We had a fantastic day at Crestview Bible Church on Sunday, December 18, 2022. So many people came together to contribute to this morning of worship through music. Mandy previewed this on our Flipside Podcast episode On the 2022 Children’s Christmas Program. And we had instrumental numbers, memorable songs, the use of many different instruments, congregational singing, and a program presented with excellence and selflessness.

My short sermon sought to continue our series on O Come, O Come Emmanuel using a verse as a springboard.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

https://hymnary.org/text/o_come_o_come_emmanuel_and_ransom

I did a quick teaching piece on Acts 10:34-43 (the first time the Gospel is proclaimed to the Gentiles) to connect Emmanuel and the Good News. This passage showed that what Peter declared was the same message angels gave to shepherds appearing in the fields. If you have the time, I’d go back and watch the entire program. I hope the morning encouraged you.

My second installment in Crestview’s 2022 Advent series, Emmanuel and Us, is online. I was using the verses of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel that discuss a longing for the Dayspring and Wisdom to come to draw our heart into our need for Jesus to give glorious brightness and a way to live. This direction got us into Luke 1:76-79, Isaiah 11:1-2, and Hebrews 1:3. The significant point is that Emmanuel’s coming changes us. I hope the sermon encourages you.

On Sunday, 11/20/22, we wrapped up a short series to orient the people of Crestview around our purpose to know Jesus and make Him known. The fourth installment in this series was yesterday’s focus and what this looks like for us as a corporate people to live this out. Jesus Project 4 is online and ready for your engagement. I hope it encourages you.

My 11/13/22 sermon at Crestview, Jesus Project 3, continued digging into this clarification of what we’re about as a corporate people (using John 15:1-11 as a springboard). Specifically, this sermon got into the “How?” of knowing Jesus and making Him known to others. How do we do this? Well, in one way, we do this as Jesus did. We’re not reinventing something or relying upon ingenuity in this work. Instead, we’re following in His steps and drawing cues from Him. I hope this sermon encourages you (and draws you into this fantastic work).

My second installment in the vision casting series of Crestview, Jesus Project 2, is online. Using 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:1 as a springboard, we saw the calling that every believer has to persuade others at a heart level, compelled by Christ’s love, as His ambassador (with His enablement). Most of this sermon, though, we devoted to the “Where?” of knowing Jesus and making Him known. I hope you find it encouraging.

My 10/30/22 sermon was more a conversation than a sermon. Luke helped me give an overview of this new series where we’re trying to center all of Crestview’s efforts to be determined to know Jesus and make Him known to others. I entitled the sermon, The Jesus Project 1, which dug into the why, what, and who of making disciples. I hope it encourages you.

My 10/9/22 sermon at Crestview Bible Church, Mercy at the Crossroads (Deuteronomy 19-26), is online. This was the most significant chunk of Deuteronomy I was handling while studying this book. In it, I explored the gist of numerous commands in this section. There was a residue of mercy all over this section, so I brought that nuance out. Mercy came to God’s people, spread through God’s people, and even showcased Jesus. I hope the sermon encourages you.

My 10/2/22 sermon, Messiah at the Crossroads (Deuteronomy 16:18-18:22), is online. This sermon showed that one day the nation of Israel could expect a certain kind of priest, a king, and a prophet. I connected to how Jesus fulfilled each of these and drew us to worship and love Him more. I hope this encourages you.

The lives of believers in Jesus are often filled with things held in tension. Think of how some people understand truths and to others things are hidden or how our faith is an already – not yet thing, where some promises are realized, and others are to come. In this sermon, Worship and War at the Crossroads (Deuteronomy 12-13), the themes of worship and war come together in light of God’s calling on the nation of Israel. I hope this sermon encourages you.