Christmas at Revolution 2025 🕯️

We're about to start our program, so if you can start to find your seats, we're gonna start it a little different than what we normally do, but I want to say thank you for being here today as we celebrate Christmas, this is our Christmas service, and in fact we would not be in church if it wasn't for Christ himself, because of what happened over 2,000 years ago on that very first Christmas morning, their very first gift that was given to humanity and to all mankind, and every day we gather we should remember that, that this is about Jesus Christ and nothing else, not about ourselves, not about this world, nothing else, but celebrating him, amen, amen. If you did not grab a candle on your way in, we have ushers on the sides and the back to be able to give you a candle, just slip up your hand and they will find you and get you a candle, because we want you all to take part in this service at the end with the candle, so make sure you have a candle, just slip up those hands, the ushers will be looking for you, alright? So let's pray, Father God we thank you so much for this opportunity God, to be here this morning in your house, for the chance to celebrate your son Jesus Christ, we thank you for the gift that was given that night in Bethlehem, Christ the Lord, our Savior, the one that would save all of mankind, wrapped in a child's form, we thank you for that, and as we celebrate that today, I pray that you remind us in every part of this service of who we're celebrating, I pray that you bring those that don't know your son Jesus Christ closer to you, and allow them to hear your voice for the first time today, allow them to see that light for the first time today, so that they can know that that gift was meant for them, and I thank you for this opportunity, in the name of Jesus Christ, and the church says, Amen. In those days, when silence set heavy on a waiting world, and hope felt like a rumor whispered from an older age, a decree went out, not from heaven, but from Caesar, the one who thought he was Lord, while the true Lord was stepping softly into his creation, so Joseph went up from Nazareth, with Mary, the one carrying hope, the one carrying God with us, under her heartbeat, they traveled roads dusty with prophecy, they traveled roads to Bethlehem, the city of David, the birthplace of kings, the place where eternity planned to borrow a manger, while they were there, in the quiet perfect timing of God himself,

the moment arrived, she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room, there was no welcome, there was no place for the savior of this world, except in the humblest place imaginable, heaven's king, cradled in a feeding trough, the bread of life, laying where hungry creatures fed, the light of the world, born in the middle of the night, but what's amazing is the story does not stop there, no, heaven could not stay silent, in the fields where shepherds kept watch, under an ordinary sky, glory to God. Glory surrounded them suddenly. An angel broke through the darkness like lightning and those shepherds they trembled with fear like any of us would if an angel or eternity had stepped into our night. And the angel said don't be afraid for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy for all people. For all people. Not just kings. Not just priests. Not just the perfect and the polished. But for the everyday people. The ordinary. The broken. Those shepherds that night. You and even me. For unto you born today in the city of David a Savior Christ the Lord. In the skies could not hold themselves together anymore. A host of heavenly beings broke through the air. Singing a choir that was too holy for the earth to contain. Glory to God in the highest.

Peace and goodwill toward men. Glory because God had come down. Peace because heaven was reaching for humanity. Goodwill because the Father's heart was on full display in the form of a newborn child. The shepherds said let us go to Bethlehem. Let us go see these things the Lord has made known to us. And so they went running through the night with wonder as their lantern. And they found them just as the angel had said. Just as prophets had promised long ago. Just as heaven had planned from the beginning. And Mary, she treasured these things in her heart. Only as a mother could. Those shepherds, they left praising and glorifying God for all they had heard and seen. And here we are today. Still telling that story. Still standing in its light. Still hearing the echo of that song the angel sung. Glory to God in the highest. Because Christ has come. Christ is here and Christ will come again. Unto us a Savior. Unto us mercy in a manger. Unto us the King of kings. Wrapped in humanity's weakness. All so that He could clothe us in heaven's glory. This, my friends, is the Christmas story. Oh, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

Oh, come ye. Oh, come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels. Oh, come let us adore Him. Oh, come let us adore Him. Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Sing. Choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, glory in the highest, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be the glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. The first Noel, the angel did say. Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep. On a cold winter's night, the water so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. That led us all with one accord to praises to our heavenly Lord. That has made heaven and earth of naught, in praises of mankind has brought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel. Is anybody thankful that Jesus came for you today? Yes. Thank you so much, Jesus. Thank you for your love. Thank you, Father. You may be seated.

