“Everlasting Father” by Pastor Daniel Floyd

Welcome to Gateway Church's podcast.

Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's afternoon, Gateway Church.

How are we doing this afternoon?

We are so excited you chose to join us this weekend for our candlelight services.

And I do want to take a moment and welcome all of you here.

Also, welcome those of you that are joining us online that are part of our gateway gatherings, our prison campuses, and also welcome to our guest.

Can we give it up for all of those that are here for the very first time?

We recognize that you can be anywhere right now and you chose to be with us, and we're honored to have you.

And if you're here and you don't have a local church, and you want more information about how to get connected to Gateway Church, we would love to meet you personally.

There are two ways we can connect.

First of all, there's an area called Connect Central, which is located outside of the lobby.

And uh we would love to meet you there.

I'll be there along with some of our leaders.

We'd love to answer any questions that you have, get to know you a little bit, and we also have a gift for you there.

Also, if for whatever reason you can't stop by Connect Central, you can simply text the word Connect to 71010 and we can follow up with you there as well.

Now, typically we have a countdown, uh one-minute countdown just before our service, but we're gonna start this service a little bit differently.

And so I want to let you know if you're out in the lobby or if you're here in the auditorium.

I want to encourage you if you want to start making your way to your seat that way you won't miss the very beginning of that.

We also understand that we have a lot of people here, praise the Lord, and we want to let you know that if you can't find a seat, we also have additional seating, and we'll make sure uh we've got our overflow area so you can have a place to really enjoy the service.

And so I encourage you again to start making your way towards your seats as we get ready to start.

In about a minute, the lights are gonna go down, and we're gonna begin with a special that I'm really excited about.

And I just want to tell you how many of you are excited.

Pastor Daniel is concluding the series that we've been in where we're talking about Jesus and his name.

His name shall be called, and we call him the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, and today we're gonna talk about the present peace.

How many of you are excited to hear about the present peace?

We're so excited to enjoy the service.

Oh, come thou days bring comment sheer our spirits by thyse rich shots in bed all convouting of nations find all peoples in one heart and mine bid end this strife and chorals seas fill the whole world with principles, principles in bed.

Everybody joining us online.

We have several prison campuses and then gatherings all around the country.

We are so glad that you're here.

Merry Christmas to you.

Hey, I just want to say bienvenidos, feliz Navidad.

To you and yours, we're so grateful that you're here this weekend, and we have no greater reason to celebrate than the birth of Jesus Christ.

That's right.

And if you're here for the very first time for Christmas, so are we.

That God put on flesh and became man to live like one of us, to walk among us, so that he could give his life for us, so that we might not have to live dissident and far from him.

And if you're here today and you've never taken this step to enter into a relationship, not a religion, but a relationship with Jesus, then by the time you leave here today, we pray that today is a day you'll never forget because you fully surrender your life to him.

And uh yeah, that's worth clapping about.

We're here to honor you and to recognize the greatest gift that was ever given to us is the person of Jesus.

And thank you today that peace is found in him and grace and mercy, and the kindness of God fully expressed in the person of Jesus.

So we honor you and we celebrate you, and it's your name that we lift up and we fix our eyes on you, and we pray this in that mighty name.

And the church said, Amen.

Amen.

Amen, church.

Would you stand with us and let's worship together in Excelsius day Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the place, in the mountains in reply, echoing the joyous dreams?

Shepherds why this jubilee, why your joyous trays grow on, why the glass sometimes be, which inspire your heavenly song.

The angels did say was to search in four sharpness in fields and stay in where they lay near she on a cold winter's night that was so tea.

Shiny in so we could see most day and night nowhere, no well, no well.

The king is born Come on, Emmanuel is with us, amen.

Can we join in worship and praise his name?

Joy has come, Jesus is here, can we sing joy, joy to the world, the glory is gone, later we see a key.

Come on in my voice, let it be hard preparing it's just a lot of people.

