Christmas Eve reminds us that the birth of Jesus was not accidental, but purposeful, joyful, and worthy of celebration. John 3:16 reveals the heart of Christmas: God’s overwhelming love for the world, shown through the gift of His only Son so that all who believe may receive eternal life. Christmas begins with love and ends with hope.
Luke 2 draws us into the night Christ was born—a quiet field, faithful shepherds, and a sudden explosion of heavenly glory. Fear gave way to joy as angels announced the greatest news the world would ever hear: a Savior had been born. The shepherds’ response models how we are to receive Christmas—believing the message, moving with urgency, and proclaiming what God has done.
This season reminds us that every moment has God-given purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:1 teaches that Christmas is not just a date on the calendar but a divine season meant to awaken faith, renew hearts, and realign our lives with God’s plan.
The birth of Jesus brought joy that changed the world forever. As Psalm 118:24 declares, this day—Christ’s coming—is a reason to rejoice. Christmas is great because it delivers the most costly gift ever given, a gift that lasts forever, and a gift we can live out daily through salvation and new life in Christ.
Ultimately, Christmas is a celebration of good news: God loves you, God is with you, and God is for you. Like Mary, we are called to treasure these truths and carry them with us beyond Christmas Eve into every season of life.
“Christmas Cheer” centers on the unstoppable hope and joy released through the birth of Jesus Christ. Anchored in Luke 1:37, the message declares that nothing is impossible with God, reminding believers that divine promises are never limited by human circumstances. The rejoicing of the wise men in Matthew 2 illustrates how faith responds with expectation—when God moves, joy follows.
True faith, Pastor Mason teaches, is the release of expectation. Isaiah 42 reveals that the Messiah came to open blind eyes and free those imprisoned by darkness. The birth of Yeshua was not merely a moment in history; it ignited a revolution against darkness. Luke 2 shows heaven breaking into earth as angels announce “good news of great joy” to unlikely shepherds, proving that God’s salvation is for all people.
Isaiah 9 and Micah 4 affirm that this child is a reigning King whose government, peace, and righteousness will never end. His rule restores dominion and establishes justice forever, not through force, but through divine zeal and love.
The message challenges listeners to examine their response to the Savior’s birth. Like the shepherds, will we run toward what God has revealed? Like Mary, will we treasure and ponder His work in our hearts? Jesus is the light for both Jew and Gentile, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Christmas cheer, then, is not seasonal happiness—it is a call to seek the Lord, break up hardened ground, sow righteousness, and live in the joy of redemption made possible through Christ.
In Spiritual Warfare – Part 2, Pastor Owen Mason teaches believers how to actively engage the spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God and standing firm against the enemy’s schemes. Drawing from Ephesians 6, the message emphasizes that spiritual victory begins with intentional obedience—choosing daily to “put on” the new self created in righteousness and holiness through Christ.
Believers are reminded that the true battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of darkness. Satan’s strategies are deceptive, but Scripture assures us that we are not ignorant of his designs. Through divine weapons—truth, faith, and God’s Word—we can tear down strongholds, take every thought captive, and stand victorious as more than conquerors through Christ.
A central focus of the message is the Belt of Truth, which holds all the armor together. Truth comes through God’s Word—both the Logos (written Word) and Rhema (revealed Word). Scripture renews the believer’s mind, exposes deception, and equips God’s people for every good work. When the Word dwells richly within us, it strengthens our faith, guards our hearts from sin, and aligns our lives with God’s will.
Pastor Mason also emphasizes the importance of humility and confession. Walking in truth requires acknowledging sin and receiving God’s faithful forgiveness, allowing Him to cleanse and equip us for obedience. As believers rightly handle the Word of Truth and allow it to shape their thoughts, worship, and actions, they become firmly grounded and spiritually prepared to stand in the evil day—fully equipped, confident, and victorious in Christ.
Pastor Owen Mason teaches that every believer is engaged in spiritual warfare, a battle not seen with physical eyes but deeply real and constant. He begins by reminding the church that God cares about order and obedience in the home and workplace—children honoring parents, fathers raising children gently in the Lord, workers serving with sincerity, and leaders treating those under them with dignity. These relationships reveal a heart submitted to Christ.
The core of the message comes from Ephesians 6:10–20, where Paul urges believers to “be strong in the Lord,” recognizing that our true enemy is not people but the spiritual forces of darkness. Because the battle is spiritual, we must fight with spiritual armor. Pastor Owen highlights that “arming up” requires willingness to step into the fight, endurance to withstand attacks, and faith like David’s when he faced Goliath. David declared God’s victory before the battle even began, proving the fight belongs to the Lord.
