Mystery In The Manger
The mystery of the manger reveals something profound about how God operates in our world. When heaven chose to announce the arrival of the King of Kings, it didn't select a throne room or palace—it chose a feeding trough in a borrowed space, surrounded by animals. This wasn't an accident or a plan gone wrong; it was God's intentional declaration that He counts on the counted out, that He does His deepest work through what looks small and insignificant. The shepherds—uneducated, uncredentialed, overlooked by society—received the angelic announcement while religious leaders slept safely in Jerusalem. They came in a hurry, leaving their flocks to kneel before a baby wrapped in cloths. Meanwhile, the spiritual elite who knew the prophecies by heart missed Him entirely because He didn't match their expectations. This Christmas story confronts us with a challenging question: Are we willing to follow God when He comes in ways that don't match our imaginations? Do we cling to our interpretations so tightly that we miss His actual presence? The manger calls us back to wonder, rescues us from rigid certainty, and invites us to recognize that God is near enough to be missed but also near enough to change everything—if we'll make room.
Chapters
Chapter 1: The Humble Beginning of Heaven's Glory
0:00 - 7:00
God chose to reveal His heart through a vulnerable baby in a manger, demonstrating that heaven counts on the counted out and does His deepest work through what looks small.
Chapter 2: Wonder Over Certainty: The Shepherds and the Religious Elite
7:00 - 20:00
The shepherds hurried to see Jesus in response to wonder, while the religious leaders missed Him because they clung to their expectations and positions of power.
Chapter 3: God's Heart Revealed: Strength in Meekness
20:00 - 30:00
True meekness is not weakness but strength under submission to God, and we are reminded that we are beloved children in whom the Father is well pleased.
Chapter 4: Making Room: From Certainty to Surrender
30:00 - 40:00
We must approach God with awe rather than assumption, letting go of our need for certainty and control to make room for Him to come in unexpected ways.
Chapter 5: A Life Become a Manger: Worship and Surrender
40:00 - 50:00
We are called to make room for Christ in our lives today, surrendering our need for control and allowing our lives to become places where others encounter the transformative power of Jesus.
Don’t Count Out Who Heaven Is Counting On
This inspiring Sunday message, "Don't Count Out Who Heaven Is Counting On," weaves together powerful testimonies and scriptural lessons to encourage listeners as they approach the Christmas season. The central theme is that God often chooses those who are overlooked, underestimated, or consider themselves insignificant, empowering them for His unique purposes. Drawing from the stories of Gideon, David, and the young boy who gave his loaves and fishes, the speaker illustrates that God's calling is not based on outward qualifications but on the willingness to say "yes" in obedience and surrender. Modern-day stories, like missionary David Livingstone's deliverance, underscore how hidden acts of faith and intercession have world-changing impact. The message closes by reminding the congregation that everyone, regardless of their perceived status, is counted on by Heaven to bring light to the world and walk in the identity God gives them.:
God chooses and empowers the overlooked and underestimated—Gideon, David, and the boy with the loaves were all "counted out" by others but chosen by God.
Testimonies build faith and memorialize what God has done, reminding us that He works in our lives today.
Our insecurity or humble circumstances do not disqualify us; God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Hidden faithfulness, private battles, and unseen acts of obedience often become the birthplace of miracles and leadership.
The call to action: Shift focus from what you lack to what you’ve yet to surrender. God multiplies even our smallest offering when given in faith.
You are not forgotten or too small—Heaven is counting on you, right where you are.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, remember the transformative power of God working through seemingly insignificant people and moments.
Go forward this season in confidence, surrender, and faith, knowing God supplies every need and empowers us to be light in the world.
The Dwelling Place Of Praise
God’s promises are closer than we think—but stepping into them takes faith, obedience, and a heart full of thanks. In this inspiring message, Pastor Joel Khouri shares how consistent gratitude and bold worship invite God’s presence and open doors for breakthrough. With stories from his own life and church family—including relaunching the Family Gospel Hour, overcoming unexpected setbacks, and witnessing God’s perfect timing—Joel weaves scriptural truths about the power of praise and the covenant love (“hesed”) that God has for His people.
You’ll discover how praise moves us beyond the gates into the courts of God, how thanksgiving fills our lives with His sustaining presence, and how faith-led obedience lets us claim new territory in His Kingdom. No matter the challenges, God is for us, His steadfast love never fails, and real victory starts with a grateful heart. This message invites you to step out in faith, fill your days with thanksgiving, and watch as God transforms your life from the inside out.
