Saddleback Church Weekend Messages

When we look at the story of Mary and Joseph, we are reminded that obedience does not always come with clarity, comfort, or ease. But obedience places us right in the middle of God’s redemptive work and his plans for our lives. Their story shows us that our best response to God is often a simple yes, even when it does not make sense, even when it costs us, and even when waiting makes it harder. This past weekend, Pastor Andy invited us to see Christmas as a story still being written and to consider how our yes to God shapes who we become and the chapters God is writing in our lives today. As Christmas approaches, we are each invited to ask ourselves. What might God do if I offered him my best yes?

This weekend Pastor Andy kicked off our Stories of Christmas series by reminding us that we all want our lives to tell a better story, and with God’s help, that is absolutely possible. He walked us through three simple questions that shape the direction of our lives: What do you want, why does it matter, and how will you respond? Our desires guide what we notice, our expectations determine how we see God at work, and our choices move us toward the future we’re hoping for. Andy encouraged us to let God reshape our desires, lift our eyes, and help us live with a fresh sense of anticipation. Instead of settling for less or drifting through the season, he invited us to lean in, pay attention, and take a step toward God’s story for us this Christmas.

When we choose gratitude, God opens our eyes to his goodness and draws our hearts toward him, while entitlement closes us off from the grace he’s already pouring into our lives. This weekend, Pastor Buddy wrapped up our Closer series by reminding us that gratitude is often the first step toward a deeper, more trusting relationship with God. We grow in gratitude by paying attention to the ways he cares for us and choosing to thank him throughout our day. And as this rhythm takes root in our lives, our faith grows, our joy deepens, and we begin to experience God’s presence with a clearer, more hopeful heart.

This weekend we opened our new series called Closer by looking at one of the biggest barriers that keeps us from feeling close to God. All of us want a real relationship with him, yet Jesus teaches that unforgiveness can quietly block our hearts in ways we may not realize. Through the story of the unforgiving servant, we were reminded that God has already forgiven a debt we could never repay, and that releasing others is part of the freedom he wants for us. Forgiveness is not pretending the hurt never happened. It is choosing to let go, trusting God with the pain, and stepping into the kind of life where nothing stands between us and him. As we move into this Christmas season, we’re invited to receive God’s forgiveness in a fresh way and extend it to others so that we can grow closer to his heart.