Why did God send the angels to shepherds? Why not the king, or the Pharisees or scribes? In looking for the answer, we'll learn something about the source of joy.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” That's what Luke tells us the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born. Peace is a term we've often heard, but let's explore what it really means.

Many people have lost hope in God. Maybe they haven't gotten what they wanted, or they don't think He's real. God understands, and he's given us to examples in the Christmas story to help us.

In this series Peter has been teaching us basic truths to help us endure during difficult times. in this concluding message he teaches us one more and it centers on who we are in Christ.

In many countries it's against the law for Christians to share the gospel. In our own country some people risk their jobs if they share Christ at their workplace. Where do we turn for encouragement in a world that seemingly hates what we love?

We are in a gap of salvation, but God has guaranteed us his grace. So, how do we deal with family formation (one of the most powerful forces on all of us) now that we are in this gap?

Constant difficulty can create an expectation of despair. Peter encourages us in our suffering to remember "the gap" - our journey on the way home.

We all face suffering and trouble in this life. In the midst of our difficulties, how can we have joy? Peter points us in the right direction.

We've all faced pushback for our views and opinions, but when we are questioned or mocked for being a Christ follower, it can make us wonder if God is really with us. What if God expected this and gave us a powerful way to think about the rejection and pushback we get? That's what we'll learn about in this series.