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Pressing On Toward Christ:

New Year Reflections for Christ Followers

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, millions around the world will toast to fresh starts and bold New Year’s resolutions. Gyms will overflow in January, diets will begin with determination, and planners will brim with ambitious goals for self-improvement. Yet statistics tell a familiar story: most resolutions fade by February, victims of waning willpower and unrealistic ex0pectations.

For Christians, the turning of the calendar invites something deeper than temporary habits or worldly success. It is an opportunity to examine our hearts before the Lord and ask: Are we growing in Christlikeness? Are we running the race set before us with endurance and focus?

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul offers timeless wisdom for every believer stepping into a new year. Writing from prison, near the end of his extraordinary ministry, Paul refuses to coast on past accomplishments or wallow in past failures. Instead, he declares with passionate resolve:

Paul’s words paint a vivid picture of the Christian life as an athletic race. He admits he has not yet “arrived”—a humble reminder that perfection awaits heaven. He chooses to forget what lies behind—both the pride of past victories and the shame of past defeats. And with singular focus, he strains forward toward the ultimate prize: full conformity to Christ and the upward call of God.

This coming Sunday, we will explore what biblical “resolutions” look like in light of Paul’s example. We will consider how to release the burdens of yesterday, pursue Christ with renewed intensity, and rely on the grace that first gripped us in salvation. Whether you are tempted to make grand resolutions or skeptical of them altogether, this message will challenge you to align your hopes for 2026 with God’s eternal purposes.

Join us as we begin the new year not with fleeting self-effort, but with gospel-fueled determination to press on toward Jesus—the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Bring your Bible, bring your heart, and come ready to run the race with eyes fixed on the prize

Jesus is Enough

Even When There is No Room

Luke 2:1-7

The most famous “No Vacancy” sign in history hung over Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. The world’s Savior arrived and there was no room. Not in the inn, not in Herod’s palace, not in the temple. The One who made every atom was pushed to the margins, laid in a feeding trough, because every room was already occupied—with people, plans, and pride.

“No room for Him” has been humanity’s refrain ever since. We fill our schedules, our hearts, our thoughts with everything except Jesus. Yet the astonishing truth of Christmas is this: the One we made no room for still made room for us. He who was rejected became the cornerstone. He who was laid in a manger was lifted up to draw all people to Himself.

The manger is not a cute decoration; it is a warning and an invitation. Warning: the world by nature crowds Jesus out. Invitation: the door only opens from the inside. The same Jesus who accepted a stable still knocks gently (Revelation 3:20). He will not force His way in, but He will fill every corner we give Him.

This Christmas, the question is not “Will there be room for me at God’s table?” The table is spread; the invitation is signed in blood. The question is, “Will I make room for Him?” Jesus is enough—even when there is no room. And He is waiting for you to open the door.

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Jesus is Enough

For the Lowly and Forgotten

Luke 2:8-20

The greatest birth announcement in history was not delivered in a palace, not tweeted by influencers, not printed on embossed parchment and sent to the elite. It was shouted by an army of angels to a handful of night-shift shepherds outside Bethlehem.

Shepherds ranked near the bottom of first-century society. They were ceremonially unclean, socially invisible, and legally untrustworthy—their testimony was not even accepted in court. They smelled like sheep, worked holidays, and were the last people anyone expected God to notice. Yet the sky exploded with glory and the first word from heaven after four hundred silent years was addressed to them: “Fear not.”

The angel could have gone to Caesar in Rome, to Herod in Jerusalem, or to the high priest in the temple. Instead, he went to the night shift. And the sign he gave was scandalously humble: “You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” God’s own Son, born where animals eat. The King of kings announced first to the kind of people we usually step over on city sidewalks.

This is the heartbeat of Christmas: Jesus is enough for the lowly and forgotten. He did not come for those who have it all together. He came for those who know they don’t. The manger was the first declaration that the gospel is for losers, for failures, for the invisible. The shepherds became the first Christian preachers because the ones who know they are nothing have nothing to protect and everything to tell.

Today, we remember that the guest list for the first Christmas was written by grace. If you feel overlooked, overdosed, over-the-hill, or just plain over it—if you wonder whether anyone upstairs even knows your name—hear the angels again: “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” To you. Yes, you. Jesus is enough for the lowly. And that means Jesus is enough for you.

Prepare to Meet Your God
After We Meet God: Hell

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment.

