This week I did a little homebrew research. I googled three phrases: “I feel like a failure.” Google found that phrase over 2 million times on the internet. “I feel like a loser.”Google found that phrase over 4 million times. “I feel guilty.” 67 million times.

What I conclude from this  research is that guilt is a huge issue in human lives. And when we think about it, we’ve some pretty good reasons to feel guilty. And we know it. But Jesus doesn’t say, “Hey — what you’re doing isn’t that bad. Lighten up!” Jesus says,“Yeah — you’re right. You should feel guilty about what you’ve done. But I am here to take that guilt. I died on the cross to pay for your sin. You can be forgiven if you turn from your sin and trust in me. You can trade in your old life for a new one. I’ll give you a clean slate.”

This Advent sermon is about three exchanges: Exchanging an old life for a new one; Exchanging a phony life for a real one; And exchanging a meaningless life for one of purpose.

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