I Love My Church - The Gift That Keeps Giving
I Love My Church Part 1, Pastor Marcus Avalos
This December, we celebrate The Gift That Keeps Giving. Each message highlights why we love our church—because it brings hope, healing, and most importantly, Jesus. Through powerful Scripture, real-life stories, and the Christmas message, this series reminds us that God is still at work in our lives and our community. Join us as we end the year celebrating Jesus—the greatest gift ever given.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
Title: I ❤️ My Church Hope begins where your YES begins
Have you ever forgotten something important… like REALLY important?
WE FORGET THE ONE THING WE NEED MOST AT CHRISTMAS… HOPE
December is heavy. People are smiling outside and sinking inside. •families stretched •finances tight •schedules crazy •relationships complicated •faith feels thin
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
400 years of silence. (No prophets, miracles, word)
Rome in control.
(high taxes, freedom limited, people afraid, oppression)
Hope is running low. Faith is running thin.
MARY’S WORLD
Mary was young…ordinary Mary was not living in a miracle moment. Mary was living in a pressure-filled one.
•teenage girl - 14-16 yrs. old •engaged to Joseph •preparing for marriage
SHE WAS ENGAGED
•planning a wedding - engaged to Joseph •in a Jewish betrothal - legally binding for 1yr •no physical activity (strictly forbidden) •Community accountability - (all were watching) •Legal Contracts w/ families •Financial expectations (Joseph prepares)
DREAMS FOR HER FUTURE
•A quiet life; A respected home •Children of her own •A Normal marriage, stability, peace •A predictable future
She was Not looking for GREATNESS, but Hoping for NORMAL
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
•Nazareth was a small town. Everyone knew. •Everyone talked. Everyone watched.
Lived under… •scrutiny of the synagogue •whispers of the neighbor •expectations of both families The weight of “Don’t Mess this Up!”
UNDER PRESSURE •a wedding she didn’t choose •a reputation she had to protect •a community that watched every move •a dream that felt fragile •a nation that had not heard a Word from God
She didn’t feel normal…ready…qualified
GOD SHOWED UP The angel appears. Luke 1:28. “Greetings, favored one. The lord is with you.”
God wasn’t looking for perfect. — He was looking for a YES.
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me according to Your word.”
The moment Mary said YES…HOPE TOOK IT’S FIRST BREATH. “Hope begins where your YES begins.”
“When a family says yes to God, hope not only enters their home…it flows out of it.”
BIBLE Hope vs. CULTURAL HOPE Cultural hope is a FEELING. Biblical Hope is an ANCHOR.
Cultural: “I hope this happens.” Biblical: “I know God will keep His Word.”
Your “yes” as a family creates Hope for another family • Lights a candle in someone else's darkness. • Opens doors someone’s been banging on for years. • Becomes the bridge someone else walks across. • Becomes a shelter for someone else’s storm.
YOUR YES BECOMES A SEED, GOD’S HOPE BECOMES A HARVEST
TAKE HOME
- Say YES to God’s purpose for your family.
Small obedience. Small steps. Small faith. Big hope.
You don’t have to know everything - just obey the next thing
- Say YES to letting God use you to bring hope to others.
God uses PEOPLE - not perfect people - willing people Your smile… Your story… Your invitation… Your generosity… Your encouragement…
ALYSSA TESTIMONY “We found hope here…”
CHURCH IMPACT Crossroads is a House of Hope •Every Baptism is hope. •Every Baby Dedication is hope. •Every New Family walking through the doors is hope.
Mary said YES and hope entered into our world TODAY I AM ASKING…
What is your YES this Christmas? Trust? Serve? Invite? Pray? Forgive? Obey? Inviting Someone?
“HOPE begins where your YES begins.”
“We love our church because here… we found HOPE.”
