In today's gathering, we embraced the extraordinary potential of this day, opening our hearts to the Spirit of Grace. We were reminded that God can do exceedingly more than we can imagine, setting a pace for a new year filled with His abundance. Our worship, including our offerings, is an act of adoration, not a religious duty. We give because of God's love and generosity, acknowledging that everything we have is by His grace. As we bring our offerings, we do so with a heart of faith, knowing that God is not angry with us, but pleased.

Reflecting on the story of the shepherds and angels from Luke 2, we were reminded of the profound truth that the birth of Christ was not a covert event but a grand celebration. The angels' announcement was a declaration of peace and favor, a message that should be treasured, not just momentarily amazed by. The shepherds' eagerness to see the Savior and their spreading of the good news challenges us to treasure God's promises and not let them fade into mere amazement.

As we look forward to 2025, we are encouraged to leave behind old attitudes and embrace the new things God is doing. The Daniel Fast from January 2nd to 22nd is an opportunity to seek God more deeply. We are reminded that God's timing is different from ours, and what may seem like a long season is part of His perfect plan. We are called to treasure His words and promises, holding onto them through every season.

This Christmas, let us remember that the greatest gift is peace, and the greatest giver is Christ. As we journey together, let us treasure our dreams and hopes, believing that 2025 will be a year of unprecedented blessings. Let us go forth and tell of God's goodness, celebrating His faithfulness and love.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Worship as Adoration:** Our offerings are an integral part of worship, not a mere religious duty. We give out of love and gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is by God's grace. This act of giving is a faith transaction, acknowledging God's generosity and love. [23:35]

2. **Treasuring God's Promises:** The story of the shepherds and angels reminds us to treasure God's promises, not just be amazed by them. Amazement is fleeting, but treasuring means valuing and holding onto God's words, allowing them to guide us through every season. [01:12:13]

3. **God's Timing and Faithfulness:** God's timing often differs from ours, and what seems like a long season is part of His perfect plan. We are encouraged to hold onto His promises, trusting that He is faithful to complete what He has started in us. [01:17:32]

4. **Embracing New Beginnings:** As we look forward to 2025, we are called to leave behind old attitudes and embrace the new things God is doing. This requires faith and a willingness to let go of past wounds and disappointments. [34:43]

5. **The Gift of Peace:** This Christmas, we are reminded that the greatest gift is peace, and the greatest giver is Christ. Let us treasure our dreams and hopes, believing that God is working all things for our good. [01:18:19]

**Youtube Chapters:**

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:35] - Worship as Adoration
[24:29] - Share the Love
[25:36] - Faithful Giving
[34:43] - Embracing New Beginnings
[36:03] - Blessing the Givers
[37:18] - Spirit of Grace
[38:13] - No More Limits
[38:54] - Daniel Fast Announcement
[52:43] - Treasuring God's Promises
[54:16] - The Genius of the Holy Spirit
[55:37] - Good News of Great Joy
[57:03] - Multitude of Angels
[01:01:08] - Creation and Recreation
[01:12:13] - Beyond Amazement
[01:18:19] - The Gift of Peace
[01:19:01] - Looking Forward to 2025

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Luke 2:8-20
- Matthew 6:19-21

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**Observation Questions:**

1. In Luke 2:8-20, what was the reaction of the shepherds when they heard the news from the angels? How did they respond to the message they received? [55:37]

2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures? How does this relate to the concept of worship as adoration mentioned in the sermon? [26:42]

3. What was the significance of the multitude of angels appearing to the shepherds, and how does this event emphasize the importance of the birth of Christ? [57:03]

4. How did Mary’s response to the events differ from those who were merely amazed by the shepherds' story? What does it mean to treasure something in this context? [01:08:44]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

1. How does the concept of worship as an act of adoration, rather than a religious duty, change the way one might approach giving and offerings? [23:35]

2. What does it mean to treasure God's promises, and how can this practice impact a person's faith journey, especially during challenging times? [01:12:13]

3. In what ways does understanding God's timing and faithfulness help believers navigate long seasons of waiting or uncertainty? [01:17:32]

4. How can the story of the shepherds and angels inspire believers to actively share the good news of Christ in their own lives? [01:05:51]

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**Application Questions:**

1. Reflect on your current approach to giving. How can you transform it into an act of adoration and gratitude, acknowledging God's grace in your life? [23:35]

