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?

As we look at 1 John 3:10-24, Pastor Dustin Clegg shares three observations from the text:

1) Gospel love moves from Gospel thought to Gospel activity. (vs 16-18)

2) We can over think Gospel love. (vs 19-22) 

3) Believe, like remain, is a verb. (vs 23-24).

How do we obey this?

Pastor Dustin Clegg continues with our study of the book of 1st John and as we look at 1 John 3:10-24 he gives us three questions to consider as we study the text:

1) What is love as defined by Jesus?

2) Why are we prone to hate others?

3) Why must we guard against being surprised when we are hated by others?

Today Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through 1 John 3:1-10 and we talk through some observations of being children of God:

1) Genuine children of God will be currently treated like Jesus was treated. (vs 1)

2) Genuine children of God will be becoming like Jesus. (vs 2)

3) Holiness begins to overflow from the hearts of genuine children of God. (vs 3)

4) Sin begins to lose its power in genuine children of God. (vs 4)

What are YOUR applications from the message today?

Continuing in our study of the book of 1st John, Pastor Dustin Clegg walks us through 1 John 3:1 and offers two points to consider:

1) Beholding His love for me always makes me more like Him.

2) Beholding is not all that is involved with abiding, but we cannot abide without beholding.

Pastor Kirk Owens walks us through 1 John 2:24-29 and we talk about what it means to "remain" in Jesus. Kirk also shares 3 key points:

1) When we remain with Jesus, we can rest assured and not be ashamed at His coming.

2) If you are a born again follower of Jesus Christ...you have all you need.

3) We must all go to "The Beginning" with The Word made flesh, Jesus.

Continuing with our study of 1st John, today we look at 1 John 2:18 - 23 and Pastor Dustin Clegg presents us with 3 questions to reflect on as we study the passage:

1) How can John say they were in the last days 2000 years ago?

2) Antichrist or antichrists?

3) Is it only confession that gets us a relationship with Jesus?