1 Thing Matters: Recent Episodes

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There's a lot in life that gets our attention, but ultimately, only one thing matters. Don't get distracted by what doesn't. 1 Thing Matters will help you focus on what matters most for this life, and the better life to come.

Usually, a kingdom advances and is secured through things like military might or political force or worldly wealth. It can be tempting to believe the same holds true in the kingdom of God. Perhaps we think churches would flourish if we had the right rulers passing and enforcing the right laws. Or we believe that for a church to do good requires a robust budget. Political force. Worldly wealth. This way of thinking is breathtakingly wrong.

We need God to give us the top-down faith that grasps the fact that kingdom of God advances in ways that are imperceptible. Through something that seems insignificant to most—the gospel—the King of kings establishes his reign in human hearts. Even Jesus himself taught that the gospel seems unimpressive, for he often compared the gospel to a tiny seed. Yet within a seed is hidden life. As the seed of the gospel is planted, the largest of all kingdoms grows.

Look at our lives—the problems, the pains—and it’s easy to conclude that we are losing. Look at the world—the brokenness, the bedlam—and it’s easy to believe that the devil is winning. It all can lead us to despair. Yet this turmoil is exactly what God said would happen already in the Garden. There God declared that until the end of time enmity would prevail between the devil and mankind. But God promised more than that. He promised that from humanity would rise one who would completely defeat the devil.

We need a top-down faith to understand that things are definitely not what they seem. Yes, the devil and his allies are constantly doing their worst. Their work always brings pain. Yet, ultimately, even in the face of what appears at times to be defeat, Jesus always wins. And his victory is our victory.

After a long day of work, you have earned the right to sit down in your favorite chair, put your feet up, and watch your favorite program. After a hard week on the job, you have earned the opportunity to relax a bit that weekend. After doing your job well for many months, you have earned those two weeks of vacation at the beach. This is how everyone thinks: rest is something you earn through hard work. We even teach that to our kids: no gaming until homework is done, no playing with friends until chores are complete.

Since that concept of rest being earned is so deeply engrained in us, to properly understand spiritual rest requires a top-down faith. God needs to send us the Spirit so that we can grasp this truth. True spiritual rest cannot be earned. In fact, the harder you try, the more restless and the less peaceful you become. Spiritual rest is a gift that God gives. The rest we need most—from guilt, from worry, from shame, from hopelessness—is graciously given to us by the Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus told his disciples that, though he was going to ascend into heaven, he wasn’t going to leave them alone. He was going to send “the Advocate,” a title for the Holy Spirit. But Jesus wasn’t sending the Spirit to replace him; rather, he was sending him to assure us of Jesus’ eternal presence and power in our lives. With the confidence of Jesus’ ongoing power to save, the Holy Spirit equips his church - us! - to participate in Christ’s saving work. Through our testimony, the Spirit raises the spiritually dead to life, just as he did on the Day of Pentecost.

This world is broken. Oh, certainly, we still see beauty in nature. By God’s grace, we have plenty of happy moments. But that does not change the fact that this world does not function the way God designed it to. It is dangerous, especially for God’s children. Jesus once promised that those who live for him will be hated (just as Christ was hated) by those who live for the world. The even greater danger: the priorities prompted by this broken world tempt the careless Christian to devalue that which truly matters. This world is very broken.

For that reason, our gracious, living Lord promises that one day soon enough, he will take us to a better world. More, he promises that until that time, his Father will protect us, preserving our faith through the truth of his Word. This is the resurrection reality. By God’s grace, we will overcome this broken world.

The entirety of God’s Word can be summed up in one word: love. God’s Law is all about love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37,39). The gospel is all about love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16). From his compassion for the sick and broken, to his sacrificial death on the cross, to the peace he provided after his resurrection, Jesus was the perfect embodiment of love. Love is his business.

Therefore, love is our business too. The resurrection reality is that with the same supernatural power by which God raised Jesus from the dead, God now enables us to live a new life—one marked by radically selfless love. The motivation and ability to do this comes from seeing the endless love Christ has for us. We love because he first loved us.

Self-assurance is a fickle thing. Ask the best golfers in the world how much confidence they have when they suddenly start to struggle just to qualify for the very tournaments they used to win. Self-assurance is at a high when we perform well, but as soon as we stumble in some area of life, our faith in ourselves flounders. That’s why real assurance - especially of where we stand with God - simply cannot come from ourselves. It must come from somewhere else. And it does.

It comes from God himself who alone provides the assurance we so desperately seek.

There are plenty of people today who claim they can provide healing or guidance for your soul. However, the Bible warns that, beneath the surface, not everyone is who they may appear to be. Rather than providing healing or guidance, many may actually do more harm to our souls than good. Their threats are real! But so is the resurrection reality that our Good Shepherd provides all that is needed to thwart their threats.

Contrary to popular belief, “repentance” isn’t the dirty word many people think it is. While repentance does involve admitting and owning up to the filth of our sins, it isn’t repentance if it stops there.

No, real repentance also includes embracing by faith what Jesus has done with our sins: wiped them away and washed us clean from them. The result? Not only are we left standing in the perfect purity of God’s light, but we also have the newfound desire to remain there.

Jesus’ real resurrection brought peace and strength to those early believers. It also brought them together. That’s the power of Jesus’ resurrection: it brings us together with him through faith, but also together with fellow believers. How blest are we! Yes, we are brought to him, but also to each other!

It would not be productive to look for help in a cemetery. A corpse can do only one thing—rot. This is the source of the crushing sorrow Jesus’ followers felt. He was the one in whom they had placed all their hope for a better reality. Now he was dead, so they thought. They were overwhelmed with sorrow, not just because they missed their friend. It now all seemed so pointless: the years and miles following Jesus, witnessing his miracles, listening to him. He was dead! And a corpse can only do one thing.

The resurrection changed everything. The disciples saw clearly that Jesus is who he said he was and did what he said he’d do. They realized their faith rested on a rock-solid foundation. Here is the resurrection reality. If Christ had not been raised, our faith in him would be futile. He could do nothing to help us. But Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Most religions believe in a powerful God. It is assumed that God will use that strength for the benefit of his followers. That is a reasonable assumption, but it begs the question. What is real strength? It is easy to assume that real strength means exerting your will over another by using any means necessary, including force. But this week we see Jesus Christ demonstrate a different kind of strength.

We have come to Holy Week. It begins with Jesus humbly riding a donkey colt straight into the hands of his enemies. As the week progresses, it will appear that Christ’s adversaries are the ones in a position of power and Jesus is in a position of weakness. Yet what Christ does this holy week—setting his divine strength aside, being passive in the face of death—would change the world. To do what Christ did for us and our salvation took real strength.

When we hear the word “school,” we tend to think of reading, mathematics, social studies, and all of the different subjects that students learn at the elementary, high school, and college levels. As one would naturally expect, those subjects are included in the curriculum of just about any elementary school.

But they aren’t the most important subject taught in our school. They aren’t the primary reason our school exists. That distinction belongs to Jesus.

Jesus, and helping students and families know him better and grow in their faith, is the real reason our school exists. We aren’t simply an alternative option to the public school; we exist for much more. We exist so that through our efforts, many continue to see Jesus. Our school’s 50th Anniversary celebration continues as we acknowledge and thank God for allowing us to help others see Jesus through our school for five decades and counting!

While not every religion uses the word “sin,” they all embrace the concept. Every religion acknowledges that mankind’s flawed attitudes or misguided actions are a source of pain, both now and potentially in eternity. So every religion offers a solution: a set of laws, a moral code, a path to more enlightened behavior.

What do they have in common? We are to solve sin through human effort. Be better! Try harder! This is the heart of all false religion, which results in one of only two outcomes: 1) those who correctly understand they will never overcome their sin are crushed by guilt, or 2) those who ludicrously believe they have defeated their sin are killed by pride.

True religion offers a better way—a way that frees us from guilt and has no room for pride. Jesus teaches that the solution to our sin is not, self, not working harder. Rather, it is to trust in our Savior and the work he has done for us.

Person A never attends worship. He can’t see the point. Person B attends every week out of a slavish sense of obligation. Her mind wanders during the services, for she views the activities of worship merely as tasks for her to complete. Who is worse off? Rather than debating the point, let us just admit neither understand the true worth of worship. And that is exactly what Satan wants.

