Introduction

I want to begin with a simple question for you to think about for a moment: When was the last time you spent at least 30 minutes reflecting on your life?

And when I say reflecting, here’s what I mean.
I’m talking about reflecting on your actions—and your reactions.
I’m talking about looking back at the beliefs that have shaped us and the shame we’ve carried along the way.
It could also mean taking time to listen closely to God’s Word and to consider how His Word intersects with this particular season of your life.
When was the last time you paused to discern, What is God’s will for my life right now?

We all know, at least in theory, that taking time to reflect is wise. Reflection helps us notice where we are, identify what is shaping us, and make necessary adjustments as we move forward. And yet, for many of us, this is incredibly difficult.

We live in a society that is hurried, overstimulated, and constantly demanding our attention. Slowing down feels unnatural. Creating space for reflection often feels inefficient—or even irresponsible. There is always something to do, something to catch up on, something waiting for our response.

So many of us live with the subtle assumption that if we slow down too much, things will fall apart.
What happens if things don’t get done?
What if I don’t get into that college, pass that exam, land that job, or get that promotion?
What if it messes up my plans, my timeline, my goals, my life?

So we keep going. We keep pushing. We keep moving forward without stopping to ask where we’re headed—or what this pace is doing to us.

And yet, ironically, this hurried way of living often creates the very damage we are trying to avoid. We become exhausted, reactive, and spiritually numb. Our relationships feel strained. Our attentiveness to God grows thinner and quieter.

The truth is, many of us live at a violent pace—a pace in which we do violence against ourselves, violence against others, and violence against our relationship with God.

That is why Scripture consistently invites us into a different kind of life—a life of examination and reflection—where we slow down, look inward, and honestly locate ourselves before the Lord. And I don’t think there is a better Sunday to do that than the last Sunday of the year.

Henri Nouwen once said, “We would do well to spend 50% of our lives reflecting on the other 50% that’s lived.”
Whether or not that is literally possible, the point is clear: most of us spend very little time reflecting on our lives. God, however, is offering us a different way—a more reflective and contemplative life. That is why our text in Lamentations is so important for us today.

Introduction

When we imagine Christmas, we often picture something wholesome and beautiful: a calm and joyful morning. The house feels warm. The tree is lit. Coffee is already made. The kids wake up happy and grateful. Everyone is dressed on time to go to church. There’s no rushing, no arguing, no tears—just peace. We come to church with settled hearts, ready to worship, ready to celebrate, ready to speak about Jesus with joy and clarity.

If I’m honest, that’s often how I envision Christmas. I long for it to be calm and collected—a morning where my heart feels ready, where I can come to church centered, joyful, and spiritually prepared. But the reality is often very different.

The morning is rushed. Someone is crying. Someone can’t find their shoes. Someone is already exhausted—and sometimes that someone is me. With three kids, the energy is drained before the day has even begun. Instead of peace, there’s chaos. Instead of calm, there’s mess. And I suspect that experience isn’t unique.

We all carry some version of that gap between expectation and reality. We envision Christmas as picture-perfect, but we arrive carrying the mess of real life—stress, fatigue, unresolved conflict, grief, disappointment, or quiet anxiety. And yet, the good news of Christmas is this: that is exactly the kind of world Jesus came into.

Introduction

One of the traditions we have at New Hope is that we celebrate baptism or confirmation on Christmas Sunday and Easter Sunday. This is not simply a tradition we inherited, nor is it something we do for convenience. We do this intentionally because these days help us understand the order of the gospel—how salvation works and how faith responds.

Christmas and Easter are the two defining moments when we remember that God fulfilled His promise to redeem His people.

At Christmas, Jesus Christ is born—not merely as a significant religious figure, but as the Messiah God promised over many generations for the salvation of His people. At Easter, Jesus Christ rises from the dead, confirming that He truly is the Son of God and that His death fully accomplished God’s plan: the forgiveness of sins, the defeat of death, and the restoration of humanity’s relationship with God.

Together, Christmas and Easter remind us of a crucial truth: salvation begins with God, not with us.

