The great news of Jesus ought to inspire joy in those who hear and believe this glorious announcement. But joy too often seems just out of grasp. How can we have a deep and inner joy that doesn't get absorbed by the world around us? We've got a choice to make.

We have peace with God through the work of Jesus Christ. This peace allows us to make peace with others because of the grace, mercy, and love we have found from God. God made people with us so we can make peace with others.

Where can we find hope and is it sure? Hope can be found because we have been justified by faith and have God's grace and love surrounding our lives.

There's plenty to complain about in life, but much more to give thanks to God for! Considering His love, salvation, personal care and power dramatically shifts the scales from grumbling to gratitude.

A look at Psalm 118, the final Hallel Psalm

Difficulty, disappointment, darkness and delay can all inspire doubt, even in the heart of a believer. When our expectations of God aren't met, we can struggle and question. Where we go and what we do with our doubts makes all the difference in the world.

A look at the doubts of John the Baptist from Matthew 11:1-6

The Bible is filled with records of miracles, power and victory. It is also filled with records of the passage of time during normal everyday life. Noah hears from God and is called to save a remnant of humans and animals and then he spends many days just building an ark. David faces down Goliath with courage and also spends a lot of time tending to his father's sheep. The time in between is a time to be faithful and attend to the assignment the LORD has already given us. In between the miracles and victory we wait, trust, praise, worship and obey.

The world is an unreliable source for help. Looking inside ourselves for help is not where we find the help we need either. There is only one place where we can look to find help for our journey through life and beyond.

Psalm 121 is one of the ancient Hebrew songs sung by pilgrims as they traveled to and from Jerusalem known as the songs of ascent. The psalm guides us to the place we can look to for the help our soul needs.

When you look at the world around you, how do you feel? Are you angry, annoyed, or tempted to withdraw altogether? Jesus engaged with the world and all of its challenges, fueled by one thing - compassion. He interacted with those in need, took initiative in places of evil, and saw beyond the first glance - because of compassion. In our world and cultural moment, compassion is the one things we need to have.

Jesus teaches us that this generation is like children who can't be satisfied and yet keep searching for something to fulfill their soul. He says that we're often presented with the very thing we need and yet we reject that thinking there's go to be something else. In the end though, there is only one thing that will satisfy and until we come to know this, we'll be weary and worn.

Surrounded by enemies, with uncertainty and unknowns all around, God's people know what to do. The LORD has promised to fight our battles and always be with us. Looking at the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, we can learn to praise, trust God's promises and move forward in faith!

Closing teaching from our 2024 Family Weekend and 20th Anniversary Sunday.