2. Think of a promise from God that you have been amazed by but may not have fully treasured. How can you begin to treasure this promise in your daily life? [01:08:44]

3. As you look forward to 2025, what old attitudes or disappointments do you need to leave behind to embrace the new things God is doing? [34:43]

4. How can you incorporate the practice of treasuring God's words and promises into your daily routine, especially during the upcoming Daniel Fast? [38:54]

5. This Christmas, how can you focus on the gift of peace that Christ offers, and in what ways can you share this peace with others around you? [01:18:19]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust in God's timing. What steps can you take to hold onto His promises during this season? [01:17:32]

7. How can you actively participate in spreading the good news of God's faithfulness and love in your community, inspired by the shepherds' eagerness? [01:05:51]

Day 1: Worship as an Expression of Love
Our worship, including our offerings, is not merely a religious obligation but an expression of our love and gratitude towards God. This act of giving is a reflection of our acknowledgment that everything we have is by His grace. When we give, we do so with a heart full of faith, recognizing God's generosity and love. It is a faith transaction, a way to honor God for His abundant blessings in our lives. As we bring our offerings, we are reminded that God is not angry with us but pleased, and our worship is a celebration of His grace and love. [23:35]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your attitude towards giving. How can you transform your offerings into a genuine act of worship and love today?


Day 2: Valuing God's Promises
The story of the shepherds and angels in Luke 2 teaches us to treasure God's promises, not just be amazed by them. While amazement is temporary, treasuring involves valuing and holding onto God's words, allowing them to guide us through every season. The shepherds' eagerness to see the Savior and their spreading of the good news challenge us to hold onto God's promises with the same fervor. We are called to let these promises shape our lives, ensuring they do not fade into mere amazement but become a lasting source of hope and direction. [01:12:13]

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a promise from God that you have been amazed by but not fully treasured. How can you begin to hold onto this promise more deeply in your daily life?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
God's timing often differs from ours, and what seems like a long season is part of His perfect plan. We are encouraged to hold onto His promises, trusting that He is faithful to complete what He has started in us. This requires patience and faith, knowing that God's ways are higher than ours. As we navigate through different seasons, we are reminded that His timing is always perfect, and He is working all things for our good. Embracing this truth allows us to find peace and assurance in His faithfulness. [01:17:32]

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling with God's timing. How can you trust His perfect plan and find peace in His faithfulness today?


Day 4: Embracing New Beginnings
As we look forward to 2025, we are called to leave behind old attitudes and embrace the new things God is doing. This requires faith and a willingness to let go of past wounds and disappointments. Embracing new beginnings means being open to the changes God is bringing into our lives and trusting that He is leading us into a season of growth and transformation. By letting go of the past, we make room for the new blessings and opportunities God has in store for us. [34:43]

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What old attitudes or past wounds do you need to let go of to embrace the new things God is doing in your life? How can you take a step towards this new beginning today?


Day 5: The Gift of Peace
This Christmas, we are reminded that the greatest gift is peace, and the greatest giver is Christ. As we journey together, let us treasure our dreams and hopes, believing that God is working all things for our good. The peace that Christ offers is not just the absence of conflict but a deep sense of well-being and assurance in His love and faithfulness. As we celebrate His birth, let us share this peace with others, spreading the good news of His love and grace. [01:18:19]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you experience and share the peace of Christ in your life today? What steps can you take to spread His peace to those around you this Christmas season?

I just want to prep you for prayer and ask you do you feel what I feel on the inside that today is going to be an extraordinary day and I believe with all of my heart y 'all you'll open up your ears to hear the spirit of grace this morning he is going to say things to you through the songs through the spoken word through the children's program this can be a day unlike any other day and he can set a pace for a brand new year that will exceed anything you've ever known because he's able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond anything you can even think hope or imagine let's enter his presence in prayer [00:02:59] (47 seconds)


At Real Life Church, we deliberately and on purpose make our offering time a part of worship. Because if it's not an act of adoration, then it's an act of religious duty. And we want nothing to do with that. So that's why at Real Life Church, we call it Share the Love. Because you and I are the beneficiaries of the love -fueled generosity of God. Everything we are, the fact that we are, is because He loves us. [00:23:35] (48 seconds)


simply let him heal us of the past wounds and disappointments and just refuse to bring into the new things from the old. Don't bring old attitudes. Don't bring old hangups. Don't bring old prejudices. Don't bring old things. And I believe with all of my heart, not empty rhetoric. But it's like a conviction that is just burning on the inside. [00:34:10] (45 seconds)


