John Swadley | Matthew 1:18-25

The Christmas story we think we know contains a scandal we often overlook. Matthew's account reveals Joseph as a 'sadiq'—a righteous man fully committed to God's law—facing an impossible choice. When Mary becomes pregnant before their marriage, the law demands public stoning. Yet Joseph's righteousness transcends mere rule-following. He plans to divorce her quietly, protecting her dignity even at great personal cost. When God confirms Mary's story through an angel, Joseph faces his greatest test: marry Mary and lose his reputation forever, or maintain his standing in the community. Joseph chooses love over reputation, tying his destiny to a scandal that would follow him and Jesus for decades. This untold Christmas love story teaches us that true righteousness isn't just about correct behavior—it's about extending grace to those who fall short. We're challenged to examine our own hearts: when someone doesn't measure up to God's standards, do we pick up stones of judgment, or do we offer the same scandalous grace that God has given us? This Christmas, we're invited to choose Jesus over our reputations, just as Joseph did, understanding that our faith is ultimately about God's grace, not our perfection.

John Swadley | Luke 1:5-20

This powerful message takes us into the story of Zechariah from Luke chapter 1, a priest who struggled with doubt despite his faithful service to God. We encounter a man who was blameless before God yet experienced the deep pain of unanswered prayers—he and his wife Elizabeth desperately wanted children but remained childless into old age. When an angel appears to announce that Elizabeth will bear a son, Zechariah's response is telling: 'How can I be sure?' This question becomes the skeptic's motto, and it's a question many of us have asked in our own spiritual journeys. The beauty of this narrative is that God doesn't reject Zechariah for his doubts—instead, God blesses him anyway. We learn that God doesn't love doubt, but He deeply loves doubters. This message reminds us that faith isn't the absence of doubt; it's obeying God in spite of our doubts. Whether our skepticism comes from our upbringing, our personality, or painful life experiences, we can still nurture our relationship with God, look for His activity around us, and give Him a chance to surprise us. The story challenges us to jump into the arms of God, trusting that He's never dropped anyone who's taken that leap of faith.

John Swadley | 1 Peter 5:1-7

This message from 1 Peter 5 challenges us to examine what makes a church truly healthy by looking at both leadership and followership through God's eyes. We're reminded that the church doesn't belong to any human leader—it belongs to God. The passage calls spiritual leaders to shepherd willingly, not for personal gain or power, but as humble examples who serve rather than dominate. What's striking is how Peter, himself an apostle, identifies as a 'fellow elder,' showing us that great leadership begins with humility. For those of us in the congregation, we're called to clothe ourselves with humility too, supporting our leaders while keeping our ultimate trust in God. The most powerful truth here is verse 7: 'casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.' Whether we're worried about our personal lives or concerned about our church, we're invited to cast those cares on God and leave them there—not to keep reeling them back in like a fishing line. This isn't about blind submission to flawed humans; it's about recognizing that God is big enough to handle whatever challenges we face. When both leaders and followers humble themselves before God, the church becomes a place where His glory shines through imperfect people.