January 1, 2024
Guess Who's Coming to Christmas | Matthew 2:13-28
Herod
The Christmas Story ends with a downer. Dead babies. Few of us know the story, and fewer of us talk about Herod’s killing of the innocents. The message is clear, though: Jesus is on a mission in a world that really knows how to hurt each other. There’s no candy-coated church person experience; we face all the same rotten stuff along with the world. Anyone who tells you differently hasn’t read their Bible. But there is hope. This Baby has something up his sleeve.
Songs for this week: Spotify
- Has anyone ever done or said something to you that was helpful when you were going through a rough patch?
- What strong emotions would a Bethlehem father or mother feel who lost their little boy? What strong emotions have you had recently? What is behind those emotions?
- Joseph got up in the middle of the night to obey God. When was the last time you obeyed God directly on something (ie, speaking to someone, forgiving someone, being generous)?
- How do you explain a loving God and a world of suffering? Those two things seem at odds with each other. Is there a rational explanation?
- Who needs you to pray for them this week? Is there a gesture of support that you could extend to someone who is suffering?
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Recent Sermons
Colossians 1:24-29-Suffering is one of life's hardest realities. We might expect that following Jesus would mean less pain, but Jesus himself suffered and made it clear that his followers would too. The good news is that our suffering is never lost on God and is never in vain.
Colossians 1:21-23 - Paul contrasts two powerful words—alienated and reconciled—to tell our story. Discover how Jesus did the work of reconciliation and why that is the heart of the Gospel.
Colossians 1:15-20 -Colossians centers on Jesus—the Creator of all things, the Sustainer of life, and the Redeemer who restores creation through love.
Colossians 1:9-14 - Paul prays not for comfort, but for deeper faith—knowing God’s will, living for Jesus, and receiving strength to persevere with hope.
Colossians 1:1-8 - Discover how Paul's letter to the Colossians reminds believers that Jesus is all we need. Gospel hope is true, certain, life-changing, and unstoppable.
Acts 28:30-31 - From a historic move to a growing future, St. Paul’s Leaskdale reflects on past crossroads and seeks God’s direction for the next chapter.
