New Year's resolutions often set us up for disappointment by focusing on our efforts. The same can be true for Christians resolving to be "better" through more prayer, Bible study, or church attendance. This year, instead of self-dependent resolutions, we need ones that rely on God. Using Psalm 135, Rich Crosby offers an alternative vision for spiritual growth: allowing, celebrating, and expecting God to be God.

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Angels are a predictable feature of Christmas traditions, whether on a card or a tree. But when Jesus was born, the appearance of angels to shepherds in the field was both surprising and terrifying. Perhaps more surprising was that it was to shepherds, who would have been thought of as lowly and insignificant by society, whom God chose to have angels announce the birth of his son first. The good news of Jesus is for all, and the lowly and forgotten are often among the first to receive blessing from God.

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There isn't a lot that we know about Joseph, the earthly adoptive father of Jesus, but we do know he was 'a just man.' What does Matthew, the gospel writer, mean by that, and what do the other brief details of Joseph's decisions show us about a biblical view of masculinity? In this sermon, Rich Crosby looks at how Joseph's determination to show mercy to Mary points ahead to the mercy shown to us by Jesus.

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As beautiful as the Christmas story is, we sometimes struggle to see the connection between a story set hundreds of years ago and our realities today. However, the facts surrounding the birth of Jesus, as found in the Biblical gospels, are anything but typical, and some of the details are simply shocking. Matthew's gospel starts with Jesus's family genealogy, which includes flawed men and women including adulterers and prostitutes. The Son of God comes from a broken earthly family; He understands our brokenness.

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Maintaining a deep connection with God is crucial for navigating life's challenges. In this sermon, guest preacher Andy Arnold from Oceanside Church in Nanaimo helps us understand God's instructions when we face significant life obstacles. For the followers of Jesus, it all starts with remembering who we are because of him.

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In Matthew 9, we read about Jesus healing two blind men who, despite their blindness, could 'see' who Jesus was much more clearly than the crowds and the religious leaders of the day. Do we see Jesus for who he is, as declared by all scripture, or do we see Jesus as a 'cosmic butler' who we ask to do the things we want?

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Learning to make wise decisions is better than just being told what to do. In Acts 1, we can see how prayer, submission to God's word and remembering God's more excellent story can help us make wise decisions about our own. We also read that 'Peter stood up' among the early church, an incredible statement of grace considering that he had tragically denied Jesus only days earlier.

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There is a lot in our culture that tries to sell us empowerment. Did you know the Bible speaks about you being empowered by God? However, this is a very different type of empowerment with a different intention; it is not built around you. Being empowered by God often requires us to wait on God, and it is good for us to learn to wait well in all things.

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