Are you scared of rejection? Most people are terrified of it. We all want to be liked. We all want to be accepted. The thought of someone rejecting us causes panic. Today we see Jesus get rejected to the point of almost getting shoved off a cliff. He got rejected for telling the truth about who he was: the promised Messiah. As Christians we will occasionally face rejection. Let's learn how to handle rejection from the one who experienced the worst rejection of all on the cross.

Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10

The more we come to revere and understand God's Word the more we see the truth of God's Law. The Law unveils truths about us that make us want to weep. And yet, the more we come to revere and understand God's Word the more we also see the truth of God's Gospel. The good news of Jesus dries our tears and brings joy to our sin-weary hearts. God's Word takes you from weeping to rejoicing.

John 2:1-11

Jesus came as a guest to a wedding in Cana but by the time he left he had used a sign to make it clear that he was actually the master of the wedding. We sometimes want to treat Jesus like a servant or guest; a genie we can summon to grant our wishes exactly how we want him to. But we need to remember to let God act on his own time, according to his own will. He will swoop in to save the day in the best way.

Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Jesus' baptism was a big deal. He was unveiled as God's Son and his work on behalf of sinners was officially getting started. God the Father's voice boomed down from heaven, "I am positively delighted with my Son." Jesus' baptism was a big deal - for you too! You're about to find out why.

Matthew 2:1-12

The account of the Magi visiting baby Jesus is full of extraordinary signs and details. But all the extraordinary events surrounding this visit by the Magi led to a very ordinary village, a very ordinary house, and a seemingly ordinary baby. What did those wisemen see? They saw something extraordinarily ordinary. And that's exactly what they were looking for.

3 Lessons and a sermonette from our Lessons and Carols service

Christmas is over. You have to wait a whole year to get excited for it again. What will you do now that Christmas is over? You'll probably go back to work or back to school. You'll just head back to the old grind. Christmas joy sometimes leaves you very quickly once Christmas is over. Today let's break that old chain of events that happens to you every year when Christmas ends. Let's extend the joy of Christmas!

Luke 2:1-20

Light and darkness are polar opposites. Where light advances, darkness must retreat. Light and darkness point to the ultimate of polar opposites—good and evil, holiness and sin. Ever since mankind fell into sin, God promised to send a great Light to pierce the darkness of sin and death.

Zephaniah 3:14-17

The Gift of Joy

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

The Gift of Peace

Before the big moments in life that could determine the course of your future it might be hard to find peace. Stress floods your body before the big test. Anxiety leading up to the big interview makes you feel lightheaded. And it's the same with the moment that we meet our God. The thought of standing before God, who holds our eternal fate in his hands, might not be a thought that brings you peace? Are you prepared?

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Gift of Hope

Optimism is better than pessimism. But even optimism doesn't actually determine an outcome. You need something greater: hope. God extends to you "a Branch." This Branch will assure you that your hope in God's promises is secure.