The wholesome fears of all thy years are met in the holy child of the send to us, we forgot, cast out our sin and entering, be born in us today.

We hear the chorusness ages, the great black high tell.

Jesus come on, we sing together in a whole town of David, a shaker born today to one away because we're going to be able to do it.

Well, amen, amen.

Well, welcome to Christmas.

Welcome to our candlelight services.

We're so glad that you're with us today.

It's going to be a great service.

Why don't you just get friendly with somebody next to you?

Tell them hello.

Tell them that you're glad to see them.

Welcome to Gateway.

Or is that just me?

No, not just you.

The tree lights are all going to miraculously work.

The kids won't fight.

The family photo will actually be card worthy, or at least Instagram worthy.

And then reality sets in, right?

Half the lights are burnt out.

Someone's crying.

Someone's eating something they shouldn't.

And I'm asking Chat GPT, how do I get glitter out of the carpet?

And yet you still promise yourself you're finally going to properly label those Christmas bins for next year, which we really need to work on this year.

This year especially.

But then every November we find ourselves back in the attic opening boxes that say random Christmas stuff.

It's organized chaos, heavy on the chaos.

Absolutely.

And honestly, that's not just Christmas, that's life.

Sure, we all want peace, but most of the time we're just trying to survive.

Work stress, family tensions, that constant feeling like you're 10 steps behind and never ever gonna catch up.

Some of us are better at hiding it than others, but we all feel it.

And somehow it feels even heightened at Christmas time.

So true.

Maybe it's because every year, as Christmas rolls around, we see the word peace everywhere.

Coffee mugs, ornaments, stockings, wrapping paper, peace on earth, scented candles.

Right, and don't forget the peace embroidered throw pillows that are only allowed for decoration and not to be touched.

And chopped in the center.

That's right.

Sometimes it feels like peace made it into all the Christmas decorations, but somehow it skipped the people.

It's so true, and it's this time of year.

We seem to always be running late.

Jonas is mysteriously missing a sock or a shoe, and I'm getting pinged by Amazon notifications.

Once again, letting me know that our last minute Christmas gifts for the kids are not gonna make it in time.

The reality is most of us probably feel anything but peaceful.

You scroll through your phone for five minutes, and it's wall-to-wall trouble, sad news, wars, prices are up, interest rates are rising, people wonder how they'll ever get ahead.

And we're supposed to find peace in the midst of it all.

You know, sometimes I just want to say, okay, Jesus, didn't you promise to give me your peace?

Did you forget to give it to me?

Or maybe did I forget where I put it?

I can relate.

But that's why the Christmas story always is so relevant to me.

Because the first Christmas wasn't so peaceful.

Every year we sing Silent Night.

One of my favorites.

Mine too.

But that first Christmas, it was anything but silent.

Bethlehem was packed, people and animals were everywhere, there was no room, and definitely no peace and no quiet.

And spiritually, the world was in a rough place too.

There hadn't been a prophet or a word from God in more than 400 years.

Economically, people were struggling, and politically, the people were living under Roman oppression.

So if you've ever thought my life's kind of a mess, well, congratulations.

And right at MacDab in the middle of all of that chaos and unrest, God shows up.

An angel appears to a group of ordinary shepherds who are busy caring for their smelly and noisy sheep.

And they hear the very first Christmas message ever spoken.

Luke 210 says this do not be afraid.

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.

And then a whole host of angels appear and start singing, Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Peace in a world that didn't have any peace at all.

Yeah, that moment wasn't just a random event.

You see, 700 years before that night, the prophet Isaiah had already foretold that this was going to happen.

The Bible says, For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

That last title, Prince of Peace, in the original Hebrew language that Isaiah was writing in, says this Tsar Shalom.

Sar means the captain, the ruler, the one in charge, and shalom means peace.

But it means so much more than calm or quiet.

It means wholeness, a state where nothing is missing, nothing broken, completeness, all things being made right.