Many think worship is about what we do for God. It is the other way around. As we gather around Word and sacrament, the Spirit moves us to love and trust in God above all things. Moved by the cross of Christ, we bow down before our God. We commune with him. And that’s exactly what God wants.

We know that the cross was an instrument of torture and execution. However, Scripture also uses the term “cross” to refer to any suffering that one endures because he is a believer: the painful denial of the desires of the flesh; ridicule and persecution from unbelievers; etc. This is one reason people reject religion. They see Christians struggling in life with these crosses, while non-Christians often seem perfectly happy. Even the prophet Jeremiah asked, “Why do all the faithless live at ease?”(12:1).

Today, Jesus asks us to rethink suffering under the cross. It is not pointless pain. Our crosses are not how we pay for sin. Jesus already did that on his cross. Our crosses are not redemptive, but they are constructive. Any suffering believers face under the cross is only good, a way Christ connects us tightly to himself with fire-tested faith.

“If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. They aren’t. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests as a way to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good.Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love, but rather examples of it. Proof is that God allowed his beloved Son Jesus to face trials and temptations, so that he might be our perfect savior and substitute.

We began this season of Epiphany in the Jordan River. From that day, in word and deed, Jesus began to reveal more about himself. From that river, we have followed Jesus to arrive at a mountain. Today on the Mount of Transfiguration, in a show of dazzling brilliance, Jesus gives us a real glimpse of God’s glory. This final epiphany prepares us for the journey of Lent where, at another mountain called Golgotha, we will witness the greatest glory yet.

Martin Luther once said, “Where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” Satan hates God. He demonstrates that hatred by hurting those that God loves in any way he can. The epiphany Christ wants us to have is this: the devil is real and very dangerous. But just as real is Christ’s deliverance, for Christ is continually undoing the devil’s work. And through his Word, Christ Jesus also gives us the power to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith.

To whom does the work of salvation belong? Simple question. There is only one Savior. But this is how good Jesus is: once he has changed us, he also charges us, thereby bestowing on us lives that have profound meaning and eternal purpose. We are not just fyollowers, but also follower-makers, for his charge to us is this: “My dear disciples, go and be my ambassadors, so that through your efforts I can fill my kingdom with even more precious souls for eternity!”

Even though Jesus knows all our faults and failures, he badly wants something to do with us. So, he calls us to follow him. But he does so in a special way: through his gospel. When Jesus calls us to discipleship through his gospel, he also calls us to glory and grace.

At his baptism in the Jordan River Jesus was publicly anointed with the Holy Spirit and designated by God the Father as his chosen Messiah. Thus, Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus’ baptism revealed that he was not just a nice guy who could make a sturdy table. He was God’s chosen servant, the one who had come to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the one willing to stand in our place as our substitute and Savior.

Jesus’ baptism reveals to us who he really is. Our own baptism does the same! Our baptism was the beginning of a new and better life—eternal life!—a gift graciously given to us by our truest friend. Jesus’ ministry and our eternity with him. It begins with baptism.

On Christmas Eve a choir of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” So, where is this peace on earth? Between nations? There are always wars going on somewhere. In our country Disagreements have only grown more contentious, one group screaming angrily at another group. We might not even have perfect peace in our homes! So, what were the angels singing about?

They were singing about peace between a holy God who hates sin and human beings who sin every day. Because of what Christ did as our Savior, there is no hostility between us and God, only peace and love. We have the peace of salvation in our hearts. As we draw near the end of life, like elderly Simeon or Anna, we have the peace of knowing of the glorious eternal life that is to come. As this peace with God fills our hearts, it moves us to live in peace with each other too.

We live in a world with a 24-hour news cycle. Between the countless cable networks or online sources or social media posts, news is flying at us constantly. Most of it seems awful. We doomscroll on our phones—bad news after more bad news. Our hearts grow heavy. Our minds grow anxious.The world is starving for good news. And that is exactly what we get at Christmas. On that first Christmas Eve, the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). News is not advice. The angel had not come to give advice about how to cope in a messed-up world. News is simply a report of facts. The angel reported a fact—the birth of One who would make everything right again. This child would remove all our fears and fill our hearts with joy.

The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we remember that when the King shall come, he will bring us perfect and everlasting joy.Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from your King entering into your heart and assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, happiness is fleeting. Joyfulness is enduring.

The Bible teaches that King Jesus is the Son of God in flesh and the only hope for salvation. Jesus himself claimed that he is the only way into the glorious kingdom of heaven. You do not approach meeting someone like that casually or carelessly! You prepare meticulously. What does that mean? What does a life of readiness—ready to meet such a King—look like? In one word: repentance. If we insist on hanging onto our sins, how can we receive the One who came for the very purpose of taking those sins away?

Throughout history, God has raised up called servants—like John the Baptist—to preach a message of repentance. This repentance is central to our preparation for the Lord’s coming. Without repentance, the King’s coming only terrifies. But all those who believe and repent look forward to the coming of the King and the consummation of his everlasting kingdom.

Rulers plan and administrate and govern. They typically do not save. If your house is on fire, it will not be the mayor who shows up to save you from the flames. If America were attacked, the President would serve as the commander in chief of the armed forces, but he would not pick up a weapon, go to the front lines, and fight to save you from the enemy.

Jesus is different. He is both infinitely greater than all other rulers, yet also infinitely humbler. He does not consider it beneath his rank as King to risk his life for his subjects. He is willing to fight for us. He is willing to die for us. For King Jesus came into our world for one reason—to save us.

It’s been said that if you want a job done right, then do it yourself. This may be more true in some areas than others, depending on the scale and expectations of the task at hand.

Thankfully, as far as our salvation is concerned, God took the same approach. Unwilling to risk our eternities by leaving them in our own hands or under the care of someone else, Jesus, our Shepherd-King wanted to make sure the job was done right. So he did it himself.

As we wait for Jesus Christ to return, we are not to be sedentary. The reason Jesus has not yet returned is that he still has work to do - and he carries out that good work through us, his Church. Since he has given every believer gifts and talents, he expects us to use them. In the time between Christ’s first and second coming then, we use everything the master has given us to live according to his will and to faithfully carry out his mission.

Imagine you are planning to take the family out to dinner. You all have to wait on someone to get ready. Minute after minute passes. What can happen in that situation? It is easy to focus on something else and completely forget the original goal. When that family member is finally ready, you’ve become immersed in a movie. Or perhaps, as you were waiting, you grew drowsy and fell asleep. As we wait for Christ to return, as day after day passes, it can be easy to get distracted, to lose vigilance, to become spiritually drowsy. God forbid that Christ should return and find us spiritually asleep. Today we are reminded that the time in between Christ’s first and second coming is a time for watchfulness. The Church prayers, “Lord God, keep us every watchful for the coming of your Son that we may sit with him and all your holy ones at the marriage feast in heaven.”

Childbearing is an excruciating process. Yet each day countless women, wanting a baby, willingly become pregnant. Pain can be endured if we know it is temporary and that happier times come immediately after. Likewise, the time between Christ’s first and second coming is going to be full of hardship, especially for believers. How do we bear it? We remember that this is temporary. Happier times are coming!

That truth is made crystal clear as we observe All Saints’ Day. On this day we remember every saint who has gone before us—all those who had faith in the Lamb of God: the heroes of faith in Scripture; our faithful Christian family members, now fallen asleep. They all endured hardship and pain. But no more. Now they enjoy perfect glory, peace, and joy. As we journey through this time in between, how do we endure? We focus on the future glory that waits for us.

Jesus told his followers, “You will be hated by everyone because of me” (Matthew 10:22). Even centuries before Jesus ever said it, Daniel experienced that hatred over his worship of the true God. So those of us living right now in the time between Christ’s first and second coming should expect nothing different. Martin Luther is a good example. All that priest wanted was to share the pure gospel with the world. For trying to do that, both political and religious leaders attempted to end his life. The Festival of the Reformation emphasizes the true Church’s unfailing reliance on the Word of God and unflinching testimony to that Word even in the face of harsh persecution. Today we pray that the Lord would keep us steadfast in the faith and give us the peace of knowing that our lives are safe in his hands.