That if we'll draw close to him, not only will he as he promised draw close to us, but he'll make everything new in 2025 holds promise to be the greatest year we've So I just feel like it would be a divine time to lift our hands and just say, Father, in Jesus' name, you make all things [00:34:56] (38 seconds)


He's calling you to a deeper place of intimacy. And I just, I really feel overwhelmed. And so my first announcement is, man, in 2025, no more limits. Amen. We're not looking at where we've been to decide and gauge how far we can go. It doesn't matter if at the pace you've had thus far, it would take 250 years to fulfill your dream. [00:37:56] (31 seconds)


There's an anointing I call the Amos anointing, where God can actually speed things up. And as soon as your seed hits the ground, you have your harvest. And things can come to pass. And God can do in a moment of favor what you can't do in a lifetime of labor. So trust me. Trust God. Amen. [00:38:26] (20 seconds)


And when they had seen him. They made known the statement which had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed. Everyone say. Amazed. Because this is really important. This is where it gets real and real tragic. You see, because according to Jewish tradition. And it would make sense when the shepherds. The angels just said he's in a manger. [01:06:08] (24 seconds)


But didn't say where in the city he was. And so according to tradition. When the shepherds came out of the field. Every person they met. They asked and they told. They asked. Do you know where the baby is? And then they told. What they had heard and seen. So imagine a group of shepherds going through the city. And everyone that they encounter. They're looking for this baby. [01:06:24] (26 seconds)


here is my hope. So, that this Christmas, remember that the greatest gift is peace. The greatest giver is Christ. And don't let those dreams die. Don't let the hopes fade away. Value them. Treasure them. If you've semi -forgotten them, begin to write them now. Right? And ask the spirit of grace. Help me to get the whole picture, and then treasure those things, because you and I together are on an amazing journey. [01:18:19] (42 seconds)


I really do believe, I said it in the beginning, 2025 is going to be the greatest year we've ever experienced. I know for me and my house, that's what we're holding on to. And I believe it for Real Life Church, and I believe it for you. That when we come to the end of 2025, we're going to look back and just say, oh, my word, how good is God? [01:19:01] (24 seconds)

To your feet this morning! I just want to prep you for prayer and ask you, do you feel what I feel on the inside? That today is going to be an extraordinary day.

I believe with all of my heart, y'all, you'll open up your ears to hear the Spirit of Grace this morning. He is going to say things to you through the songs, through the spoken word, through the children's program. This can be a day unlike any other day, and He can set a pace for a brand new year that will exceed anything you've ever known. Because He's able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond anything you can even think, hope, or imagine.

Let's enter His presence in prayer. Thank you. By surprise, because I didn't want it to end. Let's lift our hands and our hearts for just a moment. Because we're not separating ourselves from worship.

At Real Life Church, we deliberately and on purpose make our offering time a part of worship. Because if it's not an act of adoration, then it's an act of religious duty. And we want nothing to do with that.

So that's why at Real Life Church, we call it "Share the Love." Because you and I are the beneficiaries of the love-fueled generosity of God. Everything we are, the fact that we are, is because He loves us. And everything we have, you may think you earned it, but you're wrong. You have what you have because of the grace of the living God. The earth is His and everything in it.

So as we enter into this act of adoration, I want you to, for a moment, take your offering. We're going to show you how you can give online. But whether you're giving online or you're giving paper, I want you to hold it in your hands for a second. If it's online, then just put your hands together. I want you to have a point of contact.

We're going to pray, we'll read the Word, and then I'm going to ask you to bring your offering. But I want us to say this together:

Father, in the name of Jesus, the strong Son of God, I separate myself from fear. I do not give because I'm afraid. I give because You have given to me. Your love fuels my love. And so I want to share the love today. In Jesus' name.

Now I want to read you a Bible verse. And after that, I'm going to ask you, we have ushers on either side, both sides of the walls and down here. But when you come, don't do it religiously and drop something in because you're afraid if you don't, God's going to give your cat the mange. You're not paying off an angry God. The blood of Christ separated you from the wrath of God.

Do not, Matthew chapter 6, verse 19. I can't look at those lights. Do not gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy and where thieves break through and steal.

But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy and where thieves do not, cannot, and never will break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So if you're ready, we have the ushers ready to serve you. We're going to go into another song. Bring your offerings forward in a heart of adoration and let it be a faith transaction in Jesus' name.

