Last Sunday we talked about the incredible opportunity that God has given The Heights in 2016 to reach our growing community with the message of the Gospel. In light of this opportunity, we have prayerfully stated our mission like this: “Taking personal risks to bring the gospel to every relationship.” This is not just our mission collectively as a church. It is also our personal mission as followers of Jesus. Accomplishing this mission will require a strategy. This morning we will talk about that strategy, using the early church as described in the book of Acts as our model. Our mission has given us a starting point. Our strategy will show us how to get there.

As 2016 begins, we find ourselves at an incredible crossroads here at The Heights. New development is springing up all around us at the same time that additional funds are becoming available to reach our community with the gospel message. In light of this exciting opportunity, we have spent most of the past year prayerfully evaluating and rethinking our mission. Every church is called to win the lost and teach the saved. Every church is called to make disciples, and to fulfill the Great Commission. But what is our unique thumbprint at The Heights? What makes us different from all the other churches? This morning we will talk about the unique mission that God has called us to at The Heights: Taking personal risks to bring the gospel to every relationship.

Miguel Lopez looks at Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50. Joseph’s story has multiple parts to it: 1) Joseph learns to listen to God and His plan for him, and 2) Trials and suffering develop his character to look more like Christ’s.  It took many years for Joseph to figure out what God’s plan for Him was.  Are you listening to His plan for you? Do you understand that trials you face will help develop your character?  This will help you understand what your story is all about.

This Christmas season we have been looking at Jesus - our Rescuer. Only Jesus rescues us from darkness and reclaims all that belongs to Him. Only Jesus reconciles us to God through faith in Him. Only Jesus reveals Himself to us so that we can experience His grace and truth. And on this first Sunday after Christmas we see that Jesus, our Rescuer, offers an invitation for us to be a part of His Story. We are offered an invitation to follow Him, to know Him, and to introduce others to Him. Jesus, our Rescuer, has come, and the birth of Jesus demands a response. How will you respond to Him?

This Christmas season we have been looking at Jesus - our Rescuer. Only Jesus rescues us from darkness and reclaims all that belongs to Him. Only Jesus reconciles us to God through faith in Him. Only Jesus reveals Himself to us so that we can experience His grace and truth. And on this last Sunday before Christmas we see that Jesus, our Rescuer, is recognized as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus, our Rescuer, has come, and the birth of Jesus demands a response. How will you respond to Him?

Christmas is such a great time of year. It’s a time of peace on earth and good will to men, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus - our “Rescuer.” But what’s so special about Jesus? Why are we still celebrating His birth after two thousand years? For the past two weeks we have been listening as John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, describes how Jesus rescues us from sin and darkness. He reclaims our lost and broken world. And He reconciles us to God. Today we hear John’s testimony about why the birth of Jesus is still worth celebrating today. Jesus became flesh so we can experience grace and truth.

This Christmas season we are looking at Jesus - the “Rescuer.” Jesus came to rescue us from sin and darkness, and in doing so He reclaimed our broken world. But we must be reconciled to Him through faith. And those of us who have been reconciled must then embrace our calling to be reconcilers. You have been sent by God to this place, at this time, at this Christmas season, to bear witness about the light so that others might believe and be reconciled to God. This morning we will listen as the Apostle John shows us that our Rescuer, Jesus, is the One who reconciles.

We all long to be rescued - from terrorist threats around the world ... from violence in our streets ... from financial difficulties ... from the pain of past wounds. But even as we long for rescue from the things that trouble us, we are deeply aware of how much we long for a rescue of the eternal variety. We long for One who will rescue us not just from the pain and tribulation of this life, but from the eternal darkness that surrounds us. This Christmas season we will look at Jesus - the “Rescuer.” What in your life has been overtaken by the darkness? What needs to be reclaimed? Only Jesus can reclaim what has been lost. Jesus rescues you from the darkness.

Throughout the book of Ephesians we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to live a Gospel Life ... to find our identity "in Christ" and live as citizens of God's Kingdom. Living a Gospel Life causes us to live with urgency, keeping the end in mind. Our marriages give others a glimpse of the gospel message, painting a picture of a forever relationship with God. And as we wrap up our sermon series this morning, we will look at how living a Gospel Life impacts how we relate to others at home, at work, and in every other relationship. When we live a Gospel Life, we are not just consumers of religious goods. We relate to others in a way that causes them to long to join us as citizens of God's Kingdom.

What Makes A Man? - This morning Jon Burns will continue our sermon series “Gospel Life” with a word aimed at men. What does it mean to be a man in our culture today? Men often define themselves by their career ... their finances ... their athleticism. But how does God define what makes a man? Paul has some words for men in 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Men ... our family, our workplace, our community need us to step up. Let’s take a look at how we can lead the way in living a Gospel Life. And ladies - there just might be a word here for you, too!