Podcast Summary: "His Name Is Jesus"

Church of the Highlands - Sunday Messages - Audio
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Church of the Highlands / Speaker: Sam Pettus

Episode Overview

This Christmas message, delivered by Sam Pettus of Church of the Highlands, centers on the profound meaning of Jesus’ birth—God’s ultimate rescue plan for humanity. The sermon explores the Christmas story both as fulfillment of ancient prophecy and as a present-day invitation to transformation, hope, purpose, and peace through a relationship with Jesus. Key themes include spiritual journey, the promises in Isaiah, the nature of Jesus as described in prophecy, and the challenge for 2026 to "seek God first."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome, Gratitude, and Community Spirit

• Celebrating Community: Sam welcomes everyone, expressing gratitude for the “incredible team” and thousands of “Dream Teamers” serving across campuses (00:00–02:08).
• Invitation to Belong: For first-time attendees, he emphasizes:
  “If you're looking for a church family, I hope you found one.” (02:29)

2. The Purpose and Spiritual Journey of the Church

• More Than Church: Church of the Highlands was founded to address the question, “Is this all that there is? There has to be more.” (03:00)
• Foundational Scripture:
  “The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to tread on the heights.” – Habakkuk 3:19 (03:23)
• Four-Part Spiritual Journey:
  • Truly knowing God
  • Finding freedom from shame and regret
  • Discovering purpose
  • Living a life that makes a difference (05:17)

3. Anticipation for the New Year

• Upcoming Series & Events:
  • Announcement of a new series on January 4, 2026
  • “21 days of prayer,” described as “one of the most life changing seasons of the year.” (07:10)

4. The Christmas Story—From Prophecy to Fulfillment

• Ancient Roots:
  • The rescue mission began “the moment sin entered the world” (08:25)
  • Reference to Isaiah 1:18:
    “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” (09:01)
• Shepherds & Sheep Analogy:
  • Standing in a field, Sam compares people to sheep:
    “Sheep wander off. ...are pretty helpless on their own. God is telling us in Isaiah that, like sheep, we cannot cleanse ourselves.” (10:00–11:10)

5. Prophecy About the Messiah

• Isaiah 9:2-6 Quoted:
  “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light... For to us a child is born...” (12:06)
• Universal Darkness:
  • Acknowledges the reality of darkness in “minds, emotions, and spirits” (13:30)
• God’s Light Breaks Through:
  “No matter how deep the darkness, God's light can break through.” (14:04)
• Fulfillment in Jesus:
  • Matthew 1:21: Jesus came “to save his people from their sins.” (14:44)
  • “His name is Jesus, the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world.” (15:05)

6. Who Jesus Is for Us Today (Isaiah’s Titles)

Wonderful Counselor:

• “Confusion may describe our situation, but it does not define our identity. Jesus came as the wonderful counselor...” (16:01)

Mighty God:

• “He is your mighty God. In the moments that are just too big for us... He came to carry what we cannot carry, to fight what we cannot fight...” (17:03)

Everlasting Father:

• “If that is you, he is your everlasting Father... when we belong to him, we are never alone.” (18:00)

Prince of Peace:

• “Hold on to this promise. He is your Prince of peace... Not a prince of chaos, not a prince of distraction.” (18:50)
• “Wherever Jesus reigns, peace rules.” (19:08)

7. Testimonies: What Has Jesus Saved You From?

• Personal Stories:
  • Caitlin: “the trauma of my childhood.”
  • Jeff: “rescue from a hardened heart and bitterness.”
  • Susan: “a lonely and unanchored life.”
  • Bella: “all consuming anxiety.”
  • Michael: “the crushing weight of shame and guilt.”
  • Jackson: “emptiness and chasing the world's view of success.” (20:00)

“His goodness is not just for others. It is for you. God is ready to step into your story, your struggle, your situation, and bring the healing, hope and rescue you are longing for.” (21:50)

8. How to Experience Jesus

• Seeking God Personally:
  • Jeremiah 29:13:
    “You will seek Me and you will find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” (22:20)
  • “Scripture says he stands at the door and knocks. He comes where he is welcomed. He moves in where he is invited.” (23:15)

9. 2026 Theme: Seek God First

• Theme Verse:
  • Matthew 6:33:
    “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (24:14)
• Application:
  • Encourage listeners: “Put God first in your day, relationships, finances, and life.” (25:00)
  • “Seeking God first isn’t how we earn his blessing. It’s how we position ourselves to receive everything he already has for us.” (25:19)

10. Invitation: The One Year Challenge

• Bold Call:
  • “Give us one year of your life... Attend church, join us for 21 days. Get in a small group, Discover your purpose. Serve others, make a difference.” (26:16)
  • Reflection as the church prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary and faith for a “new season of blessing, calling, and purpose.” (27:30)

11. Final Reflection and Challenge

• Re-enactment of Shepherds’ Decision:
  • “They were invited to experience Jesus, but the decision to actually go and seek him, that was still on them.” (28:10)
  • “Each of us, we're in our own field, our own moment of decision. God is calling us. Will we seek Him?” (28:50)
• Transition to Song & Candle Lighting:
  • “As we seek him in our lives, he will do what only he can do. Turn our darkness into light and the scarlet areas of our lives into wool.” (29:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Rescue Plan:
  “What you cannot do, I will. I will forgive. I will restore. I will rescue. I will cleanse.” (11:45)

• On Jesus’ Nature:
  “He is your wonderful counselor. ...He is your mighty God. ...He is your everlasting Father. ...He is your Prince of peace. His name is Jesus. Because he came to save us. Not just in the moment of salvation, but in every way.” (19:09)

• On Seeking God:
  “When we put God first in our priorities, he will order our steps... bring healing and strength... When we put him first in our days. He will fill our lives with peace.” (25:11)

• On Personal Decisions and Faith:
  “God loves you. Jesus came to Earth on a rescue mission for you. And as we seek him in our lives, he will do what only he can do.” (29:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Welcome & Purpose: 00:00–03:30
• Spiritual Journey Explained: 03:30–07:00
• Looking Ahead to 2026: 07:00–08:00
• Christmas Story & Isaiah Prophesies: 08:00–14:30
• Who Jesus Is for Us (Wonderful Counselor, etc.): 16:00–20:00
• Testimonies of Salvation: 20:00–21:50
• How to Experience Jesus (Seeking): 22:00–24:00
• 2026 Theme—Seek God First: 24:00–26:00
• One Year Challenge & Church Vision: 26:00–28:00
• Personal Engagement Challenge: 28:00–29:30
• Transition to Song & Reflection: 29:30+

Conclusion

This episode delivers an inspiring and deeply personal Christmas message, weaving together scripture, the story of Jesus’ birth, real testimonies, and a heartfelt challenge for the new year. Listeners are called to seek Jesus personally—not just at Christmas, but as a lifelong pursuit—embracing the fullness of God’s promise: restoration, purpose, peace, and transformation. The 2026 rally cry, “God first,” serves as both an invitation and a roadmap for the church community and beyond.