Northstar Church Blacksburg

In the final message of our Living the Good Life series, Matt Novitsky walks us through Matthew 4:18-22 to challenge us to be proactive and intentional in our evangelism.

This session explored major heresies in the early church—such as Gnosticism, Marcionism, and Arianism—which distorted the nature of Christ, Scripture, and salvation, prompting theological responses like the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) that affirmed Jesus as fully divine and of the same substance as the Father. It also examined how Constantine's legalization of Christianity transformed the church's structure and culture, leading to widespread growth, nominal conversions, clerical privilege, and eventually the rise of ascetic movements like the anchorites and stylites. These developments marked the end of the early church era and the beginning of new theological and ecclesial challenges.

Continuing our "Living the Good Life" series, we learn from Luke 10:38-42 that living the good life means living simply but not slowly, because not only is hurry unhelpful; it's also harmful to every part of our lives. While Mary sits and learns at the feet of Jesus, her sister Martha becomes overly occupied in providing for Jesus and his disciples. Though her work is good and noble, her disordered and hurried heart is worried and upset about many things, and it is harming her.Hurry is not an external condition; it is an internal condition of the heart. As an outflowing condition of the heart, hurry hurts us, it hurts others, and it hurts our relationships with God. We should not allow our disoriented and disordered hearts full of hurry distract us from what is most important: being with Jesus. Reordering our hearts with simplicity rather than hurry through the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude allows us to love others and love God more deeply. Both contemplative learning before Jesus and intentional action for Jesus, all with an unhurried simplicity, are essential elements in living the good life, and we should challenge ourselves to consistently take time to be in silence and solitude, alone with Jesus and focused on him. Embracing simplicity instead of hurry, aided at times by the discipline of silence and solitude, reorders our hearts to what is truly important: being with Jesus.

Session 2 surveys the persecution faced by early Christians from both Jewish and Roman authorities, highlighting key moments such as Nero's brutality after the Great Fire of Rome, and later empire-wide persecutions under Decius, Valerian, and Diocletian. It recounts powerful martyrdom stories, such as those of Perpetua and the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, and explores common accusations against Christians, revealing both the cruelty and misunderstandings that fueled opposition to the gospel. Despite periods of intense suffering, the church's steadfast faith and refusal to compromise bore powerful witness to the hope found in Christ.

Continuing our "Living the Good Life" series, we learn from Matthew 14:22-32 that living the good life means we walk by faith, living trusting. When his disciples encounter an unexpected storm, Jesus walks to them on the water, and Peter at once expresses a desire for trust and has enough faith to join Jesus out even in the storm. Jesus encourages this faith by inviting him deeper into this trust, but as soon as Peter's focus drifts from Jesus to the danger, he starts to sink. Eyes on Jesus, he walks, but eyes off Jesus he stumbles. The same is true for us. Fear and doubt are the enemies of faith, while walking by faith mean trusting Jesus at all times. Having little faith prevents us from experiencing the joy God invites us into through trust, and the amount of our faith will determine our experience of God's power at work in our lives. The good life is not a life of little faith; it is a life of living trusting.

Spiritual disciplines: what are they and how do they work? There are a lot of things that Christians know they "should" do, like Scripture reading, prayer, giving, etc. But, how do we see these efforts as "disciplines" designed to produce life change, and not legalism trying to earn favor from God? In this episode, Matt and Sean talk a bit about the definition of spiritual disciplines, and how they work in the life of a believer.Music by antonio jade from Pixabay.

Continuing our "Living the Good" sermon series, we learn from Hebrews 10:19-25 that we are meant to live the good life in the context of community. As created in the image of a God who loves relationship, we are made for fellowship with God and others, and only in Jesus do we have both, saved for God and to a body of believers. This passage exhorts us to embrace intimacy, encourage humility, and empower obedience and influence.We are called to reject isolation and insulation and cultivate intimacy. We are called to humbly invite others to know us deeply so that we might encourage and spur on one another. Finally, we are called to pursue obedience together, empowering us to know and share the love of Jesus with each other and with the world. If we commit to loving Jesus and loving one another above all else, we will experience “the good life,” and others will have that opportunity to as well.

