Standing on the edge of promise, God calls His people to preparation before movement. From Joshua 3 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, this message reminds us that God shapes our hearts before He advances our steps. As we consecrate ourselves and seek first His kingdom, we learn to trust God’s presence to lead us—into new seasons, new obedience, and the wonders He has ahead.

This Christmas message from Galatians 4:4–6 flows out of Romans 1–2 to show how God responded to the darkness of the human heart. When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son to redeem sinners and adopt them into His family. Christmas is not humanity reaching for God, but God stepping into our darkness with redeeming, adopting grace.

In Romans 2:1–16, Paul turns from condemning pagan Gentiles to confronting religious Jews who assumed they were exempt from God’s judgment. He exposes self-righteousness, reveals God’s impartial judgment, and shows that all people are accountable—by the Law they know or the conscience they bear. Yet before judgment comes, God displays His kindness, patience, and mercy, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ.

While Romans 1:24–32 exposes the tragic depth of humanity’s rebellion and the darkness of a world that exchanges God’s truth for lies, Isaiah 9 announces a greater hope. Into that darkness, God sends a rescuing Light—Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  and Prince of Peace.

In Romans 1:16–17, Paul boldly declares he is “not ashamed of the gospel” because it is the very power of God to save. This message exposes our sin, confronts our pride, and reveals that we cannot earn righteousness. We must receive it by faith in Christ. When we do, God takes our righteousness which is filthy rags and clothes us with the perfect righteousness of Christ. We are called to believe it, live it, and proclaim it without shame.