He'd say, you always know what God is going to do by who He brings to you. Simply let Him heal us of the past wounds and disappointments and just refuse to bring into the new things from the old. Don't bring old attitudes. Don't bring old hang-ups. Don't bring old prejudices. Don't bring old things.

And I believe with all of my heart, not empty rhetoric, but it's like a conviction that is just burning on the inside. That if we'll draw close to Him, not only will He, as He promised, draw close to us, but He'll make everything new.

2025 holds promise to be the greatest year we've ever experienced. So I just feel like it would be a divine time to lift our hands and just say, Father, in Jesus' name, You make all things new.

Give the Lord a handclap of praise. Don't go yet. Stay here. Stretch your hands this way.

Father, as the steward of this place we call Real Life Church, I feel a great sense of responsibility. And it's an honor to receive from Your people's hands, Father.

So we pray a blessing over each and every person that gives. Father, may they know the promise of God, the windows of heaven being opened. May there finally not be enough room to contain it. But may it overflow in Jesus' wonderful name.

And may every need be met, every desire fulfilled. And may Real Life Church be able to do what You've called us to do in the way and the time in which You've called us to do it. And everyone said, Amen and Amen.

Hallelujah, Father. That was absolutely phenomenal. I mean, Cleve and Larry did okay, but Sarah, OMG. Hallelujah. Is it well with you this morning? Are you ready for Christmas?

If you haven't yet delivered my gift, my address is... I, you know, I love Christmas. I love everything about it. And we have a spectacular service lined up for you.

And once again, I gotta say to you, though, listen to what the Spirit of Grace says. He speaks through children, as well as He speaks through song, and He speaks through poems. Every once in a while, He even speaks through me.

But I want you to hear what He is saying because He's beckoning you to Himself. He's calling you to a deeper place of intimacy. And I just, I really feel overwhelmed.

And so my first announcement is, man, in 2025, no more limits. Amen. We're not looking at where we've been to decide and gauge how far we can go. It doesn't matter if at the pace you've had thus far, it would take 250 years to fulfill your dream.

There's an anointing I call the Amos anointing, where God can actually speed things up. And as soon as your seed hits the ground, you have your harvest. And things can come to pass. And God can do in a moment of favor what you can't do in a lifetime of labor. So trust me. Trust God. Amen.

Alright, the first announcement is the Daniel... You got me all messed up, bro. On behalf of Keilah, I will call it the Daniel Diet. We're calling it the Daniel Fast.

And so that's going to be from January the 2nd to the 22nd. Most of you know what it is. It's really a time where we set aside to pray more, to seek more. But as an act of that, we're also giving up the things that we so much enjoy, like those Christmas cookies and cakes and everything else.

And we just do the Daniel Fast and devote our time to God. Amen. So that'll be from January the 2nd to the 22nd.

The second announcement is that the CPR First Aid AED, whatever that means, training is on February the 8th at 9 AM. There is a price attached to it. It's $40, cash only. For more information, see Aja, and she's somewhere around here.

And with that, my announcements are shared and now it's time to get to the good stuff. Yeah. No, no, not that one. That one right there. That one.

You know, when they started, I looked over at Cleve and Cleve said, Pastor, you're never going to learn, are you? Yeah, right there, bud. And I had, I don't know why I should even do a little sermonette for you. That was awesome. Always is.

And no, I guess I'll never learn. Yeah. I would say I'm putting my foot down and standing in my authority next year. I go first, but by next year I'll forget. Amen.

Today I really do. I don't have a history of doing good sermonettes because there's always so many rabbits I end up chasing, but I don't really want to preach a sermon. I just want to read a story, and it's an old story that we all know.

But sometimes we have to remind ourselves so that what we know doesn't fade into what we knew. Keith Moore says it this way, and I love it. He said, if the truth no longer thrills you, it's not because you know it, it's because you've lost it.

And so anything that has to do with Christ, it doesn't matter how many times we've heard it. Every time ought to be like the first time, because we're going to spend time without limits and beyond the ability to be counted, being fascinated by His glory. Amen.

So today I want to tell you a little story about shepherds and angels. And of course, we're going to go to Luke chapter two. So I want to read Luke chapter two, and we're going to start in verse eight.

But I really, as I was reading this over, I noticed something that I probably had noticed before, but even, you know, like I said, you got to remind yourself. And when I came to verse seven, I noticed the absolute genius of the Holy Spirit.