In this first session of Early Church, 2025, Kevin Seaton introduces the study of the early Christian church, highlighting its growth from Jerusalem to a diverse, global movement. He explores how the gospel spread through both prominent figures like Paul and ordinary believers, and how worship practices, baptism customs, and church gatherings evolved over time.

This week, we have a special bonus episode! Matt sits down with Kevin Seaton, a long-time Northstar member and leader, to discuss the upcoming Summer Seminary elective on the early church. Kevin shares some of his takeaways and observations from his study, as well as his own story of coming to know the Lord.You can sign up for the class at dontgo.be/seminary!

Continuing our series Living the Good Life, we learn from across the New Testament that patience is important to living the good life. From these passages, we learn that Biblical patience is an outworking of the Spirit of God in the life of someone following Jesus. The Bible teaches to live patiently with people, patiently with problems, and patiently with promises. We need to be graciously patient in our relationships, patient to let God shape us in the most painful of problems, and faithfully patient in the promises of Jesus. We can be patience because God has been and is exceedingly patient with us, in his infinite mercy holding back the judgment we deserve to freely extend salvation to us.

Episode 2 is here! This week, we dive into what we mean when we say "don't just go to church, be the church." It's not just a pithy, catchy phrase, but a guiding statement for our ministry philosophy that is rooted in Scripture. We talk through the origin of this phrase, how we have seen it play out in the life of our church, and how we have seen our members embrace the vision. We hope this is an encouraging conversation and that it causes you to consider how you can "be the church!"

In the second BIGsmallGroup messages on what the good life truly looks like, we see that across the Old Testament that God has always expected his people to do good. He commands his people to care for their communities, those outside of their communities, and even their enemies.Goodness not a status we can claim without action, it is an inward transformation that changes the way we live, because true righteousness works itself out as a practice. God give us freedom from condemnation so that we can do good, which God cares about deeply because goodness is rooted in who He is.

Continuing our series Living the Good Life, we learn from Matthew 26:36-46 and John 14:12-26 about Jesus's model of and teaching about obedience. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that He could be obedient to the Father's no matter what the cost, and before this struggle He taught His disciples that they would obey Him out of a love for Him. He taught an obedience not out of compulsion but out of the freedom that He gives His followers. As we strive to live obediently, the example and instruction of Jesus shows us several important things about the place of obedience in living the good life. First, the litmus test for obedience is not whether we feel like it or not, as we cannot define obedience for ourselves. In addition, obedience and belief cannot be mutually exclusive. Lastly, changed affections will lead to changed behaviors, because true love will always result in faithful action. We were made to live from relationship from empowered obedience, with God giving us grace when we disobey and grace to empower us to obey, as living with a joyful obedience is what we were made for. These passages prompt the question: how is God calling you to obey?

Continuing our series Living the Good Life, we learn from 1 Samuel 3 that living listening to God is essential to good life. When God spoke to Samuel, he couldn't recognize Him because he was unfamiliar with God's voice; he knew ABOUT Him, but he didn't truly KNOW Him. A lack of relationship with God means that we will not be able to understand when and how He is speaking. Living listening to God is paced, spaced, and graced--steady, intentional, and blessed--rather than crazed, mazed, and lazed--hectic, uncertain, and apathetic. It prepares us to live in this world, impact it, advance the Kingdom, and do good. Living listening to God's leading, and acting on God's leading, is what we were made to do. It's how we were made to live. Living listening begins with esteeming the Bible daily, responding faithfully, and allowing God's voice in our lives to be a frequent discussion among believers.

In the first episode of our new podcast series, Jeff, Sean, and Matt dig deeper into Northstar's sermon series, "Generous God, Generous People." We talk more about generosity, giving financially, and how our response to God's call to be generous reveals what is going on in our hearts and will change our hearts if we respond in obedience. If you missed the Generous God, Generous People series, those messages are also on the podcast feed, where you can get caught up!

