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Among the many titles given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, she was also known as theotokos or “God-bearer.” Just as God chose Mary, He has also chosen to be in a relationship with you. As followers of Christ, we carry the presence of God with us wherever we go. This Christmas, remember that you are carrying the Holy Spirit inside of you and are called to bear God to the world around you.

In this week’s sermon, we continue the backstory of Jesus in Luke 1 by looking at Mary, an ordinary young woman who was chosen and called by God. Although she did not fully understand God’s plan or timing, Mary’s response provides an example of how we are to open ourselves to the wonder of what God wants to do in our lives, even in the midst of waiting.

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Although it may look different for each of us, at some point we all experience some form of hopelessness. This may be the result of our own doing or simply the reality of living in a fallen, broken world. Whatever the cause or circumstance, what matters is how we respond. 

In Luke 18, Jesus takes the time to stop and engage with a blind beggar. Because of the blind man’s faith, Jesus restores his sight. From this passage, we learn that hope often begins in desperation, it requires action, and it ultimately leads to transformation.

Winston Churchill was quoted as saying, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” We put a lot of effort in trying to make a living (and rightly so); but how do we go about making a life? 

In this week’s sermon, we explore this question by studying the words of the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:32-35) and Jesus (Matthew 13:31-32) to learn how to cultivate a life of generosity. As this year draws to a close, we focus on how to End Well in 2024 and Start Strong in 2025.

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). However, in some way, with someone, we are all in some degree of conflict. So the question is, how do we navigate and resolve conflict in a way that aligns with our faith? In other words, how do we become people who make peace?

To be peacemakers, we must cultivate lives in which the Spirit changes and transforms us to become people who seek reconciliation, show grace, and reflect the love of God to the world around us. 

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Jesus tells us that in this life, we will have trouble (John 16:33). It is not a matter of if, but when. Yet, we can still experience inner peace as the storms around us do not have to become the storms within us.

In Matthew 14, we see Peter’s incredible act of faith as he walks on water toward Jesus in the midst of a literal storm. However, when Peter’s focus shifts to the storm around him, he is overcome with fear and begins to sink before being saved by Jesus, who brought peace to the storm by his very presence.

Peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God in our lives. The key to being people who cultivate peace in our lives is not about avoiding the storm, it’s knowing how to navigate the storm.

In today's politically charged culture, it’s easy to view everything through a red or blue lens. But this clouds our vision, making it harder to see Jesus as he truly is, beyond the confines of political affiliation. It's crucial to remember that while we cast our votes for candidates, we cast our hope on God and our peace rests in Him alone. Even when storms and chaos swirl around us, staying rooted in the truth of who Jesus is allows us to experience lasting inner peace and empowers us to be peacemakers in a divided world.

In times that feel the opposite of peaceful, we draw on the wisdom of the Apostle Peter, who encourages us to humble ourselves and cast all our anxieties on Jesus, trusting him to carry our burdens (1 Peter 5:6-7). Peter also employs us to stay alert and sober-minded, resisting the enemy who seeks to divide and destroy (1 Peter 5:8-9). In these ways, it’s possible for us to be at peace, regardless of what’s happening around us.

Throughout this sermon series, we have learned that joy is not dependent on our circumstances. But how do we claim joy in the midst of uncertainty or challenges? In Acts 9, Ananias is called by God to go find a man named Saul and minister to him. We know him today as the Apostle Paul, one of the most influential leaders in the history of the church. But at that time, he was a well-known Pharisee who persecuted Christians. Despite his concerns, Ananias obeyed and God used him to change Saul’s life and the course of history. Ananias was open to what God wanted to do and put himself in a position to experience joy by simply saying, “Here I am, Lord” (Acts 9:10).

When we have to go places we don’t want to go, or are asked to do things we don’t want to do, or to be with people we don’t want to be with, we can choose to claim joy with those three words: “Here I am.” No matter where we find ourselves in this current season, this simple prayer can help center us and make us available to what God might want to do in our lives.

The apostle Paul knew one thing about how to cultivate joy that we so easily miss today. In his last meeting with the elders from Ephesus, Paul charges them to watch over and serve the church (Acts 20:28). He also reminded them of Jesus’ teaching, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Finally, he knelt down with all of them and prayed (Acts 20:36). 

Ultimately, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, what Paul knew is that we claim joy through humility—thinking less about ourselves and more about others. We can practice humility and cultivate joy by reorienting and prioritizing our lives in the following way:

Jesus (first)

Others (second)

Yourself (last)

You don't have to be Christian to experience joy. However, the joy that is offered by Jesus is unique in that it does not depend on circumstances and it can coexist with suffering. Why? Because the resurrection of Christ changes everything!

As followers of Christ, we have a living hope because of his resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). It changes the way we experience our circumstances and how we respond to suffering. In faith, we look forward to the day when God will restore all things. But in the meantime, our suffering is not wasted (1 Peter 1:6-7). As we follow Jesus, our soul is being saved and the byproduct of this process is joy (1 Peter 1:8-9).