First Baptist Church Gulf Breeze

Relationships, Food, Indulgences, Power, Money, Success, Fame, Family ... and the list goes on.  Desire is at the core of who we are as humans.  We crave the things that we think will make us better.  Could it be that all of these things are a symptom of a much deeper need?  God can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. 

God is always with us.  He is sovereign over all creation.  But, everyone has had that time where it seemed God was absent.  The inevitable question that arose:  "Where are you God?"  Why does God remain silent at times?  Life is full of pain and suffering, but also joy and triumph.  God allows all.  No matter the situation, He is still in control.

The Gospel.  The good news of salvation.  It's easy to get off track in our Christian walk and forget what it is all about.  This week was a "get back to the basics".  We have the greatest news of all time.  We hold the answer.  As Christians we have marching orders.  Our assignment, responsibility, and privilege is to share this good news with the world.

We live in a world where everyone is trying to get ahead.  We have this deep down  desire to "be somebody".  Jesus flips the script.  The first are last.  The humble are exalted.  The proud are brought down.  God's Kingdom is different than the kingdom of this world.

Jesus came and brought the good news of salvation.  But, the gospel isn't just salvation.  Jesus brought in a Kingdom.  Not just any Kingdom, but the Kingdom of God.

No one is perfect.  We are human beings, full of imperfections.  Throughout history, God has used ordinary people for His purposes.  Never has God used a perfect person.  We are all flawed.  This week we learned how to live with our own imperfections, and additionally how to live and work with the imperfections of others.  

Everything ends at some point.  New comes from the old.  The old has to die for the new to begin.  Change can be hard.  Change may cause anxiety.  But, newness only arises when the old is gone.  The good news is, God never changes.  He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  He is faithful.  

The task list never stops growing.  Projects and demands are piling up.  Responsibilities never take a break.  Life is hectic.  Is it possible we're doing it all wrong?  Is it really supposed to be like this?  Is there a better way?  Maybe it's time for a little decluttering and slowing down!  

Everyone has dysfunctional family somewhere.  Even the lineage of Jesus was filled with imperfections.  From generation to generation dysfunction is passed down, but it can stop.  God can redeem the past.  The family line can be changed by one person.  God is in the business of redeeming the dysfunctional.

It's Christmas time!  Every song, every movie is upbeat and happy.  The lights and sparkle are everywhere.  But, for some, it's a difficult time.  Feelings of isolation and loneliness are magnified during the holiday season.  It doesn't have to be this way.  God has created us for relationship and a desire for relationship.  There's hope for the lonely, there's joy for the lonely!

The Bible teaches us to count everything joy, even the trials and challenges.  But how?  How do you consider it joy, when life seems to be falling apart?  Endurance is the answer.  Life isn't always easy.  There are seasons that are difficult.  But joy is ever present.  Sometimes, the marching order is to hold on ... to wait.  God is still in control, and joy is still available.  During those dark times, endure and hold on!

God gave us five senses for a reason.  Beauty is everywhere.  The sights, the sounds, the smells ... it all points towards the Creator.  God's glory is one of those things that is really hard to define and describe, but it's everywhere.  God is glorious, God is beauty, and for that we have much to be thankful for!

God is on your side.  He has given everything for you.  At times it may seem that the whole world is against you, but even in the middle of chaos:  God is with you.  God is in your corner.  He loves you, He pursued you, He fights for you, and He is for you!

They will know we are Christians by our love.  You can have every single giftedness that exists, but without love, it is nothing.  The Bible is crystal clear on this matter.  Love is at the heart of Christianity.  We concluded the Legacy series this week, with what is likely the most important of them all:  Love!

Money and stuff.  Over a lifetime, we accumulate quite a bit.  But one day, we will be gone, and our assets will remain.  Wealth can be an idol, or a tool for building the Kingdom of God.  Money is a common theme in the Bible.  Jesus spoke consistently about having a right perspective.  Your legacy lives on primarily through four things:  Your Words, Your Deeds, Your Wealth, and Your Love.  If you get these four things right, your legacy will live on!