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The Big Idea: How can we see God’s glory? The disciples glimpsed it in the face of Jesus Christ on the mountain of transfiguration. The early church leader Irenaeus said we can see it in “a human being fully alive.” To live into our calling as Jesus’ disciples is to shine with God’s glory.

The Big Idea: What is the purpose of God’s law? The law can be a mirror: revealing our sin in contrast to God’s holiness. The law can be a fence: restraining us from evil and keeping order in society. For Christian disciples, the law is also a sign: guiding us in a life of faithfulness.

The Big Idea: How do you recognize a disciple? Jesus says we are called to be like salt, seasoning the world with goodness, and like light, shining for all to see. This is how we fulfill the law and follow God’s way. This is how others can “taste and see that the Lord is good”

The Big Idea: What does it mean to be blessed? The Beatitudes suggest that, like Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 12:1–3), we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others. This is a fitting vocation for Christian disciples — baptized into the life of Jesus, in whom God is “well pleased.”

The Big Idea: What is the cost of discipleship? John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ coming; he was later beheaded for challenging Herod (Matt. 14). Andrew and Simon (Peter) were the first disciples called by Jesus (John 1); according to early church tradition, they were both crucified. In what way will our own lives require sacrifice if we are to follow Jesus?

The Big Idea: Where does discipleship begin? In each of the Gospels, Jesus’ ministry begins at his baptism, where he is claimed as God’s beloved child and anointed with the gifts of the Spirit. The same is true for us. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship in Jesus’ name. Today we will remember our own baptism and renew those vows made at the beginning of discipleship.

The Big Idea: The metaphor of "journey" has been used by Christians and other faith traditions for millenia. The wise person who follows Jesus has a journey that continues throughout a lifetime. Fortunately for us, this is not a journey we take as individuals, but as a community of people who are journeying together. The wise congregation looks forward to its journey together.

The Big Idea: This is the last Sunday of our series about Joy. The Hebrew root for 'joy' used 54 times in the Hebrew scriptures is ranan, pronounced raw-non. It means 'to shout, to cry out' and 'to overcome.' When you think about it, shouting for joy trains the lungs and body and instills courage to shout aloud for the overcoming of injustice. Let's propose that 'shouting out' for joy will liberate our exuberance for righting the wrongs of the world, for the sake of God's love for the world. Compassionate Joy is our watchword.

The Big Idea: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!" On this Christmas Eve we celebrate the world-altering narrative of the inbreaking, indwelling, incarnation of the Holy among us. This, tonight, is the meeting place of heaven and earth. The feeling you have had in moments, events or revelations that changed your life are what 'deep joy' is about, not simply happiness. Happiness is fleeting because it is centered in us. Joy is forever because it is centered in what God does. Tonight is about God's joy in uniting heaven and earth in the person of Jesus, who is the very imprint of God in us. Incarnate Joy is our watchword.