We are starting a new teaching series based on Romans 12:1 as we reflect on the mercies of God in our lives, In View of His Mercies, and today we look at Hosea 1 and explore the message titled, A Prostitute and a Preacher Walk Into a Chapel. Pastor Dustin Clegg has the following observations:

1) Jesus has every right to call His people to impossible and dreadful things to put His mercies on display for a broken world to see, and the only way we can rightly do what He calls us to is to be broken over what He has done for us more than what He called us to. (Hosea 1:1-3)

2) God is faithful. God keeps His promises. He is merciful and loving. He is full of grace and compassion. But God will judge idolatry of the heart. (Hosea 1:3-7)

3) It doesn't matter if we call Jesus ours if He is not calling us His. (Hosea 1:8-9)

4) God's promises are based on His goodness, not on our faithfulness. (Hosea 1:10 - 2:1)

How do you respond?

Jeff Brown talks to us today primarily from Romans 12 about relationship goals.

Today Pastor Dustin Clegg finishes up the series, Irreverent Christmas, as we look at Matthew 2 and see Christ in Chaos.

We discover 4 different groups of people within these verses:

1) The maniac throne guardian.

2) The massacred innocent.

3) The familiar ignorant or indifferent. And

4) The eager worshippers.

Read and reflect on Romans 12:1 and as you identify what group you are in, decide what true Christ worship looks like for you in the year ahead.

Today we look at Matthew 1:17.....The Genealogy of Jesus. Pastor Dustin admits that you probably won't find your life verse in this passage but describes the richness and depth of of how Jesus can change our "now" and our "future" so we don't have to live in our "past".

3 observations for the text:

1) Jesus doesn't come to us because he is impressed. He comes to us because we are desperate. 

2) Jesus came to save anyone who would trust Him.

3) Don't surrender to heritage. Let Jesus inform your life.

Continuing with the series, Irreverent Christmas, Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through Luke 1:1-25 as we talk about the Joy in Silence. We see that God's word to us is not based on the abilities, past or current circumstances, talents (or lack of them), or personalities of the hearer, but in the power of the One who speaks it. We must learn this! We also realize that we easily forget that God's Word is not just for the whole world, but for us (me and you).

Continuing in the sermon series, Irreverent Christmas, Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through Luke 2:8:20 and invites us to focus on two things from the text:

1) Religion and its followers exclude from peace who Jesus and His followers pursue with peace.

2) Peace offered and received leads to peace experienced which leads to peace extended.

How do we obey this?

With the beginning of Advent Pastor Dustin Clegg begins a new sermon series titled Irreverent Christmas, and as we look at Matthew 1:18-25 we talk about hope in brokenness. We see that:

1) Hope fueled by truth leads to grace (vs 18-19);

2) Hope and fear never agree, but they can be at war with one another in the same soul (vs 20-23); and

3) Biblical hope and brokenness is always centered around Jesus and self-denial (vs 24-25).

As we finish up our study of 1 John Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through 1 John 5 and we discuss what "(Re)birth Marks" look like:

1) Belief in Jesus that leads to loving what & who He loves.

2) Correct confession about Jesus the Messiah.

3) Confidence in the King, His will, & His ways.

Continuing in our study of 1st John, Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through 1 John 4:7-21 and points out that those who understand the love God has for them are characterized by 2 things in this passage: Fearlessness and Freedom.

God is love, but love is not God.

1. The love of God sends (His best) - vs 9, 10, 14.

2. The love of God sacrifices (Himself) - vs 10.

3. The love of God stays (Abides) - vs 12, 13, 15, 16.

How do you respond?

Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through 1 John 4:1-6 and has 4 observations:

1) Verse 1

2) How do we test the spirits? (vs 2-3)

3) The True Gospel of the Real, Biblical Jesus will almost never be most popular, but will always be most powerful. (vs 4-5)

4) The content of the old Gospel message will not and cannot ever change. (vs 6)

How do we respond?