There are invitations we might be tempted to reject: an invitation to an event you are not interested in, an invitation to a party that takes place at the same time as something else you want to do. There are other invitations which people would say you’ve lost your mind to reject: an invitation to go on a free tropical vacation, an invitation to go backstage and meet your favorite musical group, an invitation to the Super Bowl. We get so many invitations. Some we accept; others we reject.

Where does God’s invitation to participate in his heavenly banquet rank? Scripture often pictures eternal life as a joyful party, full of friends and family, laughter, and the finest foods. Through a story Jesus teaches us how crazy it would be to reject God’s gracious invitation to that eternal celebration. More, Jesus tells us what we need to get into that best of all banquets.

“Foolish” might be how we’d initially describe the person who repeats the same behavior and expects to get a different outcome. “Reckless” might be another description if that repeated behavior puts someone else at risk.

But what if that person has gone to great lengths to arrange for his desired outcome, only for others to disrupt it each time? Perhaps he isn’t so foolish or reckless after all; rather, he is determined - determined to keep after it until his desired outcome is realized. Jesus’ story both warns and encourages us. Let us not disrupt but deliver the Lord’s desired outcome.

You have maybe heard the accusation or perhaps even made it yourself: “He’s so fake!” That charge claims someone’s friendliness or kindness is a sham. Such insincerity bothers us. We would generally rather someone be honest about how they feel about us than be fake. Through a story Jesus teaches us that God feels the same. God doesn’t want us to simply go through religious motions like some sort of show. He sees right through that. God’s desire is that our repentance would demonstrate sincere sorrow over sin. God wants us to see the grace and forgiveness he has shown us in Christ, and in response, to love him back deeply and sincerely.

Give a single bag of M&Ms to two four-year-olds and tell them to share. You will witness counting done with accountant-like precision. Each child will get an equal amount of candy because that is fair. Human beings have an incredibly strong sense of fairness. That is why it can be so perplexing when we see how God dispenses blessing and grace. We see people who mock God who are more prosperous than believers. We see people who convert on their deathbed, and Scripture tells us they obtain the same salvation as someone who has been Christian all his life. How is that fair?

Through a simple story, Jesus teaches us a profound truth. It appears that God is not fair. He does not give us what we deserve, and that’s called mercy. In fact, he gives us what we don’t deserve, and that’s called grace. No, God is not fair… at least according to our standard of fairness. He is fair according to his.

“Pay it forward.” That phrase means that when someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you pass along kindness to another person instead. Doing something kind for someone else is a way of thanking the person who originally did something kind for you.

Today God applies that concept to forgiveness. God forgave our countless sins, paying an incomprehensible price to do so. Obviously, we will never have occasion to do the same for God because God has never sinned. God has never wronged us.

But others may do us wrong. Others may cause us pain. And when we are quick to forgive, it is one way we thank God for being so quick to forgive us. This is the kind of church God wants—people who, like him, are quick to forgive.

Imagine, late one night, you notice the house across the street is on fire. You see no activity inside. You say to yourself, “Pounding on the door in the middle of the night might scare the family. I’m sure they’ll realize what’s going on eventually.”

Ridiculous! You would never do that! To let a family sleep while flames surround them would be cruel. Your inaction would make you a killer. The truth is you would pound on their door at 3:00 AM, screaming. You would throw a brick through their front window if that was what it took to warn them. You would not care if it startled the family. This is a matter of life and death! Love compels you to do whatever it takes.

God wants the people of his church to be willing to say hard things to people when that is what is necessary to save them from an even worse type of fire. Warning against sin is not easy. It upsets people, even offends them. But saying hard things is the loving thing to do when it is a matter of eternal life and death.

“Be true to yourself, no matter what.” This is the encouragement the world provides. Along with it? An emphasis on the importance of self-discovery, self-image, self-love, self-esteem, self-acceptance, etc. Do you notice a theme?

Jesus has a shockingly different take when it comes to “self.” He encourages denial. Deny yourself. Die to self.

But Jesus goes even a step further! He also calls us to carry our crosses - the very burdens and trials the world would tell us to set down! Why would we ever follow such seemingly backward advice!?! Because there alone will we find life. In Christ’s church, self < everything else.

Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Make no mistake. That is the most important question in the world. And it is a question every human must answer. A complimentary answer can still be dead wrong. Some in Jesus’ day thought he was John the Baptist or the prophet Elijah come back from the dead. Complimentary, but dead wrong. Today plenty of people believe Jesus existed. They believe he was a wise teacher or a role model for love. Complimentary, but dead wrong if missing the main point.

Jesus is both Lord and Savior, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This truth is the core of saving faith. It is the central message God has called our church to proclaim. What does God want in a church? He wants a church that clings to Jesus Christ.

“All are welcome!” Is that true at our church? Historically, it rarely is true. In the gospels, the average Jewish person would have thought it odd, even offensive, if someone who wasn’t an Israelite walked into their place of worship. Taking it a step further, some of the Jewish religious leaders would imply that church was meant for those who zealously followed religious customs and traditions. Those were “good church folk.” So church was meant for people of the right heritage and who behaved the right way. What about us? Is it conceivable that a stranger could walk into our church and for some reason you would ask yourself, “What is someone like that doing here?” Or, just perhaps, you are asking that question about yourself? “There are some seemingly godly people here. I’m not like them. Do I really belong?”

Today, Jesus shows us that God wants church to be for all people. All of us—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or social status—have the same problem of sin. And we all have the same Savior. Therefore, anyone who comes to Christ’s Church and cries out, “Lord, have mercy!” is more than welcome.

Wherever faith clings to the promises of God, doubt, deception, and/or distraction linger in the back of our minds in some capacity. When they flare up and attempt to smoke out our faith, we easily end up taking our eyes off Jesus. In those times, the solution is not found in some great miracle that removes adversity, but in the still small voice of our Savior God whispering to us in his Word. Through that Word, Christ reaches out to us with nail-scarred hands, proof of his great love. When Jesus gently says, “Eyes on me, child,” and we look again to him, our faith is restored.

The hardest times to trust in God are the times we need him most. It’s easy to trust God when your job is great, your health is fine, your relationships are strong, your family is well. It’s easy to trust God when the sun is shining, but what happens when your life is suddenly overshadowed by dark days?

When tragedy or conflict affect us, we may wonder if God continues to care and provide for us. At those times the Christian focuses on certain foundational facts. The Christian was chosen, predestined, and adopted as God’s dear child. God has provided the Christian with innumerable spiritual blessings and promises the Christian an eternity of glory, peace, and joy. If we look at those spiritual blessing God provides to us, how could we doubt that he will, at the right time, give us everything we truly need? The Christian trusts God to provide.

What do you consider your life’s priorities? If you made a list, what would be near the top? Faith, family, and friends would probably head the lists of many. Financial security and health would be right up there. Reputation and recreation would likely make the cut.

But perhaps a more interesting question than “What do you consider your life’s priorities?” is “Which of the items on that list would you be willing to sacrifice to save your top priority?” What if you had to give up the whole list—family, friends, finances, health, reputation, recreation—to save just one priority: faith?

This week we are given an honest assessment of what really matters in life. The kingdom is worth everything. Worldly wealth can buy the things of this world, the type of things that rust and decay, things that will renot last. True wealth is spiritual wealth. It can be found only in God and his eternal blessings for us in Christ. The Christian seeks first spiritual wealth and will sacrifice anything to obtain it.

The wheat that grows in the Middle East is a variety that looks much like wild grass or weeds. It is difficult to tell wheat and weeds apart until shortly before harvest time, when the wheat stalks develop a head containing the kernels of grain. Try and pull the weeds out of a wheat field and you will likely pull up a fair amount of wheat accidentally. So you need to wait for the harvest to separate wheat from weeds.

This week Jesus uses that image to illustrate life this side of heaven. Christians are pictured as wheat planted by the Lord. Evil and unbelieving evildoers are pictured as weeds. We might want God to take care of evil now—to pull up all the weeds. But he tells us to wait for the harvest. God is going to fix the problem of evil in this world, but it might not be today or even tomorrow. What does God want us to do while we wait? He wants us to live like wheat among weeds, serving the purpose for which he planted us. That means being faithful, fruitful, and mindful of the coming harvest.