C. We Encounter the Holy God through Worship, Helping Others, Death, the Second Coming of Christ, and Judgment.

D. Today, we will Discuss what Happens After we Meet God in Judgment, if we are Lost – Hell. Five Views of Hell:

I. Hell is a Literal Place of Eternal Punishment.

A. Darkness (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 25:30; Jude 1:6, 13)

B. Fire (Matthew 13:42; Matthew 18:9; Revelation 20:15)

C. Pain/Torment (Mark 9:47-48; Revelation 14:10-11)

D. Eternal (Matthew 18:8; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10)

II.  Hell is a Metaphor for Eternal Separation from God.  (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 25:10-12, 30, 41, 46; Revelation 21:27)

III.   Hell is Annihilation.  (Philippians 3:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:7; Matthew 10:28; Romans 6:23)

IV.  Hell is Temporary – Everyone will be Saved (Universalism).  (1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:2)

V. Hell is Not Real.

Applications:

A. Hell was not Created for Humans.

B. God Doesn’t Desire that anyone Goes to Hell.

C. Sadly, People Choose to Remain Separated from God.

D. You Don’t Want to Go to Hell Regardless of your View.

E. There will be No Second Chances; Now is the Time to Act.

F. Give Your Life to Christ. Repent of Your Sin.

G. Are You Prepared for What Comes After Death?

Prepare to Meet Your God in Judgment

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment.

C. We Encounter the Holy God through Worship, Helping Others, Death, and the Second Coming of Christ. Today: Judgment.

D. Judgment Evokes Many Scary Images, but for the Christian, Judgment will be a time for Rejoicing (Psalm 96:10-13)

1. Judgment is a Description of God Setting Everything Right.

2. A time of Justice: Wicked Dealt with, Creation Restored.

3. In One Sense, Judged upon Death. Final Judgment either a Time of Pronouncement, Giving of Reward, or Both.

I. Principles of Judgment: Accountability

What we do in this Life Matters (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12).

II. Principles of Judgment: Consequences

A. We will Reap what we Sow (Galatians 6:7-9).

B. We will Reap more than What we Sow (Galatians 6:7-9).

C. We will Reap in Proportion to What we Sow (2 Corinthians 9:6).

III. Principles of Judgment: Restoration

God’s Final Judgment is Him Setting Everything Right (Revelation 21:1-8, 27; Revelation 20-21; Matthew 24).

Applications:

A. One Day we Will Meet God (Hebrews 9:27).

B. We will Give an Account of Everything we Do.

C. There will be Consequences – Temporal & Eternal.

D. We Prepare by Giving our Lives to Christ.

E. We Prepare by Sowing to the Spirit.

F. We Prepare by Good Works (Revelation 14:13).

G. Are You Prepared to Meet God in the Final Judgment?

Prepare to Meet Your God
at the Second Coming of Christ

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment.

C. We Encounter the Holy God through Worship, Helping Others, and Death.

D. Today, we will Discuss Meeting God at the 2nd Coming.

I. Will Jesus Really Come Again?

Yes, He Promised to Return (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Peter 3:1-10)

II. What will Happen When Jesus Comes?

A. It Will Be Unmistakable (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:27-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

B. He Will Gather His Elect (Matthew 24:40-41; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

C. Creation will be Purified and Restored by Fire (2 Peter 3:10-13).

D. The Wicked will Perish in that Fire (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

E. The Righteous will be Given their Reward based on their Works (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-16; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 6:20-21; Revelation 4:13).

F. The Righteous will Be with God Forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

III. How Can We Be Ready When He Comes?

A. Watch; No One Knows When (Matthew 24:36-44; 2 Peter 3:10).

B. Be Patient (James 5:7-9).

C. Stand Firm (1 Corinthians 15:58).

D. Live Holy and Godly Lives (2 Peter 3:11-18).

E. Encourage/Comfort One Another (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Applications: Practical Steps toward Preparation

A. Give Your Life to Christ.

B. Repent of Sinful Practices & Habits.

C. Practice Kingdom Values.

D. Prepare Others for His Coming.

E. Are You Prepared to Meet God at Jesus’ 2nd Coming?

Prepare to Meet Your God in Death

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment.

C. We Encounter the Holy God through Worship & Helping Others.

D. Today, we will Discuss How we Meet God in Death.

I. The Inevitability of Death

A. We All Have an Appointment with Death (Hebrews 9:27).

B. Death was Not a Part of God’s Original Creation (Romans 5:12; Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 6:23a).

C. Though we try to Deny it, Death is Inevitable.

II. The Finality in Death

A. Death is the Cessation of Bodily Function.

B. You ARE Your Body. No Body/Soul Duality (Genesis 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

C. Apart from Divine Intervention, You are Gone Forever.

III. The Victory over Death

A. God Completely Preserves Us upon Death (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NAS).

B. Jesus Reverses Sin’s Penalty (Romans 5:16-21; Romans 6:23b).

C. Jesus Gives us Victory over Death (1 Corinthians 15:16-26, 51-58).

Applications: Practical Steps toward Preparation

A. Know Christ (Philippians 3:10-14).

B. Store up for Yourselves Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:20-21; Revelation 14:13).

C. Since Death is Inevitable, Don’t Deny it – Get Your House in Order.

D. What Legacy are You Leaving to Family, Others, The Cause of Christ.

E. Are you Ready to Meet God in Death?

Prepare to Meet Your God in the

Face of Your Brother

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment.