So what Isaiah was saying here is the one who's in charge of making all things right, he's coming.

And that is what Christmas is really all about.

God Himself stepping into the noise and chaos of our world and saying, I'm here, I've got this, and I've got you.

You know, the peace that Jesus brings isn't about getting your life perfect and all in order or making all the stressful things magically disappear.

It's about finding calm in the middle of chaos.

Because peace, true peace, isn't about having a total absence of problems.

It's about having the presence of Jesus with us in the midst of our problems.

You know, one of my favorite names of Jesus is Emmanuel, which you tend to hear a lot at Christmas time, especially.

But that name is simply a message letting us know that God is with us.

In the person of Jesus, God became one of us to show us that he is always with us.

And by bringing his peace into Bethlehem, which was crowded, chaotic, loud, and full of turmoil, he's showing us that he can also bring peace into your home, into your job, your relationships, your thoughts, your emotions, and into your heart.

And even your family group chat.

Especially your family group chat.

No matter what kind of December you're having, busy, lonely, stretched, uncertain, the Prince of Peace is still showing up.

He doesn't wake for calm, he creates it.

That not so silent night in Bethlehem, peace didn't arrive wearing a crown, it arrived wearing swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

So whatever chaos you carried in today, just know this.

He can meet you right in the middle of it.

Because peace doesn't start when the chaos stops, it starts when Jesus steps in.

Arriving with the host of heaven in royal robe and crown, the rulers of the earth all bowing down, build yours meekness over majesty, rapture power in humanity, Glory be to you alone, King who reigns from a major throne, my life, my praise, everything I own To Jesus, the key on a major throne You could have to know your glory into our wrong Show them splendor like they never know But you wrote a better story in our best Created arms of common men You dyke my praise Jesus the key of all From heaven to the cradle From cradle to the cross Let heaven and nature see this is our key But the grave couldn't hold our God is overcome Let heaven and nature see This is our key From heaven to the cradle From cradle to the cross Let heaven and nature see this is our keyboard.

And sometimes it is, but other times, most times it just isn't.

You know, maybe you got news you never wanted, or maybe a relationship ended, maybe you lost someone that you loved, or maybe you're just tired, tired of pretending that you're fine when you're really not.

Whether you follow Jesus for decades, or you haven't made that decision, or you're not sure what you believe quite yet.

The reality is we each are going to walk through pain.

And if that's you today, this Christmas season, I want to say to you that I'm so sorry.

And I truly pray that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, meets you in ways that no words ever could.

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible happens in the evening on Easter Sunday.

Jesus has died, and then miraculously he comes back to life.

But his closest friends, his disciples, are locked in a room hiding and terrified.

They've just seen their beloved teacher and friend hung and nailed to a cross a couple days ago.

They're grieving, confused, and trying to figure out what to do next.

And then out of the blue, Jesus shows up.

He literally walks through the wall of the room they're hiding in, and the very first words out of his mouth are this peace be with you.

He doesn't say why are you guys hiding or what happened to your faith.

He simply meets them in their pain and brings peace with him.

Because that is who he is.

The Prince of Peace, the one who doesn't run from pain, the one who steps into it with you.

Maybe you shut some doors in your own heart this year.

Maybe you've smiled through the holidays while hiding that you still feel so heavy inside.

Or maybe you've said, I should be over this by now, but your heart whispers, I'm just not.

I'd like to give you some good news today.

You don't have to get over your pain for Jesus to get nearer to it.

Your grief, your questions, your doubts, those that don't intimidate or turn him off.

Not even for a moment.

He wants to step right into the locked rooms of your heart and say, I am here.

God's peace doesn't make sense on paper.

The Bible calls it a peace which transcends all understanding.

It doesn't promise your circumstances are gonna change overnight, but it does promise that Jesus is going to be holding you in his hand even while things are so crazy.

You know, Isaiah 61 says this that Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes.

