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Sunday Morning, September 13, 2020.

Luke 2:21-40

How often have we seen people violently overreact? It's not a pretty picture. And when we think of "The 12 tribes of Israel," how many know that Jacob also had a daughter? Her name was Dinah. Dinah's story was one of an extreme overraction to, shall we say, her brothers trying to defend her honor. What was that all about? How can God use even the "wrath of men" to praise him? Come with the Grace United crew as we seek to understand the actions and motives of Dinah's defendants.

"Christmas time is here", so the kids sing the opening song of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." A holiday favorite. Along with many other holiday favorites. But is it possible that what we look forward to the most this time of year are all the trappings of Christmas? The lights. Tinsel. Non-stop Christmas songs. And of course, Santa at the tail end of the Christmas parade. But what would Christmas look like with the trappings chiseled away, with only Jesus there? Join the Grace United crew as we explore the first of 4 pictures of who Jesus really is: Christ as the Light of the world.

So, when WAS Jesus born? Hint: It was not December 25! If you read the Christmas story carefully, you see Mary and Joseph dedicating Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. How old was he when this happened? Hint: He was older than a week! Throughout our "Immanuel" series, we saw Jesus as The King. We saw him as the Priest, who was also qualified to be God's Lamb to take away our sins. But there is another Messianic office Jesus held in the days of his ministry: The Prophet of God. What was that all about? Come with the Grace United crew as we experience The Prophet of God, the Messiah in speech and action.

Alastair talks about Luke 2 and the fulfilment of God’s promise.

Unwrapping the Christmas Story.

This sermon teaches how you can praise God in all circumstances.

At Christmas, there's always that one family member who takes forever to open their gifts. They delicately untie each ribbon. They strategically pull off each piece of tape. Then they carefully unfold the wrapping paper. Everyone else is thinking (or saying), "Open it already!" This week, we learn about Simeon, a man who knew how to wait. Simeon waited on God's greater promise of the coming Messiah, but also a specific promise to him; that he would see the Christ before he saw death.

What comes to mind when we think of Christmas in 21st century America? Santa. The manger. Baby Jesus. Mary. Joseph. The wise men. Angels. Shepherds. Etc. But we know that the Christmas story was not "made in America." The setting was about 2,000 years ago in Israel. Roman occupied territory. Israel was looking for "Christmas": God's gift to set them free from Roman oppression. A Messiah. What does Scripture say about the Messiah? What exactly was his mission, both regarding Israel and the rest of the world? Come with the Grace United crew as we talk about God's gift embodied in Messiah.

The promises found in God’s Word hold the key to the believer’s future.

This week Dustin points us to the love of our Father and what can happen with an amazing faith!

The following sermon is going to review the song Simeon sung while holding Jesus in the hope that you might see His gifts of peace and salvation as so valuable that you will share His Good News with the world!

Join us for week one of Advent as we reflect on Jesus the source, supplier, and sustainer of Hope.

For the last several years, I have taken our youth group to the Dare2Share conference. These are great events that help to challenge students in their faith and also teach them how to share their faith. These conferences usually have somewhere around 10,000 people in attendance. Two years in a row (once…

©December 22nd, 2019 by Rev. Rick Goettsche SERIES: Songs of Christmas When you were a child you may have had the experience of waiting for a Christmas gift you were really excited to receive. On Christmas morning, you woke up early because you just couldn’t wait any longer. I hope you had an experience…