Planting seed by hand can seem magical. In your hand the seed looks insignificant and lifeless. Yet you put the seed into the soil, and the natural process of life begins. All by itself, the seed germinates and sprouts and reaches to the sun. Except when it doesn’t! Plant multiple seeds and often only some, perhaps just a small amount, will sprout. As these few sprouts grow, birds and pests and weeds and weather attack. The reality is that once the seed leaves your hand, you are at the mercy of forces beyond your control.

Today, God uses that experience from nature to explain the supernatural process by which God calls humans to faith through the gospel. The Christian is planted by the Word. The Christian can plant the seed of the gospel into the soil of another’s heart. What happens after that is completely beyond our control. Yet God promises us that his Word always accomplishes his good purposes. God’s Word is powerful, all on its own, without our help.

Without rest, we suffer. Studies show that after 36 hours without sleep, most people will experience extreme fatigue and hormonal imbalances, resulting in decreased attention, poor decisions, and even speech impairment. Other studies show if someone takes no breaks during their workday, their productivity is lower than those who do take periodic breaks. We need rest.

Christians know they need more than sleep or breaks. We need more than physical rest. We need spiritual rest. The Christian knows that the only place to find that type of rest is Jesus. Jesus provides more than a pause in work, more than enjoyable recreation. Jesus provides the removal of our sins, the cleansing of our guilty conscience, and a gentle new yoke of discipleship. In Jesus, the Christian finds rest from his burdens, rest from his battles, and rest forever in heaven.

They never forgot their past. Moses never forgot how, in a fit of anger, he killed a man. Paul never forgot how he had savaged the Church of God, overseeing the persecution and execution of Christians around Jerusalem. Matthew never forgot how, as a tax collector for the Roman Empire, he was disdained as a swindler and traitor to his people. These men never forgot their past.

But God did. God forgave them all their sins and called them into gospel ministry. The holy ministry is not filled with perfect people. The holy ministry is filled with sinners whom God has called out of his boundless mercy. The holy ministry is God’s gift to the Church. And through it, the Holy Spirit also equips believers to carry out their personal ministry, the service to which God has called all Christians. This confidence is never found in self, but always and only in the one who calls us his.

Already in the very first chapter of the Bible we read, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image…” (Genesis 1:26). Note the singular “God” and the plural “us.” Scripture teaches us that there is only one God but that he exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is triune (three-in-one). This teaching is not some logical exercise or philosophical excursion. The doctrine of the Trinity is central to our salvation. The triune God is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Lose this doctrine, and as the Athanasian Creed says, you lose it all. A Jesus who is less than God is also less than a Savior.

So often, when life gets hard, we get frustrated. We don’t understand how God is working always for our good. But the doctrine of the Trinity teaches us we cannot even comprehend God’s existence. How then, could we ever comprehend all his workings? On this Holy Trinity Sunday, let it be enough to know that all three persons—Father, Son, and Spirit—love us with an everlasting love.

Fifty days after the Passover, God’s Old Testament people celebrated Pentecost (Greek for “fifty”). Pentecost commemorated the gathering of the harvest and was also used to remember the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai, the start of the Church of Israel. Christ chose Pentecost to be the birthday of his New Testament Church too. By pouring out his Holy Spirit, Christ empowered the Church to gather in the great harvest of souls won by the Son.

Pentecost is the third great festival of the Church, along with the Nativity and the Resurrection. The early church fathers mention the Festival of Pentecost often enough to lead many to believe it was celebrated annually already at the time of the apostles. Pentecost closes the fifty-day period after Easter and ends the festival half of the church year. The Church dresses in red this day to remind us of the tongues of fire that marked the Spirit’s gift, as well as the blood of the martyrs which was the seed of the Church.

They may serve up some amazing food at the new restaurant near you, but you’d never know if you never heard about it. The series that just started streaming may be the best thing you’ve ever watched, but you’d never discover it without first hearing about it. Even in a FOMO world, there’s still so much going on that escapes our notice; so many things about which we’re unaware because no one ever told us.

Tragically, the same could apply to life with Jesus. Many don’t know how phenomenal life with Jesus is because no one has ever told them. We can change that. We know him and can make him known to those who don’t.

The gospel is the most inclusive message in the world. The benefits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are meant for every man, woman, and child who ever lived.

The gospel is also the most exclusive message in the world, for it maintains that salvation can only be found in one place—the person of Jesus Christ.

Pay attention to how Jesus speaks: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus doesn’t say, “I will show you the true way to eternal life.” Others could say that, but Jesus says, “I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life you crave.” And, he is not just “a” way/truth/life, but “the” way/truth/life. There is no other way than through faith in the One who died and rose again.

Offensive or not, that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, is the very truth of Scripture upon which Christ builds his Church.

Thomas had been taught and trained by Christ himself. He heard Jesus predict his death and resurrection. Yet, even after hearing the eyewitness testimony of friends, who all saw the resurrected Jesus, Thomas had doubts: "Rising from the dead. That can’t be possible!"

Today is a day of great comfort for any follower of Jesus who wrestles with doubt concerning Christ’s promises or doubts about God’s Word. Jesus does not come to rebuke Thomas’ weak faith. Jesus comes to strengthen Thomas’ faith, giving him proof of the mind-bending reality of the resurrection—to let him feel it, touch it, explore it. Jesus didn’t reject Thomas. Jesus engaged Thomas and gave him peace.

Still today, Jesus comes to his disciples in Word and sacrament. He lets us partake of his true body and blood. The living Lord speaks to us through his living Word. Let us listen so that his peace can dispel our doubts.

Imagine someone you love is near death. Their only hope of survival is a risky brain surgery, one so complicated that only one surgeon in the state will attempt it. The surgery is scheduled. But as that doctor drives to the hospital, he is killed in a car accident. Any hope you had for your loved one’s salvation died along with that surgeon.

That is how Jesus’ disciples felt after his death. “We hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel,” they said (Luke 24:19). Their hope for a better life died along with Jesus. They had let their personal wants and expectations cloud their view of Scripture which said that the Messiah’s death and resurrection were actually the source of all hope! So, the living Lord appeared to his disciples. He explained. He opened their minds to the truth of God’s Word. And in doing so, he restored their hope.

There is little worse than a feeling of hopelessness. Christ’s disciples have victory over that feeling. He died, but he is dead no longer. The one who can heal us and give us life to the full lives! He lives to restore our hope.

Walk through a cemetery at dusk. What do you feel? Is it sadness as you think of loved ones now gone? Is it fear as you sense that it will not be long before you too are buried deep in the ground? Those are natural emotions. For in the normal realm of human existence, dead is dead. Someone dies, and all you have are pictures and memories. Every day that goes by only brings you one step closer to the end of your story. So, it is natural that mortals would walk through a cemetery with tears and fears.

But Jesus lives. That changes things. Jesus is the resurrection first fruits for the harvest of humanity. Dead is not dead forever. Death is not final at all! The one brought low by his mortality will be raised immortal! So, your deceased Christian loved ones are not gone. You will see them again, hug them again. When you walk through the doorway of death, that is not the end. It is the beginning. When we face death knowing that Christ is risen, we experience a completely different set of emotions—for our Conquering King lives to dry tears and remove fears.

Pick any head of state: the president, a prime minister, a king. Hopefully, they care about the people over whom they have authority. But even if they care, they live and operate above the people. The British royals live in a palace, not a three-bedroom ranch. The President does not fly coach. He sits in a recliner on Air Force One. There’s nothing wrong with this. Those offices are worthy of high respect. The point is these rulers live and operate above us. If a thief is breaking into your home, call 911 and see if your governor shows up. Your governor doesn’t even know your name! But, cut him some slack. He is only human.

Jesus is not. Jesus is the King of kings, God and man in one person. He knows you intimately. More! He is willing to do absolutely anything necessary to serve and protect you. We see that this Holy Week. It begins with Jesus riding a donkey colt into Jerusalem—as the prophet foretold. As this week nears its end, Jesus is given a crown of thorns. He carries a cross out of Jerusalem and is nailed to it. Placed on his cross was this sign: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The sign was partially right. Jesus is a king, just not of the Jews. He’s our King, infinitely mightier than any ruler in history, while also being infinitely humbler. King Jesus has come to save us. Those other heads of state can serve as blessings. But this is the greater type of king that we need most.

