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The angels celebrated Jesus' birth, singing: "“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) Question: Who are "those with whom God is pleased?" Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it's impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6 identifies two characteristics of God-pleasing faith: a belief that God exists AND a confidence that He reveals Himself to those who sincerely seek to know Him. God graciously offers His peace to everyone on earth! He explains how we receive this gift by faith: believing that God has revealed Himself in His Son, our Savior, the Holy Infant of whom the angels sang.

Christian transformation is about trusting, not trying. Pastor Steve shares insights from "The Normal Christian Life," by Watchman Nee, and explains the fullness of God's grace and power as it applies to our past, present, and future. The "normal" Christian life is experienced as a growing awareness that we are in Christ and Christ is in us. This reality liberates us from trying to reform ourselves as we learn to rest in the truth that God is at work in us, by His Spirit.

How does the New Testament describe the "normal" Christian life? And how does this description compare with the "average" Christian life experience of many believers? These are important questions, especially the first! This message is Part One of a two-part series, "The Normal Christian Life," based in part on a book by that title written by Chinese Pastor, Watchman Nee.

Based on Watchman Nee's book "The Normal Christian Life" (1957), these messages invite believers to receive a fuller revelation of what God did for us on the Cross of Jesus Christ. On the Cross, God rescues us from the penalty we deserve for our sins and from the principle of sin that controls our fallen human nature. This life of liberty is different from the "average" Christian experience, in which believers often struggle with sin and wonder, "What is wrong with me?!"

What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples: "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."? What is a covenant? What was the Old Covenant? Why is there a New Covenant? What's changed? And who are the members of God's New Covenant community?