As we begin Advent, we step back from mere sentimentality to consider why Jesus truly came. Scripture tells us that all who rely on the works of the law stand under God’s curse, a reality we rarely think about, yet one that lies at the heart of the gospel. The law exposes our failure, and no amount of moral effort can remove the curse our sin deserves. But the good news is this: Christ redeemed us by becoming a curse for us. On the cross, he bore the judgment we earned so that the blessing promised to Abraham could flow to us. In Jesus, the curse is lifted, our guilt is removed, and we receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Advent invites us to see the Savior clearly, God’s Son who took our curse so that we might share his blessing.

In Psalm 42, the writer asks himself, "why is my soul downcast?" As you read the psalm, it is clear to us! He is under attack from enemies; he is unable to eat; he is overwhelmed with life. He feels discouraged and depressed, but his circumstances and feelings are not the focus of this Psalm. The focus is what he does amid the trials. He speaks to his soul, confronts his misplaced hope, and puts his trust in the Lord. As followers of Christ, what is our disposition in trials? Do we look any different than those who don’t have Christ? If we don’t, why? Let’s learn from David to surrender to God, allow ourselves to be lifted out of the dumps, and give praise and glory to our gracious God, no matter what! Do you know the Lord’s goodness even when you feel down in the dumps?

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts both the serious sexual sin within the Corinthian church and the church’s troubling silence about it. He calls believers to respond to sin, whether in our own lives or in the lives of others, with grief, not arrogance or indifference. Sin grows when minimized, and even a little “leaven” can spread through the whole community. Because Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed, we are called to pursue sincerity and truth, resisting excuses that downplay sin’s seriousness. At times, faithful love even requires radical action, always aimed at repentance and spiritual restoration.

In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul exposes the danger of thinking we’ve “arrived” spiritually when in truth we have not. The Corinthians mistook early success and blessing for maturity, growing proud instead of dependent. Paul reminds them that faithful servants know their place, live as stewards under Christ’s authority, and await His judgment, not the world’s approval. True maturity orients the heart in gratitude, embraces suffering as the pathway of Christ, and depends not on talk but on the true power of God’s kingdom.

In our passage this week Paul calls out the Corinthians for their lack of real spiritual growth. They are still living on “milk” instead of “solid food.” He reminds the church that only God gives growth, warns against false progress built on worldly wisdom, and calls believers to build their lives on Christ alone. The goal isn’t independence from God but greater dependence on his grace—the only path to lasting growth and faithfulness.

Fear is a powerful motivator – sometimes for the good, but often it can drive us to unwise and ungodly decisions. In the book of Exodus, two godly and courageous women face one of the most powerful kings of the day and stand as an example to us of what it means to fear the Lord and ultimately point us to Christ. 

Picking up from his emphasis on the power and wisdom of God found in the cross, Paul continues by contrasting his method of proclamation to the “lofty speech” that was popular in Greek culture. Though Paul was in fact a skilled speaker, he didn’t want anything to distract from or compromise the centrality of Christ crucified. He again contrasts worldly wisdom and power with spiritual wisdom and power, which is only revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.

The message of the cross runs counter to everything the world celebrates. To some it seems weak or foolish, but to those who believe, it is the very power and wisdom of God. The cross exposes our pride, silences our boasting, and shows that salvation comes not through human strength or wisdom, but through the crucified Christ alone.

Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians by addressing a problem that still plagues the church today—division. Though enriched with every spiritual gift, the Corinthians had allowed personal loyalties and pride to fracture their fellowship. Paul reminds them (and us) that we are one family, sanctified in Christ and called to unity. Our identity, sufficiency, and hope are all found in the cross of Christ—not in personalities, politics, or preferences. When the people of God live as one in Him, the watching world sees the power of the gospel on display.

In the last sermon in our vision series, Pastor Billy examines the call of Moses. Moses’ story reminds us that God often calls ordinary people to extraordinary tasks. When faced with the enormity of leading Israel out of Egypt and perhaps feeling his own insignificance, Moses asked, “Who am I?” We see in this passage that there are no 'little people' when those people consecrate themselves to God.