This sermon centered on anchoring our lives in our identity in Christ, reminding us that to live as a presence-centered people, we must first know who we are in Him. Walking through Ephesians 1:3–14, we were reminded that our identity is not shaped by circumstances, performance, or cultural pressure, but by what God has already done for us in Jesus. Paul points us to eternal realities—that we are chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by the Holy Spirit—blessings that define who we are and give us confidence, security, and hope. When we live from this God-given identity rather than striving to earn it, our lives naturally respond in worship, deepen in prayer, and move outward in mission for the praise of God’s glorious grace.

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This Christmas Eve sermon traces the unbroken biblical story of God’s desire to be with His people, culminating in the miracle of the Incarnation. From God’s presence in the Garden, the Wilderness, the Temple, and the promises of the Prophets, the message arrives at its climax in John 1:1–14: the eternal Word who spoke creation into existence became flesh and “dwelt” among us—not temporarily, but relationally and personally. Jesus is God drawing near, not through power or distance, but through humility, taking on our humanity to know our suffering, bear our sin, and restore us to Himself. Christmas declares that God is not distant or demanding perfection first; He comes to us in our brokenness with grace and truth, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope. Because Jesus entered fully into our pain and weakness, He is present with us now—sympathetic, trustworthy, and near—inviting us to receive His love and live as children of God

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The sermon traced the prophetic promise of Immanuel against the backdrop of Israel’s exile—a time marked by fear, compromise, and a fading awareness of God’s nearness. The people didn’t lose God’s presence so much as they forgot it: they forgot what He had done, who He is, and how to listen to Him. Their pursuit of power, security, and control led them to supplement God rather than trust Him, and in doing so, His presence grew faint. Yet even in their forgetting, God did not forget His people. Into their darkness and despair, He promised a Savior—One who would not be a place or a practice, but a Person. Jesus—Immanuel—is God’s answer to absence, the fulfillment of prophetic hope, and the assurance that God remains near, faithful, and present with His people.

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The sermon traced the Bible’s temple story from beginning to end, showing that God’s heart has always been to dwell with His people. From the Garden of Eden, to the tabernacle and temple, to Jesus Himself, Scripture reveals that the temple was never the final destination but a sign pointing to Christ. Jesus is the true and perfect temple—where God and humanity fully meet—and through His death and resurrection, access to God’s presence has been restored. Now, through the Holy Spirit, God no longer dwells in a building but in His people, calling us to honor His presence and carry it into every part of our lives.

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This sermon explores God’s presence in the wilderness, reminding us that just as He visibly guided Israel through cloud and fire, provided manna, water, protection, and spoke with Moses as a friend, He is equally present with us in our own wilderness seasons. Tracing the biblical story from God’s covenant with Abraham to Israel’s journey from Egypt to the promised land, the sermon emphasizes that God’s deepest desire is to dwell with His people—and that His presence is our greatest good. Even when Israel chose comfort, fear, or self-made approaches to God, He remained faithful, establishing the tabernacle, the priesthood, and a way for His people to worship Him. Today, through Jesus’ sacrifice and the indwelling Spirit, we experience that same presence. In every season—sin, confusion, suffering, or waiting—we are called to worship, pray, trust God’s nearness, and live as priests right where we are, representing God to others and bringing others before God.

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