Now You See It, Now You Don’t

John 1:43-51

Theme: Jesus invites us to come and see, but it’s not always obvious what we’re looking at.

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Phillip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:45-46)

The Reveal

Mark 1:4-11

Theme: Baptism is the beginning of Jesus’ revealing His identity.

And just as He was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on Him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:10-11)

The Joy of Christmas

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The Subjunctive Space

Luke 1:26-38

Theme: Plot twist! Elizabeth and Mary see the possibilities of what God can do.

“And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing is impossible for God.” (Luke 1:36-37)

John, the Doppelganger

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Theme: The juxtaposition of John and Jesus shows us who our main character really is.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” (John 1:6-8)

Baptismal Limitations

Mark 1:1-8

Theme: John the Baptist’s limitations set him up to play an important role in Jesus’ story.

“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:4-5)

Stay Tuned!

Mark 13:24-37

Theme: Something big is coming – watch and wait!

“Therefore, keep awake – for you don’t know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you, I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)

The Last Word

Ephesians 1:15-23

Theme: No matter what life (and death) bring, Christ has the last word.

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

How Many Shopping Days Left?

Psalm 90:1-12

Theme: Life is a gift, use it wisely.

For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh. The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:9-10)

Grieving with Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Theme: We grieve in the paradox between human loss and eternal life.

Yet we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died…Therefore, comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18).