The Goals of this Sermon Series Are:

1. To gain deeper understanding that will lead to deeper connection with God for each of us.
2. To equip disciples of Jesus to engage more courageously, intelligently and lovingly in conversations with people of other faiths and worldviews.

“If someone could provide reasonable answers to the most significant questions and objections you have about Christianity—reasonable to the point that Christianity seems true beyond a reasonable doubt—would you then become a Christian? - Geisler & Turek, I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

To learn more about this sermon series & access resources on each religion / faith worldview we are exploring, visit www.discoverjourneycc.com/currentseries

Jesus came to bring light, life, and hope to all those who trust in Him as the Son of God and Savior of humanity.

1. Jesus came for those who are distant.
2. Jesus came for those who are devoted.
3. Jesus came for those who have drifted.

Prayer of Salvation: "Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, who died on a cross and rose from the grave. I confess my sins to You and trust in Your forgiveness. I trust You to bring light, life, and hope by grace through faith. Teach me how to be Your devoted disciple one step at a time. Amen."

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." - Colossians 1:19-20

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:1-5 NIV

Disruptions are opportunities to encounter and trust God in new ways.

Disruptions are a direct assault on our sinful inclination to assert our will in any and every situation.

Sometimes when nothing is going according to our plans, everything is falling into place for God’s plans.

Reflection Questions:

1. How is God revealing His presence?
2. How is God inviting me to trust Him and His good plans?
3. What step can I take to trust and obey God?

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." - Matthew 1:23

1. The Good Shepherd came to Refresh and Restore Weary Sheep. (Matthew 9:36, Psalm 23, Isaiah 40)
2. The Good Shepherd came to Rescue and Redirect Lost Sheep. (Luke 2:10-11; 15:3-7; John 10:1-4,9-10; Ezekiel 34, Zechariah 9)
3. When we trust in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, it leads to JOY in heaven and in us. (Luke 2:10-14, 20; Luke 15:5-7, John 15:11)

Reflection Questions: 1) Are you ready to trust Jesus to bring refreshment and rest to your weary soul? 2) Are you ready to trust Jesus to rescue or redirect you? 3) How could you share this good news with someone in your circle of influence?

God still speaks to unlikely people in unlikely places.

4 Practical Tips to Hear God Speak to YOU:

1. Create space and pace to listen.
2. Submit yourself to God’s purposes – even when you are troubled or afraid.
3. Know God’s promises through God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
4. Listen for good news that increases joy, peace and power.

“For no word from God will ever fail.” - Luke 1:37

This Advent, we are praying that we'll keep our focus on THE GIFT in the midst of all the other gifts.

The greatest gift we can offer Jesus is who we are becoming.

An Advent Prayer: Lord God, we want to keep our focus on THE GIFT, and to become more like Jesus during this Advent season. Please convict us of sin and reveal how we need to change. Holy Spirit, we invite you to change us from the inside out. Lord Jesus, we want to offer you the gift of our surrendered and transformed hearts this Christmas. Amen.

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus invites us to:

1. Repent
2. Rest
3. ReSurrender
4. Receive

The freedom, healing and transformation which we all need – the spiritual awakening and liberation for which we long is not found in a program, but a person. His name is Jesus.

How is Jesus inviting you to trust him? How are you choosing to respond?

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." - Matthew 16:24-27

The fruit of spiritual awakening is a new Community, new identity and new mission.

AA Step Twelve: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Wesleyan Covenant Prayer: “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”