1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,420 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you're finding time to spend with family and 2 00:00:13,420 --> 00:00:15,600 friends over the holidays. 3 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:21,780 I'm so thankful that you chose to join us this morning as we share on our weekend of 4 00:00:21,780 --> 00:00:22,780 rest. 5 00:00:22,780 --> 00:00:25,560 A couple of quick announcements to get started. 6 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:31,480 HCV will be serving hot cocoa once again this year at the Crumpies Donut Drop. 7 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:37,360 The location of the event has changed to the new Boxcar Stadium in downtown Hagerstown. 8 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:42,080 If you and your family would like to join us in serving hot cocoa, please just show 9 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:49,960 up between 5 and 5.30, find the two tables where HCV will be serving with our tents and 10 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:54,000 join us in just blessing our community. 11 00:00:54,000 --> 00:01:00,440 At the beginning of this broadcast, you worship to one of the songs from our community worship 12 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,840 night that we had back in October. 13 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:10,320 We have scheduled our next community worship night for this coming Saturday, January 4th, 14 00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:12,200 beginning at 6 p.m. 15 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:16,920 This will be a great way to kick off the new year, to gather together, not only with our 16 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:23,000 community of faith, but with other churches to worship and celebrate all that Jesus is 17 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,840 going to do this coming year. 18 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,000 I hope to see you there. 19 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:32,760 Now on to our end of the year reflections. 20 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:38,800 At HCV, we believe that God is constantly moving within our community of faith, not 21 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,880 just on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week in our lives. 22 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:49,840 2024 was an incredible year for our community of faith, but we believe God has so much more 23 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:53,240 in store for us in 2025. 24 00:01:53,240 --> 00:02:00,080 This happens when we collectively as the church self-reflect on where we've been, where we're 25 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,140 going and what God wants to do in our life. 26 00:02:03,140 --> 00:02:09,120 So I want to encourage you, grab a notepad, grab your journal, grab your Bible, whatever 27 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:14,920 it may be, and allow God to speak to you through these five simple questions. 28 00:02:14,920 --> 00:02:17,720 And that leads us to our first one. 29 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:23,120 What is one area of growth that you see for yourself from a year ago? 30 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:24,800 Be honest with yourself. 31 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,320 How have you changed from a year ago? 32 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:30,360 Maybe you've become more patient. 33 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,320 Maybe your relationship with your spouse has improved. 34 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:38,100 Maybe you've become more passionate in your love for Jesus and have shared your story 35 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:39,880 with many. 36 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:45,640 Maybe you're not as angry as you were a year ago, or maybe you've overcome a habit or an 37 00:02:45,640 --> 00:02:47,960 addiction that has been hurting you. 38 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:53,240 Whatever it is, this should be a natural process for a follower of Jesus. 39 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:58,740 Second Corinthians 3, 18 says, so all of us who have had the veil removed can see and 40 00:02:58,740 --> 00:03:00,940 reflect the glory of the Lord. 41 00:03:00,940 --> 00:03:06,240 And the Lord who is the Spirit makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His 42 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,240 glorious image. 43 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:13,720 See, God desires that we become more and more like Jesus every single day. 44 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:19,880 This happens with a growth mindset where we look at our lives and reflect on the change 45 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,120 that we have made in this past year. 46 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:28,600 Philippians 1, 6 says this, and I am certain that God who began a good work within you 47 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:34,160 will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 48 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:40,500 See, that encourages us that the Holy Spirit is empowering us to constantly change and 49 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:45,400 further reflect Jesus, which leads us to our next question. 50 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:51,520 What is one change that you want to achieve for yourself in 2025? 51 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:57,120 Second Peter 1, 3 says, by His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living 52 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:58,480 a godly life. 53 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:04,040 We have received all this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means 54 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,720 of His marvelous glory and excellence. 55 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:15,020 For example, God has challenged me to view people, all people, as He sees them this year. 56 00:04:15,020 --> 00:04:21,680 This would help me to be more patient, to extend more grace, and to truly love people 57 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:23,640 as I love myself. 58 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:29,220 Maybe for you, it's your finances or your temper or your marriage. 