In this sermon, Karl Ihfe delves into Paul's prayer for the Colossian church, found in Colossians 1:9-14. He sets the context by explaining the challenges faced by the Colossians, including the pervasive influence of Rome and the temptation of syncretism. Karl emphasizes the power of prayer, noting how Paul, despite being imprisoned, could still impact the church through his prayers and letters.

The core of the message focuses on Paul's specific prayer for the Colossians, which Karl adopts as his prayer for the church in the coming year. This prayer centers on being filled with the knowledge of God's will through the wisdom and understanding given by the Holy Spirit. The desired outcomes of this spiritual filling include bearing fruit in good works, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with God's power for endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father.

Karl stresses that this spiritual filling leads to a transformation in how we live, enabling us to see God at work in the world and respond with gratitude and hope, even in challenging circumstances. He concludes by reminding the congregation that God has already qualified them for His kingdom through Christ's redemptive work.

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The Dec. 22, 2024 Sunday morning sermon at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX.

In this sermon, Dr. Brandon Fredenburg delves into the meaning of Advent and its significance in the Christian calendar. He explains that Advent is a time of progression from darkness to light, symbolizing God's promise to the world through Jesus. Dr. Fredenburg emphasizes that as disciples, we are the continuation of Jesus' incarnation and the means by which God's promise is fulfilled.

Drawing from Matthew 5, Dr. Fredenburg highlights Jesus' teaching that disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He encourages us to recognize the darkness around us and actively bring light to our neighbors, especially during the challenging holiday season. Dr. Fredenburg also addresses the importance of sharing our good works with others, not for self-praise, but as a means of glorifying God and inspiring fellow believers.

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In this sermon, Karl Ihfe explores the concept of God's fullness coming to earth through Jesus during Advent. He begins by referencing John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," to illustrate how God moved into our neighborhood. Karl emphasizes that Jesus didn't come just as a partial representation of God, but with His complete fullness.

Using Colossians 1:15-20, he explains that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" and that "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him." This means that when we look at Jesus, we see exactly who God is and what He's like. Karl also highlights that through Jesus, God is reconciling all things to Himself, both in heaven and on earth. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to live in light of this reality and to participate in God's ongoing work of recreation in the world.

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In this Advent sermon, Karl Ihfe draws a parallel between the experience of moving to a new place and God's incarnation in Jesus Christ. Using John 1:14 and Eugene Peterson's translation, "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood," he illustrates how God left the glory of heaven to dwell among us.

The sermon traces God's promise of presence throughout Scripture, from Abraham to Revelation, showing that "I am with you" is a consistent theme. This promise finds its fullest expression in the Advent story, particularly in the angel's greeting to Mary: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28).

Karl emphasizes that this promise of God's presence applies to all believers, regardless of their current circumstances or worthiness. He encourages the congregation to receive this promise and respond like Mary did, with surrender and obedience to God's will. The sermon concludes with a call for believers to not only receive God's presence but also to be His presence to others in the world.

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The Dec. 1, 2024 Sunday morning sermon at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. Rudy Reyes guest speaker.

Rudy Reyes, representing the Children's Home of Lubbock, delivers a sermon on creating a legacy of hope and service. He begins by discussing the concept of legacy, using personal anecdotes about family traditions to illustrate how legacies are built and passed down. Reyes emphasizes that creating a legacy requires intentional planning and effort.

The speaker then focuses on hope, citing scriptures such as Romans 15:13 and Isaiah 40:31 to underscore that our hope comes from God. He shares personal stories of receiving hope from mentors, particularly Dr. Hines, who believed in him and offered support during challenging times. Reyes encourages the congregation to be that source of hope for others, especially for the children at the Children's Home of Lubbock.

Lastly, Reyes discusses the importance of serving others, particularly the vulnerable. He shares his father's dedication to street ministry and his own experience of vulnerability after a car accident. He relates these experiences to the vulnerable children served by the Children's Home, urging the congregation to support their mission through various means of service and contribution.

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