God made the promise to save His people. God sent the Savior in His perfect timing. God accomplished redemption through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Only after God acts do we respond in faith. Our trust, our baptism, and our confirmation are our way of saying “Yes” to what God has already done for us in Christ.

This order matters because it protects us from thinking that baptism or confirmation is about proving our faith, earning God’s favor, or demonstrating spiritual maturity. They are not the starting point of salvation; they are responses to God’s grace.

That is why baptism and confirmation belong on Christmas and Easter. They are visible, public ways of saying:

“Because God has kept His promise in Jesus Christ, I trust Him.”

“Because salvation has been accomplished, I respond in faith.”

“Because grace has been given, I now live in allegiance to Christ.”

So today is a special day—not because a ceremony itself has saving power, but because it clearly points us to how the gospel works. Christmas proclaims that all of God’s promises find their “Yes” in Jesus Christ, and confirmation is the moment when that “Yes” is personally received and publicly affirmed with our own “Amen” spoken in faith.

With that in mind, let us hear our Scripture for this morning from 2 Corinthians 1:20:

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”

Introduction

Whether at work, at school, or in any community, knowing how to work well with others is essential. Employers and schools understand this well, which is why interviews often emphasize teamwork just as much as skills or knowledge. Questions like, “How do you work with others?” “How do you navigate challenges in a team?” or “Can you lead and also follow?” are asked because success rarely happens alone. Influence, impact, and lasting results almost always come from people who can work together—communicating well, understanding each other’s strengths, and sharing responsibility.

The same is true in spiritual leadership. God never intended His work to be carried by one person alone. Leadership in His kingdom is not only about calling or passion; it is also about partnership—learning to share the load and multiply impact through teamwork.

This brings us to Moses in our passage today. Moses is a faithful and surrendered leader. He is teaching the people God’s ways, judging disputes, and guiding Israel in every aspect of life. But there is a serious problem. From morning until evening, Moses stands alone, hearing every case and carrying the weight of an entire nation. Exodus 18:13 tells us that “the people stood around Moses from morning till evening.” No wonder he is exhausted. No wonder he is overwhelmed.

It is at this moment that Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, steps in. After observing Moses’ leadership, he gives advice that is both practical and life-changing. In verses 17–18 he says, “What you are doing is not good… You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out… You are not able to do it alone.” This is not an attack on Moses’ character or faithfulness. Rather, it is a recognition that even the most devoted leader needs a team. God designed His work to be done in community, with shared responsibility.

As we explore this passage, we see two practical lessons about elevated spiritual leadership, and finally how that leadership is perfectly exemplified in Jesus Christ:

Elevated leadership listens with humility.

Elevated leadership empowers others and shares the burden.

Elevated leadership exemplified in Jesus.

Introduction

When we hear the words spiritual leadership, many of us imagine titles, positions, or authority—pastors, elders, or ministry leaders. And some may think, “This isn’t for me. I don’t have a title. I don’t lead a team.” But spiritual leadership is not defined by position. Every follower of Christ is called to lead spiritually because leadership is simply influence—how our lives point others to Christ in ordinary, everyday moments.

The problem is that we often bring the world’s definitions of leadership into the church. The world measures leadership by position, control, performance, and recognition. And when these standards shape how we lead spiritually, we begin to believe leadership is about visibility, being impressive, or influencing others with our abilities rather than pointing them to Christ.

But leadership built on performance leads to anxiety and exhaustion. Leadership driven by recognition becomes fragile because approval fades. Leadership rooted in control puts burdens on us that only God can carry. When these things define leadership, our influence becomes shallow, our hearts become tired, and many conclude they are “not cut out” for leadership.