In other words, he doesn't just hand you a band-aid to cover your pain on the surface, he started healing what hurt deep underneath.

You know what I love about the story I mentioned earlier?

Is that the Bible tells us that after Jesus shows up in that room and says, Peace be with you, he then shows the disciples his hands and his side.

It may seem like an odd thing to do, but here's why he did it.

It's because he wanted them to see his cars.

He's letting them know you're not the only one who's been wounded.

I know what pain feels like.

I've experienced it myself.

And you know what?

It doesn't get the last word.

The Prince of Peace doesn't enter our pain to erase it, but he enters in to transform it.

He takes the places that feel forever shattered and brings peace and healing right into the heart of them.

Here's what's so beautiful to me about Jesus showing the disciples his scars.

He was showing them that although the nails and the cross had left lasting marks on him, the wounds he had endured, the pain he had experienced were no longer raw, bleeding, and exposed.

Those wounds had healed and become scars that served as an eternal reminder of God's redemptive and healing work.

And the same is true for you, and the same is true for me.

When we open up and allow Jesus to step into our pain, he begins to heal what's broken.

The hurt doesn't disappear overnight, the memory still lingers.

But what was once an open wound, eventually it becomes a scar, a reminder that God meets us in our pain and brings us through it.

Every scar you bear tells a story, the stories of survival, but also the stories of God's faithfulness, stories that whisper, Yes, I have been hurt, but I have also been healed.

The pain may not ever be erased, but in Jesus' hands, even your scars can shine with hope.

Today, if you feel like you've been hiding behind a locked door, fear, loss, disappointment, shame, he can walk through that door too.

The truth is, he's probably already knocking.

All too often, pain tries to isolate us.

But if we allow him to, Jesus wants to come close to us, and when he does, It's his presence that doesn't just comfort us, but it changes us.

Because true peace isn't found when pain ends, but peace is found when Jesus enters it.

And maybe that's the gift you need most of this Christmas.

Not something wrapped under a tree, but the peace of knowing that you're not alone in what hurts.

The good news is he is still stepping into dark rooms and whispering, peace be with you.

The only cure for everything I feel with.

Redeeming what was lost in all that could have been.

Oh, this is a healing kind of love.

Thank you, God.

Emmanuel, God, with us, you're healed with me.

Wonderful counselor, the government is resting on your shoulders.

Thank you, Lord.

You are the final world.

You alone decide when every page will turn.

So I will trust your timing.

I will rest secure.

Oh, this is a faithful kind of love.

And then you will call with us.

You hear with me.

Wonderful counselor.

Because you're resting on your shoulders.

Take you.

Wonderful counselor.

The God with me is resting on the shoulder.

Let's tie the name of Jesus Christ.

Let us six off the treasure of heaven.

Let's tie the name of Jesus Christ.

Let me stop eating Allia.

To the saving son of heaven, to the Prince of Peace Eternal.

His name is Jesus.

All yeah.

To the royal Tudor.

To the King of Kings forever.

His name is Jesus.

To the same stuff.

And maybe you're sitting here today thinking, How do I get that?

Where do I even begin?

And here's the most important thing that we could tell you today is that lasting peace doesn't begin with circumstances, it begins with a right relationship with God.

Peace with God.

And that peace with God is the foundation for every other kind of peace in your life.

You know, Isaiah 9.6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace, not only because he is able to calm the world around us, but also because he came to calm the war within us.

Yeah, we may not always think about it like that, but all of us have experienced that tension, that war within, that feeling deep down that something is missing, or I'm not where I should be.

The Bible says that's because, apart from Jesus, we're separated from God.

And man, we try to fix it through success, distractions, good deeds, maybe even religion, but it never really works.

There's this disconnect between us and God who made us, and no amount of effort or good intentions on our part is ever going to bridge the gap.

But that's why Jesus came.

Romans 5:1 says this since we have been made right with God by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1

The Prince of Peace didn't come only to bring peace into our chaos or even peace into our pain.

