Introduction

The Book of Judges recounts one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history—a time marked by lawlessness, rebellion, and moral failure. The overarching attitude of the people is captured in Judges 17:6 and 21:25:
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

This was a time when the Israelites had settled in the Promised Land. While the wilderness trials were behind them, they lacked a leader to guide them spiritually and morally. After Joshua's passing, the people began to drift from God's commands, seeking to satisfy their own desires instead of living in obedience.

However, when we examine Israel’s history, we see how God faithfully and graciously led them. In the Book of Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, not only to free them but to establish a deep and abiding relationship with His people. His purpose wasn’t merely to bring them to the Promised Land but to shape their hearts to trust and love Him.

God used their 40-year wilderness journey to teach them dependence on Him, showing that His presence and provision were greater than any earthly blessing. Eventually, He brought them safely into the Promised Land—a land meant to reflect His promise and faithfulness.

10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;

Acts 2:17

Introduction:
As 2024 comes to a close, it's hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. Time moves fast, but God’s faithfulness has been evident in every challenge, victory, and moment of growth. The Israelites faced similar moments of reflection in Joshua 4 after crossing the Jordan River—a miraculous act of God’s power. God instructed them to build a memorial with twelve stones from the riverbed to remember His faithfulness and pass this legacy to future generations. As we reflect on 2024, we’re invited to remember, share, and build upon God’s faithfulness, just as the Israelites did.

Introduction:
Introduction: A few months ago, London was captivated by the unexpected appearance of new Banksy artworks across the city. One striking piece at a zoo depicted animals breaking free, sparking wonder and conversation. People protected these artworks, cherishing them as rare gifts.

Reflecting on this, I realized how similar it is to Christmas. Just as Banksy surprised London, God did something even more astonishing: He came to dwell among us. God is not distant or uninvolved; He is Emmanuel, 'God with us.' The Creator of the universe, the One beyond time and space, chose to live with us. This reality transforms everything, making the ordinary extraordinary.

The question is: Are we ready to recognize Him, welcome Him, and allow His presence to transform us?

Body: Until Christmas, God's identity remained somewhat hidden. But John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This verse captures the core of the Christmas message: God moved close.

When telling the Christmas story, Matthew begins with Jesus' human genealogy, and Luke starts with angels, Mary, Joseph, and shepherds. But John does something different. He doesn’t start with Jesus’ earthly family—he starts with the origin of humanity itself in Jesus.

John 1:1 declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He speaks with majestic, eternal language to reveal Jesus as more than a teacher, healer, or rabbi. Jesus is God.

John 1:4-5 continues, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." But then, in verse 14, John shares the staggering truth: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Introduction

"The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.' Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'"

I was recently invited to a lunch with several people and Elder Yong was there. I had many conversations with Elder Yong and throughout our conversation, I found myself sharing trivia, little bits of knowledge that might seem unimportant or insignificant to others. We laughed about how I always seem to have these random nuggets of "useless" knowledge to share. I must admit that given a random time and place, these trivia bits of knowledge have useless, but I believe that everything has a time and place. I believe that there is no such thing as trivial knowledge. This curiosity for knowledge has served me well when I apply that same curiosity to God’s Word. I discovered something profound: even the smallest details, the seemingly trivial ones, have a purpose and significance in Scripture. The Bible isn’t just words on a page; it’s life itself. It’s God’s grand story, and every word has weight and meaning. And I discover the sovereign hand of God working in this world throughout human history.

Introduction:
Have you ever noticed how even the smallest light can pierce the deepest darkness? Imagine being lost in a dense forest at night—cold, alone, and unsure of your direction. Then, suddenly, a flickering light appears in the distance. That one light changes everything. It draws you in, fills you with hope, and leads you toward safety and home.

As we gather today to celebrate Michael’s baptism, I want us to reflect on how the light of Jesus transforms us. Baptism is not just a ritual; it’s a profound symbol of stepping out of darkness and into the light of Christ. It is a declaration that we are leaving behind a life dominated by sin and embracing a new identity, one filled with hope and renewal in Jesus.

The light of Jesus shines into our brokenness, offering healing and transformation. His light doesn’t just guide us—it sustains us in every season of life. And as we celebrate this sacred act of baptism, may it remind us of the great hope we have in Christ, who is our light.

Today, I want to focus on three key aspects of Jesus’ words in John 8:12: His Declaration, His Invitation, and His Promise.

Introduction

The Advent and Christmas narratives in the Gospels remind us of a profound truth: God often interrupts lives, revealing to characters like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth that they are not in control. Similarly, God interrupts our lives, reminding us of our lack of control, a reality that can be both unsettling and humbling.

In times of stress or uncertainty, we often seek control over something—whether it’s cleaning our homes, organizing our schedules, or even going for a late-night drive. Yet, no matter how much control we try to exert, life continues to remind us that ultimate control belongs to God. As Barbara Brown Taylor aptly states in An Altar in the World, “We do not lose control of our lives. What we lose is the illusion that we were ever in control in the first place.”

This Advent season challenges us to reflect on how we respond to life’s interruptions. Do we follow the way of King Herod, clinging to control, or the way of King Jesus, embracing surrender?

Introduction

As December arrives, we feel the familiar cold of winter settling in. The temperature drops, and snowflakes gently begin to fall, marking the start of the season. However, more than the cold, what makes winter unmistakable is the early nightfall. For example, when I go to pick up Ian from daycare at 5 p.m., it's already pitch dark. Grace and I often remark, "Can you believe how dark it is already?"

This daily observation about the darkness outside reminds me of something deeper—how darkness invades not just our physical world but our spiritual and emotional lives as well. We don't just experience the early darkness of winter; we feel the weight of a deeper, more pervasive darkness in our world today. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the visible signs of this darkness: violence, division, injustice, and deceit. But this darkness isn't just something "out there"—it's something that touches all of us personally, in our relationships, our struggles, and even our own hearts.

The Book of Acts is the story of the church - continuing the story of Jesus, through the church. In Acts 19, we see a contrast in the power of Apostle Paul and a small group called The Seven Sons of Sceva. Paul encountered God and was transformed from the inside out. He became someone who God performed extraordinary miracles through. Word was also spreading that in the name of Jesus, there is power; in the name of Jesus, miracles can happen.