Christmas Eve - Light Into Darkness - Chris Dillon, Lead Pastor 12 24 24 by New Life of Asheville

Advent: Love - Jonathan Jones, Connections Pastor 12 22 24 by New Life of Asheville

The third week of advent presses us into the joy available to us in Christ. See, joy goes far beyond momentary happiness. It’s a deep-seated gladness of the heart that circumstances can’t take from the man or woman who belongs to the kingdom of Jesus. Philippians 4 teaches us that joy is active, not passive. It’s a choice, not simply an emotion. Because the Lord is near to us, we can access this joy by choosing thankfulness, prioritizing time in prayer, and bathing our mind in joy-producing realities. Rejoice, the King has come!

In a world that seems ever more fragmented by conflict, chaos, and angst…peace can seem like an illusion always just outside of our grasp. And yet, in the middle of it all, Jesus entered our world in the most unlikely of circumstances to offer us a kind of peace that supersedes any version of peace the world has on offer. See, peace, when it’s all said and done, is all about presence, not circumstance. At the end of the day, peace is a person. And it’s as we learn to practice the presence of God, surrendering to Him, and choosing faith over fear, that we begin to walk in otherworldly peace that our circumstances can never take away from us. Rejoice, the King has come, and His peace is ours!

Advent, The King Has Come - Allen Ebert, Student Pastor 12 01 24 by New Life of Asheville

The Jews and Samaritans hated each other with unbridled passion. And yet, one hot and dusty day at a well, an outcast Samaritan woman crippled by shame encountered Jesus. And was forever changed by His offer of living water. This dramatic story reminds us that our behavior is always rooted in our thirsts. We can’t change behavior without addressing our thirst. We also see that Jesus didn’t just save us to sit us on the sidelines of life. Jesus saves us to send us. Those who find living water can’t help but point other thirsty souls to the fount of life – Jesus Christ!

The encounter between Jesus and a Greek-speaking, Syrophoenician, Canaanite, Gentile woman can be confusing and even sound offensive. Her approach and response is instructive for Jesus’ disciples then and now, and Jesus shows a great priority in His mission that is critical for every one of His followers. From the Old Testament to Jesus’ time to the book of Acts, God has made it clear that His grace is for people from every tribe, people, nation and language.

The story of Jesus and Nicodemus is a famous one. In this dialogue with a wise, old religious teacher, Jesus drops a bombshell that reframed the human understanding of God’s Kingdom. It’s not enough to be moral. Or follow a list of do’s and don'ts. To see the Kingdom of God, you have to experience a new birth. Jesus didn’t come to make you better, He came to make you brand new!

Ever meet someone who seemingly had it all? Wealth, position, the picture perfect family Christmas card…only to find out they’re one of the most miserable people you know? It's a story as old as time. Jesus encountered a young guy that fit this mold to a tee. Though he was spiritual, he loved something else more than Jesus. The truth is, self-reliance will keep you out of the kingdom and disordered loves will keep you out of heaven. Following Jesus will cost you something, but not following Him will cost you everything. The call of Jesus is: go all in!

Life is full of storms. Literal storms like Helene, and figurative storms that threaten to swamp us relationally, emotionally, financially, and physically. Peter’s encounter with Jesus on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee, drives our understanding of faith into a deeper place. We learn that focusing on Jesus in the storms of life, allows us to stand even as others around us sink. Jesus invites us to look at Him in the storm, and in so doing, rise above our circumstances as we walk in freedom, peace, and joy.