But he came to once and for all end the separation between God and between us.

Exactly.

The story doesn't stop in Bethlehem.

Jesus' cradle and his cross, they're connected.

His birth led to the cross.

And at the cross, Jesus took on himself everything that separated us from God.

Our sin, our shame, our past.

Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted.

But what was really happening is he was pierced for our transgressions.

He was crushed for our iniquities.

The punishment that brought us peace was put on him.

And it's by his wounds that we are healed.

Another place in the scriptures it says this, that God made him who knew no sin, talking about Jesus, to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God.

That is why while he was on the cross, Jesus was able to say these words, it is finished.

You see, the peace Jesus offers isn't something you earn, it's something you receive.

And that's what makes Christianity so radically different from everything else.

It's not about what we do to get to God, but it is about what God did to get to us.

You don't have to clean yourself up first or have all the answers.

He already knows you and he loves you anyway.

That's right.

You just have to receive the gift of himself that he wants to give to you today.

And let's be honest, that's really good news.

At the best.

Because most of us couldn't fix ourselves if we tried.

I mean, we can barely keep Christmas lights untangled, right?

That's right.

Let alone our soul.

And Jesus offers us something no one else can a fresh start, forgiveness, and a peace that doesn't depend on circumstance.

He's saying, I paid the price so you don't have to live disconnected from the one who made you.

Because Jesus took on humanity and became a baby, because he lived, he breathed our air, he walked our earth, and he died on a cross.

And because he rose from the dead, you never have to wonder where you stand with God.

You can know today and forever going forward that you are forgiven, you are loved, and you are his.

When you receive Jesus, you're not just inviting him into your life, you're accepting his invitation into his peace.

There's a verse in the Bible that says this about Jesus: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Just like the light of a candle, the peace of Jesus pushes back any darkness within our hearts, because that is just what he does.

He brings light into our shadows, hope into our heartbreak, and peace into the chaos that we cannot fix on our own.

And when you receive the gift of his light, when you let him and his peace in, it doesn't just stay a tiny flicker.

It grows and it settles and it really begins to change you.

Soon you're not just someone carrying his light.

You become someone who shares it with others.

In your home, in your workplace, in your neighborhood, with your friendships and with your family.

You know, the light of Jesus that fills you slowly begins to spill out of you in the words you speak, in the way you love, and in how you walk through life with a quiet confidence that you're not alone anymore.

I love that picture of light.

You know, light doesn't have to be loud to transform a room.

It just has to be there.

And that's what makes Jesus so different.

He doesn't force his way in, he arrives quietly and gently, and yet his presence changes everything.

The same Jesus that Isaiah called the Prince of Peace, the captain, the ruler, the one in charge of making all things right, is the one who steps into our story.

He is the one who is strong enough to rule the universe and yet gentle enough to sit with us in our weakness and pain.

He's the only one who can bring us the kind of peace that surpasses our understanding.

And when he does, he brings peace into our chaos, peace into our pain, and he gives us the gift of peace with God Himself.

He doesn't wait until we're calm or healed or certain or strong.

He doesn't wait until we have it all together.

He doesn't wait for the darkness to disappear before he steps in.

He steps in right where we are, in the chaos, in the questions, in the disappointment, in the places that we're still trying to make sense of.

And when he does, his peace isn't fragile or temporary.

It's not distant or unreachable, nor is it based on circumstances or your own perfection.

That's right.

It isn't the kind of peace that disappears when life gets tough.

It's a peace that reaches deep.

It's deeper than fear.

It's deeper than regret.

It's deeper than anything that tries to steal hope.

And that's why Christmas matters.

Because Jesus didn't just bring peace into the world, he brings peace to people, real people, ordinary, imperfect people, just like me and just like you.

So wherever you find yourself today, whether this season feels bright and joyful, or maybe it feels heavy and complicated, the Prince of Peace sees you.

And he knows how to meet you right where you are.