The sermon explains each piece of the armor of God: the belt of truth for stability, the breastplate of righteousness for protection, the shoes of gospel readiness for peace, the shield of faith to extinguish spiritual attacks, the helmet of salvation for security, and the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word—for offense. Prayer, constant and Spirit-led, empowers the believer to stay alert, persevere, and support fellow Christians. Pastor Owen concludes that walking in God’s strength, rather than human ability, enables believers to stand firm and boldly proclaim the gospel.
In “Walking Out Family” Part 3, Pastor Owen Mason highlights the critical role of Scripture in shaping a Christ-centered home. Beginning with Hebrews 4:12, he emphasizes that God’s Word is active and discerning, cutting through surface-level behavior to reveal the true intentions of the heart. This sets the foundation for understanding biblical submission. Pastor Mason clarifies that submission does not mean blind agreement, silence, lack of influence, or placing a spouse’s will above God’s. Instead, Ephesians 5 teaches that husbands are called to love their wives as their own bodies—creating a relationship marked by sacrificial love, honor, and mutual care.
The message then turns to the importance of maintaining peace within the family. Children are instructed in Ephesians 6 to obey and honor their parents, and parents are called to teach the next generation faithfully, as seen in Psalm 78 and Deuteronomy 6. Families are responsible for modeling love, order, and respect, demonstrating what it means to follow Christ day by day. A well-managed household, as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3, reflects spiritual maturity and readiness for broader leadership in the church.
Finally, Pastor Mason teaches that the home is God’s chosen place for passing down His Word. Parents are to diligently instruct their children in Scripture, nurturing them in discipline and the knowledge of the Lord. Because all Scripture is God-breathed and equips believers for every good work, God has already provided everything needed for life and godliness. His Word lights the believer’s path, forming hearts that delight in His will.
“The Power of Thanksgiving” highlights the deep spiritual impact of practicing gratitude as taught in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18. Pastor Jeff Hartwig emphasizes that rejoicing, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances is God’s will for believers, not simply a holiday tradition. Thanksgiving is presented as a powerful spiritual tool that pleases God and strengthens His people. True gratitude requires intentionally directing our hearts rather than letting our emotions dictate our responses. Because the heart can be deceitful (Jer. 17:9), believers must guard against bitterness, which opens the door to spiritual stumbling and Satan’s influence.
A thankful heart is rooted in confidence in God’s sovereignty and goodness. Scripture repeatedly reinforces that gratitude and contentment are learned responses cultivated through spiritual discipline. Believers grow in thanksgiving by making conscious choices, meditating on Scripture rather than circumstances, praying persistently, keeping a gratitude journal, and surrounding themselves with thankful Christians. Hebrews 12 warns against the “root of bitterness,” while Philippians 4 teaches contentment in every situation through Christ’s strength and promises of His provision. Romans 8:28–29 anchors gratitude in the assurance that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Pastor Hartwig also notes that the commands of 1 Thessalonians 5 apply specifically to believers—those who walk with Christ and trust in His sovereign care. Thanksgiving, therefore, is not just a seasonal activity but a transformative lifestyle that shapes the heart, strengthens faith, and aligns the believer with God’s purposes.
Walking Out Family – Part 2 continues Paul’s teaching in Ephesians by grounding all biblical family dynamics in the example and submission of Jesus. Submission does not begin with people—it begins with Christ Himself, who modeled perfect obedience to the Father through suffering, prayer, and reverence (Hebrews 5:7–9). Believers are called first to submit to God (James 4:7), resisting the enemy through willing alignment with the Lord. The brokenness introduced in Genesis 3 distorted the harmony between husbands and wives, making biblical submission a redeemed, Christ-centered posture rather than a product of the curse.
Paul then directs husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church—sacrificially, sanctifyingly, and tenderly. A husband’s leadership must mirror Jesus: giving himself up, nourishing, and cherishing. This Christlike love creates an environment where mutual respect can flourish, fulfilling the command that husbands love and wives respect (Ephesians 5:33). Marriage requires contending—actively fighting for unity, holiness, and covenant loyalty.
The message also emphasizes keeping peace in the family. Children are called to honor and obey their parents, while fathers must avoid provoking them and instead disciple them in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1–4). God’s design includes ongoing generational discipleship—teaching children diligently at home, in everyday life, and through intentional instruction (Deut. 6:6–7). Parents hold a sacred responsibility to pass on the works and wonders of God (Psalm 78:4). As Spurgeon warns, neglecting this calling is spiritually dangerous, but faithfulness in it often becomes the means by which God saves and shapes children.
