Well, Church, we did it. We’ve read through the entire Bible this year — cover to cover — from Genesis to Revelation! And what a journey.
We started the year in Genesis, hearing God speak the world into existence. We saw the fall of humanity and the consequences of sin.
We watched Jesus step into the story to redeem and restore what sin has broken. And now here we are at the end of the year, in Revelation, where He says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:15)
We’ve seen His faithfulness unfold on every page we’ve read.
We’ve read, prayed, and discussed God’s Word together — in our homes, small groups, youth group, and here on Sundays.
And here’s the best part: through these simple, faithful habits — being in His Word, living in community, praying together — God has been transforming us.
And oh my… personally, my greatest joy has been witnessing firsthand what God is doing in your lives as you’ve read His Word together. It’s been humbling, encouraging—and honestly, deeply motivating for me.
So here’s what we’re going to do this morning:
We’ll begin by looking back at what we talked about as we prepared to read the Bible together — why God’s Word matters and how it shapes our lives.
Then we’ll talk about the hope God’s Word gives us,
and how it always leads us to Jesus.
After that, we’ll hear from our own church family — people who have experienced these very things as they’ve read God’s Word this year.
And finally, we’ll look ahead to what God has for us in the new year.
Alright — that’s where we’re headed… so let’s go ahead and dive in.
MAIN POINT:
But before we jump into Point 1, let me put this morning into one simple sentence:
God’s Word has carried us this year — shaping us, giving us hope, and leading us to Jesus. And we’re going to keep going in His Word together.
POINT 1 – THE WORD IS PROFITABLE (2 TIM 3:16–17)
Back in March of 2024, we looked at 2 Timothy 3:16–17 together… do you remember what it says?
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
And I told you then — and I still believe it —
God’s Word is fully sufficient for a life of faith and service.
We don’t need to add to it, and we certainly don’t need to look beyond it. God has spoken, and His Word is enough.
And here’s what I love about this year:
We didn’t just read that verse…
We experienced it.
Over these twelve months, we’ve watched this truth come alive:
Many of you built a daily habit of reading your Bible.
You’ve talked about the Word together in homes, in small groups,
in conversations throughout the week. You prayed for one another as the Word confronted, comforted, and strengthened you.
These are the ordinary means of grace — the everyday ways God grows extraordinary faith.
And from my front-row seat, I’ve seen God move in ways that only He can…The Bible has been teaching us, correcting us, shaping us, and equipping us.
Not because of a reading plan, or a schedule, or a checklist…but because God’s living and powerful Word has been at work in our hearts.
We’re not standing here today as a church that simply completed a Bible reading plan. We’re standing as a church that has been shaped by God’s voice this year.
And that leads us to the second thing we’ve experienced this year:
God’s Word doesn’t just work in us… it lifts our eyes beyond us.
POINT 2
It fills us with a hope bigger than our circumstances and stronger than our fears—And you’re going to hear some of that in just a bit.
But first, listen to how the Bible describes that hope.
And nowhere is it clearer than in Revelation 21.
This is where the Bible concludes — not with despair, but with celebration. Listen to Revelation 21:1–5…
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Kids, let me ask you something: What’s something that makes you cry? Maybe falling down, breaking a toy, or feeling left out. The Bible says that one day, God Himself will wipe away every tear.
That’s the promise of the Bible we’ve been reading all year —
it ends in joy, not sorrow.
The God who breathed life into the Scriptures will one day breathe life into all creation again.
Revelation 21 shows us a future where God makes all things new—He dwells with His people—and He wipes away every tear.
This is the hope that has carried believers for centuries —
and it’s the same hope that has been quietly working in our hearts this year as we’ve walked through the Bible together.
Everything we’ve read this year — from Genesis to Revelation — has been pointing our hearts forward with hope. But listen…
Hope isn’t an idea.
Hope isn’t a feeling.
Hope isn’t even a future place.
Hope is a Person. And His name is Jesus.
God’s Word always leads us to Jesus, the Word made flesh.
POINT 3 – THE WORD POINTS US TO JESUS
If there’s one thing this year has shown us, it’s this:
the entire Bible points to Jesus.
From Genesis to Exodus to the prophets — the whole story keeps pointing forward to Jesus. And by the time you reach Revelation, He stands as the Alpha and the Omega.
And this means something for us today:
When we open the Bible, we’re not just reading words on a page.
We are meeting a Person.
The same Jesus who created the world by His Word…
Who stepped into the world to redeem us…
Who rose again in victory…
And who will one day return to make all things new…
That is the Jesus the Bible continually guides us to.
That is why our shared reading this year has mattered.
This is why hope has grown in our hearts.
Because when God’s people open God’s Word…
They encounter God’s Son.
TESTIMONIES
And I’ve seen the fruit of that in your lives this year.
And I want you to hear a little of that for yourselves this morning.
(Pause, smile.)
Alright—Scott, John, Robin, Clayton and Megan… come on up.
Scott Ochs
Amy Kane
Clayton and Magan
Robin Sites
John Brooks
Thank you all.
I’ve loved seeing how God has used His Word in your lives.
And church — these are just a few stories.
God has been so good and so at work among us this year.
POINT 4 – APPLICATION: LOOKING AHEAD
As this year wraps up, let’s look ahead with the same hunger for God’s Word and the same confidence in the God who speaks.
And as we enter 2026, we’ll keep leaning into His Word together.
Starting Thursday, January 1st, we’ll begin reading through the New Testament — and we’re going to read it three times this year. Three consecutive cycles.
Our daily devotions this year are going to be really simple.
We’ll use the reading plan that was in your seat to guide our Bible reading. And on the back, you’ll find five devotion questions to help you think about what you’ve read and how it applies to your life.
So each day, we’ll read the passage…
and walk through those questions.
And if you use the app, you’ll find all this there as well.
So church, let’s keep going — let’s keep reading, listening, and following Jesus together.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your Word.
Thank You for how You’ve spoken to us this year — how You’ve shaped us, encouraged us, corrected us, and drawn us closer to Jesus.
Thank You for every story we’ve heard this morning… and for the countless stories we haven’t heard, but You know.
As we step into a new year, give us hearts that love Your Word and ears that are ready to hear Your voice.
Help us walk faithfully with Jesus — together — as a church family. And Lord, we pray the words of Scripture:
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.