Noel, meaning he is born. That's the original language in Latin and in French. They would say Noel. Before we said Merry Christmas, that's what they would say. Noel, meaning he is born. The king has come. Christ has come. Thank you so much for joining us today in our Christmas service 2025. My name is Grant. I have the privilege of being the youth pastor here at Revolution Church. As you can see, when you came in, we are expanding because the kingdom of God is expanding in this church. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. So thank you for being flexible with us today. The parking, the walking, the entrances for the kids and the adults. And we have now, pastor will tell you more later, but now over 700 correctional facilities joining us live right now. Praise the Lord for that. So whether you're here in person or you're joining us online, there are people coming to this church and joining us from around the country, around the world. Thank you so much for joining us today. And I just want to share a scripture as we get ready to transition to our amazing kids. Look at all these kids we got coming in here today. That's awesome. I love that. I want to share from Philippians chapter 2. It's not normally a scripture that people share when you think about Christmas, but it has exactly to do with what we're celebrating today. And this was actually an early church saying that they would say a lot. And Paul said this, Philippians chapter 2, verses 6 through 8. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. And think about this in your life and in my life.

Instead, everybody say instead. He gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Would you pray with me today as we transition to this next part of the service? Thank you, Father, for each and every person that is in this building today and joining us live online right now. It is not by accident. It was by your design. Jesus, thank you that you left heaven for me. You left heaven for all of us. I don't think any of us would choose that. But you saw how much we needed saving and you loved us so much. You left heaven to come and be born and live on this earth and show your love and your plan. I pray this year and this season and this time we continue to see and understand who you are, Jesus. Bless the rest of this service as we sing and as we hear the word from Pastor. Thank you for each and every family that's here today, every person. We give you all the praise and honor and glory. In Jesus' name, amen. ♪ ♪ They told me, pa rum pum pum pum A newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum When we come ♪ Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum

That's fit to give a king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum Shall I play for you pa-rum-pum-pum-pum On my drum Very naughty pa-rum-pum-pum-pum The ox and lamb kept my pa-rum-pum-pum-pum I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum So do you honour him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum With him I draw Come on, let's give it up for the kids one more time. Didn't they do a great job? Rev. Kids are amazing. All the leaders, the workers, the volunteers, thank you guys so much for what you do. Over 200 children they minister to each weekend. Three services. Just appreciate every single one of them. And thank you guys for being here today. Give yourself a big hand for being in the house of the Lord. Amen, as we celebrate Christmas. Our Christmas theme at Revolution this year is the light of the world has come. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without lights. Lights bring the excitement, the beauty. I was reading some articles this week and I read that approximately 150 million Christmas lights are sold in the U.S. each year. And in the U.S. alone, Christmas lights consume an estimated 3.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in December alone. Now, for comparison, that usage exceeds the annual electricity consumption of some smaller countries. Okay, so we like lights, do we not? When you look around here today, can you imagine the people that put all the batteries in these candles? Let's give it up for the volunteers, the media team, all those that come in and serve.

Thank you. Thank you for doing that. You know, a couple of interesting facts about light. I'm not sure if you realize this, but it's the fastest thing in the universe. Light is. As a matter of fact, it travels at 182,282 miles per second. That's pretty fast, right? Even at light speed, sunlight takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach the earth. Another thing that I find interesting about light is light existed before the sun. And so I want you to look at Genesis chapter 1 verse 3. I'll read it for you. We're not using our big screens today. We're going old school, and I like that. Do you guys like that? Yeah, it's awesome. So anyway, Genesis 1 verse 3. Then God said, let there be light, and there was what? There was light. Let there be light, and there was light. Now this all happened on the first day of creation. God said, let there be light, and there was a big bang, if you want to call it that. Something happened, and we know that the universe was created. When God the sun spoke those words. And so day 4 was when the sun was created. Day 4, the sun and the moon was created. So this tells us that there was supernatural light before the stars, the sun, the galaxy, or the universe. Light already existed. Supernatural light. So where did it come from? Look at 1 John chapter 1 verse 5.