The author and poet George Eliot once wrote, “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” The Roman philosopher Cicero said much the same. He wrote, “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”

What second-rate comfort!

But that is the best the unbelieving world can offer—the sappy sentiment that our dead loved ones somehow “live on” in our memories. It is a sad way to attempt to cope as you walk through the cemetery.

Jesus provides a better solution to death: He promises life. One day Jesus will give your faithful dead back to you—to love and to laugh and to hug and to dance. Body and soul, living and walking in the new heaven and the new earth. How do we know Jesus can and will keep that promise? Because the Son of God descended into the darkness of death himself and emerged on Easter Sunday as the first fruit of the resurrection of all God’s people. In the creed we confess, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” Yet again, Jesus satisfies our greatest needs.

The Old Testament said that restoration of sight to the blind was one of the works of the Messiah. In his ministry, Jesus healed those who were physically blind. But even if our eyes work just fine, we still need Jesus to give us spiritual vision. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Christ comes to shine his light into our darkened eyes that we might see him and live. Jesus meets our greatest needs. He provides sight for the spiritually blind.

What is our greatest need in the face of suffering? Our initial response might be, “relief.” After all, when dealing with suffering in some capacity, what do our initial prayers for others or for ourselves tend to focus on? We want the Lord to diminish or take away any suffering.

But what if God is actually accomplishing something better in us and for us through suffering that we wouldn’t otherwise experience if he simply took it away? Would we pray the same way? Perhaps not. Instead, we might begin to become aware of how God could use suffering to uniquely transform us for the better. Once we can perceive the good that God is able to bring about through suffering, we find great comfort in knowing that even when he doesn’t promise to remove suffering from us, what he does promise is to provide us with the hope necessary to endure it - a hope that clings to the good he will work through our suffering.

What do we need more than anything else? We need a pass. Permission. Access. We need a way to get in with God. Since God’s holiness keeps unholy sinners on the outside looking in, we don’t stand a chance of ever gaining access to his presence or residence in heaven on our own.

But God has not left us on our own. Instead, his love prompted him to leave his home to carry out everything necessary to give us access to him. Believe it. Only in that belief, that faith, lies the promise of entry for the excluded.

Our modern English word “champion” comes from an old English word that meant “warrior.” In ancient times, when two armies gathered to fight, sometimes as a prelude to the battle—and sometimes in place of the battle—each army would pick a mighty soldier, and these two men would fight each other. These elite warriors, these champions, would represent their people in battle. They would meet in the middle of the field. With everyone watching, they would fight to the death.

Today we are reminded of an ancient war that began in Eden. The perfect peace and prosperity of Paradise was lost when a fallen angel convinced mankind to follow the demons in rebelling against their Creator. When Adam fell, he condemned the world to darkness and death. The enemy of God claimed that the children of men now belonged to him. God was having none of it. He promised he would send forth his champion, his Son. And so, today we see a battle of champions. The demons send forth their strongest warrior—Satan. God sends forth the best of men, Jesus Christ. Jesus does what Adam and we could not. In crushing the devil, Jesus meets one of our greatest needs.

Jesus grabbed the attention of Peter, James, and John on top of a high mountain when he was transfigured - changed - right before their eyes, revealing himself to be much more than a normal man. Here was God himself revealing his glory in their presence! He got their attention!

Peter encourages us to continue to pay attention to the words and works of Jesus recorded for us in his Word, the Bible. Those works include the very suffering Jesus would endure after descending from that mountain to make his way to the cross, where he would die the death we deserved for our salvation. So during Lent - and always - prayerfully pay attention!

The word “holy” comes from an Old English word, “halig” which means “whole” or “healthy.” We have a holy God. He wants us to live a holy life, one that is wholly dedicated to him, one that is spiritually and emotionally healthy for us. So, as Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount, he makes a crucial point that not all his followers (including present-day followers) understand well: Jesus came to free us from sin. He did not come to free us to sin.

God commands that we live a holy life and provides dire warnings to remind us just how holy he wants us to be. Today we face a rapid decline in public morals and private piety. Yet, Jesus calls his followers to be different. He urges personal purity.

After examining our lives, we can only despair over our lack of holiness. So we flee to Christ who loves us despite our failures and who sacrificed himself for unholy people. Secure in his grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, each day we strive to live the holy lives to which we have been called.

Jesus made the world. Jesus made you.

Sin marred the world. Sin marred you.

But Jesus is better. He redeemed the world. He redeemed you - and he redeemed you to make the world better and brighter. Go and be what he has made you to be.

Pay attention the next time someone shares some good news and follows it up with, “I am so blessed.” Are they referring to spiritual blessings? Probably not. When we consider how blessed we are, often we are thinking in terms of physical blessings, temporal blessings, worldly blessings. That isn’t bad… but it isn’t all! We have an abundance of spiritual blessings, and we have them right now. That’s because we’ve been brought into the kingdom of heaven, a kingdom that isn’t just ours in the future when we die and go home to heaven, but a kingdom that is ours right now. That means we’re free to live like it!

The prophet Isaiah vividly described humanity as “people walking in darkness.” We are completely enveloped by sin and suffering and death. Worse, when we honestly assess the content of our minds and hearts, we find darkness there too. However, the prophet also foretold that within this deep darkness, a light would shine. The light would be so brilliant that it would be impossible to miss. As Jesus began his teaching and preaching ministry, that prophecy was fulfilled.

Today Jesus continues to shine his light by preaching repentance and the good news of the nearing kingdom. He invites us to live a life that is illuminated by him. He calls us to walk in the light of love for God and for the brothers and sisters around us. Our Savior is the Light of the world, and so we shine his reflected light onto everyone around us.

For centuries the priests of Israel offered sacrifices to God for sin. Over and over blood flowed, testifying that the penalty of sin was death. But over and over a substitute stood in the place of the sinner. Countless animals died under the priestly knife as generations of the faithful brought lamb after lamb to the temple.

This week we see the Lamb that God himself was bringing to the temple. This was the Lamb that God himself would sacrifice. In the great act that would remove our condemnation, the Messiah took our sins, stood in our place, and died as the substitute for sinful mankind. This was the fulfillment of the entire sacrificial system. Every lamb and goat and bird pointed to God’s Lamb who takes away our sin.

The heart that sees his Savior willingly becoming the Lamb cannot help but take this news of salvation to the ends of the earth.

As our celebration of Christmas winds down and we head into a new year, we look back on the past year and see a trail of broken promises - both to ourselves and to others. We said we were going to do something or maybe stop doing something, but our actions didn’t match our words.

This morning then, and with the remaining days of Christmas, celebrate that our Savior’s words and actions on our behalf always matched up perfectly. Rejoice that Christmas means completion because our Savior was born not just to make empty promises, but to fulfill them by taking action.

Families cherish their Christmas traditions. Year after year, they decorate the tree with the same ornaments, play the same music, bake the same Christmas cookies. Without asking, family members know when they will open presents. If you try to change your family’s Christmas traditions, you just might pick a fight! When it comes to family Christmases, people generally don’t like things to change.

Because our celebration of Christmas is so steeped in unchanging traditions, it might be easy for us to miss that the Nativity of the Son of God meant radical change for the world. The birth of the Christ child meant that nothing in the world would ever be the same. We even divide history into the events that occurred “Before Christ” (BC) and after “Anno Domini” (AD), Latin for “Year of our Lord.”

Christmas traditions are wonderful. But make no mistake about it. Christmas is all about change. The Lord God came to change the world by becoming part of the world. Because we are part of the world, that means Christmas changes us too. This Christmas Eve, we see how.

We want control. We want to be able to determine the outcome. We want to be able to follow the prescribed set of rules so that everything works out the way that it should.

But then it doesn’t. Even when we did everything we thought we were supposed to. This happens in all areas of life, but the one that matters most is our inability to make up for or account for our sin. This problem we cannot fix. God had to take care of it. God had to roll up his sleeves and do the dirty work. And he did just that.