C. We Encounter the Holy God through Helping Others.

1. Abraham Showed Hospitality to God & Angels

(Genesis 18:2-9; Hebrews 13:2).

2. Jesus said when we Help Others, we Help Him (Matthew 25:31-46).

D. How Can we Meet God in the Face of Our Brother?

I.  We Meet God When We Show Hospitality

(1 Kings 17:10-16; Romans 12:13; Romans 16:23; 1 Peter:4:9).

II.   We Meet God When We Take Care of the Sick

(Matthew 25:36; James 5:13-15).

III.  We Meet God When We Support Orphans & Widows

(Deuteronomy 10:18; James 1:27).

IV.  We Meet God When We Care for Those in Prison

(Matthew 25:36; Philippians 4:10, 18).

V.  We Meet God When We Help the Poor

(Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35-36; Acts 9:36-39).

VI.  We Meet God When We Welcome the Immigrant

(Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:18; Matthew 25:35).

Applications: Practical Steps toward Preparation

A. Participate in Benevolent Ministries.

B. Give to the Ministries of the Church.

C. Open your Homes, Lives, and Pocketbooks to those Around You.

D. Be Intentional about Helping Others.

E. Be Prepared or Be Surprised on Judgment Day.

Prepare to Meet Your God in Worship

Introduction

A. Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Amos 4:12 – Israel Met God in Judgment (Last Week).

C. We Encounter the Holy God in Worship.

1. 1. God Wants to Dwell with His People: Garden, Tabernacle, Temple, Jesus, Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
   2. God is Present in our Worship (Psalm 100; Hebrews 4:16).
   3. God Demands Preparation (Exodus 19:10-15, 22).

I. How We Come Unprepared to Meet God in Worship.

A. Sinful Lifestyle (Amos 5:21-24)

B. Conflict with Others (Matthew 5:23-24; James 3:10)

C. Selfishness, Division, Favoritism (1 Corinthians 11:20-29; James 2:1-4)

II. How We Can Prepare to Meet God in Worship

A. Holiness (James 4:8-9; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

B. Humility (James 4:10; Psalm 51:16-17)

C. Reconciliation with Others (1 Peter 3:7)

Applications: Practical Steps toward Preparation

A. Begin Preparation Ahead of Time.

1. 1. Meditation/Prayer
   2. Self-Examination
   3. Plan Your Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

B. Go to Bed Early.

C. Get up Early Enough.

D. Be on Time (Come Early).

E. Begin to Seek God when You Arrive.

F. Expect Transformation to Occur.

G. Leave Prepared to Serve.

Prepare to Meet Your God: Amos 4

Introduction

A. New Series: Ways to Meet God, Preparation, Judgment, Afterlife

B. Background of Amos

1. Date – Reign of Jeroboam II (c.786-746 BC)

2. Prophet Amos – Shepherd from Tekoa (Amos 1:1; Amos 7:14-15)

3. Audience: Primary – North; Secondary – South

4. Setting: Bethel, Prosperity, Idolatry, Injustice & Oppression

C. Amos 4:4-13

1. Sarcasm (Amos 4:4-5)

2. Warning Judgments Go Unheeded (Amos 4:6-11): Famine, Drought, Agricultural Disaster, Disease, and War – all limited in scope.

3. Worst is Yet to Come. Prepare to Meet Your God! (Amos 4:12-13)

I. Why They Will Meet God – Sins of Israel.

Idolatry (Amos 4:4-5); Oppression (Amos 2:6-7; Amos 3:9-15; Amos 8:3-7); Injustice (Amos 5:7, 12, 21-24); Materialism (Amos 3:15; Amos 4:1; Amos 5:11); Apathy (Amos 6:1-7)

II. How They Will Meet God – In Judgment

Destruction of Shrines (Amos 3:14; Amos 7:9); Wealth (Amos 3:11, 15; Amos 5:11); and Life (Amos 5:1-3; Amos 8:1-3); Exile (Amos 5:27; Amos 6:7, 14); Famine of the Word (Amos 8:11-12)

III. How They Will Make Preparation – Seek God

A. For Most, They Cannot – Jerboam II, Amaziah (Amos 8:2; Amos 7:9, 14-17; Amos 9:1-6)

B. For the Remnant – Seek God (Amos 5:4-5, 14-15).

IV. Hope for the Future (Amos 9:10-15) – God’s Reign

God’s Reign, Restoration, Prosperity, Return from Exile

Applications

A. We are Guilty of the Same Sins: Idolatry, Oppression, Injustice, Materialism, Apathy

B. We will all Meet God as Judge (Hebrews 9:27)

C. We must Prepare to Meet our God.

D. Have You Prepared?