Matthew 1:1-16, 9:12-13; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 145:3-4 ; Ephesians 3:21— Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus might seem an odd preface to the Christmas story, but in it we find a testament to the unending goodness of God. From Adam to Christ, God was faithful through the generations to deliver His promised Messiah. And so too will His faithfulness endure from Christ’s birth to His second coming.
Blessed Are The Merciful
Matthew 5:1-12 — The mercy that typified Jesus’ ministry was more than a charitable act or a withheld punishment. In countless encounters (not least the Crucifixion), Jesus delighted to move towards the helpless, suffering, and sinful - you and me - in unrestrained kindness. As we seek to live ‘the Jesus way’, may the reality of our continual need for His mercy propel us towards our fellow sinners in love and compassion.
WATCH: Sermon begins at 1:08:40
Sprinting After Peace And Holiness
Hebrews 12:11-17, 25; Matthew 22:35-40; Ephesians 4:1-3; Deuteronomy 29:18-19 — While the race of faith is no doubt an endurance event, the writer to the Hebrews exhorts his readers to ‘sprint’ after peace with one another and holiness before God. As we put off our hard-hearted pride and rely on God’s enabling grace, these ‘sprints’ bring us back to the very core of why we’re running in the first place: to love God and love people.
WATCH: Sermon begins at 1:06:53
"Come, Follow Me"
Matthew 4:18-25, 11:28-30, 28:18-20; John 15:5; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:17-24 (MSG) — When Jesus called His first disciples, His invitation was not that they simply follow Him as one of the crowd. His invitation was to ‘apprentice’ under Him: to be in intimate relationship with Him, to be shaped and transformed into His image, and to go and disciple others as He had done for them. Jesus extends this same invitation to us today: “Come, follow me”. What is your response?
WATCH: Sermon begins at 1:11:20
"Remember The Whole Way That God Has Led You”
Deuteronomy 8:1-6; Exodus 13:11-22, 17 — On the eve of entering the Promised Land, Moses instructs the Israelites to look back; to see the evidence of God’s presence, plan, and desire for relationship through it all. As we reflect on the past year and the year to come, may we look to the example of Moses. May we look with right perspective, remembering that God has been (and will be) with us ‘the whole way’ through this journey of life.
WATCH: Sermon begins at 1:07:20