West Church Peabody

In this message from Philippians 3:1–11, we explore one of Paul’s most personal reflections on what it truly means to belong to Christ. Is Christianity about what we do for God—or what God has already done for us? Paul’s answer reshapes everything.

Through his own story, Paul shows why religious performance can never earn God’s approval, why our best efforts still fall short, and why the righteousness we need can only come through Jesus. This sermon walks through four life‑changing truths: it’s not what we do for God, it’s what Christ has done for us; we must give up confidence in ourselves; and in Christ we receive the power of resurrection for everyday life.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to be “good enough,” or wondered how faith actually brings joy, this passage offers clarity, hope, and freedom. Discover how believing the gospel—not striving harder—leads to your best life ever now.

We begin the New Year thinking about "The Mission of Jesus." As a traveling rabbi, Jesus gathered large crowds and he told them stories that they could identify with in order to point them to the truth about himself. We will look at a well known one, the parable of the sower. Our reading helps us understand Jesus' Method, Message and How the Message Would Spread. As we think about our future as a church heading into 2026, it is really helpful to focus on Jesus, what he was about. How does this translates into our mission and ministry as a local congregation? We will see.

On the final Sunday of each year, I like to take my teaching time to reflect on the life and ministry of our faith family. I am so grateful for each person who worships and serves at West Church. The ministry is a huge team effort, and you make it a joy. What are some of the high points of our year? What are some of the challenges we face and need to prepare for? As we ring in 2026, we pray for the grace and strength that our Savior gives to live into his mission and calling.

In this Christmas Eve sermon, we revisit the story of Mary in Luke 1 and explore what her response to God reveals about genuine faith. Mary begins with simple, willing trust—“Let it be to me according to your word”—but her journey shows that faith doesn’t stay static. It grows, stretches, and deepens through confusion, hardship, and wonder. From Jesus’ birth to His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, Mary continually relearns who her son truly is: the Son of God, the Savior, the risen King.

The message invites us to reflect on our own faith this Christmas. Do we merely acknowledge Jesus, or do we trust Him, love Him, and yield our lives to Him? Like Mary, we’re called to let God interrupt our plans, shape our hearts, and lead us into a deeper, more mature faith—one that believes He is with us, loves us, and carries us through every season.

In our Advent series "Grace Required: The Family Tree of Jesus" we will consider David & Bathsheba. The setting is one of the highpoints in the history of Israel, the reigns of King David and his son, Solomon. But the scene is one of dismal failure and shame. Bathsheba is caught in the middle of the struggle. At the beginning of the story, she's laregely the victim. Towards the end of the story, she rises above her circumstances and has a positive influence. She becomes active in redeeming the kingship in Israel for one more generation. Through her dark ordeal, she becomes a light. She probably would not have chosen what happened. But God was at work graciously preserving his people until a better, different King would come. We are not just victims of the evil around us. By God's grace in our lives, He may still do something special with our lives, if we rely on Him and show up when needed.

This Advent our theme is "Grace Required: the Family Tree of Jesus." We are looking at the stories of the people who make up the family tree of the Lord Jesus. This week: a Canaanite prostitute in the city of Jericho named Rahab. You never know where a new believer may come from. But you will come to recognize them by the shape of their faith. Rahab was an unclean person with a soiled past. She was afraid of the God of Israel and his people. That fear matured into faith and she married into the community of Israel. Jesus came at Christmas so that he might cover over our shame, deliver us into his love and give us peace and joy, as a gift. All this, only when we believe. If you are hungry for the grace of God, "Come and get it!"

This Sunday we will focus on Advent in our teaching series entitled "Grace Required: the Family Tree of Jesus." We will see why the coming of Jesus to be born to redeem was so much more than a "Hallmark Moment." It was absolutely necessary if there was ever a hope for the world We will consider some of the special names singled out in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This week we will look at the life of Tamar & Judah in Genesis 38, talk about dysfunctional. If ever there was a family that needed grace, it was the family of Jacob/Israel. It becomes abundantly clear, even among the people who know the One True God, that they were desperate for the mercy, grace and kindness of God. If you are not a Hallmark Christian, from a Hallmark family with a Hallmark life, then you are just the kind of person Jesus came for...grace required. Join us this Advent to see why the hope of the good news is so necessary.

After this Sunday, I will pause our series "Your Best Life Ever Now!" for Advent. But this week we will look once more at Philippians in 2025. We gain a window into Paul's personal relationships and how relationships between believers were fostered and treasured in the New Testament time. There were deep and meaningful friendships, some even inseparable. They made generous sacrifices for one another: traveling, giving, caring, learning and suffering together. News and prayers were treasured gifts in the days of foot travel. Surely one of the reasons Paul stood firm as a prisoner was because of good friends. We will consider what the situation was like for them and the shape of Christian friendship. Next week we will begin our Advent series "Grace Required: The Family Tree of Jesus."

This Sunday we continue in our series, "Your Best Life Ever Now." Have you ever received a gift that you absolutely loved? What did you do with it? Most likely you opened it up and started enjoying it in whatever way it was meant to be enjoyed. God has given us an infinite gift. It is called salvation. And we are invited to open it and enjoy it for the rest of our lives. Paul tells us in Philippians to "Work out your salvation." It is a beautiful perspective on the all new life and relationship that God has given us. We will consider what this means, what it looks like and the results it brings.

In our series "Your Best Life Ever Now," we arrive at Philippians 2:5-11. It is one of the most beautiful and profound descriptions of who Jesus is and what he chose to do for us. It also describes how God the Father honors what his Son went through for us. It starts in heaven, comes down to all the ugliness of the earth, and returns to the heavens. This is what our Savior did, what he chose to do. What kind of God humbles himself like that? He's a God of lavish love, unthinkable authority, and unimaginable glory. Jesus lets go of all that was his, empties himself, humbles himself, and dies on a cross, for us. We're told that we should "have the mind of Christ." God intends to help us with this.