We are back in the parables of Jesus and when we finish the parables we will then teach on the major teachings of Jesus, which this begins with...

Jesus has just told His disciples how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. So they asked who then can be saved?

(26) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(27) Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

(28) Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Intro…Our desire for you is that you desire to make 2026 a great year because it’s rooted in God’s purpose and presence. Growth doesn't happen by accident—it happens through intentional faith, daily practice, and fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Together, these will equip us to live boldly, purposefully, and victoriously in the year ahead.

Defense YEAR - hard year - it was fine but wasn’t fulfilling.

1. Intentional Faith: Choosing Life with Purpose Over Passivity

The intentional life is living a wise life. Those who are wise take advantage of every opportunity including trials to grow in their faith. But someone who lacks wisdom is like being a ship adrift at sea, tossed by every wave and wind without any direction at all.

That’s life without intentionalility—a mere reaction to circumstances rather than a deliberate pursuit of God’s will. It’s simply reacting to life. Playing defense. Hebrews defines Faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, and James implores us to ask for wisdom to live our life to ask that God will give you wisdom to endure trials, but goes on to instruct us…

James 1: 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The Ultimate Love

Today is Week 4 of Advent, and this week we focus on love.

As a quick reminder, Advent culminates this Wednesday with our Christmas Eve candlelight service at the Stone House. Advent is about preparing our hearts—not just to celebrate Christmas but to remember his sacrifice of love to come rescue us, but to receive the gift of Christ and be excited for his return.

And when we talk about love, there is no better place to begin than the most well-known verse in all of Scripture. John 3:16

Let’s say it together—in whatever version you learned it in.

John 3:16–17 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

This is the best example of love the world has ever known.