Because when the Bible says that she gave birth, the Bible says, and she wrapped her firstborn, not their firstborn. The genius of the Holy Spirit, because Joseph did not play a part in this. This her son was the Son of God, not the son of Joseph.

So the genius of the Holy Spirit in verse seven was that she wrapped her firstborn. Now go to verse eight, and this is where we'll start reading. And like I said, this won't take too long. But I reserve the right to lie in church.

In the same region, there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them.

Now, I want to interrupt the story and say, you do realize this actually happened. This is not a fable. This is not mythology. This is not a comic book story. There were very real shepherds in a very real field, keeping watch over very real sheep.

And an angel appeared to them. And the glory of the Lord shone round them. And they were terribly frightened. In verse 10, and so the angel said to them, do not be afraid.

For behold, I bring you... Never forget. This is good news. I heard it said this way one time before. Good news to the sick is you don't got to be sick no more. Good news to the poor is you don't got to be poor no more. Good news to the broken is you don't have to be broken no more.

This is good news of great joy, which will be for some of the people? No, all of the people. For today, and here is where this is the source of the good news. This is the empowerment of the good news.

For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, a Messiah, the Messiah. The one that they had been waiting on since really the Garden of Eden when he was first prophesied.

For there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Verse 12. And this will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger.

Now look at verse 13. I want to camp out on this one for a little bit. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God.

Insane. Now I want to draw attention to that word multitude. Because the word multitude literally means the sum total or the complete number.

Now in your mind, when you hear multitude, are you thinking two or three or ten? Because if we take it literally, it's the sum total of all of the angels who were in heaven. Amen.

Now, the way I let my imagination run is every one of these angels knew this being as the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was not anything made apart from Him that was made. He was the source of it all.

And from before the time of the angels, there had always been three in heaven: Father, Word, Holy Ghost. Now, I don't know if doctrinally this is correct, so don't make a doctrinal statement of it. This is Jimmy. I never claimed to be a scholar; I'm just a very fanatic student.

But I wonder if at the moment of conception, the Word didn't disappear from heaven. And for nine months, perhaps the angels were wondering, where's the Word? Because see, the Word had become flesh in embryo form for nine months, the creator of all that had existed.

So I'm trying to channel Jaleesa and Zoe; I can't quite get it. But if I'll spend more time in Google and learn some more words, I think I can get there. But the Word, the creator of all, had abdicated His place of equality with God and went into the womb of one of His own creations.

So to me, it would make sense that the Word wasn't there when He was there. And then the time came when an announcement was made that the Word was about to be born.

And it would make sense to me that every angel of heaven who had known the Word as creator... You see, in Job, there's a verse that the Bible says that the sons of the morning sang. And it's talking about creation.

And the angels rejoiced that at creation, the angels watching God roll up His sleeves and create everything out of nothing rejoiced at the activity of God and that they sang. One scholar said that singing is the language of the happy. I like that.

There ought to be a lot more singing in our lives. Because singing is the language that goes beyond happy, of the joyful. And so the angels, being filled with joy and rejoicing at the creation of God, the Bible says the sons of the morning sang.

And one scholar worded it this way, that creation was born in music. And so the angels who sang at the first creation, I don't see why they would have missed the chance to be there at the recreation when God implemented the plan of redemption.

That everything that was wrong was going to be made right. And everything that was dark was going to be made light. And all of those who languished in death were going to be brought to life.

And perhaps the news spread around heaven. You want to know where the Word is? The Word is in a manger. And suddenly there appeared with the one angel who was a messenger, if the Word means what we think it means, not 10, not 20, not a hundred, but millions beyond number.

And they filled the sky. Now, just imagine you're a shepherd. It's dark. And suddenly the stars are like double. Because these are luminescent beings. They're glowing. And they're lighting up the night sky.

And just the sight of them had to be absolutely stunning. But I want to hear them sing. You see, as a white boy who has no sense of harmony, this is the reason why I like the Temptations. I live victoriously through others. I can appreciate it; I just can't do it.

And I've heard a choir of a hundred, and it's impressive. But can you imagine the harmony of millions who sing in sheer perfection? What sound had to fill that night sky as they sang, as they did at the beginning of time?

What did they sing? Verse 14. Glory to God in the highest. And on earth, peace. There had never been peace. But finally, there was going to be peace.