“Walking Out Family” from Ephesians 5:21–33 reveals that marriage is designed to mirror Christ’s relationship with His Church. Paul teaches that mutual submission and love are foundational to a godly home. The husband’s role reflects Christ’s sacrificial love—leading through humility, service, and care—while the wife’s role mirrors the Church’s respect and willing submission to Christ. Together, their union becomes a living testimony of God’s divine order and grace.
Submission begins with Jesus Himself, who modeled obedience to the Father even unto death. True submission is not weakness but strength that flows from reverence for Christ. Both husbands and wives are called to honor one another, walking in love, service, and humility. Through Christ’s example—washing His disciples’ feet, serving instead of demanding authority—we learn that greatness in God’s Kingdom comes through serving others.
Marriage, therefore, is not merely a human contract but a covenant meant to display the gospel. It requires commitment, forgiveness, and the willingness to contend for unity against division. Submission never erases individuality or silences voice—it aligns hearts under God’s will. To “walk out family” means embodying Christ’s selfless love daily, nurturing one another as members of His body, and reflecting His relationship with the Church.
When believers live out God’s design for marriage, they reveal His glory to the world—showing that love, honor, and service are the essence of true family in Christ.
Ephesians 2 reminds us of the transforming power of Christ in uniting believers into one body. Paul begins by urging Gentile believers to remember their past condition—separated from Christ, excluded from the promises of Israel, without hope, and without God in the world. This sobering reminder shows the depth of their need for salvation and a changed heart. Just as the rich young ruler learned, external obedience and possessions cannot save; only surrendering the heart fully to Christ brings true life.
Through the blood of Jesus, those who were once far off have now been brought near. Christ Himself is our peace. On the cross, He destroyed the barriers of hostility and created one new covenant family from Jew and Gentile alike. In this family, divisions no longer define us; instead, we are reconciled together to God in one body. This new unity is sustained not by human effort but by prayer, thanksgiving, and trust in the Lord who holds all things together.
Paul concludes by showing that in Christ we have access to the Father through one Spirit. We are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. This family is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. Together, believers are being joined into a holy temple, a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. Our identity is now rooted in Christ, who makes us one.
Ephesians 2 reminds us of the transforming power of Christ in uniting believers into one body. Paul begins by urging Gentile believers to remember their past condition—separated from Christ, excluded from the promises of Israel, without hope, and without God in the world. This sobering reminder shows the depth of their need for salvation and a changed heart. Just as the rich young ruler learned, external obedience and possessions cannot save; only surrendering the heart fully to Christ brings true life.
Through the blood of Jesus, those who were once far off have now been brought near. Christ Himself is our peace. On the cross, He destroyed the barriers of hostility and created one new covenant family from Jew and Gentile alike. In this family, divisions no longer define us; instead, we are reconciled together to God in one body. This new unity is sustained not by human effort but by prayer, thanksgiving, and trust in the Lord who holds all things together.
Paul concludes by showing that in Christ we have access to the Father through one Spirit. We are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. This family is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. Together, believers are being joined into a holy temple, a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. Our identity is now rooted in Christ, who makes us one.
We continue our study of Ephesians this week with Ephesians 2:1–10 presents the journey of every believer, moving from spiritual death to life in Christ. Paul begins by reminding us of our condition before salvation. We were wandering from God, dead in sin, following the course of this world, ruled by the flesh and the devil. Sin caused us to miss the mark, while trespasses crossed the boundaries God had set. By nature, we were children of wrath, unable to receive spiritual truth.
But then come two of the most powerful words in Scripture: But God. In His rich mercy and great love, He intervened. Even when we were dead, He made us alive with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with Him in heavenly places. This is waking to God—a work of His grace alone, not anything we earned or deserved.
Now, as those who are alive in Christ, we are called to live with anticipation, watching for God. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await the return of Christ, the blessed hope of the believer.
Finally, we are not saved by works, but we are saved for works. We are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece, created in Christ for good works He prepared in advance. This is working with God—living out His purpose through us.
Ephesians 2 reminds us that salvation is God’s gift, transforming us from death to life, from wandering to working, from the graveyard to glory.
Pastor Owen continues his study of Ephesians by expanding on spiritual blessings. The passages highlight the fullness of spiritual blessings in Christ: adoption into God’s family, the call to holiness, redemption through His blood, the unveiling of His will, the promise of an eternal inheritance, and the sealing of the Spirit. In Christ, believers find their true identity, deep assurance, and lasting hope for the future.