It's here, right now, and it's for you.

The Heart of Christmas isn't just a baby in a manger, it's about a king, the Prince of Peace, who steps into our world so we can know him, walk with him, and live in peace with him.

He is worthy.

Talking about Jesus being the Prince of Peace.

And that he came to bring peace into our lives.

And that his peace is available to all of us.

As we've said, not a peace that's based on your circumstance or based on life getting right.

And here's the thing though, is that Jesus can make peace available to you, but it's not a university.

It's kind of like this again.

It was beautifully round like this.

There's no ring in here, Tammy, sorry.

But you're it all handed out and you ended your time together as a family, and everybody looked at it.

They examined it.

Maybe they even expressed gratitude that you would think to get them a gift and wrap the gift and bring the gift.

But how weird would it be if no one opened the gift?

How odd would it be if they walked out and said, Thank you so much for the gift.

Thank you for the wrapping paper.

Thank you for the bow.

They never unwrapped it.

They never really received the gift.

And I think maybe that represents some of us this weekend.

Because we've heard about Jesus.

We've heard the Christmas story.

We've been around the Christmas story.

We know what the wrapping paper looks like.

We know what the bows look like.

We know the sequence of events.

From the angels speaking to Mary and to Joseph.

And we can tell the whole story as good as anybody in the room.

But there's never been a moment in our lives where we personally unwrap the gift.

And although Jesus offers the gift of peace, it doesn't become yours until you unwrap it and receive it.

And maybe you're asking, well, how do I receive the gift of peace?

Well, I'm glad you asked.

The Bible says this in Romans chapter 10, verse 9, is that you will openly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Romans 10:9

And you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

See, I think most people are about 16 inches from knowing Jesus.

The difference from their head to their heart.

They know some facts about him, stories about him, they've been around the Bible.

But it's never changed in their life.

And I would hate to end our time at Christmas talking all about the Son of God coming into the earth.

And I'll give you the opportunity to open the gift.

And I'm not asking you this weekend.

You've been a part of a church or even have church membership.

I honestly don't know if God cares about that.

I think what he cares about is there ever been a moment where you surrendered your life to Jesus.

Let me ask it this way.

Has there ever been a before Jesus you and an after Jesus you?

Because when Jesus enters your life, everything changes.

And some of you here today, you need the peace of God in your life.

You need a brand new beginning.

You need what?

2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17 says this, says this.

2 Corinthians 5:17

That it means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.

The old life is gone and the new life has begun.

Can I tell you today at every location or online, no matter where you're joining us from in the overflows, that today can be a day of brand new beginning for you when you encounter the great love of Jesus.

And in a moment we're going to pray together.

There's nothing magical about the prayer.

I'm just going to help you communicate what the scripture says.

And we're going to confess that he's the Lord of our life.

The word Lord isn't one we use a lot today.

It just simply means I'm done calling the shots.

I'm making you the Lord, the one in control of my life.

And you'll believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.

That's the resurrection.

Then on the authority of Scripture, not on the authority of Daniel, but on the authority of Scripture, today your sins will be forgiven.

Today will be a day of brand new beginnings.

It'll be the greatest Christmas gift you've ever received.

It's the greatest Christmas exchange, everybody.

We give him our sin, he gives us his righteousness.

We give him our brokenness, he gives us his healing.

We give him our issues and our mistakes, and he gives us new life and a fresh start.

It's the greatest gift you'll ever receive this Christmas.

Do you believe that to be true?

Someone asked you to bow your head and close your eyes with me.

All across the room at every campus.

I know many are in overflow.

Maybe right there online or at a prison campus at a gathering.

There was no one looking around and just a moment between you and God, and maybe a moment of peace in the middle of this season.

I just want to ask you: have you ever received his peace?

Has it ever become real in your life?

Not a religious box, you check.

But has there ever been a moment where you met Jesus and it changed your life?

If not, I want to give you the opportunity to respond to the gospel.