Opening our Living the Good Life series, we learn that loving God is the delight of devotion, both the greatest command and the greatest privilege, and that this delight characterizes the good life as we walk with God. Throughout Scripture, we see this good life modeled intentionally through the spiritual disciplines, especially in the life of Jesus.The best and most important daily spiritual discipline is to start your day purposefully and devotionally with God. It is essential whether we consider this discipline a duty or a delight, because seeing it as a duty results in a distorted view of God, and a wrong view of God will obscure our perspective about everything. Ultimately, engaging in this time of devotion with our Father as a delight is the first step to living the truly good life, the life that Jesus modeled for us.

Continuing our Generous God, Generous People series, this week's message discusses the parable of the talents from Matthew 25:14-30. In this parable, Jesus reminds not to bury our blessings. In the parable, there are two servants who understand and know their Master well, effectively stewarding what he has entrusted them with, and there is a third servant who succumbs to a scarcity mindset because he misunderstands the character of his Master. The servants who understand and love the Master are doing the His will when He returns; they've done His work and will share in His joy.Christians should not have a scarcity mindset. God knows our abilities and capacities, and what He asks is that we be faithful stewards of the time, talents, and treasures He has granted us. The parable is a call to be obedient with what He has given you now. You'll bury your blessing if you don't know Who has blessed you, but, if you recognize your blessings from our generous God, you can give them back to Him and be used by Him for His will.

This is the first of our BIGsmallGroup messages on what the good life truly looks like, focusing on the joy of good deeds. Goodness is associated with the character and person of God, as God alone is truly good. When sin entered the world, good became bad as humankind sought a source of goodness apart from God. To be truly good, we need to be in right relationship with God right relationship with others. Reflecting a good God leads to a good life full of good deeds.

Continuing our Generous God, Generous People series, this week's message explores 2 Corinthians 8 and Paul's example of the Macedonian churches. Despite their poverty and suffering, these believers overflowed with joyful, sacrificial generosity, giving beyond their ability because they first gave themselves fully to the Lord. Their example calls us to give not out of guilt or pressure, but out of joy in response to the extravagant generosity of Jesus, who became poor so that we might become rich in Him.True generosity begins with surrendering our time, talents, and treasures. It is joyful, proportional, and ordered rightly with Christ at the center. God doesn't just want your stuff—He wants your heart. Our giving is not about fulfilling religious duty, but reflecting God's grace to a world in need. When we see what Christ has given for us, we respond with open hands and open hearts, living generously for His glory.

In the opening message of our new series, Generous God, Generous People, we are challenged to consider what it means to give God our first and best. Preaching from Malachi 1, we explore how God's people were saying the right things but offering half-hearted sacrifices—and how their actions revealed hearts far from Him. Generosity, we're reminded, is not a side-topic for super-Christians; it's a reflection of our relationship with God and the condition of our hearts.God doesn't need our first and best—He is the Creator and Owner of all things. But He wants our first and best, because He wants our hearts. And He leads by example. God gave us His first and best in Christ—His one and only Son—so that we might be saved and live generously for His glory. Whether it's our time, talent, or treasures, we've been blessed to be a blessing. A surrendered, generous life is simply the natural response of someone captured by the beauty of the gospel.

In the final chapter of Job, we see the resolution of a story marked by suffering, silence, and divine sovereignty. Job responds to God not with further questions, but with surrender. He confesses two powerful truths: God can do anything, and no plan of His can be thwarted. These convictions are not theoretical—they are the bedrock of Job's peace and can be ours as well.Though Job's losses were deep and painful, it was the encounter with God—not the restoration—that brought clarity. “I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5). This moment marked the movement from secondhand belief to firsthand experience. Still in ashes, Job finds hope because he has seen the Lord.In the epilogue, God honors Job, rebukes the friends, and calls Job to intercede for them. Restoration begins not when Job is vindicated, but when he prays for those who hurt him. Forgiveness unlocks renewal. Though Job never receives an explanation, he receives something better: the comfort of God's presence, the restoration of relationships, and the blessing of God's provision.Suffering invites us to the end of ourselves, but it is there that God calls us further up and further in—to deeper trust, truer worship, and renewed joy.

