Sunday Service with Pastor Don | 2026 Your E320 Year

Abounding Grace for a New Season

Scripture References

Romans 5:20 ↗ ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ↗ ; Acts 3:25-26 ↗ ; John 1:12-16 ↗ ; Romans 8:14 ↗ , 17; Genesis 3:15 ↗ ; Genesis 12:3 ↗ ; 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ↗ ; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ↗ ; Philippians 4:4-9 ↗ ; 1 John 5:14-15 ↗ ; Ecclesiastes 3:1 ↗ ; Ephesians 4:16 ↗ ; 1 John 1:9 ↗ ; Romans 10:9-10 ↗ ; Hebrews 10:38 ↗

Introduction

The pastor sensed that both the church and individual believers are crossing into a new era. While the world grapples with chaos, God offers His people “abundant grace.” Christmas may be past, yet the gift of Christ continues to overflow. The sermon explores how to recognize this season, access grace by faith, and respond with responsibility, joy, and service.

Key Points / Exposition

1. Where Sin Abounds, Grace Super-Abounds

•Romans 5:20 ↗ reveals the Law as a mirror exposing sin, yet wherever sin multiplies, grace overflows still more.

•Grace is God’s power and ability—His “anointing”—to produce results we cannot achieve alone.

•Conflict in the world does not limit grace within God’s Kingdom; believers shout “Amen” to that reality.

2. Accessing Grace by Faith

•Ephesians 2:8-9 ↗ : salvation is a grace-gift accessed “through faith.”

•Faith’s mechanics: believe in the heart, speak with the mouth (Romans 10:9-10).

•“Receive” (lambanō, John 1:12 ↗ ) is active—laying hold, not passive waiting.

3. The Privilege of Sonship

•Receiving Christ grants “exousia”—the right to become mature sons (John 1:12; Romans 8:14 ↗ ).

•Mature sons carry both privileges and responsibilities: authority over circumstances and a life that reflects the Father’s will.

•Joint-heir status (Romans 8:17) means everything the Father has is available through Christ.

4. Living Out of His Fullness

•John 1:16 ↗ : believers have already received “one grace after another…favor upon favor…gift heaped upon gift.”

•Practical implication: worry is irrational; grace supplies every need or strength.

5. Paul—A Case Study in Transforming Grace

•1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ↗ : a former persecutor becomes an apostle by grace; grace was “not in vain” because he labored with it.

•2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ↗ : God’s answer to relentless pressure—“My grace is sufficient.” Grace raises a barrier and empowers endurance.

6. Your Problem Is Not the Problem—Your Response Is

•1 John 5:14-15 ↗ : effectiveness in prayer hinges on aligning requests with God’s will, not rehearsing problems.

•Philippians 4:4-9 ↗ outlines the faith response: rejoice, refuse worry, pray with thanksgiving, guard thoughts, practice truth.

7. Recognizing and Cooperating with Seasons

•Ecclesiastes 3:1 ↗ : every purpose has its season.

•Three directives (Pastor Michelle):

1.Recognize the season you are in.

2.Do not resist the Spirit of Grace—let go of outdated patterns.

3.Extract everything God has for you in the present season; you will need it for the next.

8. Supplying Your Part to the Body

•Ephesians 4:16 ↗ : every joint supplies.

•Each believer carries an assignment; withholding it deprives the whole body.

•Illustration: praise-and-worship team’s obedience released an impartation to the congregation.

Major Lessons & Revelations

•Grace is not a feeling but God’s active power enabling salvation, service, endurance, and prosperity.

•Faith receives grace; passivity forfeits it.

•Identity must shift from past failures to present sonship.

•Seasons change; grace equips believers to transition fruitfully.

•Corporate health depends on individual obedience—every member’s supply matters.

Practical Application

1.Verbally “take” grace each day: “Father, I receive today’s grace for ___.”

2.Replace worry with Philippians 4:6-8 ↗ practice—pray specific requests, thank God, discipline thoughts.

3.Journal seasonal indicators: doors closing, new desires, prophetic words; ask God, “What is my assignment now?”

4.Serve: inquire where your local assembly needs help (e.g., cleaning team, worship, outreach) and commit.

5.Praise intentionally—rejoice before circumstances shift to activate grace.

6.When pressured, declare 2 Corinthians 12:9 ↗ aloud: “Your grace is sufficient; Your power is perfected in my weakness.”

