The bigining of each year generally has people questioning or planning what they desire the year to look like.  Many of us consider where we have been and the challeneges we've faced to try to find the path forward to where we want to go.  We chart our own course, and pursue our own mission.  What if there was more to the story than what we desire and what we feel?  In this message Pastor Fikre Prince shares that all of humanity was created with a particular mission and purpose, and starting at that point is the best way to find joy, and have peace for the journey.

Text: Genesis 1:26-30

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: God created humanity to fill the earth with his glory.

Key Question: How was humanity to fill the earth with God’s glory?

1.     Humanity was given God’s image. (vv. 26a, 27)

2.     Humanity was given God’s mission. (vv. 26b, 28b)

3.     Humanity was given God’s blessing. (vv. 28a, 29-30)

Struggle changes us.  When you go through tough times, you can find yourself hiding away from life, and love and even the calling of God.  What if there was a way to come from behind those walls and walk in the freedom that comes in Christ?  In this message, Pastor Ryan Russell shares that in Jesus we have not only have a savior but a counselor, restorer and protector.

Text: Hebrews 2:10-18

Big Idea: Wonder that Jesus suffered to save us.

Key Question: What is the result of Jesus suffering for us?

1.     Our glory is restored. (vv. 10-13)

2.     Our enemy is defeated. (vv. 14-16)

3.     Our help is here. (vv. 17-18)

Every year there is a new epic movie or book that tells the story of heroism and salvation. We get sucked into the story because of it's many details and see ourselves in the characters.  There is an epic story that is unmatched throughout time and has been told over and over, but have you stopped to wonder at the story of your own salvation from oblivion by Jesus.  It is worth considering the work of salvation and how God brought this great gift through a child.

Text: Hebrews 2:1-4

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Wonder at the salvation of God.

Key Question: Why wonder at God's salvation?

1.     It brings God's deliverance. (vv. 1-3a)

2.     It bears God's declaration. (vv. 3b-4)

Jesus holds many titles to us.  To some he is savior, to some he is Lord.  In this message Pastor FIkre Prince shares that who Jesus is is more than just his relationship to humanity, he is also divine.  His divinity should never be stripped away from our understanding of him, instead we should take the time to marvel at who he is as the Son of God.

Text: Hebrews 1:5-14

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Wonder at the greatness of God’s Son.

Key Question: How do we know the Son of God is greater than the angels? 

1.     Because of his sonship. (v. 5—6)

2.     Because of his status. (vv. 7—9)

3.     Because of his sovereignty. (vv. 10—14)

Christmas over time can become common if we let it.  This season we want to take the time to slow down and consider the many aspects of Jesus that spark wonder at who he is and restore the joy of looking forward to not only Christmas Day, but him coming again.  IN this message Pastor Fikre Prince urges us to dwell on the magnitude of a larger than life, supreme God, who chose to come to us as a little child and deliver us from sin and evil.

Text: Hebrews 1:1-4

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Wonder at the supremacy of Christ.

Key Question: Why is Jesus supreme?

1.     His word is supreme. (vv. 1-2)

2.     His worth is supreme. (v. 3)

3.     His work is supreme. (vv. 3-4)

Where do you invest whats important to you? What you invest in shows where your heart is. In this message Jeff Totten shares that we need to invest wisely to see the right returns not just in thihs life, but the one to come.

Text: Matthew 6:19-24

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Gospel work is our great investment.

Key Question: Why should I generously invest in gospel work?

1.     It is eternally secure. (vv. 19-20)

2.     It directs your heart. (v. 21)

3.     It clarifies your perspective. (vv. 22-23)

4.     It reveals who you serve. (v. 24)

When you hear the word tithe what comes to mind? Is it joy? Is it honor for God?  In this message Pastor Fikre Prince talks about the instutution of the Tithe and what God's heart was for it at it's inseption.  Heaviness, cynasism, and frustration should not be associated with giviing towards God, but honor and celebration should be.

Text: Deuteronomy 14:22–29

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: God is always teaching his people to put him first. 

Key Question: How does the tithe teach us to put God first?

1.     The tithe teaches us priority. (v. 22)

2.     The tithe teaches us perspective. (vv. 23-26)

3.     The tithe teaches us provision. (vv. 27-29)

Do you identify as a GM guy or Ford lady? An Apple girl, or a Samsung Bro?  Sometimes our identity can become overshadowed by our posessions and we develop a sense of worth based on what we have.  In this sermon, Pastor Fikre Prince shares that there is a very real danger in the way many of us live, and our response and engagement with THINGS.

Text: Luke 12:13-21

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Generosity protects us from being owned by the things we own.

Key Question: How do we guard against being owned by our stuff?

1.     See the danger. (vv. 13-15)

2.     Check your motives. (vv. 16-19)

3.     Turn from greed. (vv. 20-21)

What is the most important part of a gift given? Is it the actual item, or is it something deeper? In this message Pastor Fikre Prince looks at the expereince of Jesus with his disples in the temple and a lesson he shares with them about the most important aspect of honoring God through generosity.

Text: Mark 12:41-44

Sermon Summary:

Big Idea: Generosity is marked by sacrifice, not selfish gain.

Key Question: What marks true generosity?

1.     It's seen by God. (vv. 41–42)

2.     It's measured by sacrifice. (v. 43) 

3.     It's motivated by faith. (v. 44)

Who is the most generous person you know?  Why are they so generous? We ahve all been touched by the generosity of others and at times that generosity stands out as exceptional and changes our lives forever.  When we think of the effects of generosity, we see how we can be a blessing to the world by modeling the most generous giver of all.

Text: John 3:16
BI: Because God is Generous, we should be generous.
Question: How is God generous?

1. God gave because of His love for us
2. God gave His very best for us
3. God gave so that we could live