The Christmas Holiday is full of many traditions, emotions, memories and gifts, which make it “the most wonderful time of the year.” All of this celebration is fitting because we are celebrating the greatest news to ever be uttered at anytime on this planet. The angel who originally announced this great message described it as “good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Why is the gift of Jesus to cause such great joy? Do we live in the joy we were meant to have? What are the implications of this joy for each of our lives? Join us as we explore the great joy of this Christmas Season!
"Jesus" Tagged Sermons
For many Christianity, is a religion of rules. Endless lists of dos and don’ts that prove to us that we don’t measure up cause us to despair. In fact, if we’re honest it often causes us to draw back from God and Jesus. Some may participate because it is “the right thing to do,” but this is only duty and it actually causes many people to steer as far away as possible from church, religion and anything that has to do with faith. However, in Mark 1, we read about two sets of sons who were working in their respective family businesses. One day these sons encountered Jesus during the course of their work day and the result was that they resigned from their Father’s businesses and became students of this up and coming Rabbi. What did Jesus teach that caused them to leave their life’s work so quickly and easily. It was very powerful, but it wasn’t a list of religious rules. Jesus was relevant to those men for the rest of their lives and He is completely relevant to us today because of the power of His Teachings.
Their jaws dropped in astonishment at what Jesus said! They were blown away by what they were hearing because it rang so true and was said with the Power of Heaven behind it…There truly was another way to live life here on earth. The initial response to Jesus’ Kingdom Manifesto on the Mount was a crowd of people astonished at its powerful truth that was going to set them free.
This Christmas Hymn first written on Christmas Eve 1816, takes us on a journey through the nativity from the point of view of various groups. In the end, the chorus beckons all of us to “come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.” And that is the essential call of Christmas. For everyone and all creation to come and worship Christ the King of the Universe whom we celebrate in this season.
Why does Jesus seemingly complicate the simplicity of His invitation to abide by introducing His Father as the vinedresser who cuts some branches and prunes others? Apparently, maintaining a close, dependent and life-long attachment with Jesus also requires a wholistic view of life. Here is good news for followers of Jesus – when life doesn’t make sense and when we feel alone, this more comprehensive view of reality includes the presence of a sovereign and loving vinedresser.
Today we begin The Abide Project, a 12-week journey to better understand and experience Jesus’ invitation to abide. In this teaching (John 15:1-11) on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus started by identifying Himself as “the true vine.” Why does He liken Himself to a vine and is there any significance to His use of the adjective “true?” As we explore answers to these questions, we discover that these words are more than the beginning of Jesus’ vineyard teaching, they are the beginning of life as we were created to live!
The resurrected Jesus has been given all authority. What is this authority and what does it look like? Jesus strategically linked His cause for the disciples with His authority. What would His authority look like in the life of a Jesus-Follower and what difference would it make?