Sermon Video, Calvary Community Church, Williams Bay, WI

The greatest privilege and responsibility of every human generation is producing and preparing “the next generation.” With the demise and dysfunction of so many families and ethnic cleansing and civil war ravaging so many nations, what is God’s New Normal for His people as a new generation of children searches for hope in such a broken world?

In a world where the gap between the rich and poor seems wider by the day and 2 billion people seek to survive on less than $2.00 per day, the privilege of living life as fully resourced “ambassadors of Christ” is staggering. But with this wonderful privilege comes enormous responsibility. What is God’s “new normal” vision for His ambassadors living as generous, joyful, stewards of His limitless bounty?

The epitome of American sports extravagance, the Super Bowl, draws the attention of the sporting world this weekend. But athletic championships pale in comparison to serious life and death realities in Egypt, Syria, Mali, Algeria, Afghanistan, even Chicago. In the battle raging for humanity, God calls upon His “new creations in Christ” to rise up, live as victorious champions in the strength He provides, and defeat the suffocating darkness that is destroying our world.

Far beyond the promises of politicians or well-intentioned philanthropists, God reaches to our broken world with an unbelievable offer…”living a miracle,” His miracle, every day! He has designed you for it; He has made it possible: and He is prepared to bring it to reality in any “new creation in Christ.” Could it be you? What could “living a miracle” be like in your life, for the rest of your life?

Is it possible that the Almighty God could make Himself known those who have become new creations? Could that really be the plan? How can we see our roles and our lives in such a way that we make God appealing?

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?