This sermon was preached by Youth Pastor Dan Boal on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at Woodbury Community Church, Woodbury, MN. (Genesis 15)

There are few things as exciting at Christmastime as the giving and receiving of gifts. This practice was demonstrated by the Magi on the occasion of their visit to the Christ child. This message will challenge us to give gifts to God that are fit for Him. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Mary and Joseph were just teenagers when God called them to be the caretakers of Messiah; Mary as his mother, and Joseph as his stepfather. There are beautiful lessons of faith and trust and obedience that we see in the actions of Mary and Joseph. Big Idea: God never promised that following Him would be easy. He did promise that it would yield eternal rewards. (Matthew 1:18-25)

Jesus wasn’t the only miracle baby talked about at Christmastime. John the Baptist was also a child that God miraculously brought into the world for the purpose of preparing the way for Jesus, the Messiah. This sermon will take a look at the lessons that we can learn from the life of John the Baptist, a man who lived his life with radical purpose, unwavering commitment, selfless service, and love for God. Big Idea: The single greatest purpose that any of us can have is pointing people to the Christ of Christmas. (Matthew 11:11, Various)

Zechariah is one of the most intriguing people in Scripture. The old man dreamt of the day that he would chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. When his turn finally came, he got more than he bargained for. This sermon will be given in the first person, as a dramatic interpretation of the life of Zechariah. Big Idea: We are tools in the hands of Almighty God. Embrace your place in His story. (Luke 1:1-79)

Zechariah is one of the most intriguing people in Scripture. The old man dreamt of the day that he would chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. When his turn finally came, he got more than he bargained for. This sermon will be given in the first person, as a dramatic interpretation of the life of Zechariah. Big Idea: We are tools in the hands of Almighty God. Embrace your place in His story. (Luke 1:1-79)

The genealogy of Jesus is full of less than perfect people. But, it’s the stories of some of these people that help us to see just how beautiful the grace of God is. Jesus’ coming into this family should give all of us hope about what can happen when God takes over a life. Big Idea: No one is beyond the grace of God. (Matthew 1:1-17)

The prophets of Baal and Asherah have been defeated, but the rain hasn’t fallen quite yet. Elijah moves from triumph to humility; praying and waiting expectantly for God to work. This sermon will look at the promises of God, and what God’s promises mean for us. (1 Kings 18:41-46)

Elijah lived in the shadows for 3 ½ years and then God spoke. Instructed to confront King Ahab and 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah, Elijah obeyed. One man and God against a nation and their false gods. Who do you think is going to win? Big Idea: Never underestimate the power of one totally dedicated life. (1 Kings 18:1-2, 17-40)

God has worked in miraculous ways to sustain the young prophet and now, a widow and her son. Every meal that Elijah shared with the woman and her son must have been a sheer delight, for every meal was literally provided by the hand of God. And then, the unthinkable happened. The young boy became sick and died. What do you do when your world falls apart? The distraught widow makes it clear that she is upset at Elijah and at God. Why would God bring such calamity on her home after bringing such hope? Elijah responds with silence and then in prayer, taking the boy to the place that Elijah regularly met with God. Big Idea: When our world falls apart, and God is all we have, we have all we’ve ever needed. (1 Kings 17:17-24)