Christmas List
Big idea
Many of us have written a Christmas list at some point in our lives. Some of us want a new phone or tablet, clothes, or toys. Some of us want experiences. But at the core, we all want hope, belonging, joy, peace, and love. We can have all of these things, though Jesus!
Series Breakdown
December 4, 2022: Hope
We all have hopes. Some of our hopes are wishful thinking. Our kids hope for toys and technology. We hope to make them happy. We are afraid to hope because we have been disappointed so many times before. Hope has to do with trust and confidence. It is the resting of the human heart on God, with full trust that he will care for us and for our salvation and that he will give us the happiness he has promised. Hope is an eager expectation and anticipation of what is sure to come—an active, faith-infused waiting for God to fulfill that which he started by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Text: Romans 8:23–25
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Bill Limmer
December 11, 2022: Belonging
In Matthew, we learn about the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew wrote this genealogy very intentionally. He included people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all nations. He wanted people to see that God uses all types of people – he paints an inclusive picture. Jesus included the rejects and outsiders into his family.
Everyone comes with their own experiences and struggles. Sometimes our experiences make us feel like we are on the outside, like we are all alone. But in Jesus you are accepted. You belong to God.
Sermon Text: Matthew 1:1-23
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Ben Sadler
December 18, 2022: JOy
The holiday season is a time of joy, right? For so many, the holiday season is full of stress, anxiety, sadness, and many other feelings. Sin has permeated all of existence. But the good news is that God is good, immeasurably good.
The Christmas season is a time when we get to look forward to Christmas Day. Why? Because Christmas day is the day God sent his son into our broken, sinful world for US. Jesus took on OUR pain, OUR sorrow, OUR sin so that our relationship with God would be restored. He is the symbol of God’s love, mercy, and endless forgiveness.
In Christmas, we have a light that points to the day where there will be no more death, no more decay, no more pain. And it is all because of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Text: Luke 2:10
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Bill Limmer
December 23 & 24, 2022: Peace
Have you ever experienced a stressful time or a stressful season of life? I think it is safe to say that at some point in our lives, we have, or we will experience a stressful time. A time where all we want, all we hope for, is peace.
Joseph and Mary knew a thing or two about stressful times too. They were uprooted by the government, they had no place to stay, they were not married, and Mary was pregnant with the Savior of the world. Talk about a stressful time!
During these times, when all we can feel is the angst that nothing is quite right, Jesus brings peace. He brings a settled heart of a restored relationship with God. Perfect peace isn’t dependent on circumstances but from a steadfast, trusting heart on God who is faithful to his promises.
Sermon Text: Luke 2:13-14
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Ben Sadler
December 25, 2022: LOVE
At the end of the day, in the middle of the day, at the beginning of the day, we want to know and feel that we are loved. We have a fear of being unloved. God loves us unconditionally and so he loves us even when we fail, even when others are disappointed in us, and even when we are disappointed in ourselves. God loves us because he is love.
Sermon Text: John 3:16 & 1 John 3:1
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Bill Limmer
January 1, 2023: FRESH START
January 1st starts a new year. A time to start over and become new people. We usually carry our sin and guilt into the New Year. So this year, let’s have a fresh start through the finished work of Jesus.
Sermon Text: Micah 7: 18-20
Preaching Pastor: Pastor Ben Sadler
Fresh Start
LOVE
PEACE
JOY
BELONGING