The same dad, two very different moments

Pastor Max opens with an email from his kindergartner's teacher: Levi had five tardies and faced lunch detention at six, while his sister, dropped off at the same time, had only three. Game face on, Pastor Max pressed his son for the truth, only to learn that Levi was late because he stopped to hug every teacher in the hallway on the way to class. In one minute he went from stern to delighted. He is the same dad, but he responded differently in two situations. God is never surprised by new information, but he too responds differently, and some people have what Pastor Max calls a one-revelation faith. Some only know God is love and conclude they can do whatever they want; others project a harsh earthly father onto God. Jesus is lion and lamb, grace and truth, love and Lord. "You cannot follow Jesus fully if you only see him partially."

The Great Commission and the Greatest Commandment

The Great Commission sends us to make disciples of all nations, but if that is all we know we slip into workaholic Christianity with lots of activity and no affection. The Greatest Commandment calls us to love God and love people, but if that is all we hold we keep our affection and lose our urgency. Pastor Max recalls Dave Ferguson's story of two missionary teams in Thailand: the team sent simply to convert saw little fruit, while the team sent to bless people saw fifty times as many conversions. Hold both, and you carry God's heart while advancing his kingdom.

A year of urgency and a 30-year vision

Pastor Max previews 2026: Groups launch in January, Elan celebrates its fourth birthday, and Vision Sunday in February will be the best yet. God gave him and Pastor Juliet a 30-year vision for Elan before the church began, but when he shared it with seven people in his basement after the COVID lockdowns, most looked at him like he was crazy and more than half soon left. Like Joseph, he learned that a right dream can be shared at the wrong time, so he parked it. Now he senses God saying it is time to bring it back out boldly. Alongside that urgency, Christmas, 21 days of prayer and fasting, and Heart For The Kingdom Sunday keep the church focused on loving God and loving what he loves.

Jesus outwits his opponents

Turning to Matthew 22, Pastor Max sets the scene: religious leaders want Jesus dead but fear the crowds, so they try to trap him into blasphemy or rebellion. The Pharisees and Sadducees, bitter rivals, team up like a Bears fan cheering for whoever plays the Packers. Jesus answers the tax question by giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, and tells the Sadducees they know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God, which is why Elan's first two values are Holy Spirit-led and Bible-immersed.

Love God: believing is not enough

Asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus quotes Moses rather than contradicting him, distilling 613 laws into one: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Believing in Jesus is not enough, because James says even demons believe and shudder. Believing acknowledges Jesus; love obeys him. Pastor Max pauses mid-message to pray with anyone ready to give their life to Jesus or recommit to him.

Love your neighbor

Jesus adds a second command like the first: love your neighbor as yourself. It is impossible to love God without that love overflowing to people. Pastor Max pushes back on readings that turn this verse into a call to love ourselves more. We are loved not because we love ourselves but because our Father loves us, and walking in that identity frees us to love others.

The Heart For The Kingdom offering

Once a year Elan gives above and beyond its regular giving and gives away one hundred percent of it. This year the offering supports Convoy of Hope, where $1,000 helps one woman start a business and lead her family out of poverty; ARC, where $15,000 trains a church-planting couple; and Naomi's House, where $135,000 funds a twelve-month restoration program for a woman rescued from sex trafficking in Illinois. Citing Matthew 6:21, Pastor Max reminds the church that what we do with our money reveals, redirects, and reinforces what we value, and invites everyone to ask God what to give this Christmas.