What If Christmas Was Meant to Offend You?

John the Baptist’s opening words in Luke 3:7-14 are anything but cozy: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” But what if these bold, shocking words are exactly what we need this Advent season? In a world where spiritual complacency can lull us into autopilot, John’s confrontation is a wake-up call, cutting through our routines to expose the areas where we’ve settled for comfort over conviction. This sermon dives into why God’s truth sometimes offends, how offense leads to transformation, and what it means to truly prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival. Don’t miss this powerful message—it might just change the way you see Christmas.

In this Advent sermon, we explore the importance of listening to the right voice as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. We’re reminded how easy it is to follow voices that mislead or distract us. John the Baptist’s call echoes through time: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” This message isn’t just about waiting—it’s about realigning our lives, turning from the wrong paths, and making room for the hope and joy of Jesus’ return. With urgency and promise, we’re invited to live ready for the Lord’s coming, knowing He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

This Advent marks the start of a new liturgical year and invites us to look beyond the chaos of the world to notice the signs of God’s life and promise unfolding around us. Instead of being consumed by fear or despair, Jesus calls us to lift our eyes and see the hope of His kingdom breaking through, both in His first coming and His promised return. These signs of life aren’t just in the world—they’re in us, as we follow Him, love like Him, and live with His Spirit guiding us. Let’s take this season to reorient our hearts, practicing the faithfulness of seeing His work and promises in every moment. The kingdom of God is near—let’s live in light of that hope.

Today we're challenged to reconsider the origin story of everything in our lives. The parable of the minas in Luke 19 serves as a profound reminder that all we have - our talents, possessions, and relationships - are entrusted to us by God. Just as the nobleman in the parable gave his servants resources and a mission, Christ has given us everything we have and calls us to 'engage in business' until His return. This perspective shifts our understanding of ownership and purpose, urging us to view our lives through the lens of stewardship. How might our actions change if we truly believed that everything we have is a gift from God, meant to be used for His kingdom? This message invites us to examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Are we like the faithful servants who put their master's resources to work, or are we hiding our 'minas' out of fear or distrust? As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to live in light of Christ's eventual return, using all we've been given to honor Him and further His kingdom.

In a world of constant change, we find ourselves in need of spiritual recalibration. This message reminds us of our core calling as apprentices of Jesus: to be with Him, become like Him, and crucially, to do as He did. John 14:12 challenges us with Jesus' words: 'Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these.' This isn't just about belief, but about action. We're called to move beyond being mere 'hearers of the word' to become 'doers,' as James exhorts. By asking 'What Would Jesus Do?' in every situation and acting on it, we can participate in continuing Christ's work on earth, empowered by the same Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead. This recalibration invites us to live out our faith boldly, trusting that God has equipped us for greater things than we might imagine.

In our spiritual journey, we're called to become like Jesus, not just to find our 'true selves.' This countercultural message challenges us to look upward rather than inward. The apostle Paul's words in Galatians 4:19 remind us that our goal is to have 'Christ formed in us.' This isn't about self-improvement, but about a profound transformation where we're reshaped into Jesus' likeness. We're invited to consider: are we actively participating in this formation process? The path of Jesus is presented as the way to become fully human, reversing the curse of Adam's fall. By 'putting on Christ,' we're not losing ourselves, but uncovering who we truly are meant to be. This journey of becoming like Jesus isn't about perfection, but about allowing God's Spirit to chip away at what doesn't belong, revealing the masterpiece He created us to be.

Chris explores the concept of "Practicing the Way" of Jesus, emphasizing that being a Christian is not just about holding beliefs, but about a way of living and being with Jesus. The focus is on the importance of abiding in Christ, which is made possible through the presence of the Holy Spirit. He discusses the challenges of staying connected to Jesus in a world full of distractions and highlights the importance of spiritual habits or rhythms as means of resistance against worldly influences.

Key Points:

- Being a Christian is about a way of living, not just holding beliefs

- Abiding in Christ is essential and made possible through the Holy Spirit

- Spiritual habits and rhythms are crucial for maintaining connection with God

- The enemy of abiding is hurry, busyness, and distraction

- Spiritual dry seasons are normal and can be opportunities for growth

- The fruits of the Spirit are evidence of abiding in Christ

Scripture Reference:

- John 15:1-5 (The Vine and the Branches)

- Galatians 5:22-23 (The Fruit of the Spirit)

In this powerful message, we're challenged to reconsider our understanding of spiritual guidance and personal growth. The central theme revolves around Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to take up His yoke and learn from Him. This metaphor of the yoke beautifully illustrates how we're all carrying some form of life philosophy or worldview that shapes our actions and decisions. The key insight is that we're not choosing between having a yoke or not, but rather which yoke we'll bear. Jesus offers us His yoke - a way of living that promises rest for our souls and unforced rhythms of grace. This message encourages us to examine our current 'yokes' and consider if they're truly serving us well. Are we feeling weary and burdened by the expectations and philosophies we've adopted? Perhaps it's time to embrace Jesus' invitation and become His apprentices, learning to live freely and lightly under His guidance.

In this powerful message from our very own Eric Wadsworth, we're reminded of the transformative power of sharing our testimonies. The central theme revolves around the parable of the sower, but with a twist - we are called to be the sowers ourselves. This insight draws from various scriptures, including 1 Corinthians 3:6 and passages from Isaiah and Psalms, emphasizing our role in spreading God's word. The message beautifully illustrates how simple acts of sharing our faith experiences can have profound impacts, even when we feel our efforts are inadequate. It's not about perfection in delivery, but about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through our stories. This perspective is liberating, reminding us that while we participate in sowing, the work of salvation is ultimately God's. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to consider our own testimonies and the unique ways God has touched our lives, recognizing that each of our stories has the potential to be a powerful tool in God's hands.

Today we're challenged to embrace God's call with unwavering commitment, just as Elisha did when he followed Elijah. The story from 1 Kings 19 reminds us that true influence in God's kingdom often requires letting go of our past securities and burning bridges to fully pursue His purpose. We're encouraged to cultivate passion and enthusiasm in our faith journey, understanding that God's call always comes with His presence. This message urges us to view our entire lives as belonging to Christ, finding security in Him rather than worldly comforts. It's a call to live each day as an adventure for God, even in mundane moments, offering everything to Him. As we reflect on this, we're invited to consider: What is God calling us to let go of in order to move forward in faith?