The reality is that the opposed of joy is not sorrow, it’s emptiness, and God alone can fill that emptiness. The Magi (or Wisemen) were experiencing this emptiness when they sought out the newborn Savior. At our annual Noel celebration service, Pastor Brent teaches us about this through the search of the Magi, the wonder of the Child, and the joy of God.

The radical claim on Christmas is that you can’t experience the gifts of hope and joy without first experiencing the gift of salvation. In the first sermon of our Advent series, Pastor Brent teaches us that salvation is a gift everyone needs, a gift everyone can have, and finally, a gift that changes you.

Former pastor of Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach, Florida, Mike Malone, visits us to preach on the second coming as it’s described in 1 Thessalonians 4. He clarifies that death is an enemy, there is life after death, and incredibly, there is actually life after the life after death.

Christianity, at its heart, is about a person—Jesus—to be known and loved, and be known and loved by. The love of Jesus is on full display in the Parable of the Prodigal Son in this passage from Luke 15. We learn so much about it in this story. First, we learn that God’s love for us precedes our love for Him. Second, we learn that God does not simply tolerate us, but He rejoices over us. Third, we learn that God’s love changes us. And finally, we learn that God’s love is available to everyone.

Many character traits of Jesus are obviously desirable—joy, justice, compassion. But how many of us want to adopt more humility? In this passage from Mark, Jesus shows us how much we all need more humility. Through it, Pastor Dave teaches us about the hidden danger of pride, the hidden value of humility, and the hidden glory of Jesus.

Compassion was the emotion that Jesus felt more than any other in the Gospels. In this well-known story of Lazarus’ resurrection, we see Jesus’ compassion with all three characters: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. First, we see His patience with Martha, then his tears with Mary, and finally, His power over Lazarus.

On the Sunday ahead of a pivotal election, Pastor Brent preaches about the authority of Jesus over politics. In this sermon, there really is just one main point with four applications: Jesus is King, and because of that we participate in politics, we love across political difference, we submit our politics to Him, and we ultimately put our hope in Jesus alone.

Despite being poor and humble, lacking any painting or sculpture from His day, Jesus is the most famous person in human history. Everything we learn about Jesus in this passage from John about preventing the stoning of a woman is emblematic of His grace. In this sermon, Pastor Brent teaches on how the grace of Jesus confronts us, how it confounds us, and how it changes us.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is widely quoted and recognized. But how does it show us Jesus’ heart in relation to justice? Does He want to dominate or liberate? In this sermon, Pastor Dave contemplates this famous parable by examining the search for justice, the problem with justice, and the justice of Jesus Himself.

Pastor Brent kicks off our new series, The Character of Jesus, by examining Jesus’ first miracle: turning water into wine at a wedding. In short, His first miracle was not a healing, but an effort to keep the party going. Through this, we learn about the problem of joy, the possibility of joy, and the price of joy born by Christ Himself.