This week's message walked through Job 38–41, where the Lord finally answers Job—not with explanations, but with overwhelming presence and questions that reveal His wisdom, power, and majesty. Speaking from the whirlwind, God doesn't defend Himself or detail the reasons behind Job's suffering. Instead, He invites Job to look up—beyond himself, beyond his pain—and see the vastness of divine wisdom.God's response teaches us that He speaks in storms, not just in whispers. He is not frantic when we are fearful. He is “other”—unfathomable, sovereign, yet deeply personal. Through creation, rhetorical questions, and a divine tone of awe, God reminds Job (and us) that He is in control of all things, down to the smallest detail of our lives. Most importantly, God is not absent in our suffering; He's present, purposeful, and calling us to trust Him even when we don't have answers. When we shift our eyes from our wounds to His wonders, we find the freedom of faith.

Elihu bursts onto the scene as a young man burning with passion and full of words—but not all of them wise. Though he listens well, speaks respectfully, and rightly affirms that God still speaks to His people, Elihu, like Job's other friends, wrongly assumes Job's suffering is due to sin. Still, his speeches offer valuable lessons: God may use even misguided voices to remind us of profound truths. Through Elihu, we're invited to remember that suffering is not always punitive, that youth must be tempered with humility, and that in darkness, God still gives His people “songs in the night”.Most powerfully, Elihu foreshadows the gospel when he imagines a mediator—a gracious ransom to rescue the sinner from destruction. That longing is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our one true Mediator, Rescuer, and Ransom. When suffering leaves us confused and desperate for answers, let us be still and listen. God still speaks—and He has spoken most clearly in Christ.

This week's message walked through Job 29–31, where Job delivers his final and most personal words. In Job 29, he looks back, remembering yesterday—days filled with blessing, God's nearness, and a life of justice and compassion. In Job 30, he faces a painful reality check, lamenting his current suffering and loss. And in Job 31, he offers a heartfelt plea for God to remember his lifelong pursuit of personal holiness.From these chapters, we are reminded that even the righteous will suffer, and sometimes we will never understand why. Yet like Job, we are called to continue practicing personal, practical righteousness—anchoring our lives in inward commitments and outward deeds rooted in faith. Hardship is never an excuse to stop pursuing holiness. In fact, it's in suffering that true faith shines brightest. We must guard against letting our eyes lead our hearts, trusting instead in the unseen promises of God. What we reveal in seasons of short suffering is beautiful, but what we reveal in seasons of long suffering is priceless.

This Easter, we looked at the resurrection through the eyes of Mary Magdalene—one of the first to witness the empty tomb. In her grief, she came to embalm Jesus, not to rejoice in a risen Lord. Her sorrow was sincere, but her expectations were misaligned. What she needed—and what we so often need—was a divine reset.In John 20, Jesus asks her two piercing questions: “Why are you crying?” and “Who is it that you're seeking?” These same questions confront us today. Why are we doing what we're doing? Who or what are we really seeking? Everything changed for Mary when Jesus called her by name—and everything changes for us when we realize the risen Christ knows us personally, calls us tenderly, and invites us to hope eternally.

In this Good Friday message from Mark 15:22–39, we focused on an unlikely and often overlooked figure: the Roman centurion who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion. As the one presiding over Christ's death, he had likely seen countless executions—but this one was different. As Jesus breathed His last, the centurion proclaimed, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” He became the first person in Mark's Gospel to declare Jesus' true identity—not through signs and wonders, but by simply looking at the cross.Through this "minor" character, we are reminded that clarity about who Jesus is comes when we fix our eyes on His sacrificial love. In the cross, we see not defeat, but the power of God to save. Like the centurion, we are invited to behold the crucified Christ—and in doing so, to believe.