In the Hebrew, of course, we all know you would have said shalom, a time of God's favor where nothing is broken and nothing is missing. And everything is replaced, remolded. If it's been shattered beyond recognition, even refabricated.

But on earth, peace among people with whom He's pleased. That right there is a mind bender for some of us. Say this with me: God is pleased with me.

See, for some of us, that alone would change our whole perspective. Because we live our lives trying to please God as if He's angry, trying to appease God when God's no longer angry with us.

Let's go down to verse 15. When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Dude, was that not amazing? Yo, bro, did you see what I saw?"

They began saying, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

Now, once again, I'm just letting my mind play out the scenario. I wonder what made the greatest impression. Was it the sight of the angels? The sound of the angels? Or what the angels said?

I think it was the latter. I think it was the realization that the one that they had been waiting on, the one that they knew every sacrifice pointed to, the one that they knew every ritual was supposed to make real, He had finally come.

And so they decided they wanted to go to Bethlehem. Where they were, nobody really knows. Some scholars say they were a thousand paces outside the city. Others say perhaps a couple miles outside the city.

But I think that wherever they went, they were making haste to get there, to go to Bethlehem and see what had been said. And verse 16. And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph and the baby as He lay in the manger.

And when they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this child. And all who heard it were amazed. Everyone say, "Amazed."

Because this is really important. This is where it gets real and real tragic. You see, because according to Jewish tradition, and it would make sense when the shepherds... The angels just said He's in a manger, but didn't say where in the city He was.

And so according to tradition, when the shepherds came out of the field, every person they met, they asked and they told. They asked, "Do you know where the baby is?" And then they told what they had heard and seen.

So imagine a group of shepherds going through the city. And everyone that they encounter, they're looking for this baby. "Hey, have you seen a baby? Do you know where the baby is?"

"What baby?" "The baby that's been foretold." "I ain't been told about no baby. Have you seen a pregnant woman?" Right?

So they're going and they're inquiring, and they're wanting to know where. And if somebody says, "Well, why do you want to know where the baby is?" "Well, let me tell you."

And they told everyone within earshot. Shepherds going around town, telling everyone. "Angels said. Angels appeared. They sang. They lit up the sky."

"Angels?" "Yeah, angels. Like lots of angels. Like a sky full of angels."

"What do you shepherds smoke out there?" People. People. People are people. Not everyone's going to believe.

How would some people respond if you said last night I was praying and an angel came into my room? Most churches would kick you out. Tilt their head at least and say, "Really? You saw an angel?"

"Yeah. And the angel sang." "Oh, did it? What did it sing? Papa was a rolling stone. And wherever he laid, his hat was his home."

But it said all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured. Everyone say "treasured."

Now, notice two different responses. Everyone who heard the story of the angels from the shepherds were amazed. That word amazed has to do with momentary excitement.

And the best way that I know to convey the meaning of amazement, it's like if you go to the Fourth of July fireworks. And they let off this one spectacular burst. And you see it, and it lights up the sky and it crackles, and you're like, "Wow!"

And you're all enamored with that one until the next one. And then when the next one exceeds the former one, you forget all about the first one by what you were amazed.

And little by little, you forget about all of that because each new thing draws your attention. See, this explains why... Now, again, imagine if shepherds had come into town and their news was the Messiah has been born.

Would you not like mark that baby? I mean, come on. I mean, that's the Messiah. I wouldn't want to take my eyes off Him. I would buy the house next door to Joseph and Mary because I want to know. I want to be close. I want to keep my eyes on the Messiah.

Yet even see some people got the idea that His birth was like covert, like a James Bond movie. Like Jesus snuck in. Do angels lighting up the sky sound like God is sneaking in? No.

No, this was no covert operation. This was a massive heaven joins earth on earth as it is in heaven celebration. And yet these people that heard about the angels and about the news, they forgot all about Him.

Because later on when He came to His own hometown... Are y'all listening to me? Later on when He came to His own hometown, He could there do no mighty miracles, no mighty works, except He healed a few sick folk.

Why? Because they had redefined Him as the carpenter's son, and some of them didn't even define Him as that. They defined Him as a bastard child, but they had been told who He was.

How could they forget? Why would they forget? Because they were amazed. See, you and I got to get beyond being amazed.

Wasn't that an amazing service? Wasn't that an amazing song? Wasn't that an amazing sermon? You know, I got a pastor called me up and I got a prophetic word, and it was...

