The Victory Podcast

Climbing Sycamores... a new feature on the Victory Podcast.

Email questions to: [email protected]

Opening Music: "My Name (Hello)" by Andrew Lynch

Climbing Sycamores... a new feature on the Victory Podcast.

Email questions to: [email protected]

Opening Music: "My Name (Hello)" by Andrew Lynch

How do you make decisions about what you will eat or drink or about what you will wear? Our culture tells us, “If it feels good do it! It’s your right! It’s your freedom!” But making decisions based only on our personal happiness can harm others. And that would be foolish.

Paul sees the Corinthian Christians living like that. They were eating at pagan festivals in front of new Christians who were trying to separate from their old, pagan way of life. Therefore, Paul says that we need to think about how our decisions affect others, especially fellow Christians. God’s wisdom calls to use our freedom in Christ to serve and love others.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 8-10

One of the most important decisions we make is who, when, or if we are going to marry. Our culture teaches that marriage is about our own personal happiness. Therefore, we should choose to marry someone only insofar as that person makes us happy.

The new Christians in the Corinthian church inherited that same mindset from their culture. So, Paul teaches them to look at marriage as an opportunity to sacrificially commit to another person in Christ. (Paul does talk about leaving a marriage partner who will not live in peace with his/her spouse; See 1 Corinthians 7:15)

Paul says that our decision to marry is about how and where we want to serve God. Some might even choose not to marry if that means they can serve God in other capacities. This might sound like foolishness to the world, but it is God’s wisdom to live a meaningful life of godly commitments.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7

Our culture tells us that happiness comes from having the freedom to choose your own morality. To be open-minded and accepting of every lifestyle is considered a virtue.

First Century Corinthian culture was the same. They were proud to say, “Everything is permissible!” But Paul shared a message with them that seemed foolish. He said that all people could “come as they are” to the Christian church, but Jesus didn’t want them to stay as they are. Christians have been washed and purified by Jesus so that they can live holy lives of love, even if it seems foolish to the world.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 5-6

We are all tempted to scroll through YouTube, Facebook, or the latest podcast to find the sage who will unlock the secret to true happiness. We look to leaders who have charisma and success. We can even look at our favorite spiritual leaders in the same way. But often, we find out that those leaders are broken people with flaws just like all of us.

The Corinthians fell into the same trap. They put their faith in leaders who had charisma and outward success. But Paul taught them to find true power in Jesus and his cross. At first, choosing a leader who died seems like foolishness, but it is really the wisdom and power of God to change lives for eternity.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1-4

Buddy the Elf is a bit overwhelming to his newfound father, Walter. Buddy’s obsession with Christmas – particularly singing Christmas songs loudly – is foreign to Walter, who is a no-nonsense businessman. However, when he is faced with the possibility of losing his son forever, Walter joins in the Christmas chorus to bring Buddy home.

Christmas gets built up in our minds as a list of expectations and to-do items. We sometimes find ourselves glad that it’s over. But Jesus is a part of our everyday lives, bringing peace and hope to all. And in that way, we can live with Christmas in our hearts throughout the year.

Sermon Text: Luke 2:15-20

Preaching: Pastor Bill Limmer

Ebenezer Scrooge had no need for Christmas. In fact, he seemed to despise anything good, such as compassion, empathy, and charity. But when he’s forced to look back on his life and sees things from different perspectives, he realizes that life isn’t worth living if you’re only living for yourself.

We may get caught up in the allure of accumulating materials, money, and accomplishments. But in the end, we can’t take anything with us. None of us is good enough to spend eternity with God in Heaven… except by the grace given to us through our Savior Jesus.

Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

The Grinch has one goal: stop Christmas at all costs. He plots and schemes to get rid of all Christmas from Whoville by stealing trees, presents, food, and anything that hints at Christmas. But, when he witnesses the people of Whoville celebrating Christmas without the material goods, he has a change of heart.

Without God, our hearts are hard. They deceive us and lead us to act and think in ways that go against God’s will for us. When we recognize this and see our deep need for our Savior Jesus, we too experience a change of heart that lasts through the Christmas season and beyond.

Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-18

Preaching: Pastor Bill Limmer

George Bailey has had enough. He’s always working, always sacrificing, and it seems to get him nowhere. When he faces losing the family business that he never wanted to run in the first place, he contemplates ending it all. However, he gets the opportunity to see what the world would be like without him and recognizes how wonderful his life really is.

Things don’t always turn out the way we’ve planned. This gets frustrating to us because we think we know what’s best for our lives. But nothing that happens to us surprises God. When faced with a difficult decision about his family and marriage, Joseph follows God’s will and fulfills the prophesies about Jesus, our Savior. God uses the unexpected to do His work through us.

Sermon Text: Matthew 1:18-25