In this message from The King of Christmas, we see the sharp contrast between King Herod and King Jesus. Herod clings to power through fear and violence, while Jesus reveals a kingdom marked by truth, humility, and self-giving love.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask who truly reigns on the throne of our lives, inviting us to surrender to Jesus—the only King worthy of our trust and worship.

In part one of The King of Christmas, we look at Matthew 2:1–11 and the powerful example of the Magi—men who traveled great distance to joyfully worship the newborn King. This message reminds us that at the center of Christmas is not the activity, the traditions, or the wrapping, but Jesus Himself. We learn how the Magi model true worship through joy, time, and generosity, and how we, too, can respond to Christ with humble adoration this Christmas season.

In this message, we explore the incarnation through John 1:14–18 and discover God’s strategy for healing a broken world. Jesus came “full of grace and truth,” entering into our darkness to redeem it—and He now sends His followers into the world the same way. Learn how Christ-like incarnation shapes our engagement with culture, challenges our tendencies toward either grace or truth alone, and calls us to run toward the pain of our world with compassion, conviction, and hope.

On this Missions Sunday, we explore Jesus’ final words to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20—the Great Commission. Discover how the risen Lord calls every believer to make disciples, teach obedience, and extend His love to all nations. Hear stories from our global ministry partners and learn practical ways you can participate in God’s mission locally and around the world.

Real love doesn’t stay comfortable—it moves. In Luke 10, Jesus exposes a love that justifies itself and a love that actually sacrifices. Through the story of the Good Samaritan, we see compassion that disrupts schedules, crosses barriers, and gives without expecting anything in return. This message calls us to love the way God has loved us—because in the gospel, Jesus is the One who went off protocol to rescue us.

What does real worship look like to God? In Isaiah 58, He rebukes His people for their religious activity that ignored justice and compassion. True worship isn’t just about what happens inside the church—it’s how we love the vulnerable outside of it. When we pour ourselves out for the hungry, the oppressed, and the broken, God promises His light, healing, and blessing. This message calls us to let our Sunday worship spill into Monday mission, loving our city like Jesus loves us.

The love of God is not cheap—it’s costly, sacrificial, and life-giving. In 1 John 3:16–18, we see that because Jesus laid down His life for us, we are called to love others in the same way. True love doesn’t stop at words or good intentions—it takes action. As recipients of God’s costly grace, we become conduits of His contagious love, serving and sacrificing for those in need. Loved people must love people.

In Hosea’s marriage to Gomer, we see a vivid picture of God’s redeeming love. Though Gomer is unfaithful and enslaved, Hosea pursues her, pays the price for her freedom, and restores her as his own—mirroring the way Christ redeems us. Redemption begins with the initiating love of a Redeemer, requires a ransom to set us free, and calls for a new allegiance to Him. Through the cross, Jesus bankrupts Himself to buy us back, transforming our pride into humility and our slavery into freedom.