To do what mankind could not do—remove all the burdens of sin—God became man. When you look into the manger, what do you see? A baby? Yes. But, more. That is Immanuel, “God-with-us.” The Son of God became Mary’s son, so that he could do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

"Come, Lord Jesus!" Series

The Messiah who came at Christmas will return on the Last Day. How do we wait for him? Patiently. But patient waiting is not passive waiting. Patient waiting expresses itself in a confidence displayed both in words and actions. Such patience will graciously be rewarded by a Messiah who, at just the right time, will return to permanently fix all that is broken in this life.

"Come, Lord Jesus" Series

No one wants to be judged. Being judged is a deflating experience. Our culture has made that clear by how it treats anyone it sniffs out as being judgmental. It’s perceived to be about one of the worst accusations our society can throw at you - that you’re guilty of judging someone.

But, like it or not, when Jesus comes back, he will do so as Judge. And everyone will face one of only two possible judgments. Either they will be judged righteous and inherit heaven, or they will be judged wicked and suffer unquenchable fire in hell (Mt. 3).

For those who heed John the Baptist’s cry to prepare, we can welcome that judgment. We already know the verdict! And his judgment matters more than the judgment of a judgmental world. So yes, Come, Lord Jesus - as Judge!

"Come, Lord Jesus" Series

It is an odd sight, this man riding into Jerusalem on a baby donkey, to cheers and the celebratory waving of palm branches. Understandably, many asked, “Who is this?” The answer: This is not just a rabbi. This is the King of all Creation. This is God Almighty wrapped in flesh.

This is a King unlike any other ruler who has ever lived. For he is infinitely greater than all other kings, while simultaneously being infinitely humbler. This King is willing to trade his golden crown for one made of thorns. This King comes not demanding our service but to serve us. You look at how good, how loving is this King, and you ask that question upon which eternity hinges. “Who is this?” As we march through this new Church Year, the answer becomes crystal clear. This King is the Savior of the nations. He comes to you.

"Come, Lord Jesus" Series

When the Israelites clamored for a king, yearning to be like all the other nations of the world, God warned them. Their desire for an earthly king was a rejection of the Lord as their leader. It would also result in their world being turned upside down as their kings would abuse their authority and suit their own selfish purposes. Nevertheless, in his grace, the Lord did promise - and ultimately deliver - a Ruler who would be unlike any of Israel’s kings. This King would not take advantage of his authority to serve himself, but others. This King, Jesus, came to establish a kingdom that would last forever and would be open to everyone.

Jesus will return again on the Last Day. That day will be a day of judgment - his. His judgment will not be based on popularity or performance. It will not be determined by good intentions or bad behavior. Jesus’ judgment will come down to one all-important matter: do you believe him to be the Savior you need or not? It’s that simple. Our answer to that question determines whether the Last Day will be a day of dread or a day of delight.

Jesus’ words, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” are commonly quoted by anyone searching for any truth today. While many in the world take these words and misapply them in any generic sense in which it suits their purpose, Jesus had a specific relationship in mind between truth and freedom: a spiritual one. Truth in general does not guarantee freedom. It cannot. But there is a truth that does, and thanks to God’s work through Martin Luther and the reformers, that truth prevails today. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we believe it - and have the freedom it promises.

Each new week sees fresh news headlines, but many continue to ask the same question: why? Why does God allow it all to happen? If he promises to work good through all things, where is the good? Why does it feel as if he is distant and removed? These are not uncommon questions to ask.

But they aren’t the most important question that needs to be asked. There is one question that matters most… and the answer to it matters even more. What question is that? More importantly, what is the answer to the most important question anyone can ask? If you haven’t been able to find it on your own, what have you got to lose in listening to Jesus’ answer?

"Lord, Increase Our Faith" Series

“You have to learn to walk before you run.” The expression serves to highlight the importance of starting with the basics before we move on to the more complex. We don’t start out with graduate school, but preschool and kindergarten. We don’t start out as the CEO of the company, but more likely in an entry-level position. In this way, we build on what we learn and gain more experience and knowledge to equip us for more difficult challenges and additional responsibilities. In some ways, our faith is like this - we start with the fundamental teachings of Scripture and grow to learn the more challenging doctrines.

But in another sense, the issue isn’t a matter of faith running versus walking, but faith moving at all. Faith acts. Faith works. Faith does. In other words, to appreciate the value of our faith, we don’t need to wait until we have more of it to take action; faith can act right now no matter what size it is. That’s what a growing faith does - big or small, it gets to work.

"Lord, Increase Our Faith" Series

"HARD TRUTH" Series

While money and possessions matter in this life, they cannot bring true happiness and fulfillment. In fact, they often bring the opposite of what they promise to deliver! Yet, the ultimate failure of money and possessions is that they fail to deliver when it comes to death. Those whose hearts are filled with love for possessions and no love of God or for God will receive the only eternity that money can buy: a pain-filled forever without God.

Conversely, that which can often matter too little in life will never fail us in death: the Word of God. While those who hear and heed the Scriptures often appear to receive little benefit in life from it, the reward of the gospel upon death will dwarf anything and everything that money could ever buy. Those who find the help they need in God rather than in money will never be disappointed.

'HARD TRUTH" Series

There are more than 2300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. And that evil foe knows how successfully he can manipulate us with money. Money provides us with a false comfort and a sense of security. It serves as a source of pride. It serves as a wonderful tool for a favorite pastime: justifying ourselves in our own eyes and the eyes of others.

Jesus knows that serving money makes it impossible to serve God. The human heart is not big enough for both. As a result, Jesus does all he can to expose the futility of serving money. He also helps us see that the only one truly worth serving is our gracious, loving God. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of money being a lord to serve, it becomes a resource for serving the Lord. This is the hard truth. There is no way for us to serve both God and money. But we can serve God with our money.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

“He’s lost.” We use that term not only to refer to someone who is bewildered about where they are but also to refer to someone who is in a helpless, hopeless state. Mankind’s natural state is one of complete spiritual helplessness, a profound lostness. It manifests itself in countless ways. The one who simply wants God to leave him alone: lost. The one who feels she can handle life on her own: lost. The one who thinks he has the right to repent of his sins on his own timetable and on his own terms: lost. The one who thinks God owes them in some way: lost.

Wandering around physically lost can lead to winding up in bad places. But the hard truth is that wandering around spiritually lost puts you in the worst place of all. Fortunately, Jesus does not leave us alone in our lostness. He relentlessly seeks us. He involves the rest of the Christian community in seeking the lost and rejoicing over the found.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

Everyone knows that humility is a positive trait and pride is a negative one. So, why bother talking about what we already know? Because in spite of that knowledge, we still helplessly fall into the trap of pride. We cannot help but think that our ascent to the exalted status we desire is our responsibility. We even take our exaltation into our own hands, either by treating poorly those we believe we can stand on top of or by showing favoritism to those we believe can provide us with upward mobility.

Rather than minimizing pride as a sin that is common or harmless, Jesus’ words today confront us with this hard truth. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled by God. But Jesus also gives us the promise we need to be freed from pride’s trap. Our exaltation doesn’t need to be our responsibility because Jesus has already made it his. Those who humble themselves Christ will exalt.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

When it comes to the difficult and uncomfortable topic of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, it is natural to want to avoid the issue. One way we do that is to direct our attention to theoretical questions. “What is heaven like?” “How old will we be there?” “Are there really baby-faced angels wearing diapers and shooting love arrows?” Today, someone asks Jesus that same type of question: “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?”

Jesus brushes these questions aside. Instead, he answers the question we should be asking. Rather than talking about how many will be saved, Jesus explains how to be among the saved. What he teaches today through his Word is a hard truth. The doorway into heaven is narrow. Scripture consistently teaches that those individuals who are certain they will be first through that door are more likely to be last, if they make it through at all. Instead, the one who believes he is the last one God should let into his kingdom and that his only chance of getting in is through the grace of Christ will enter first.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

Ask others and you’ll find that most people want peace, but they want it on their terms and as they define it. That is well and good, that is, until someone else comes along with different terms of peace or an entirely different understanding of peace altogether. How likely is it that peace between those two individuals or groups will be achieved? Not very.