The word gospel just means good news.

And this is the good news that while we were far from God, God sent Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, into the earth so that we might receive the forgiveness of sin and a fresh start.

If you're here today, you say, Pastor, I need that.

I need that fresh start, I need a new beginning.

And then in just a moment we're gonna pray.

But before we do, I just want to know who I'm praying with at every location.

No one's gonna come to you, no one will point you out, we wouldn't embarrass you for the world, but when I count to three, I just want you to slip up your hand.

You say, Today's my day.

Maybe for some of you you've kind of walked away.

And today is a homecoming kind of day.

Say, God, I'm I'm recommitting my life to you.

I need a new beginning, I need the peace of God.

If that's you, when I count to three, you shoot your hand up, and then we're gonna pray together.

One, two, three.

You just shoot it up all over the room.

You just shoot it up, keep it up.

God bless you.

God bless your hands up all over the room.

Church, would you mind to pray this out loud together for the benefit of those who just lift their hand up?

Just say, Jesus, I need you.

I ask you to forgive me of all my sin.

I believe you died for me.

I believe God raised you from the dead.

Today I make you my Lord and Savior.

Thank you for a brand new beginning.

In Jesus' name.

Everybody said amen.

Amen.

Can we clap our hands and celebrate those who made that decision?

That's the best decision that you'll ever make.

I promise you that.

And we want to come alongside you.

We we don't want Gateway to just to be a church you come to on a Christmas experience, but we want it to be family.

And we want to help connect with you and walk with you in this journey of faith and of becoming everything God wants you to be.

And so there's one simple way to let us know that.

You can take your phone out right now.

I give you permission in church.

Don't go on TikTok, but you can get your phone out.

Or text Jesus 71010, and our team would love to follow up with you.

We'd love to know that you made that decision and took that step.

Or you can stop by Connect Central at all of our locations.

We have so many wonderful volunteers that would love to know your name and learn from you.

We we like to do our best to make a really big church feel really small.

And uh, we want you to be known and loved and valued and cared for.

And so if you would let us know you took that step, made that decision, and we will help connect with you.

Well, I've heard there's a wonderful tradition here at Gateway.

That as we light candles, we uh sing, and uh somebody named Rebecca has this amazing gift on her life.

So we're gonna do this at this time, and I just remind you of this as we light these candles.

These represent for some of you the light of Jesus that came alive just a few moments ago in your life.

And as rooms across all of our campuses fill with light, I want you to remind you of this.

That it represents not only the light of Jesus in us, but the light of Jesus that we are to shine into the world around us.

Oh these devices when Christ was born to truly hate hearts to love one another.

His love is love, and his gospel is chase shall he break for the slave his oppression, his name of oppression, sweet hymns of joy in grateful cause race we let all win us.

Amazing.

You can leave your candles lit.

We're gonna join together in one last carol to close out our night together.

And um and just as a big church family, you know, we're we're one church, we may be in multiple locations, but we're one big church family.

And uh can I tell you something?

God is doing wonderful things in our church family.

And uh so why don't you keep your candle lit?

Why don't you join together with our family and our entire church family across all of our locations as we sing silent night together?

And I want to say to everyone, there's no better way to begin 2026 than in the house of God.

Right.

Amen to that.

So we want to invite every one of you to be back.

It's a great season to be a part of Gateway Church.

God is doing so many wonderful things, and so if you don't have a church home, now if you have a church home, stay there, support there, serve there.

But if you don't have a church home, we would love for you to make Gateway Church or your church home, right?

I mean, I think it's the best church in Texas.

That's what I've heard.

Little bias.

From our families to yours, we just want to say very Merry Christmas, and we pray that you have a very blessed new year.

Merry Christmas.

We'll see you in the new year.

God bless you.

Have a wonderful evening.

Thanks for joining us today.

If you'd like to connect with us, text Connect to 71010 or visit gatewaypeople.com.

We hope you have a great week.