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In the past, here at North Heights, we had set a theme for the entire year, and all of our sermons were fed back into that theme, whatever it may be. After listening to some feedback, we’re going to make some changes in 2024. This year, while we will still have a theme, it’s going to be one that is only touched on, here and there, a little bit throughout the year.

This year, we’re going to consider why Christianity is The Best Life from Here to Eternity. I think Christianity often gets a bad rap. Our faith is sometimes viewed as a negative religion, as a religion of “thou shalt nots,” with prohibitions and a bunch of warnings about how you can’t do this, and you can’t do that, and you can’t go there, and you can’t say that, etc. While it is true there are things that we must shun, that doesn’t mean Christianity isn’t a life of positive doing. The Devil is very good about making sin seem like a deliciously sweet cupcake in the corner that our mean old “Dad” won’t let us enjoy because we have to eat our nasty broccoli. The world paints the picture that sin is fun and faithfulness is dull. On the contrary, sin is not a sweet treat. Sin is poison, and to consume it is to kill yourself. Likewise, Christianity offers something worthwhile and enriching. It offers a way to endure the hardships of life. It provides a perspective that keeps us going.

Yes, we sometimes suffer, just like the people in the world suffer, but unlike them, Christians get to suffer while living a life that makes the hardships not just “endurable,” but “worth it.” I’m excited about our theme this year, and I hope to use it to show you why Christianity is the Best Life From Here to Eternity.

God bless!

~Matthew Martin
(Pulpit Preacher)