JOY
Over the next 6 weeks leading up to Christmas, we’re going to discover together that there a few things more central to the life of Jesus than JOY, there is arguably nothing more critical for human flourishing than JOY, Jesus uniquely stands as One who not only exudes JOY, but extends to all of humanity a transcendent JOY that isn’t swayed by the storms or circumstances of life.
JOY // Sharing the Joy
Pastor Rob Rogers | December 31, 2023
We’re instructed in Scripture to encourage one another, but God isn’t just telling us to compliment someone’s outfit. Biblical encouragement is about seeing and calling out the good in others, building into them God’s perspective of them, pointing out how He has uniquely wired them or gifted them, or how you see God changing them, growing them, or using them to impact other people’s lives. As we head into the new year, let’s resolve to be more intentional in encouraging others and to not pass up opportunities to do so.
JOY // Good News of Great Joy
Pastor Rob Rogers | December 24, 2023
The Christmas story is good news of great joy for all people because the creator of heaven and earth left His throne, came down as a baby, and set aside all of His rights and privileges in order to save us from a world broken by sin, selfishness, and shame because of His great love for us. Light entered into the darkness, joy entered into our sorrow, grace entered into our shame, and Christ has extended an invitation to all of humanity to enter into an eternal joy that will never fade away. That’s good news of great joy!
JOY // The Face of God
Pastor Rob Rogers | December 17, 2023
In the Old Testament, when Moses would speak with the Lord, his face would be shining–he was reflecting the glory of God. When you’re freed from your shame, and you’re living in the joy of the Lord, you can see the Face of God smiling all over you. God has invited you into His joy, not just for your benefit, but for the benefit of others–the world needs to see what God has put in you. Let the light of His face reflect off of you!
JOY // The Way Back to Joy
Pastor Rob Rogers | December 10, 2023
The path away from joy began with shame, and the way back to joy is bringing Jesus into your shame and allowing Him to do the deep soul work that will set you free. Fear of being fully seen and fully known may cause you to want to hide, but Jesus is not ashamed of you–you are His joy, He loves you, and He gladly endured the cross to free you from your shame and bring you into the fullness of Joy He has for you.
JOY // The Joy of Generosity
Pastor Rob Rogers | December 3, 2023
During the Christmas season, we don’t just celebrate that God became man, but that Jesus Christ was the only person in human history who wasn’t just born, He was given. God gave us the greatest gift we could ever be given in the person of Jesus. We are made in the image of God, made to live in alignment with God’s ways, and when we’re generous, we’re molded more into His image, and we give the world a picture of who God is, and what He’s like. When we grow in joy, we grow in generosity; and when we grow in generosity, we grow in joy.
JOY // Building Your Joy
Pastor Rob Rogers | November 26, 2023
Not only has God created us for joy, but He has invited us to cultivate it and live in it. This morning Pastor Rob gave us practical ways to build our joy because joy is not limited– we can cultivate it, exercise it, develop it, grow it, and increase our capacity for joy!
JOY // An Invitation to Joy
Pastor Rob Rogers | November 19, 2023
This morning, Pastor Rob kicked off the JOY series that will lead us into the Christmas season. Joy is one of the primary themes, not only in the Christmas story, but throughout the entire Life of Jesus. Everywhere Jesus went, He would heal people and work miracles, and people would erupt in celebration…everywhere Jesus went, Joy would follow. God is a God of joy, and being made in His image, we were created for Joy.