Battle Born: Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Joel Khouri explores Ephesians 6:10-18, teaching believers how to stand strong in challenging times by putting on the full armor of God. Drawing from Paul's own experience of imprisonment, Joel reveals that adversity is not a sign of failure, but an opportunity to discover God's greater power.
Key Highlights:
The armor of God is a spiritual weapon, not just a metaphor
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God's Word are our defensive and offensive tools
Believers are called to stand firm, not by personal strength, but by trusting in Christ
Prayer and corporate unity are essential in spiritual battles
Practical Takeaways:
Anchor your life in God's unchanging truth
Reject shame and embrace Christ's righteousness
Use faith as a shield against fear and lies
Renew your mind through God's living Word
Pray continually, seeking God's presence in every circumstance
Powerful Message: We were born for this hour, and having done all, we will stand and not be shaken.
A Line Has Been Drawn
This sermon addresses discipleship in a challenging cultural moment, focusing on maintaining Christian conviction and biblical compassion in the face of societal pressures. Pastor Joel Khouri discusses the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk and uses biblical references to challenge performative compassion, cultural relativism, and ideological movements that conflict with Christian principles. Key themes include:
The importance of speaking truth with love
Rejecting cultural compromise for the sake of relevance
Maintaining faith and courage in a hostile cultural environment
The difference between false compassion and transformative biblical love
Calling believers to stand firm in their convictions
The message emphasizes that Christians are called to endure, speak truth, and carry a "holy fire" of perseverance, not just react with momentary outrage. The sermon concludes with a passionate call to prayer, courage, and intercession for the nation, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith. The talk culminates in a corporate prayer where attendees declare their spiritual strength, commitment to justice, and unwavering faith.
Sheltered By His Glory
This sermon explores the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), emphasizing God's presence, protection, and provision. The message highlights the spiritual significance of the sukkah (temporary shelter) as a symbol of trust, divine covering, and God's intimate dwelling with His people. Key themes include:
God's power protecting and sustaining His people
The importance of trusting in God's presence rather than human strength
The prophetic promise of all nations worshipping together
The ultimate vision of God's glory filling the entire earth
The sermon draws from biblical passages in Leviticus, Exodus, Psalms, and Zechariah, presenting a compelling narrative of God's faithfulness. It calls believers to:
Recognize God as their ultimate source of strength
Find security in His presence
Anticipate a future where all nations will worship together
Understand that they are God's dwelling place
The message concludes with a powerful declaration of believers being God's tabernacle, with His glory as their eternal shelter, inviting listeners to trust in God's continuous protection and provision.
With The Eyes & Ears of Christ Pt 2
In this sermon, Pastor Destiny Rambo Khouri continues her exploration of seeing and hearing with the perspective of Christ. Drawing from the story of Lazarus in John 11, she emphasizes the importance of spiritual perception beyond natural senses. Key Points:
Jesus calls believers to see and hear with spiritual awareness, not just physical senses
The ability to truly see people involves feeling their experiences and being moved to compassion
Sometimes we miss opportunities to minister because we're too busy or distracted
The story of Lazarus illustrates how people can struggle to hear and believe, even when miracles are possible
Jesus demonstrates patience and love, even when people doubt or accuse Him
Main Message: Believers are called to elevate their perspective, seeing situations from a heavenly viewpoint. By raising our spiritual awareness, we can call forth breakthrough, healing, and transformation in seemingly impossible situations. Practical Application:
Practice seeing people with Christ's compassion
Be open to speaking prophetic words
Lift your perspective above current circumstances
Trust God's timing and promises
The sermon concludes with a symbolic moment where congregants stand on chairs to physically represent elevating their spiritual perspective and reaching for breakthrough.
With The Eyes & Ears of Christ Pt 1
Key Themes:
Humans are created in God's image to reflect Christ and represent Him on earth
We have intrinsic power and authority of Christ within us
Understanding our identity in Christ helps us navigate life's challenges
Main Scripture: John 1 and Mark 8 Core Message: Pastor Destiny explores how believers are designed to see and understand the world through Christ's perspective. She emphasizes that we are not just meant to survive, but to actively reflect God's nature. Using the miracle of feeding 4,000 with seven loaves and a few fish, she highlights Jesus' compassionate way of seeing people - not just with physical eyes, but with spiritual perception and understanding. Key Points:
We have "eyes of the mind" - a deep faculty of knowing
Our identity in Christ gives us power to set the tone in a chaotic world
Seeing like Christ means having compassion and understanding beyond surface-level perception
We are created to bear Christ's nature intrinsically, like a rose naturally smells like a rose
The sermon encourages believers to ground themselves in their Christ-given identity and learn to see the world through His eyes of compassion and understanding.