This week we launched our Easter series, Majoring on the Minors, by focusing on a pair of unnamed individuals whose small act of obedience played a major role in the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In Mark 11:1–11, we meet “the people with the donkeys”—ordinary people who responded in quiet faith when the Lord had need. Through their simple yes, prophecy was fulfilled and the King of kings rode into the city in humility. Their story reminds us that God has been working His redemptive plan since before time began, that we may not always get every detail, but that our call is clear: obey and trust. In a world that longs for significance, the people with the donkeys remind us that the greatest honor is to be used by Jesus for His glory.

This week's message centers on Job 28, a poetic pause in the book where Job reflects on the mystery of true wisdom. While humanity can dig deep into the earth to uncover treasures, wisdom cannot be mined, bought, or earned. No amount of effort or wealth can uncover it, for true wisdom is not a human achievement—it is divine in origin. It is found only in God.Job concludes, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom” (Job 28:28). In a world full of noise and confusion, Job reminds us that wisdom is not ultimately found in understanding why we suffer—but in knowing the One who rules over it all. When life is confusing, the call is not to figure everything out, but to fear the Lord, walk in reverence, and trust the One who holds all things together.

This week's message explores the final round of debate between Job and his friends, as their arguments unravel and their frustration boils over. Eliphaz pleads with Job to repent, Bildad offers a cold and rigid view of God's justice, and Zophar remains silent—defeated by Job's unwavering stance. Their faulty theology leaves no room for innocent suffering, showing that they have misrepresented God rather than bringing true comfort.Yet Job stands firm. Though he does not understand his suffering, he refuses to turn away from God. In his longing for a mediator, we see a glimpse of the gospel—our need for One who will stand between us and God. That hope is fulfilled in Jesus, our true Redeemer and Advocate.When suffering comes, we must cling to the truth of who God is, cry out to Him in honesty, and trust in Christ, the One who fully understands our pain and intercedes on our behalf.

This week's message highlights the ongoing debate between Job and his friends, who double down on their flawed belief that suffering is always a result of sin. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar misapply truth, offering harsh rebukes rather than comfort. Job, in his pain, wrestles with the reality that the wicked often prosper while the righteous suffer. Yet, in the midst of his grief, Job declares his hope: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” This statement points forward to Jesus, the true Redeemer who took our suffering upon Himself. When suffering comes, we must ground ourselves in truth, rest in Christ's finished work, and point others to His goodness.

This week's sermon examined Zophar's harsh and misguided response to Job's suffering. Unlike his friends before him, Zophar showed no compassion—he accused Job of sin and insisted that repentance would bring immediate restoration. His words reflected a dangerous misunderstanding of God's justice, assuming that suffering is always the result of sin and that obedience guarantees blessing. Job, however, pushed back. He boldly refuted his friends' flawed theology, defended his innocence, and expressed a deep longing to bring his case before God. Even in his despair, Job's faith remained. He clung to the hope that, though he could not stand before God on his own, deliverance was possible. This foreshadows the gospel—our righteousness cannot come from ourselves but only through Jesus, our true Advocate and Redeemer. May we, like Job, trust in God's justice, hold fast to His promises, and remember that our hope is ultimately found in Christ alone.

This week's message examined Bildad's harsh response to Job's suffering and Job's struggle to reconcile his pain with God's justice. Unlike Eliphaz, who spoke with some diplomacy, Bildad wasted no time in condemning Job, wrongly assuming that his suffering was due to sin—especially the sins of his children. His rigid view of retribution theology left no room for grace, compassion, or the mystery of God's sovereignty.Job, in response, acknowledged God's power but wrestled deeply with His justice. As his despair grew, he longed for a mediator—someone to stand between him and God. This longing foreshadowed the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ, who would come to reconcile sinners to God. In our suffering, we are reminded that while we may not always understand God's ways, we have an Advocate who intercedes for us, offering both justice and mercy through the cross.

