Sermons

As we enter a brand new year, we do so filled with hope and with optimism and with the joyful expectation that this year can be different, that we can be different. In fact, John C. Maxwell famously said that most of us have “uphill hopes but downhill habits” – that we want for the best, but we don’t really works towards it: we allow old patterns of behavior and belief to get in the way of the newness and refreshing that God wants to work in us. Examining five critical habits – “uphill habits” – our prayer, together, is that we will dare the difficult “uphill” climb and commit ourselves, our families, and our church to new ways of thinking, acting, feeling, and being…following Jesus to the newness He promises. “Get Out of Your Head” based on the scripture from Romans 12:1-3.

As we enter a brand new year, we do so filled with hope and with optimism and with the joyful expectation that this year can be different, that we can be different. In fact, John C. Maxwell famously said that most of us have “uphill hopes but downhill habits” – that we want for the best, but we don’t really works towards it: we allow old patterns of behavior and belief to get in the way of the newness and refreshing that God wants to work in us. Examining five critical habits – “uphill habits” – our prayer, together, is that we will dare the difficult “uphill” climb and commit ourselves, our families, and our church to new ways of thinking, acting, feeling, and being…following Jesus to the newness He promises. “God-First Living” based on the scripture from Joshua 24:14-15.

As we enter a brand new year, we do so filled with hope and with optimism and with the joyful expectation that this year can be different, that we can be different. In fact, John C. Maxwell famously said that most of us have “uphill hopes but downhill habits” – that we want for the best, but we don’t really works towards it: we allow old patterns of behavior and belief to get in the way of the newness and refreshing that God wants to work in us. Examining five critical habits – “uphill habits” – our prayer, together, is that we will dare the difficult “uphill” climb and commit ourselves, our families, and our church to new ways of thinking, acting, feeling, and being…following Jesus to the newness He promises. “God-First Living” based on the scripture from Joshua 24:14-15.

During Advent, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to get over-scheduled and over-committed and overloaded. We get overloaded doing everything we’re “supposed” to do… but if this is all we do, we will miss the point of Christmas: we will miss the truth that a Savior has been born unto us, a truth that we have to return to year after year and day after day. Aware of this, we will use the four weeks of Advent to make/grow room in our lives to return to and to reconnect with the beautifully simple Truth of Christmas: that angels still sing, that miracles still happen, and that Christ still wants to be born (or born again) in us. “Overloaded Expectations” based on the scripture from Isaiah 11:1-9.

During Advent, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to get over-scheduled and over-committed and overloaded. We get overloaded doing everything we’re “supposed” to do… but if this is all we do, we will miss the point of Christmas: we will miss the truth that a Savior has been born unto us, a truth that we have to return to year after year and day after day. Aware of this, we will use the four weeks of Advent to make/grow room in our lives to return to and to reconnect with the beautifully simple Truth of Christmas: that angels still sing, that miracles still happen, and that Christ still wants to be born (or born again) in us. “Overloaded Expectations” based on the scripture from Isaiah 11:1-9.

During Advent, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to get over-scheduled and over-committed and overloaded. We get overloaded doing everything we’re “supposed” to do… but if this is all we do, we will miss the point of Christmas: we will miss the truth that a Savior has been born unto us, a truth that we have to return to year after year and day after day. Aware of this, we will use the four weeks of Advent to make/grow room in our lives to return to and to reconnect with the beautifully simple Truth of Christmas: that angels still sing, that miracles still happen, and that Christ still wants to be born (or born again) in us. “Overloaded Souls” based on the scripture from John 1:1-5.

During Advent, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to get over-scheduled and over-committed and overloaded. We get overloaded doing everything we’re “supposed” to do… but if this is all we do, we will miss the point of Christmas: we will miss the truth that a Savior has been born unto us, a truth that we have to return to year after year and day after day. Aware of this, we will use the four weeks of Advent to make/grow room in our lives to return to and to reconnect with the beautifully simple Truth of Christmas: that angels still sing, that miracles still happen, and that Christ still wants to be born (or born again) in us. “Overloaded Souls” based on the scripture from John 1:1-5.

During Advent, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to get over-scheduled and over-committed and overloaded. We get overloaded doing everything we’re “supposed” to do… but if this is all we do, we will miss the point of Christmas: we will miss the truth that a Savior has been born unto us, a truth that we have to return to year after year and day after day. Aware of this, we will use the four weeks of Advent to make/grow room in our lives to return to and to reconnect with the beautifully simple Truth of Christmas: that angels still sing, that miracles still happen, and that Christ still wants to be born (or born again) in us. “Overloaded Schedules” based on the scripture from Luke 2:15-18.

Too often, we offer God only what’s left over: we offer Him only what remains after we have filled up on other (lesser) delights.  What we will see during this series, though, is that God can work miracles even with leftovers… but that He wants (and deserves) more from us than merely that. Jesus deserves our best. Beyond all the things that need to be done, beyond all the conversations that need to be had… and the conversations to be avoided, we want to prepare our hearts and minds and souls to experience the wonder and power of these days: to sit (and to serve) with a profound sense of Christ-centered gratitude – offering Him our very best… not just the leftovers. “Even If” based on the scripture from Habakkuk 3:17-19.