But you know, sometimes between the birth, it would be years between the time of the angels' announcement and Him laying in, let me say it this way, a cradle. Till the time when He would be on a cross and declare, "It's finished."

Why did they lose sight of Him from the beginning till the end? Because they were amazed. They were enamored until something else, another care of life, another church service, another song, another celebration.

They carried the prophetic word until something happened that seemed to be contrary to it. And so their amazement shifted.

But you notice Mary? Mary never forgot. Mary did not forget His identity. She always knew who He was. And she kept her eyes on Him all the time.

Why? Because what she heard, she treasured. It goes beyond being amazed. It's amazed when it's just an emotional, "That was good." And it's a treasure when you value it enough to write it down.

To carry it with you, to read it every day. God said this is what He was going to do in my life. God said this is the reason for which I was born. God said that there was greatness within me.

And you carry it and you treasure it and you mull it over and you think about it. And when times go bad, you don't forget that this whole thing started with a multitude of angels filling the night sky and saying peace.

Not trouble. Not turmoil. Not storm. But peace.

So do you forget that the divine declaration is peace when you're in the middle of a trial? Or do you treasure those things?

And you remind yourself in the dark days that there will be bright days. You remind yourself in the moments of pain that there will be times of pleasure.

You remind yourself when you're in the nighttime and it's filled with sorrow. You remind yourself that joy really will come in the morning.

And this is not the way it's going to end. Because God never ends on a negative. And God never ends on a downer. God always ends on a positive.

And that which He has started in you, in you, that which He has started in you, He is faithful to complete it.

I told you I'm not great at sermonettes. But I think that we got to get beyond... Listen. We have in-house a scribe.

And she will do everything she can to get to you the prophetic words you hear. My question is for you: Do you even bother reading it?

When God speaks to you, do you write it down? Do you record it? So that you can come back to it and remind yourself.

It's not enough just to be amazed that you had a dream last night. Will you remember it next week?

Why did those who had heard the story of the multitude of angels and the report of the shepherds have no recollection? They totally lost sight of... Their whole culture was built on the hope of a Messiah.

Everything, everyone's hope was on Him, and yet they lost sight of Him. They should have known. They should have remembered.

But when you're amazed, you're momentarily excited until something else grabs your attention. But like Mary, when we treasure, it means we value, and we hold it, and we remember it.

So that when we are going through the journey, because most of you know this, and if you don't know it, welcome to the kingdom of Christ.

Suddenly, suddenly, suddenly, I mean, it's easy for God to say, and suddenly, because He exists beyond time. But for you and me, when the Lord...

I remember... Chase a rabbit real quick. When we started Real Life Church, I mean, we had just started, and I was with Bishop Miller and a few other people, and David Briggs gave us a prophetic word.

He said, "You'll take off like a rocket." He said, "Then there will be a season when everyone will leave you." And he said, "But they'll only be gone for a short time, and they'll come back to you, and they will say, 'I searched, and there's nothing else like this.'"

And when I heard that, and the amazing thing is, many times when people have left, and they have come back, they've said those exact words. And it brings me back to what David Briggs said.

But I remember he said they'll only be gone for a season. And I thought, I can live without anyone for three months. I mean, a season's... four.

I forgot to factor in God. That He's got a whole different dictionary. Apparently, He never reads Webster's.

I think He's got like Jehovah's Dictionary or something, because suddenly to Him in a season, it's just wrong. It's whack.

Because sometimes that season of leanness feels like a lifetime. And it can be a year. It can be two years.

But what God wants for you and I is to value what He told us at the beginning, and we remember it all the way through to the end. Amen?

That's all I got. Here is my hope. So, that this Christmas, remember that the greatest gift is peace. The greatest giver is Christ.

And don't let those dreams die. Don't let the hopes fade away. Value them. Treasure them. If you've semi-forgotten them, begin to write them now.

Right? And ask the Spirit of Grace, help me to get the whole picture, and then treasure those things, because you and I together are on an amazing journey.

I really do believe, I said it in the beginning, 2025 is going to be the greatest year we've ever experienced. I know for me and my house, that's what we're holding on to.

And I believe it for Real Life Church, and I believe it for you. That when we come to the end of 2025, we're going to look back and just say, "Oh, my word, how good is God?"

And we're going to want, as we're about to sing, go tell it on a mountain. Tell everyone how good God is.

As we bring this service to a close, I want you to listen to this song, and then go and enjoy God. Amen? God bless you.