The command of the first century churches is the same as the 21st century churches. Choose your hard – and choose the hard that leads to a reward. Today's sermon comes from Pastor Austin and begins his new series Shadows on 1 Peter. 

“Forgive each other, just as in Christ God forgive you.” (Ephesians 4:32) It is inevitable that forbearance will fail, offenses will occur, feelings will be hurt, and lines will be crossed. That doesn’t make them always excusable, but they are inevitable. But the evidence of gospel community that seeks to live as Christ lived is not perfection, but rather ability to forgive our imperfections.

Those who were meant to dispense justice at the gate took bribes and those who actually sought to bring justice were punished. The system was broken, it filled the pockets of the greedy, silenced those who were righteous, and turned away those in need. 

People form their opinions about Jesus and the Church and faith based on what they see and experience in other Christians. If all you have are bad experiences with Christians, you’re going to assume Jesus is like them. And you won’t want to be a part of that. 

Your actions have the capability to tell more people about your identity than your words. People will more often see you than hear you. What do your actions communicate about Jesus if you’re in it for the label? 

In silence, God isn’t leaving you, he’s letting you. Just like Jesus let his disciples go for micro missionary journeys independent of his supervision so they could practice living faithfully in the real world. 

Due to illness and weather Rosewood was unable to have the church service in person.  We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.  

Do you want to know what God is like? Then look at Jesus. Immerse yourself in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to know him and know the eternal life found in him.

If you want to know how God reacts to people, look at how Jesus react to people.

If you want to know what God thinks of you, look at how Jesus relates to people.

If you want to know what God loves, look at who Jesus loves.

If something you think or have heard is in contradiction to what Jesus taught and how he acted, then we know it is not of God.

Jesus is the sword that separates the allegiances of your heart. It is an inner conflict that resists a change from living for ourselves and letting our hearts rule to putting our lives and trust in Christ alone. 

Pastor Austin continues the Advent season with his sermon "But Where’s the King?". The human heart is its own kingdom and king, which is why Jesus’ claim of authority over us can make us defensive. It’s why we try to neuter the message of the gospel to morality and ethics. Because then we can do religious things without having to give up the sovereignty of our hearts.