This week's message explored the first response Job receives in his suffering. Eliphaz, the most diplomatic of Job's friends, speaks with wisdom but misapplies truth, assuming Job's suffering must be the result of his sin. This reflects a faulty worldview—one that equates hardship with punishment and prosperity with righteousness. However, Job challenges this thinking, expressing his anguish honestly before God while refusing to curse Him.Through this passage, we're reminded that suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin, and that God's justice operates beyond our understanding. Like Job, we may struggle with the “why” of suffering, but our hope is found in the One who truly suffered innocently—Jesus Christ. As we seek to comfort others, may we do so with compassion and truth, pointing them to the Redeemer who took our punishment on the cross and offers us life.

This week's sermon from Job 3 dives deep into the raw reality of grief and suffering. In a world that often dismisses pain and masks sorrow with shallow positivity, Job's lament serves as a stark reminder that it is not a sin to grieve. We explore Job's intense anguish as he curses the day of his birth but never curses God, showing us that deep sorrow does not equate to unfaithfulness. This message challenges the false comforts of “happy-clappy” Christianity and reminds us that God does not shy away from our pain—He inhabits it. In the midst of our grief, we are called not to sin but to lean into our suffering, knowing Jesus Himself wept and now stands as our advocate and redeemer. This sermon offers both a sobering acknowledgment of life's darkest moments and a hopeful reminder that, in Christ, grief will one day give way to eternal joy.

In this second message in our Job series, we dive into the opening chapters of Job, exploring his faithfulness in the face of immense suffering. Despite losing everything—his wealth, family, and health—Job refuses to curse God, demonstrating unwavering trust in God's sovereignty. This message challenges us to examine our own faith: Do we worship God only when life is good, or is He worthy even in our trials?

At our Monday night Renewal Service, we explored the question: How do we wait on God? Waiting is never easy, yet Scripture shows us that it is a vital part of our faith journey. We are called to wait honestly because it is hard, frequently because it is common, thoughtfully because it is biblical, patiently because it is slow, intentionally because it is commanded, and collectively because we are not alone.Waiting is not wasted time—it is an opportunity. It strengthens our trust in God's character, reminds us of His past faithfulness, and teaches us to rely on His promises rather than our own understanding. As we wait, may we lean into His truth, rest in His presence, and encourage one another with hope.

This week, we began a new sermon series on Job, a book that wrestles with deep questions about suffering, faith, and God's sovereignty. Job's story is one of profound loss, yet through his pain, we see the raw emotions and honest cries that come when life feels unjust.As we journey through this study, we'll examine how suffering can either deepen our faith or drive us away from God. We'll explore the role of the sufferer, the comforter, and—most importantly—God Himself. Ultimately, Job's story points us to Jesus, the only truly innocent sufferer, who endured the cross so that we might be forgiven and restored. May this series lead us to greater trust in God, even in life's hardest moments.

This week's message was delivered by guest preacher Dr. Rob Pochek and focused on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus has given every believer the authority and calling to go and make disciples—not just converts, but lifelong followers of Christ. This mission involves going to those who are far from God, baptizing new believers into the family of faith, and teaching them to grow in obedience.While the task may seem daunting, Jesus has given us a powerful promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” As we move forward in 2025, may we boldly share the gospel and make disciples, trusting in His presence every step of the way.

On our annual State of the Church Sunday, we celebrated God's faithfulness and Jeff reminded us of our mission as God's people. Grounded in Psalm 78:1-8, Jeff emphasized the importance of recounting God's mighty works to each generation, not only with words but through authentic lives of obedience, humility, and love.We reflected on Christ as our Root, Vine, Anchor, Foundation, Author, Beginning and End, and Head of the Church. These truths re-center our hearts and renew our vision to follow Jesus and “be the church.”Looking ahead to 2025, we are resolved to Share Jesus With Joy! Through workshops, ministry opportunities, and everyday conversations, we want to be a church family equipped and eager to share the gospel with confidence and joy. Let's remember, rejoice, and repeat the good news of Jesus—and faithfully pass it on to the next generation.

