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Knowing your Place (of Joy)

Bible Text: John 3:22–30 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Gospel of John

Because Jesus’s exaltation brings joy, we must seek his renown.
John 3:22–30

[22] After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. [23] John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized [24] (for John had not yet been put in prison).

 

[25] Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. [26] And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” [27] John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. [28] You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ [29] The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.”

 

The Lord of Joy and Abundance

Bible Text: John 2:1–12 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Gospel of John

Because Jesus came to give us life and life to the full, we must receive his gifts.

John 2:1–11
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 

Feel the Joy; Acknowledge the Darkness

Bible Text: Isaiah 9:2–7 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Advent

Isaiah 9:2–7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon  his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Rejoice in Expectation

Bible Text: Philippians 4:1–7 | Preacher: Joshua Burdette | Series: Advent: Living with Expectation

We hear the words to the famous Christmas carol at coffee shops and retail stores this time of year—joy to the world, the Lord has come! Yet in reality, joy seems elusive and fleeting to most of us. Is it possible to have joy even in the midst of dark and painful seasons? Is there anything we can do to produce joy? This Sunday we celebrate Advent and learn to wait for Christ with joy.

Confident Faith

Bible Text: Habbakuk 3:16–19 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Habakkuk: Living by Faith in Turbulent Times

Faith comes more easily in the good times when things are going our way; joy comes more naturally in the times of feasting. But what do we do in the times of famine and difficulty? How can we find joy when life is full of suffering and pain? This week we finish our sermon series on the Prophet Habakkuk.

Wounded Joy

Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 7:2-13 | Preacher: Joshua Burdette | Series: Wounded Healers

No one likes regret. Regret can pierce through any moment—even the most joyful—and turn us into a ball of nerves. Regret can turn our beds into time machines that take us back years or even decades to a remorseful word or action or missed opportunity and keep us awake at night. How can we face the truth about ourselves in a way that leads to joy instead of regret?

The Party That Never Ends

Bible Text: John 2:1-11 | Preacher: Johnathan Keenan | Series: Guest Preacher

Watch Sermon


Have you ever been to a good party that you didn’t want to end? Have you ever spent time with friends that was so sweet that it convinced you that if there really is a heaven, it must certainly be like this? What do these experiences have to do with Jesus?