This is the message which we have heard from him and declare to you. you that God is light. And in Him is no darkness at all. So notice here that God is light. Light is one of the supernatural characteristics of God. And so when we look back at the garden, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were separated from God. Or we could say they were separated from the light. Darkness returned. Chaos returned like it was before creation. And so we know the darkness brought things like sin and shame and suffering and death. And it was passed on to all humanity. But the good news is God had a plan. Look over to your neighbor and say God had a plan. God had a plan. And His plan was to bring the light back into the world. Look at the great prophet Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2. It said the people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. The people who walked in darkness here represents all humanity. The prophecy was that they would see a great light and that the light would shine on them. On the first Christmas day, the shepherds were guarding their flocks at night in the darkness. And the Bible tells us that a great light radiated from heaven and it was, actually it was the glory of God that came upon them. And so the most incredible message ever given to humanity was delivered that night and it was this. I bring you good news that will bring great joy. The Messiah, the Savior, the Lord has been born today. How many of you guys are thankful for that message? Amen? Praise the Lord. In Bethlehem, in the city of David, He said you'll find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. I like the way that John described Jesus. He said this, in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He goes on to say in Him was life and the life was the light of all mankind. The light shined in darkness and darkness could not overcome it. And so as we're preparing for this special moment of candle lighting, I want us to reflect on these words. I want to read one more passage from Jesus. It's in John chapter 8 verse 12. Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. And you know, today as we gather here, I'm sure there's some people that may be walking in darkness. Maybe you were invited to a Christmas program or you're watching from one of our, praise the Lord, 743 correctional facilities. We just crossed that mark. 39 states. Come on, praise the Lord for that. God's opening up doors. Amen? But before we light these

candles, I want to give you an opportunity to look inside your own life and ask yourself the question, is the light burning? I was 22 years old. I had an older brother who had been witnessing to me and sharing Jesus. But to be honest with you, there was darkness that was ruling in my life because the light had never been turned on. But on that day, I accepted the Lord and I want you to know my life took a totally different direction and I praise the Lord for it. And it can happen for you today. Maybe you're here today and you honestly are not following Christ. God has not come in. The relationship is not there. It can be before you leave this building. Amen? Before you turn your device off, the Lord can come in and I'm going to ask you to bow your heads right now if you would. Father, we thank you so much for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lord, that we were lost, that we needed a savior and God sent his best, sent his son Jesus to come into this world perfect, sinless. Gave his life on a Roman cross so that all humanity could be saved. Was laid in a borrowed tomb and on the third day, God thank you for raising your son from the dead. And right now as I'm praying, we realize that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, looking down even on this surface, waiting on you to say yes. If you're in this building today and you just say, Pastor, the Lord's been dealing with me. I've been thinking about it. The Spirit's been drawing me. I've never said yes to Jesus. But I want you today to remember me in prayer, that God would give me the courage, that God would give me the boldness to surrender my will, my agenda, my life, and say yes to Jesus. If that's you right now, before we light these candles, I want you to know that the Lord can light the candle in your heart. If that's you and you just say, pastor, will you remember me in prayer, would you slip up your hand across this building and I'm going to be praying for you. Just hold up your hand high. Amen. God sees your hand. He sees those hands. Hold it up high. Let the Lord see it all across this building, online. Let us know.

Maybe in that prison cell, that jail cell where you're at right now. Just raise your hand. The Lord sees your hand right now in Jesus name. And for all of you, I pray for courage, for strength, for boldness, for trust that you would give your life to Jesus right now. You would surrender your way and say, the Lord saved me. Forgive me. Come into my heart. Come into my life. If you really mean that, I want you to understand that your life will never be the same, that Jesus will come in and transform you. Day by day, you'll take on the characteristics of the Lord and you will be a light to this world. That's my prayer for you. In Jesus name. Come on. Let's celebrate with all those individuals who made a decision today. Praise the Lord. Now, as we get ready to light these candles, there's really three objectives. Number one is we want to connect. Together as a body, as the Christian family, we're coming together as one. And every single flame will come from the same source. We know that source is Jesus Christ. Can I hear an amen? So thankful for Jesus. So we're going to connect. Number two, we're going to reflect. We're going to remember what Christmas is really all about. And we know that that's the Savior came, that Jesus came. Amen.

