Hillsong Africa Sermons

This Christmas, we're drawn into the story of the shepherds in Luke 2—ordinary people invited into an extraordinary moment. From fields to a manger, their journey reveals a powerful rhythm of faith: walking to Jesus, walking with Jesus, and walking for Jesus. Jesus meets us in messy places. Born in a manger, surrounded by dirt and noise, He stepped right into our broken world. And in that first Christmas moment, shepherds, kings, and a young couple stood side by side—reminding us that the grace of God is for everyone, no matter the background or story. Walking may be slow, but God chooses presence over speed. He invites us to journey with Him, not rush ahead. When we're tired, hurting, or tempted to give up, the call is simple: get up and keep walking—filled with faith, hope, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Because true hope isn't found in quick fixes, but in the eternal God who meets us on the journey and fills our lives with joy and peace.

At the heart of Christmas is a confronting truth: there was no room for Jesus. From Nazareth to Bethlehem, a long and costly journey ends with closed doors—not because He was unwanted, but because everything else had already taken the space. This message from Luke 2 reminds us that it's possible to be full of good things and still miss the greatest thing. Busyness, responsibility, pressure, and distraction can quietly crowd out the presence of Jesus. This Christmas, we're invited to pause and ask: what's filling the rooms of our hearts? When we intentionally make room for Him, ordinary moments become holy ground—where heaven meets earth and His presence changes everything.

As we step into a new year, the question isn't what are we building, it's whose story are we living in? Colossians 1 reminds us that Jesus is the center of it all. Before we planned, before we breathed, before we tried to hold everything together - He already was. We weren't created to carry the weight of being our own source or our own strength. In Him, purpose comes before planning. Coherence is received, not forced. And when we realign our lives to what they're actually for, we can finally breathe again. This year isn't about having it all figured out, it's about fixing our eyes on the One who holds it all together.

What if we really believed that God could never fail? This message takes us into Luke 17:11–19, where ten outcasts lifted their voices for mercy—and Jesus answered with an instruction, not an instant miracle. "Go, show yourselves to the priests." The miracle didn't meet them in the moment… it met them on the way. Faith prayed. Faith obeyed. Faith gave thanks. And one returned—not just healed, but completely restored. Sometimes God's breakthrough comes wrapped in a step of obedience. Sometimes the miracle is found in the walk, not the waiting. The question isn't if God can move—it's whether we'll take the step before we see the result.

The message teaches that the anointing is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit working through believers, just as He empowered Jesus to heal, do good, and set people free. The anointing is meant for every area of our lives and functions as a partnership between us and the Holy Spirit. It carries authority to break yokes, heal, deliver, and strengthen us, especially in difficult seasons. Though the anointing is powerful, it also comes with a price, because spiritual strength is often produced through crushing, trials, and personal battles. Yet these hardships create fresh oil, equipping us to carry God's purpose with greater depth, maturity, and impact.