Our new Christmas series, Sent, will use the iconic movie, Elf, to illustrate the wonder of what God accomplished for us in Christ. We kicked off the series today by looking at the true need of our world: not to be removed from the naughty list or to have Christmas cheer, but ultimately to be rescued from the power of sin and death. When we had no hope, Jesus was sent to and for us! He is good at overcoming death because He is life, abolishing slavery because He is freedom, and casting out darkness because He is light. So, this Christmas season and forevermore, we celebrate that Jesus alone is good at what we need most!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Additional passages: Hosea 13:14, Isaiah 61:1-2, John 3:16-17, 5:30, 6:40, 17:3, Acts 2:23-24, Hebrews 2:14-15, Isaiah 25:8, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Colossians 1:13-23, 2:13-15, Ephesians 2:1-10