This week's sermon concluded our series with a focus on the joy and assurance found in 1 John 1:5–2:2. We were reminded that while sin is real, so is the cleansing, forgiveness, and righteousness offered through Jesus Christ. He is both our Advocate and atoning sacrifice, securing our standing before God by His blood. We rest in this truth because we couldn't cleanse ourselves. We rejoice because our sins are forgiven, and we are fully loved by God. And we repeat these truths to ourselves daily and share them with a world in need of the same joy. In 2025, let's live lives centered on Christ—resting, rejoicing, and repeating the gospel!

This week's sermon focused on 1 John 1:3-2:2 and the foundational truths of walking in the light of Jesus. Jeff explored six powerful "if" statements that remind us of the beauty of confession, forgiveness, and fellowship. Living in God's truth anchors us in His grace, removes guilt, and frees us from shame. We are called to walk honestly before God, confess our sins, and trust in Jesus, our Advocate and atoning sacrifice. His love makes life secure—no "if's" about it. Will you trust Him afresh or for the first time? As we step into the new year, let's resolve to believe deeply, confess freely, and rejoice daily in the immovable truth that "it is finished."

This week's message explored the spiritual reset we need to begin the year with renewed focus on God's work in our lives. Jeff reminded us that the Christian life is rooted in what we believe—about God's grace, sin's defeat, and the power of the resurrection. Belief shapes our behavior, and over time, that behavior determines who we become. Let's embrace this new year by remembering God's truth, choosing daily obedience, and delighting in the new life He has given us in Christ.

This week's sermon explored the impact of faith in leaving a lasting legacy. Jeff highlighted the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth and Joseph and Mary—two sets of parents raising two divinely-given children with one mission. These parents aligned their lives with God's purposes, embracing daily faithfulness, gratitude, and stewardship while pointing others to God's work. Their legacy reminds us that how we respond to God's work in our lives shapes the faith mark we leave. Post-Christmas, may we live with humble gratitude, recognize God's activity around us, and share the good news of Jesus. Let our faith be the legacy we leave behind!

This week's message focused on the true preparation for Christmas as seen in Luke 3:1-6 and other passages. Jeff reminded us that John the Baptist's mission was to prepare people for the Messiah by directing them to examine their hearts and repent. Jesus carried the same message: repentance is the essential step to entering the kingdom of heaven. Christmas isn't just about traditions or celebrations—it's about repentance. True preparation for Christmas begins when we turn our hearts and minds back to God, ready to receive and kneel before the King of kings. Are you truly prepared for Christmas? Let repentance lead the way.

This week's sermon reminded us that Christmas is for those who grieve. In a world marked by darkness and the shadow of death, the coming of Jesus announced the beginning of the end of our tears and grief. While we still experience pain and loss, Christmas points us to hope—hope in a Savior who carries our griefs to the cross and promises a day when tears will be no more. What do we do with our grief? We celebrate Christmas. We lay our griefs before Jesus, trusting in His care and love. And we place all our hope in Him, knowing He is our comfort now and our eternal hope to come.

This week's sermon focused on the themes of waiting and wonder, as seen in Luke 2:21-35. Jeff reminded us that, like Simeon and Anna, we are called to wait on God with hope and faithful obedience. Waiting on God is not passive—it's an active, patient determination to trust in His work and love. The Holy Spirit is still at work today, confirming that Jesus, the Messiah and hope of the world, has come. Don't let anything steal your wonder at the gospel this Christmas. Place your faith and loyalty in Jesus, the greatest gift of all, who came to save us!

This week's sermon explored the indispensable role of gratitude in the Christian life, focusing on Philippians 4:5-8. While our culture may view Thanksgiving as fleeting, Jeff reminded us that gratitude is a heart posture that brings peace, alleviates stress, and clears the mind. Improper thought patterns—like worry, anger, or impatience—can short-circuit gratitude, but prayerful, intentional thankfulness secures our peace. Jeff encouraged us to fuel our lives with gratitude as we cultivate a thankful heart!