So what happens when Jesus comes along and claims to bring peace, but on his terms and as he defines it? Division happens. What are we to do then? We have two choices. We can either dig in our heels and demand peace on our terms, or we can humbly open our ears and hearts to receive the peace that Jesus brings.

In a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want so we ask. We hurt so we cry out. We are frustrated so we vent. We are blessed so we give thanks. So we sometimes define prayer as “speaking to God from the heart.” Seems so easy.

What does not come naturally, however, is the focused prayer God wants for us. We need focus when it comes to the basis of our prayers - the unique and unearned relationship with have with our Father - and we need focus when it comes to the content of our prayers.

Yes, we can speak from the heart and ask for anything we want. But our Father invites us to pray specifically for the things he wants to give us. Prayer is the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. We have much to learn about prayer! So, along with Jesus’ disciples, we say, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).

Jesus wants focused followers. However, one of the things that can most easily get in the way of our focus is our earthly possessions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Jesus’ words so frequently focus his followers on wealth. Jesus’ followers don’t reject earthly wealth or despise it. They can be grateful for every good gift that comes from the hand of God - while also being on guard against greed. Focused followers don’t give earthly wealth a role in their lives it will never be able to fill.

Today, Jesus teaches us that he has set us free to live a life focused on serving others. No matter the neighbor and no matter his need, we are free to act in ways that often seem senseless. We are free to actively seek out a neighbor in need. We are free to bear any cost and go any distance to serve them as Christ would serve them. We are free to be more concerned about being friendly to others than being friended by them.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

Jesus not only gives us his powerful Word, but also pastors who proclaim it. Those entrusted with the care of Jesus' flock are expected to shepherd that flock just as He would. So they share Jesus’ words, not because of what they might gain from the flock, but because of what the flock might gain from Jesus. When Jesus’ shepherds minister to Jesus’ flock, the flock is also equipped to minister to each other and to the world with Jesus’ powerful Word, so that God’s kingdom might advance among us.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

There are different types of followers: the half-hearted versus the committed. Jesus is uninterested in half-hearted followers who shoehorn him into their lives only when their other pursuits provide time for him. Jesus wants followers who are all-in… who love him above all things… who would be willing to leave everything else behind if that’s what it takes to be with him.

Where will he find those kinds of committed followers? He won’t. They can’t be found; they can only be made, and Jesus’ words alone have the power to do just that. Through his Word, Jesus creates in us the very commitment that he seeks.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

We are born into this world on the side of the evil one. Unless and until God intervenes, we are enslaved to Satan and bent only toward sin. But God’s powerful Word has intervened! His words possess the only power that can promise freedom from the enemy. Just as Jesus’ words freed one man from the devil’s demons, so do his words set us free today. So powerful are his words still today that when his words leave our lips, they free others from Satan’s spiritual stranglehold, too! God’s words possess God’s power - the power to give freedom!

Even after Jesus had gone up into heaven, he still did what he does best: kept his promise! The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the fulfillment of Jesus’ parting gift and promise to his disciples at his Ascension. Where man had left Babel in confusion, the Spirit brought clarity at Pentecost. Today the Holy Spirit continues his work of scattering and gathering, and for the same purpose: to bring clarity through the gospel as only the Spirit can.

We want to make a difference. We want to serve a purpose. Without purpose, life seems meaningless, and we can feel as if we’re just in the way and taking up space. But purpose can breathe life into us, make us alive, and rekindle a passion from within. At Jesus’ ascension, he did not leave us because he was fed up, but rather to fill us up with purpose - his purpose! So we now have meaning. We now have a mission - his.

“This, too, shall pass.” There is a measure of comfort in knowing that seasons of grief will eventually pass. However, that comfort can be rather short-lived when we are suddenly slammed with the next unexpected wave of grief. How do we process grief then? Do we begin to just accept the miserable reality that joy will always elude us and that perennial grief is our lot in life? It doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus made sure of it.

We love love. We love being in love and even love the idea of being in love. We love certain foods, clothes, celebrities, music, cars, teams, etc. - we could go on and on listing all the things we love.

Is it possible, though, that our “love” for so much has watered down its meaning? More importantly, has our own love become watered down and meaningless? It might appear so as we consider how we see people treat one other in the world today. The question is… are we part of the problem? If so, how do we address it?

It could result in serious injury or death for a rock climber. It would dock the figure skater’s score. Falling can have disastrous consequences. But falling from faith would be even more devastating. Should you be concerned? Should you be worried about losing your faith? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has an answer for you. Listen to him, just as sheep listen to the voice of their shepherd. His words will drive away your despair. His words will not disappoint.

We all fail. We all are well aware of our failures, and if we’re not, others will all too often remind us of them! But failings and failures from our past do not define us. We are not failures simply because we have failed in the past. How do we know? Because there is something greater that defines us, something far superior to any failure: a Christ who never failed. Christ’s resurrection is the proof that he has erased our failures and is the assurance of our victory.

Easter Sunday has come and gone, the grind continues, and life goes on. If Jesus’ resurrection is such a big deal, why does it feel as if not much has changed? Struggles have not disappeared for us as Christians. We still come under fire for our faith. God’s people all over the world are suffering for the Savior’s sake, and we are not immune to it. Does Easter really matter that much?

It does! Jesus’ victory is our victory! Suffering has met its match at the empty tomb and its hold on us is temporary. Our victory in Christ, though, is forever!

Defeated. It’s one thing to experience it when your team is on the losing end of the big game. It’s another to feel it consistently in life. When the hits keep coming, one after the other, when life takes this turn then that turn, it all takes the wind out of our sails. We feel defeated.

But we aren’t alone. We aren’t the first and we won’t be the last to experience feelings of defeat. So the question isn’t, “Who else knows what this feels like?” - we all do; rather, the question is, “How are we going to respond?” On this Easter Sunday, we turn to several defeated disciples for direction on how to face defeat.

The events of Palm Sunday might not seem pivotal to our salvation. Christ sheds no blood on this day. However, Palm Sunday sets the tone for all of Holy Week. It perfectly illustrates that Jesus came to be the kind of king this world will never understand: one who conquers his enemies by surrendering to them, one who crushes his opposition by himself being crushed, one whose path to kingly exaltation begins with humiliation. This is the kind of King we have marching into battle as one of us and for all of us this week. As a result, we are drawn to him in faith rather than driven away in fear. This humble King is our only hope.

HOLY WEEK

"Holiday" is simply short for "holy day." Throughout the course of a year, there are certain days we set apart as special: to commemorate extraordinary events, to celebrate influential individuals. While there are many holy days, there is but one holy week. The final week of Lent marks the most pivotal week in human history. In the four gospels—biographies of Jesus Christ's thirty-three-year life—this single week consumes nearly a third of the ink. The Holy Spirit considered the events of this week that important.

On a holy day, the relentless march of time slows down. We set aside our usual routines to call attention to whatever or whoever makes that day special. Likewise, believers slow down this entire week to ponder all that Christ did for them, from his humble entrance into Jerusalem... to his sacrificial death on the cross... to the victory of Easter morning.

Athletes, authors, and academics all have something in common: they’ve all been rejected. We all have. While no one enjoys it, rejection is something we’ve all experienced in multiple ways throughout our lives. Rejection can be crushing. Yet, there is one who has faced it more than anyone else. How did he handle it? Thankfully, in a way that we never could.

"The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

Judgment is all around us. We judge others. They judge us. We judge ourselves. Along with so much judgment - justified or not - comes the crushing weight of condemnation. How do we deal with such a heavy burden? How do we remove it? We don’t. Grace does, and no burden of condemnation is ever so heavy that it can’t be lifted by grace.

"The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

It is easy for us to feel confident. We look at our track record of mostly good deeds (or at least better than others) and feel pretty good about ourselves. Or, we look at the good direction our life has been taking - compared to others whose lives appear to be in shambles - and we conclude that God’s favor must mean we’re doing something right. Be careful! Such an attitude, such conclusions leave us ripe for a devastating fall and a wake-up call to reality. If we look for any measure of confidence or security in ourselves when it comes to our relationship with God, we will be let down. Thankfully, despite our own overconfidence, God is faithful - so much so that his faithfulness toward us crushes our mistaken self-security.

