Sermon Audio, Calvary Community Church, Williams Bay, WI

We’ve seen the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and the bloodshed in a theatre in Aurora, Colorado, and a school in Connecticut. Are they graphic pictures of the world-wide carnage wreaking havoc with the human soul in every part of our broken world? Where can hope be found? Who or what can rescue us from self-destruction? Here’s good news: God is reaching to RECONCILE us as we embark on a new year that will undoubtedly be filled with similar horrific headlines!

With our 2013 theme verse, God issues a clarion call to humanity: God’s “New Normal” for humanity stands in stark contrast to the ever-increasing darkness, evil, immoral dysfunction we are calling “normal.” Who you could be, how you could impact our needy world, and what you could accomplish in 2013 is clear in God’s mind. Why not discover it for yourself...and live it?

“Stand at the crossroads and look…” (Jer.6:16) This weekend affords us a unique perspective. Look one direction and review your year 2012 as you live its final hours. Look the other direction and anticipate the fresh new year of 2013 not yet arrived. Breathe deeply, savor the moments, reflect with accuracy, learn the lessons well...then, with wisdom, anticipate 2013 with “palms and eyes up.”

Have you noticed all the different types of manger scenes that are available? Some have just Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Some add the shepherds and others add the wise men. What makes each important and what role do each of these play in helping us to find Christ in the manger?

What’s the value of a human life? While some segments of the human society treat life as easily disposable, God places the value of EVERY life at the highest conceivable level...Christmas and Easter combined! Scan the horizon of humanity. What value do you place on every human life? Look closely in the mirror; do you see yourself as valuable as God sees you?

With 15 shopping days left till Christmas 2012, what price will you pay for Christmas this year? What’s your "return on investment"? Now look deeper. What price will God pay for your Christmas this year? What’s the return on HIS investment?

In our world, where the "personal darkness" of poverty, disease, broken families, war, devastating addictions, moral decay, and much more breed hopelessness, there is a bright light of HOPE...Christmas. God loves. God came. Has He penetrated and dispelled the darkness in your life?

In a world suffocating in the pride and arrogance of so many people, genuine Humility is a welcome "fingerprint" of Jesus. As Trust and Truth are evaporating from our society, Authenticity is a rare and respected fingerprint of Jesus. What difference could Humble Authenticity living make in your world?

A heart of worship understands the holiness of God and the holiness that He longs to see in the life of each follower of Jesus Christ. There is a strong desire in the heart of a worshipper to conduct themselves worthy of the gospel of Christ, to make every effort to live in peace with all men, and to be holy.

A heart of worship recognizes that everything we have comes from the hand of God. This includes time, talents, and financial resources. So great care is given in how each of these resources is used, listening to God for His direction.