The story of Jesus' coming is full of curious surprises, from the appearance of angels to the visitation of shepherds. In this Advent series, Pastor Philip Miller explores the greatness of Christmas, revealing how Jesus came to redeem God's firstborn son, Israel, and bring light to the Gentiles. Through the stories of Simeon and Anna, we see the portrayal, prospect, and prophecy of redemption, ultimately leading to the sacrifice of Jesus, the suffering servant, who gives his life to redeem many sons for glory. [... more]

Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was a deliberate act to show his true nature, humbling himself to be born in a manger, surrounded by shepherds, a lowly and uneducated class, rather than in a palace or among the elite. This act of humility is a demonstration of his sovereignty, extravagancy, and modesty, making him the true savior of the world, not just for Roman citizens, but for all people. [... more]

Mary's heart overflows with wonder, awe, and praise as she realizes God's faithfulness and chooses her to bear the savior of the world. Her Magnificat, a heart of faith, joy, and hope, reflects God's mercy and blessing on the humble and lowly, turning the world upside down. [... more]

The Bible teaches that hell is a place of unrelieved torment for both body and soul, where the damned will suffer varying degrees of suffering for eternity. It is a place of darkness, fire, and torment, where the response is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. The only way to avoid hell is by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and the proclamation of the gospel is crucial in warning men of the harvest and the separation that awaits them. [... more]

The kingdom of heaven is like a net that casts a wide and indiscriminating catch, gathering both good and evil, but ultimately separating the wicked from the righteous at the end of the age. Jesus taught that this separation is inevitable and will be carried out by angels, with the wicked being cast into the furnace of fire, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. The doctrine of hell is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, and it is a warning to men not to take their sins lightly, as there will be an accounting for every idle word and action. [... more]

The kingdom of heaven is priceless in value, not superficially visible, and personally appropriated. True joy comes from discovering the kingdom of heaven in Jesus Christ, and salvation is an act of exchanging oneself for Christ's lordship, where one gives up all they have for all He has. [... more]

The parables of the Kingdom of Heaven reveal the priceless value of salvation, which is not superficially visible and must be personally appropriated. The treasure of the kingdom is hidden, and its value is incomparable, making it worth selling everything to gain. Jesus teaches that the kingdom is not just a superficial influence, but a personal relationship with God that requires diligent study and a right interpretation of Scripture. [... more]

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which permeates and influences, symbolizing the spread of good and the disconnection from evil. Leaven is not inherently evil, but rather an analogy of permeating influence, used to describe the power of the kingdom to overcome evil and bring about spiritual growth and faith. [... more]

A special training program called It's Cool to Fly helps kids with autism through the flying experience by simulating the entire process, from check-in to boarding, in a controlled environment. American Airlines has been running this program for five years, with over 5,000 participants and growing every year, and has seen a positive impact on both the children and the airline staff. [... more]