’s purpose to our kitchens?

Many of us are preoccupied with physical or psychological needs. In the midst of our search to have these needs met, however, we are called to something greater. Each of us was created with the potential to give ourselves away for the benefit of others, regardless of what they do in return. That's where our greatest fulfillment in life comes from: living by the example of Christ's sacrifice for us, then taking up our cross for others.