ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS … GREATER TRANSFORMATION

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We come to the end of the Christmas sermon series and we begin to transition to the New Year!  The sermon for this Sunday recognizes the transition that is about to happen with the sermon All I want for Christmas is…Greater Transformation.  The beginning of each year gives us new possibilities, new opportunities, and hopefully, new energy.  Yet, because of the gift of God’s Son to all of us these possibilities are enhanced beyond our imaginations. What do you want to be different in 2022?  What are the areas of your life that you want to realign as you go into the New Year?  We make resolutions, but it is a struggle to keep them.  What will give us the strength to find transformation as we go through the coming year?  Our scripture is Ephesians 3:10-21 and it offers us a great hope that we can be different and make a difference in 2022.   Paul is writing to this church to encourage them because they know that he is in a Roman prison.  He does not want them to be discouraged because of his suffering, nor does he want them to feel that they are without help.  Most of this passage is a prayer for the Ephesians so that they will experience the transformation that only God can share with them.  It also gives us direction for finding this transforming power in our lives today!   Where do you need to find a new hope, a new direction, or a new strength?  Power is available through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  As you read Ephesians 3:10-21 it is our most earnest prayer that God will inspire your imagination to see this transforming power at work in your heart.  Ephesians 3:10-21:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)