And then number three, I want us to pray. I want you to, as you light your candle, I want you to pray for that individual that you know, whether it's a family member or a friend, that's still walking in darkness. And I want you to call their name out as you're holding that candle. I believe that the Holy Spirit's going to move out of this building and convict the hearts, going to arrest the sinner and bring them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Amen. We're going to believe that. We're going to pray because we know that the Lord is still saving. Also, I want you to pray for our community and for our nation. Before we light the candles, I want to share an email that I received this week. It was a church member that attends here and she sent me an email letting me know that she'd been praying for her cousin who's in darkness. Listen to this email. Hello. I've been coming there a few years now. My family is from Knoxville. My boys were baptized there this year. I just wanted to share something that meant a lot to me. I have a cousin that is currently in prison in Arizona. About six months ago, I was on the phone with him and he was going on and on how there was no God. That really hurt me. And I told him, find Jesus and when you do, call me back. We didn't talk for months. He called eventually and had found Jesus. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. She goes on and she said, I never asked him how. But two weeks ago, I was on the interstate and I was talking to him and he asked me if

we still went to church and I was like, of course. And then he went on and he was telling me about his pastor and how he watches him every single week. Are you ready for this? His pastor is you, she said. When he said pastor, pastor, my heart sank. I said, there's no way. He said that you led him to Jesus. Glory to God. Thank you, Lord. If you're behind bars right now in one of the 39 states or 743 correctional facilities, I want you to know you're loved, that God knows where you're at. He cares about you. Many of you are there because of brokenness, because of rejection, because of abandonment. Because of neglect. But I want you to understand something. Jesus understood all of those things. Because He was abandoned, neglected, and even killed by His own people. But God loves you so much that He sent Jesus. So that you could be saved. Regardless of the wrong you've done. Regardless of the wrong any of us have done. When we call on Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Can I hear an amen? And I'm so thankful for that. So, she goes on and she said, there's no way. He said, you led him to Jesus. She said, it made my day. I really couldn't believe it. He cannot wait until he gets out to get to Tennessee to visit.

I pray our church has the re-entry program up and going. So when he gets here, he can learn how to live in this world. Come on somebody. He gets out in 2028. He's 31 years old and he spent his entire adult life there. Thanks for all you do. Today, as your pastor, I'm going to say, thanks for all you do. You see, there's some people, some places, that these individuals aren't accepted or aren't welcomed. But I want you to know, in God's kingdom, He said, whosoever will. Look over at your neighbor and say, whosoever will. Whosoever will, come to me. So thankful for that. The professional, the homeless, and everyone in between. So now, we're going to light the candles and I want you to remember these things. We're going to connect with each other. We're going to reflect on what Christmas is really all about. And we're going to pray for those people that we know who are still in darkness. Amen. Amen. ♪♪♪ ♪ Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin, mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night. Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing alleluia. Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born. ♪ Faithful is the Lord ♪ ♪ Silent night, holy night ♪ ♪ Son of God, love's pure light ♪ ♪ Love's pure light ♪

♪ Radiant beams from thy holy face ♪ ♪ With the dawn of redeeming grace ♪ ♪ Jesus, Lord, at thy birth ♪ ♪ Jesus, Lord, at thy birth ♪ ♪ Jesus, Lord, at thy birth ♪ ♪ At thy birth ♪ ♪ Rock of ages, therefore rise ♪ ♪ Kneel, let me hide, let me hide ♪ ♪ Rock of ages, lift for me ♪ ♪ Let me hide, let me hide, let me hide myself in thee ♪ ♪ Myself in thee ♪ ♪ My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like you ♪ ♪ All of my days I want to praise the wonders of almighty God ♪ ♪ All of my days I want to praise the wonders of almighty God ♪ ♪ My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength ♪ ♪ Let every breath, all that I am never cease to rise ♪ ♪ I worship you, shout to the Lord on the earth ♪ ♪ Let us sing, power and majesty, praise to the king ♪ ♪ Mountains bow down and the seas will roar ♪ ♪ At the sound of your name, of your name, your name, your name ♪ ♪ I sing for joy at the word of your hands ♪ ♪ Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand ♪ ♪ Nothing compares to the promise I have in you ♪ ♪ In you, my Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like you ♪ ♪ All of my days I want to praise the wonder of your love ♪ of your light. Mighty Lord. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge. It's faith, let every breath. It's all that I can. Never cease to worship. Shout to the Lord on the earth, let us sing. Power and majesty raise to the king. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the word of your hands. Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have. Nothing compares to the promise I have. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you. Thank you guys so much for coming and worshiping with us this morning. We celebrate you Jesus and we just thank you for coming to the earth to take our place. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and may God bless you this week. You are dismissed.

Merry Christmas.