Pastor Ryan addresses the emotion of fear, using the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 to show how Jesus challenges us to confront our fears with faith. He explains that Jesus's power is real, authoritative, and ultimately for us, and that He can calm not only the storms in our lives but also the fear within us.

Pastor Ryan emphasizes that seeking God's kingdom first, as instructed in Matthew 6:33, is an invitation to trust Him fully. He highlights Jesus' intercessory prayer for believers in John 17, focusing on four key themes—glory, joy, protection, and mission—as fundamental to living a life that honors God's purpose and shifts us from a "seek me" to a "seek first" mindset.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's kingdom above all else, urging believers to seek first His kingdom and righteousness as their primary mission. It challenges Christians to actively participate in expanding God's kingdom through discipleship, service, and global outreach, rather than focusing solely on church growth or personal agendas.

Pastor Ryan addresses anxiety by reminding the congregation of their worth in God's eyes. He teaches that worry stems from a misplaced devotion and that overcoming it involves trusting in God’s intimate knowledge and provision for all their needs, as instructed by Jesus in Matthew.

The sermon explores the transformative power of the gospel, explaining how it leads individuals to live with radical purpose and devotion to God. It emphasizes key theological concepts such as grace, propitiation, justification, redemption, and faith, illustrating how these elements of the gospel offer salvation and a new life in Christ.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of gathering as a church community to worship, draw near to God, hold fast to the hope in Christ, and encourage one another in love and good deeds, as outlined in Hebrews 10:19-25. It warns against spiritual passivity and consumeristic Christianity, urging believers to live in light of the coming day of the Lord, fostering a community that reflects the transformative power of the gospel.

Pastor Ryan encourages the congregation to move beyond fleeting New Year's resolutions and seek fulfillment on the ancient paths found in Scripture. He argues that our desire for something more in life reflects a divine purpose, urging listeners to find rest and a deeper relationship with God by following these uncomfortable yet transformative paths.

The sermon, titled "Far Greater," focuses on the parallel announcements of John the Baptist's and Jesus's births in Luke 1, emphasizing God's power through impossible births (Elizabeth's barrenness and Mary's virginity). Through these accounts, the sermon illustrates three main points about God - His power to do the impossible, His preeminence shown through Jesus becoming the "most low," and His faithfulness to His promises despite our belief or unbelief.

Pastor Ryan's sermon, drawing from 1 Peter, stresses that Christians are called to be living stones, built together as God's temple. He encourages believers to actively be the church by serving one another and glorifying Jesus in all aspects of life, as true faith cannot be lived in isolation.