Sermon Podcast

The way we love others will prove our love for God. How do we love each other? We understand the depth of God's great love for us. We remember God's great love extends to everyone. And we choose to give God's great love to others by seeing the value of others, forgiving others, and living in unity with others.

We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As we begin a new year, nothing is more important. What does it mean for us to love God fully?

Every ending is a new beginning when we look back and celebrate and when we look forward and prepare.

Why do we celebrate this Christmas? Jesus came for someone like me: Someone who is weary. Someone who is worried. And someone who is wandering. That's reason to celebrate!

How can we find hope in the difficult seasons of life? We expect doubt and disappointment, avoid the temptation to compare and blame, never stop praying and praising, and fully trust in God's timing and purpose.

How can we have peace in the chaos of Christmas? We pay attention to the danger of busyness, which leads to anxiety, pride, and division. We adjust our expectations of others. We must be honest about our priorities. And we must remember that we are never alone or forgotten.

How do we have extraordinary love this Christmas season? Extraordinary love lets go of bitterness, listens carefully to God's wisdom, recognizes there is only one name that saves, obeys immediately and completely, and sacrifices personal desires and agenda.

How do we find real joy this Christmas season? We realize that the light of Jesus is for everyone. We are not surprised when people are indifferent to or intimidated by Jesus. We worship what is true, use our gifts to honor God, and walk in a new direction.

How can we be truly grateful this Thanksgiving? We must remember: There is nothing we can do that will ever stop God from loving us. The faithful love of the Lord protects us when we are fearful, guides us when we are lost, and strengthens us when we are weak.

How can we have an attitude of praise and thanksgiving? We connect with God's people, meditate on God's works, and rejoice in God's character. God is our gracious, merciful, powerful, just, good, trustworthy, generous, holy provider. That's why we respond with gratitude.