New Beginnings Lutheran Church

What some see as losses in a cultural war, God redeems. Even though we walk around parallel celebrations with many unaware of the origin of these festivities, God gives us opportunities to share real joy. Let’s unwrap Christmas.

Some may lament that Christmas has become a commercial enterprise, but this opens the door for conversation. Bright lights, gifts, and many of the songs all convey a deeper meaning. Let’s unwrap Christmas, hoping the significance will be revealed for more of us.

Christmas is both a religious and secular holiday. The result is two very different celebrations. Both share much in common: family, gift giving, charity. For those interested in the roots of Christmas, we are digging deeper than ever before.

Even non-Christians think they know the story of Christmas. People see nativity scenes in yards and hear talk of baby Jesus, but how many have really thought about its implications? Despite popular references in culture, how well do we know the real story?

What is your go-to test for “right & wrong”? Experiences? Feelings? Thoughts? Which is better for measuring what you believe and how you behave? Where does the Bible fit in all of this? Scripture changes everything!

You’re not done yet. But God didn’t wait for us to get it together. He snatched us from death itself—loving us just as we are. That’s grace. We are saved by grace alone. And grace changes everything!

“We don’t do nothin’”, spoken as emphatically as a double negative can say. We just believe. And believing ain’t doing; the doing is done. But what did the doing do? And what do we do about it? Faith changes everything!

What are you looking forward to God doing in you and through you in the coming year? We once were lost but now we’re found. We often forget, but can plan to remember. What God began, Christ will complete! God isn’t finished with us yet.

We’re easily underwhelmed in our sensationalized and cynical age. We’ve seen too much to believe too much—though we crave the next great spectacle. Jesus promises even greater things than what we read in the biblical accounts. In other words, God isn’t finished with us yet!

Everything involves tradeoffs. We keep something at the expense of something else. What we hold onto limits our ability to receive something else. Surrendering is scary until we realize what we are giving-up pales in comparison to what we will receive.

What we do for others does as much—if not more—for ourselves. Sacrifice changes us. Our hearts are affected. So, is it a heart full of love that moves us to sacrifice, or does a sacrifice for another engender love in our hearts?

“Do you trust me?” It may seem obvious, but if you pose the question, then trust is in question. Whether to trust or not depends less on the subject and more on the object of trust. So, Abraham shows what we all need to know. Can God be trusted?

It’s not if, but when we have a conflict. The fact is, as we grow closer with others, we can let our guard down and enjoy the fulfillment that authentic friendships afford. But when you let your guard down, you can get cold-cocked. That’s why fighting for our friendships is critical.

No marriage is free from fighting, and so we really need to fight for our marriages.  The battle is not against flesh and blood, but with the devil, his temptations, and the sin we all struggle to starve.  Want to know how to have a stronger marriage?

We fight with our families, naturally, but it is really a supernatural battle we are in.  When we keep this thought in mind, we realize the need to fight for our families and to resist the devil’s schemes to divide and conquer.

Sometimes gossip is good and that’s good news because we all love to gossip. Gossip is defined as, “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people.” The film “Finding Nemo” provides a perfect example of a good story we all want repeated. And you’re going to hear one in this sermon.

When people eat at your table in your kitchen, they have crossed the threshold of your door and entered into your home—your personal life.  We were not just made for community, but for intimacy. We were made to share communion with one another.

Three priests met to share life struggles. One shared his gambling addiction and the second about his battle with lust. After a pause, the third told the other two his issue was gossip and that he couldn’t wait to tell others! We have good reason to question the benefit of telling others our dark secrets. So why would we?

You were not just called to believe, but to belong. God doesn’t just pardon you, He places you into a faith family. You don’t want to miss the place to find your place. We were made for community.

Childhood behaviors are great predictors of adult actions. As William Wadsworth penned, “The child is father of the man.” And the girl, also, is mother of the woman she’ll become. How have you become more of YOU, as you live out how God designed you?