Rediscover Christmas - North Parkersburg Baptist

Discovering Hope

December 3, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • Romans 3:23, Luke 2:25–30, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:18

Hope: We all need it, we're all searching for it, and we can't live without it. Christmas is a reminder that hope was sent to to us, in the form of Jesus Christ. The gift of Jesus was given so that all who believe in him, shall not perish, but have eternal life in Christ. That free gift of Jesus is only life giving if we choose to accept it and receive that free gift of salvation. Our hope lies in Jesus, the name above all names!

Finding Joy

December 10, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner

If there's one thing that's certain in life, it's problems. Problems today, and problems on the horizon. It's natural to desire to seek joy amidst our current problems, and try our hardest to fend off future problems. This strategy, however, is tiresome, and futile. What if we could derive our joy from something greater than just happiness? Jesus is the only joy that sustains. His joy is sufficient for the good times, the bad times, and all the times in between. John 15:11: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full".

Experiencing Peace

December 17, 2023 • Pastor Tim Cinnamon • John 3:16, Romans 5:1, John 3:36, Luke 2:8–15, Isaiah 9:6

Culturally we recognize that the power for life change exist within Christmas. But, what if…what if there was more. What if the power in Christmas isn’t about making myself better. What if it isn’t about doing better, or being better. What if it isn’t about self-help, self-improvement, self-realization or self-satisfying at all. What if Christmas were really about peace, and not just "peacefulness" but a peace that passes all understanding, the peace OF God. That peace OF God comes only when we are with him, a daily surrender of our lives, lived for Him.

Encountering Love

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • Luke 2:4–7, John 10:10, Ephesians 2:1, 1 John 4:10, John 1:12

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." —1 John 4:10 (NIV). That's the story of Christmas! God loved us, not because we loved Him, but because He loved us and chose to send His son into this world. God didn't have to send Jesus to pay for our sins; He chose to!