Gates of Praise Pt 3: Welcoming the King of Glory
In this inspiring message, Pastor Joel Khouri delves into the story of David and the biblical concept of the "gates of praise." Exploring how attitudes of praise, gratitude, and reverence invite God's presence, Joel encourages us to prepare our hearts for breakthrough and transformation.
Key Highlights:
True praise and gratitude open the “gates” for God’s presence and authority in our lives.
David’s victories flowed from faithfulness, humility, and a heart set on God—not worldly solutions or fear.
Battles in life are ultimately won by inviting God to fight for us, not by our own strength or formulas.
Worship, thanksgiving, and a reverence for God are the pathways to spiritual authority, wisdom, and lasting peace.
Criticism and self-pity “open gates” to fear and defeat, but praise creates room for God’s victory.
Practical Takeaways:
Choose praise and gratitude, even in difficult seasons, to invite God’s presence.
Don’t settle for easy, worldly shortcuts; seek God’s strategy and follow His directions.
Prepare for breakthrough in "wilderness" seasons with disciplined faithfulness and unseen devotion.
Examine your heart: are you opening gates to God through worship and thanksgiving, or to the enemy through discouragement and criticism?
Make reverent, awe-filled pursuit of God a daily priority.
Powerful Message: When we open the gates of praise, the King of Glory steps in—transforming our circumstances, fighting our battles, and bringing lasting freedom and peace
Gates of Praise Pt 2: Positioned For Power
In this inspiring message, Joel Khouri explores the story of David’s anointing and confrontation with Goliath, drawing powerful lessons about worship, identity, and overcoming fear. Reflecting on the unique opportunity to praise God even through pain, Joel contrasts contentment with complacency, and emphasizes the importance of trusting God’s sovereignty in all circumstances. By examining the backgrounds of Saul and David, the sermon addresses how generational wounds and personal struggles can shape leadership and faith. Joel encourages believers to face life’s giants with boldness, rightly identify spiritual battles, and remain faithful in "wilderness" seasons, preparing for breakthrough. The message concludes with a call to walk in purpose, power, and fearless praise, no matter the challenges ahead.
True worship is a choice—especially in pain and uncertainty.
Contentment in God differs from complacency; it involves trust and joyful faith, regardless of circumstances.
Saul’s life shows how generational wounds and fear can impact leadership.
David’s journey teaches that faithfulness in hidden seasons prepares us for breakthrough.
Facing life’s “giants” requires boldness, the right perspective, and standing firm in God’s truth.
Spiritual victories demand we rightly identify our enemy and refuse to compromise.
God calls us to fearless praise, unwavering purpose, and trust during wilderness seasons.
The Gates of Praise Pt 1: Praise is the breakthrough
In this message, Joel Khouri shares his profound journey both in life and faith, beginning with the challenges of a cross-state move and the unexpected help that arrived in moments of need. Drawing parallels to the biblical story of Hannah, Joel teaches that faithfulness in adversity positions us to receive God’s miracles and blessings. He unpacks the concept of “divine tension”—being grateful for God’s provision while hungry for more of His presence. Through personal testimony and scripture, Joel demonstrates that authentic praise in the midst of hardship establishes spiritual authority, silences the voice of accusation, and brings prophetic breakthrough into our lives and generations. Listeners are encouraged to remain faithful, praise God daily, and trust that His promises will come to fruition, no matter the obstacles faced.
Overcoming unexpected challenges: Joel’s moving story demonstrates reliance on God during difficult transitions.
Receiving help in times of need: Divine provision through the kindness of strangers like Harry and Tyler.
Faithfulness in adversity: Remaining steadfast even when prayers seem unanswered or circumstances don’t improve.
Lessons from Hannah: Biblical example of faithfulness, perseverance, and surrender leading to miraculous breakthrough.
The power of praise: Praise as a lifestyle—beyond music—establishes spiritual strength and authority.
From grief to glory: How faith and praise can transform seasons of disappointment into moments of blessing.
Silencing the voice of accusation: Rejecting negativity and condemnation to embrace God’s promises and affirmation.
Generational impact: Faithfulness today releases blessing for families, church, and beyond.
Praise releases the prophetic: Speaking God’s truth in faith ushers breakthrough and fulfillment of His promises.