On this morning of Christmas Eve, Troy uses the fictional character, George Bailey from the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," to discuss the hypothetical question, "What would life be like if we were never born?" Like George, we would likely all realize how many lives we have impacted, and just how different those lives would be if we had never been born. Troy goes on to consider the question, "What if Jesus never had a birthday?" As we celebrate Christmas, it can be helpful to think about what life would be like if Jesus was never born. Perhaps we can appreciate His coming to the earth a little more, as we count the numerous blessings that resulted from His birth, life, death, and resurrection.

In our last regular message from the Radical series, Troy discusses what it means to live our lives when "Dying is Gain," including an understanding of the risk and reward that goes along with it. He challenges us to ask ourselves the question, "Do we believe the reward found in Jesus is worth the risk of following Him?" And the bottom line is that the only way death can be a reward is if dying really is gain.

In our latest message in the Radical series, Troy helps us consider the question, "How Much is Enough?" He also challenges us to consider whether we have blind spots in our lives when it comes to caring for the poor and needy around us and throughout the world. As Americans, we live in relative luxury while nearly half of the world's people live in extreme poverty. Each one of us as Christians must wrestle with what Jesus is calling us to do with our resources as we follow Him.

To wrap up our series, "I Am a Church Member," Troy team-teaches with Joe Miller on this commitment: "I Will Pray for the Church and Its Leaders." Ministers and elders and deacons (and other ministry leaders) need our prayers for their protection, for their wisdom, and for their families. NOTE: Since Troy and Joe were recorded on two different microphones, there may be some choppy transitions in the sermon as you listen to it online.