Radiant Church Weekend Sermon

Unpack the greatest story ever told in our Windows to Christmas series that offers four unique views into the Christmas story. This week, Lee Cummings teaches out of Luke 2 and shares the Christmas story from the perspective of Anna and Simeon.

Sermon Highlights

LUKE 2:22-38 (ESV)


“22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”


THE EXAMPLE OF LIVING IN FAITH AND PATIENCE – AWAITING THE SECOND ADVENT OF JESUS


1. WALKING IN DEVOTION AND OBEDIENCE



2. UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

3. CONSTANT IN A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP

4. PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

5. A LONGING FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

IS THERE A “MARANATHA” CRY IN YOUR HEART?

Unpack the greatest story ever told in our Windows to Christmas series that offers four unique views into the Christmas story. This week, Lee Cummings teaches out of Luke 2 and shares the Christmas story from the perspective of the shepherds.

Sermon Highlights

LUKE 2:8-21 (ESV)
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

God often begins His redemptive work out of the margins, with those you’d least expect

What the world is really looking for is not found in the halls of empires, but in the manger in Bethlehem.

Jesus Is Savior, Messiah, and King.

To the Shepherds God makes an earth shattering announcement

To the Shepherds God offers miraculous mercy and preposterous peace 

In the Shepherds God stirred a desire

Unpack the greatest story ever told in our Windows to Christmas series that offers four unique views into the Christmas story. This week, Tim Matthews shares from the perspective of Mary and reveals how she was a worshipper, feeler, thinker, seeker, and servant.

Sermon Highlights

LUKE 1:26-38 (ESV)


“26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
"

Mary is a worshipper.
 
We don’t worship Mary. Why? Because Mary worshipped God and rightfully so because it was God who began this encounter we call Christmas.
 
Mary is a feeler and thinker.
 
Mary’s heart and head, her emotions, and intellect are fully engaged and affected by what Gabriel is saying. She is fully present.
 
Mary is a seeker.
 
Mary is leaning into the conversation by asking this question (V 34), with the limited information she has, she chooses to stay engage and ask how.
 
Mary is a servant.
 
Mary humbly confesses that she is the Lord’s servant and that her life is in the Lord’s hands. Mary says “Let it be according to your word. What you have spoken. What you have said that will come to pass. Let it be to me.”

As a church, we have a mandate to expand the Kingdom of God and continue to remember the poor and those in need in our community. In this special Big Give Weekend sermon, Pastor Lee teaches on thankfulness as being the prime commodity of the Kingdom of God.

Sermon Highlights

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)

“36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Thankfulness is one of the Prime Commodities of the Kingdom of God

Thankfulness Is the Key That Opens the Door to God’s Most Prized Resources

Thankfulness Is an Aroma That Attracts God’s Attention and Favor

Thankfulness Is the Fuel That Propels the Gospel Forward

As a church, we have a mandate to expand the Kingdom of God and continue to remember the poor and those in need in our community. In this Big Give inspired sermon, Pastor Lee shares the story of the Good Samaritan and identifies the differences between compassion and indifference.

Being a Christian is not just about believing in God or praying a prayer to avoid hell. It is a completely new way of living where Jesus is at the center and Jesus is Lord of your life. In this sermon from Jon Zondervan, we unpack what the Bible says about following Jesus and how we can prepare ourselves for the road ahead.

Sermon Highlights

WHO IS JESUS?

LUKE 2:8-14 (ESV)

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FOLLOWING JESUS?

COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 (ESV)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT JUST ABOUT BELIEVING IN GOD OR PRAYING A PRAYER TO AVOID HELL, IT IS A COMPLETELY NEW WAY OF LIVING WHERE JESUS IS AT THE CENTER AND JESUS IS LORD OF YOUR LIFE

HOW CAN PREPARE I MYSELF FOR THE LAST DAYS?

MAKE KNOWING GOD A PRIORITY

JOHN 17:1-3 (ESV)

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

MAKE SURE JESUS IS YOUR SOURCE

PSALM 36:7-9 (ESV)

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light."

MAKE OBEDIENCE YOUR MEASURING STICK

1 JOHN 2:3-6 (ESV)

“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

SOMEONE WHO ENGAGES IN THE BIBLE 4 OR MORE TIMES A WEEK IS:

228% MORE LIKELY TO SHARE THEIR FAITH WITH OTHERS
407% MORE LIKELY TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
59% LESS LIKELY TO VIEW PORNOGRAPHY
30% LESS LIKELY TO STRUGGLE WITH DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS

Special guest Preston Sprinkle delivers a message on the posture of Jesus and explains parallels between how Jesus related to Zaccheaus and how believers today are called to relate to LGBTQ+ people.

Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author. He has proven to be one of the best communicators on sharing biblical truths in conversations regarding homosexuality, violence, alcohol, and others. He has written several books, including People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue and Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen's Guide to Homosexuality.

Focus Scripture // Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)

"He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Sermon Highlights

If Jesus would have called Zacchaeus out, He would have been true and just. But Jesus said I MUST stay at your house.

Even if it meant sacrificing His own status, Jesus wanted to get to know Zacchaeus. He wanted to hear his story.

This is how us, as believers, are called to love all people.

Embody the presence of God here on earth.

Embody God's truth and grace.

Our truth will not be heard until our grace is felt.

Are we living in the end times? Last Days Bootcamp will teach us how to prepare our hearts and lives to thrive in these last days.

In the final week of our Last Days Bootcamp series, Pastor Lee shares the significant signs indicating that the countdown has begun.

Matthew 24:3 (ESV)
“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

What are the most significant signs indicating the countdown has begun?

1. The Restoration of Israel
2. The Acceleration of Technology

Zechariah 12:2-3 (ESV)
“Behold I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all nations of the earth will gather against it.”

Technology = the great accelerator

Singularity = computer programs becoming so advanced that artificial intelligence (AI) transcends human intelligence, potentially erasing the boundary between humanity and computers

Jesus is returning for a prepared bride

John 17:13-22 (ESV)
“ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,”

Are we living in the end times? Last Days Bootcamp will teach us how to prepare our hearts and lives to thrive in these last days.

In Week Two of our Last Days Bootcamp series, Pastor Lee speaks on deception and how we can guard our hearts from it.

MATTHEW 24:10-13 (ESV)

“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”



1 TIMOTHY 4:1-2 (ESV)

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..”

2 TIMOTHY 3:15 (ESV)

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

JESUS AND THE APOSTLES WERE CLEAR: ONE OF THE TACTICS OF THE ENEMY IN THE LAST DAYS WOULD BE WIDESPREAD DECEPTION

DECEPTION IS THE FRUIT OF CORRUPTED LOVE

SAINT AUGUSTINE DEFINED SIN AS DISORDERED LOVE:
GIVING ONE’S HEART TOO MUCH TO THINGS WHICH ARE NOT WORTHY OF IT, AND TOO LITTLE TO THAT WHICH IS

HOW DO WE GUARD OUR HEARTS FROM DECEPTION?

WE KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD BY KEEPING OUR LIVES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF GOD

WE KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD BY TAKING HEED, WATCHING, AND PRAYING

Are we living in the end times? Last Days Bootcamp will teach us how to prepare our hearts and lives to thrive in these last days.

To kick off the Last Days Bootcamp series, Pastor Lee shares from Matthew 24 and answers IF we’re living in the last days, and HOW we’re supposed to live.

MATTHEW 24:1-14 (ESV)
“Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?

I. YES, I BELIEVE WE ARE

II. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE LAST DAYS AS BEGINNING AT THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH IN THE 1ST CENTURY
(FULFILLMENT OF JOEL 2 & ACTS 2:16-17)

III. ACCORDING TO JESUS – THE AGE LEADING UP TO THE RETURN OF CHRIST – WILL BE LIKE A PREGNANT WOMAN, THAT EVENTUALLY LEADS TO BIRTH PANGS – ANNOUNCING THAT THE TIME OF DELIVERY IS AT HAND(END OF THE AGE)

HOW DO WE KNOW WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?

I. THE BIRTH PANGS AND CONDITIONS THAT JESUS AND THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS, GAVE US ARE COMING TO FRUITION IN THIS GENERATION

II. WHAT ARE THOSE “BIRTH PANGS” AND CONDITIONS IN THE WORLD AT THE END OF THE AGE?
(SPIRITUAL DECEPTION)
(AN INCREASE OF WARS AND CONFLICTS)
(NATURAL PHENOMENA)
(GROWING LAWLESSNESS)
(AN EMPOWERED CHURCH STANDING VICTORIOUSLY)

HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE?

I. WE NEED TO BE AWAKE

II. WE MUST GUARD OUR HEARTS

III. BUSY OURSELVES WITH THE FATHER’S BUSINESS

IV. LIVE EXPECTANTLY