Simeon's song reminds us that we can have hope in the midst of the waiting.

We can hope for Jesus is our hope in the hopelessness.

Mary's Song of Worship is intense and humble.

She is clear that the object of her worship is the Lord and Savior.

She has reason to worship.  She worships because of God's redemptive history and she is assured God will continue those mighty acts in Jesus.

In Jesus, we can have peace with God.

It is peace from our past, peace in the present, and peace for the future.

Christmas and Christmas Songs are beautiful and even enchanting.

But what about when life is not so "Holly Jolly?"

Well, we still have songs of faith and one of those which is part of the birth of Jesus is Zechariah's song in Luke 1:67-79.

Zechariah and the Israelites had been waiting a long time for the Messiah - more than 400 years in fact.

We learn something from Zechariah and even more so from Jesus about what to do while we are waiting.

This message looks at the final two pieces of the whole armor of God: the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

Update on SPC Youth Program

A Hidden Life of Prayer

Two pieces of the armor of God are considered in this message:  The shoes of Gospel readiness and the shield of faith.

The shoes of the Gospel is on one hand offensive as we take the good news of the Gospel to save lost souls.  It is also defensive as the truth of the Gospel protects us against the attacks of the evil one.

The shield of faith is a reminder to "put our whole weight on God" when the enemy attacks.  We can trust God to do what he says he will do to protect us.

In this message, we look at two pieces of spiritual armor: Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness.

Spiritual warfare is real and our adversary is real.

But Christ is stronger and has won the ultimate victory!

Therefore, we should; we must; and we can stand strong by putting on the full armor of God!

There is a call in this text to "stay salty":

Minister in His name; nor for our fame.

Avoid jealousy; rejoice with other ministries

Be careful to cause no one to sin.

Ruthlessly cut out sin in our lives.