59 00:04:29,220 --> 00:04:34,040 Maybe it's to begin serving in our community of faith or in the local community. 60 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:39,400 Whatever it is, my challenge to you is be open to the Holy Spirit speaking to you this 61 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:40,400 morning. 62 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:45,800 Second Peter chapter 1, verses 5 through 8 says, in view of all this, make every effort 63 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,000 to respond to God's promises. 64 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:53,400 Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence and moral excellence with 65 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:58,960 knowledge and knowledge of self-control and self-control with patient endurance and patient 66 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:04,160 endurance with godliness and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection 67 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:06,080 with love for everyone. 68 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:12,040 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of 69 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,800 our Lord Jesus Christ. 70 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:20,860 Challenge yourself to grow and change this coming year, which leads us to our third question. 71 00:05:20,860 --> 00:05:26,520 What was one difficult thing that God walked you through last year? 72 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:30,340 You may be thinking, Chris, why would I focus on that? 73 00:05:30,340 --> 00:05:34,640 Why would I focus on pain or a heartache or an illness? 74 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:41,240 Well, because Jesus was walking with you through it every step of the way. 75 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:47,160 And I believe that we need to extend gratitude to God for being there with us. 76 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:52,200 James chapter 1, verses 2 through 4 says, dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of 77 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:57,640 any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 78 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:02,260 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has chance to grow. 79 00:06:02,260 --> 00:06:08,020 So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete 80 00:06:08,020 --> 00:06:09,520 needing nothing. 81 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:16,880 Yes, it may be painful, but when we acknowledge and thank God that he is with us in us and 82 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:23,920 working through us, then the next time a trial comes or a difficulty comes our way, we can 83 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:28,940 be joyful in the midst of it, which leads us to our next question. 84 00:06:28,940 --> 00:06:33,940 What is one area of your life that you need wisdom? 85 00:06:33,940 --> 00:06:40,800 It could be a decision about your job, your family, your finances or your habits. 86 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:47,320 Maybe it's as simple as setting a goal for you to change in your attitude. 87 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:53,640 James 1 5 says, if you need wisdom, ask your generous God and he will give it to you. 88 00:06:53,640 --> 00:07:00,200 He will not rebuke you for asking whatever area of your life that you need wisdom. 89 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:06,420 Why not go to God who provides all wisdom, all knowledge and all understanding. 90 00:07:06,420 --> 00:07:11,360 He loves you, cares for you and desires to speak to your heart, which leads us to our 91 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,440 final question. 92 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,160 Who is someone you can be praying for this year? 93 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:22,600 Friends, this is a great way to love on those who are in our sphere of influence. 94 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,700 Maybe it's a friend who is struggling with a relationship. 95 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:29,440 Maybe it's a family member who is struggling in addiction. 96 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:34,360 Pray that God invades their life and changes their outlook. 97 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:39,640 Remember, one invite can change someone's eternity. 98 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:45,120 If there is a friend or family member that is not in a relationship with Jesus, start 99 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:47,760 praying for them right now. 100 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:54,200 Start today and extend it throughout the year because when we do, we live out Galatians 101 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,920 chapter six, verses two through three. 102 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:01,840 Share each other's burdens and in this way, obey the law of Christ. 103 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:06,880 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. 104 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,440 You are not that important. 105 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:13,000 HCV, I love you. 106 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:18,000 I appreciate you and I'm thankful for each and every one of you. 107 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,800 2024 was an incredible year for our community of faith. 108 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:29,800 We saw God do so many amazing things, but I believe 2025 will be even better. 109 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:36,960 I am praying for you, your family, as we enter into this new year, that God would invade 110 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:44,600 your life and give you opportunities to serve the greater community with the love of Jesus. 111 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:45,920 God bless you guys. 112 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:51,200 I look forward to connecting with you at the doughnut drop or at the community worship 113 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:57,800 night or next Sunday as we kick off the new year together. 114 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:05,120 Have a wonderful day.