But the good news is this: God never intended leadership to be built on position, recognition, or performance. He calls us to a different kind of leadership—one that produces lasting fruit and flows from the heart of Christ. Philippians 2 shows us this pattern. Jesus is not only our Savior but also our model. His way of leading is enduring, transforming, and God-glorifying. From Him we learn two essential truths:

Spiritual leadership is rooted in surrender

Spiritual leadership is rooted in servant-hearted humility

Introduction

Last week, Pastor John gave a sermon that talked about who you were, who you are now in Christ Jesus, meaning you are now part of God’s family, and as a member of God’s family, God is building us up together. Today, I will be piggy backing off last week’s sermon to talk about building up the Next Generation. I want you to know that understand your role in building up the next generation is a way for you and the church to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Introduction

When we hear “build up the church,” we may think of programs, volunteering, or simply doing more ministry. But in this passage, Paul is speaking about something far deeper: our identity as the people of God, the community Christ Himself is forming, and the spiritual house God is actively building with Jesus as the cornerstone. Before Paul tells us how to build up the church, he tells us who we are — because without understanding our identity in Christ, all our attempts will become burdens, performance, or disappointment. But when we understand who we are because of Jesus, building up the church becomes the overflow of grace.

Paul walks us through three movements:

1. We were once far off — separated, divided, and without hope.

2. Christ has brought us near — tearing down walls and making one new humanity.

3. We are now being built together — formed into a spiritual home where God dwells.

Introduction

One of the most important truths about our humanity is that we were created for relationships — deep, meaningful relationships filled with love, trust, and mutual care. Even in the perfection of Eden, before sin entered the world, God identified one thing that was not good: Adam was alone. From the beginning, God designed people to flourish through committed and loving relationships.

Modern research reflects this biblical truth. Children who are unable to bond with stable caregivers experience profound emotional and psychological harm, and their development can suffer in devastating ways. Even in adult relationships, such as marriage, when two people drift apart, it feels like something inside is dying — because relational disconnection truly affects us mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. We deteriorate without connection because God made us for it.

And just as relationship is essential for human life, it is essential for spiritual life. We cannot grow as healthy Christians or function as a healthy church without deep fellowship. This is why Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church is so meaningful. Many scholars believe that Philippians is Paul’s warmest letter, written to a church he considered uniquely close to his heart. From the moment Paul begins, we can sense the affection, history, and mutual love shared between them.

At first, his greeting may seem like a standard opening, but when we look more closely, Paul is actually teaching us what healthy, gospel-shaped relationships look like. Today we will focus on two parts of Paul’s opening:

1. Paul’s greeting and what it reveals about his relationship with the Philippians.

2. Their shared partnership in the gospel.

Introduction

Think about the most meaningful relationships in your life — friendships, family, marriage, or community. Words play a powerful role in shaping them. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Every word carries weight — it can bring life or death, hope or despair, healing or harm. Words reveal the state of our hearts and shape those around us.

The story of Anna and Ian reminds us that words don’t just express how we feel; they shape hearts and relationships. They can tear down or build up, escalate conflict or bring reconciliation. But before we can speak words that build up others, we must start with the source of life — our relationship with God. How we speak to Him — honestly and vulnerably — sets the tone for how we speak to others.

Today we’ll explore three ways our words can reflect spiritual elevation:

1. Speak Honestly to God – pouring out our hearts in trust and vulnerability.

2. Speak Gracefully to Others – using words that encourage and build up.

3. Speak Redemptively through the Gospel – letting the gospel shape our words to reconcile and reflect Christ’s love.

Introduction

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who wasn’t really listening? Maybe a spouse, friend, or colleague — someone who seems present in body but absent in attention. It’s frustrating and leaves us feeling unheard. Not long ago, I was deeply focused on an “important mission” — searching for a World Series Edition Blue Jays hat. While scrolling online for it that evening, Grace walked into my room to confront me about something I’d done earlier that day. I responded with all the right words: “mhmm,” “I see,” “sorry you felt that way” — but my eyes were on my phone the whole time. Needless to say, that evening ended tragically — and it was all because I wasn’t really listening.

Listening matters. It builds trust, deepens intimacy, and invites growth. The same is true in our relationship with God. We can pray, read Scripture, and attend church — but if we don’t listen, we miss His voice and guidance. In 1 Samuel 3, we see God speaking to a young boy named Samuel — not in a dramatic scene, but in a quiet, personal moment. His story teaches us how to listen attentively, patiently, and obediently to the voice of God.

Today, we'll reflect on three truths from this passage:

God speaks to us personally

God teaches us to listen through guidance and community

Listening well leads to a faithful response