Our December series wraps up an exciting year for Grace Church. God has been so good to us this year...we need to say "thank you" more often.

Our final series of the year is entitled HOPE.
Hope is a four letter word. The phrase "four letter word" usually refers to a word that is profane. But there are hundreds of four letter words that don't fall into that category.
See how many good four letter words you can come up with.

Depending on the version of the Bible you are using, some form of the word hope is used about 180 times.
The word hope often conveys a degree of uncertainty, even doubt. The word hope in this way reflects a life governed by our feelings, thinking patterns, and the norms of our worldly culture.
However, this is not the meaning of the word hope in the Bible.
Biblical hope is a confirmed reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope conveys no doubt, as it is based upon the sure foundation of God's character and His word.

The more we know God personally, know His Word and live according to His principles and promises, the less anxious our lives will be.
A mark of a maturing Christian is that they do not live their life based on feelings, reasoning, or opinions of others.
Instead, their life demonstrates a confident trust and assurance that God is in control of our circumstances and a subsequent submission to His will.
Romans 15:13

The Christmas season is about God sending His Son, Jesus the Savior, into this world.
Jesus came to provide a way for mankind.
God is a God of hope! His love compelled Him to reach a hand out to those who are drowning. We can be reconciled if we will exercise our free will and make a decision to respond to Him.

The simple way to explain the reason for Jesus coming on that first Christmas is that mankind is messed up.
Paul summed up this fact in many of his writings; especially in the book of Romans.
His definitive writing on the subject of sin is found in Romans 1:18-32. But a couple of short summations are also found in:
Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12

Each of us is born a sinner and our sins affects everything. It's like a ball and chain that we carry everywhere.
It leads us to live in selfishness and self-righteousness.
It has destructive and deadly consequences that impacts all of our life.
It ultimately brings about our death in this life, and separation from all that is good and from God Himself in the next life.

There is nothing we can do about the situation. We are guilty of violating God's standards and He will hold each of us accountable.
The term "messed up" captures the essence of humanity.
But God's love for humanity led Him to provide a way for sinners to be reconciled.
Romans 5:8
Titus 1:2
John 3:16

This month you will have countless opportunities to be around people who need the hope that only Jesus can bring.
Christmas is about Hope.
Hope comes from God.
Hope is based upon God's character and promises.
Hope brings confidence.
Hope changes lives.
Hope is your purpose in life...to share it with others!

Our challenge is that you would use December to re-invent your life. Move from being a comfortable church goer to a committed Christ follower.
Are you willing and courageous enough to say that you will trust God and let Him use you to be a bearer of hope to those your encounter this month?

Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!

Saturday, December 3rd - Greg Bowers, Becky Austin, AJ Meehan
Monday, December 5th - Charlotte Meehan
Tuesday, December 6th - Oakley Berry, Oliver Berry