Hebrews 10:5-10

We rightly focus so much on Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. But his incarnation is just as important. If he was going to be the once for all sacrifice for sin, he first had to come in the flesh. And so what God is looking for is not our sacrifices but the one perfect sacrifice of Christ.

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Does Christmas joy ever feel forced? Are you just supposed to be happy this time of year because all the songs tell you to be? Forced joy isn’t real joy and leads to broken expectations. Find your reason to rejoice always, despite the season you find yourself in. Find your joy at the manger in Bethlehem.

Luke 3:1-6

At this frenetic time of year, the call to repent is not another demand to do something more. It is gracious invitation to set down our work to make way for Christ’s work. Rooted in that repentant rest, we can fully enjoy a real Christmas.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Guest pastor Cale Mead from Christ the Rock - Canton, GA, takes us into the book of the prophet Jeremiah where the Lord promised that a descendant of King David would be our righteous Savior.

Mark 13:26-37

We live with eyes on the skies, awaiting the Son of Man’s return in the clouds. You could also say we live with our eyes on the prize – and the prize we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. To be one of the elect he gathers and brings to be with him.

As we live with an eye to the sky – Jesus gives us two sets of attitudes to have while we wait for him. #1 – Jesus wants us anticipate his return with optimism and confidence. And #2 — he wants us to be active and watchful.

John 5:25-29

How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that there is only one person whose opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Everyone is going to live forever in one of two very different places. Where you spend eternity depends on a judgment that Jesus will render.

This week we see why his judgment need not trigger any sort of anxiety. Judgment day is something we can joyfully anticipate. We can live free from the fear of judgment.

Mark 12:38-44

Knowing that you have eternal life with Christ will deeply impact that way you use your resources right now. Because you’ll live forever, you can give generously to God and your neighbor today. For us it’s not “let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” We can say, “Let us give and be generous today, for tomorrow, we live!”

Isaiah 25:6-9

Since the seventh century, Christians have marked a day to celebrate those who have died in faith and now realize the perfect joys of heaven. It is called “All Saints’ Day.” We thank God for bringing our Christian loved ones out of the troubles and turmoil of this world and into eternal bliss and glory. And we ask God to preserve us in our faith so that we might one day join the

saints in that place where life is far more than better.

Revelation 14:6,7

“Here I stand!” That’s one of the rallying cries of the Reformation. Luther chose to stand on the

truth of God’s Word instead of cave into the demands of popes and emperors. And since the

Reformation, “Here we stand” has been a cry we still echo today. However, the Reformation is not just about standing on the pure gospel message – but proclaiming it! The whole point of

the Reformation and the truth Luther stood firmly upon is that we could GO out into the world with it! “Here we stand and here we go!”

1 Corinthians 9:7-12, 19-23

Guest Pastor Jared Natsis from Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Nashville shares a message that centers on ways we

can be selfless in order to reach many with the love of Christ.