Sermon: Good News of Great Joy

“Good News of Great Joy for all people”. That’s what the angel told the shepherds about Jesus’ birth. The shepherds received the news, followed the sign, and met the Savior. Telling any who would hear about the Messiah, their Savior. They left joyful, worshiping God. This is the story of all who hear, believe, and meet Jesus.

God is redeeming His Creation through His Son, but what does it look like to faithfully and joyfully cooperate with Him in that? In this passage, Luke introduces us to Mary, who gives us some idea of how to do that.

Connect with Pastor Michael to meet with a GC on 12/28: [email protected]

This Sunday, we’ll begin our Advent sermon series from the Gospel of Luke, called Good News of Great Joy, with the story of John the Baptist’s birth. As we do so, we’ll hear how God answered the prayers of John’s parents and see how God works in the lives of his people so that His blessing leads others to rejoice in God and hope in his salvation.Luke 1.5-25, 57-80

The end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount issues some stark warnings and teaches us that true righteousness finds its roots in the state of our hearts.

Have you ever wondered why people choose to fast? Throughout the Scriptures, we see many of God’s people fasting, yet honestly, fasting for the purpose of pursuing God can sometimes be overlooked in our own walk with Jesus.In this week’s passage, Jesus shares with us how to fast and offers a profound motivation: the Father Himself promises to reward us! If our fasting is only to gain applause or approval from others, then that’s the only reward we’ll receive. But when we fast as Jesus teaches, the eternal God sees us and promises to reward us. Ultimately, fasting is about desiring God and His reward more than anything else.

When we read our Bibles, we hear over and over again that God alone rules over all. But as we look around to our culture and to our own hearts, it often feels like something else is on the throne - money.In our text this week, Jesus shows us what it looks like to live faithfully to Him by believing that He is better than our wallets. He won’t give us a budget. He won’t tell us what we can or can’t spend our money on. But He gives us a promise: investing our hearts in His Kingdom is the best investment we can ever make.Matthew 6:1-4; 19-34

Prayer can seem quite difficult, no matter how convinced we are that God calls us to it. We can struggle because we don’t know what to say or how to say it. Additionally, we can a tough time because of who we are and what we think we are accomplishing as we pray. No matter your struggle, prayer can challenge you … but through prayer, God can also bless you. This week, we’ll hear from Jesus how to pray in the right way for the right reward and with the right view of God.

Matthew 5.13-16How can I make a difference in other people's lives? How can I build a life on the gospel that loves and leads others to the real Jesus?These are questions we ask whether younger and figuring life out or older and established. This Sunday, we'll hear Jesus tell his disciples they've been made new. They've been made salt. They've been made light. And as they (and we!) live as his people doing good works, others will see them and glorify God the Father.

How does Jesus expect us to live as His people? In Christ our citizenship is in heaven and we’re called to live together in a manner worthy of that calling. This Sunday Jesus shows us what that looks like: ending angry contempt with urgent reconciliation, killing unholy desires and honoring marriage, speaking plainly and keeping our word, and exercising humility and wisdom. We don’t do these to earn the kingdom; we do them because the King equips us by His Spirit and calls us to walk in His ways.