Conclusion & Call to Response

Believers stand on the threshold of a fresh era. Chaos outside is met by super-abounding grace inside. Receive Christ’s fullness, step into your season, and supply your part. Those without Christ were invited to confess Romans 10:9-10 ↗ ; backsliders to apply 1 John 1:9 ↗ ; and believers lacking the Spirit’s power to seek baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father, thank You for great grace released today. As we cross into a new season, clarify our paths, open doors, break barriers, and pour favor upon favor. Strengthen each believer to supply their part, walk in sonship, and abound in every good work. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Christmas Eve Service

The Purpose of Christmas – Part 2: How God Got Jesus into the Earth  

Scripture References  

Acts 3:24–26; Acts 3:25; Luke 1:5–25; Luke 1:26–38; Matthew 1:18–25; John 1:6–8; John 1:14; John 1:16; Proverbs 4  

Introduction  

• Christmas is not primarily about trees, toys, or customs—it is the celebration of God’s covenant faithfulness in sending His Son.  

• Part 1 dealt with why Jesus came; tonight focuses on how God partnered with covenant men and women to bring Christ into the world.  

• The preacher sets an atmosphere of worship (“O Holy Night”) and prays for anointing to minister “on a level the world is not familiar with.”

Key Points / Exposition  

1. Christmas Reveals God’s Covenant Faithfulness  

- Acts 3:25–26 shows God promised Abraham a Seed who would bless “all the families of the earth.”  

- In Christ, the blessing of Abraham and the authority Adam lost are restored; sin had separated humanity from both (Genesis background).  

- God’s plan always involves reversing sin’s separation and making believers conduits of blessing, not mere recipients.

2. God Works Through Cooperative People  

- Principle: Nothing “just happens.” God looks for people who will believe, obey, and work with Him.  

- Satan likewise needs human cooperation; whichever voice we yield to determines whose will is done in the earth.

3. Zechariah & Elizabeth – Preparing the Environment  

- Luke 1:5-25: Righteous yet barren couple; Zechariah receives angelic announcement of John the Baptist.  

- John’s mission: “make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” turning hearts and shifting the spiritual climate.  

- Zechariah’s initial unbelief could have derailed timing; Gabriel silences him, illustrating how unbelieving words can hinder God’s plan.

4. Mary – A Teenager’s Faith Gangster Moment  

- Luke 1:26-38: Gabriel announces the virgin birth.  

- Mary’s honest question (“How?”) is answered: the Holy Spirit will overshadow her.  

- Her decisive consent—“Be it unto me according to Your word”—triggers divine conception.  

- Lesson: God’s Word plus our believing response births the impossible.

5. Joseph – Obedience in the Midst of Dilemma  

- Matthew 1:18-25: Discovering Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph plans quiet divorce until an angelic dream clarifies the divine origin.  

- Titles used (“son of David,” “Emmanuel”) anchor events in covenant lineage.  

- Joseph immediately obeys, names the child Jesus, and protects Mary’s purity—demonstrating prompt obedience sustains God’s purposes.

6. The Word Made Flesh  

- John 1:14: The eternal Word becomes human because people received and spoke God’s Word.  

- God acts by “His Word and His Spirit”; prophetic declarations precede manifestation.

7. Grace Heaped upon Grace  

- John 1:16 (AMP): In Christ believers receive “one grace after another… favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift.”  

- Christmas gift surpasses all material giving: abundant life (John 10:10 alluded).

Major Lessons & Revelations  

• Covenant promise drives Christmas; God never forgets His Word.  

• Faith-filled words—or their absence—can accelerate or delay divine timing.  

• God uses ordinary, imperfect but willing people (aged couple, teenage girl, working man).  

• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to accomplish tasks beyond natural capability.  

• Blessing is meant to flow through us to a “lost and dying world.”

Practical Application  

1. Guard your mouth—speak God’s promises (Proverbs 4; faith comes by hearing).  

2. Say “Yes” to God’s assignments even when logic falters; trust Holy Spirit empowerment.  

3. Prepare spiritual environments (homes, workplaces) for Christ’s influence—repent, pursue holiness, invite revival.  

4. Live as channels of blessing: give, serve, and share the gospel so the blessing doesn’t “stop with you.”  

5. Boldly exercise Christ-restored authority over the enemy, not over people.  

6. Accept God’s continual “grace upon grace” rather than shrinking Christmas to materialism.

Conclusion & Call to Response  

Christmas showcases God’s relentless covenant love. As Mary did, believers are invited to respond, “Be it unto me according to Your word.” Receive Jesus, embrace restored authority and blessing, and become an agent of God’s grace to others.  

Prayer  

• Thanksgiving for the anointing to minister about Jesus on an unfamiliar level.  

• Covenant to give God all glory for the “mighty work” done tonight.  

• Declaration of faith: “Father, I receive grace upon grace, favor upon favor, gift upon gift, and I thank You in advance.”  

References & Resources  

• Hymn: “O Holy Night” (opening worship)  

• Website: faithsf.church – livestreams, giving, further resources