"The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

Last week at the start of our “Crushed” series, we talked about temptation. This week we see what is at the center of every temptation: promise of a shortcut to glory. Even in a world as sharply divided as ours, there is near universal agreement that the preferred path to glory is the shortest and easiest. To walk the path our Savior puts us on, one on which the cross comes before the crown, puts us out of step with the world. Thankfully, the determination required to walk this path starts with our Savior and not with us. Because of his determination, we are offered a glory far superior to anything the world can offer.

"The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

The blow that comes as a result of a devastating loss, the defeat of personal failure, the despondency felt from guilt or anxiety or depression - these can all crush us emotionally. In a broken world, it is simply a matter of time before we feel crushed. For 1400 years the Church has set aside the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of repentance and renewal (this time is called “Lent” in the church). During this time, believers humbly acknowledge that sin is the ultimate source of all the crushing moments in life. But Jesus came to do something about it: "The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

When we are faced with our repeated failures to successfully face temptation, we are crushed. Thankfully, we have a champion who faced temptation with perfect success. Since by faith his victory is ours, and because we have the weapon of his Word, we can find the necessary confidence to face temptation with a newfound strength.

As the season of Epiphany ends with Transfiguration Sunday, we are presented with another paradox. For God's glory to be revealed, it actually must be covered. God's glory needed to be hidden in Christ. It is hidden in the gospel. This is how God enables sinful human beings to see his glory and, rather than turning away in fear, stare at it in wonder for as long as they want. Through today’s paradox, God reveals for us that when his glory is hidden, it is most on display.

Last week we saw the paradoxical relationship between weakness and strength in Christ's kingdom. This week we see how Christ would have us react to those who wrong us or oppose us. Jesus asks us to befriend our enemies, to love those who hate us, and to repay evil with good. Logic would say that is a recipe for being walked all over. Yet, have we not seen this tactic work? When we were Christ's enemies, he loved us to the point of death. He repays our daily evil with the daily goodness of his mercy. In doing so, he has won us for himself. Following the paradox Jesus lays out today is not a caving in or a capitulation to evil. It is a means of conquering it.

A paradox is defined as "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.” The wise individual who states “If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing,” is using a paradox. Paradoxes can be thought-provoking ways of stating profound truths, and so it is no surprise that we find them in Scripture. On each of the remaining Sundays of Epiphany, we will ponder a powerful paradox. May God use these apparent contradictions to help us more firmly grasp his goodness and grace.

It does not surprise us that from the beginning of his ministry Jesus demonstrated his commitment to proclaiming good news of the kingdom of God, regardless of whether people rejected his message or embraced it. That was Christ's agenda, and he was committed to it. What is surprising is that, also from the beginning, Jesus demonstrated his plan to carry out this proclamation by sending others to speak on his behalf. More surprising is whom he sends, not angels, but mere human beings. In many cases, it was individuals who seemed to lack the qualifications to speak on Christ's behalf. Yet, Christ equipped and prepared them. Do you feel unqualified to tell others the good news? Then be assured, Jesus plans to use you exactly for that purpose.

When our message is rejected, as last week reminded us is often the case, it is natural to equate that rejection with failure. How do we respond? Do we give in to the temptation to alter the message or try a different approach in pursuit of success? If a church makes its central focus things like personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that church may draw a crowd - it just fails to carry out the agenda Christ has given his Church. The gospel of forgiveness is to be the center of all our preaching and teaching. The agenda for Christ's Church is set. It's the same agenda that was followed by the Church's Christ.

When one proclaims God's Word, typically the intentions are good. We want others to know the joy of salvation and the love of Christ. Therefore, it can be surprising to us when God's Word is met with apathy or rejection by those who hear it. It's easy to conclude that when the Word of God offends human minds and hearts (including our own), something has gone wrong. The truth that is uncovered this week is that rejection of Jesus' words is not the exception but the rule. Jesus' words will always offend. However, we will see that God can use even the rejection of his Word for good.

Are the pursuit of God and the pursuit of pleasure two separate paths? Many make that assumption—that life with Jesus is a boring, sterile experience. They are dead wrong. Jesus came to undo everything that is wrong with our world as a result of sin's curse. He also came to multiply our joy and deliver delight beyond our wildest dreams. Note that when Jesus begins to reveal his glory, it isn't by going to a hospital to cure every ailment. Instead, he starts at a local wedding, one of the greatest sources of joy in this life. The truth uncovered for us this week is that life with Jesus is not a life with less delight, but infinitely more.

Our sight tends to be the sense we trust most. We say we will believe something when we see it. That presents a problem when it comes to the work of God. So often what our eye sees differs from what God decrees. This is true of the life of Jesus. In the eyes of the world, he was nothing special. This is also true in the life of the Christian. To the world, the believer does not look more blessed than the unbeliever. In fact, the believer may appear to have more hardships as the devil and his allies attempt to destroy him. So, to assure his children, God connects his grace, power, and blessing to something we can see—a visible sign: the anointing of baptism.

Series: UNCOVERED - Uncovering Surprising Truths about Christ

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

Already as a child, Jesus' saving work had begun. His entire life, he served as our substitute, perfectly obeying God's Law. Just think of how we often neglect the study of God's Word. Then look at twelve-year-old Jesus, eager to be in the temple learning more about Scripture. However, he would need to do more than be our substitute. Eventually, he would lay that perfect life down as the sacrifice for our sin.

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

The ability to appreciate Christmas is directly proportional to the understanding of whom Christmas is for. Christmas is only meant for those who are held captive by our enemies, sin and death. Christmas is for people who have no power of their own to free themselves from those enemies. Christmas is for people who patiently wait for God to redeem them and set them free. God's Christmas gift is for slaves, but it does not leave them that way. Jesus takes those born in slavery and, having redeemed them, turns them into sons and daughters of God. He makes us heirs of a glorious, eternal inheritance. He sets us free from a forced servitude to our enemies and replaces it with joyful service to our loving Father.

There is something that sets the Christ child apart from all others. It is not simply his humble beginnings, with a cattle trough as his first cradle. It is not just the miraculous nature of his birth, his mother being a virgin. There is so much more. This child is the only hope we have for peace and a future. This child can wipe away every tear, drive away every fear. Here is the truth of Christmas. With this child, you lack nothing. Without him, you have nothing. Curiosity, awe, and even faith can't help but wonder, "WHAT CHILD IS THIS?"

This Christmas Eve, a prophet answers that question: he is the "Prince of Peace." Peace, contrary to how the world views it, is not merely found in the absence of conflict, but in the presence of Christ. The peace we can never find in the world by righting wrongs or resolving conflict is a peace that only Jesus provides. That peace is God's gift to us, given on that first Christmas Eve.

By this time of the holiday season, people are often weighed down. They feel guilty about presents that are not perfect, or parties that did not go as planned, or year-end projects that did not get completed. To top it all off, now is when it dawns on people how little attention they have given to the spiritual preparation Advent invites. If that is how we feel, perhaps the frenzy of December has actually done us a favor. We have been stretched to our limits. We have been made aware of our shortcomings. We have been humbled. Perfect! For being made aware of our weaknesses does not disqualify us from God's care. It does the opposite. It is what prepares us for the work he does best. He is a God who lifts up the humbled.

Last week we saw that the Lord sends messengers to call us to repentance. This week we learn that those who refuse to heed that call to humble themselves will be humbled anyway. The Lord who once came near in flesh and now comes near in Word and sacrament will one day come near with consuming fire and judgment. The Lord will humble his enemies. This truth does two important things. First, it adds urgency to God's Advent call to repentance. Second, it gives us comfort when we, as God's people, experience opposition from the world. Those who oppress and harm God's people will face justice.

People tend to feel a lot of pressure this time of year. We want to stay on top of our family traditions. We want our houses to look good for out-of-town guests. We want to impress people with the thoughtfulness of our gifts. What a welcome relief, therefore, to hear what is required of us to meet the Lord: nothing. Well, there is something. It is the humble acknowledgment that we can do nothing to bring ourselves closer to God - nor do we need to! All that is needed has already been accomplished by him, for us.

Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent (which marks the beginning of a new church year!) and the start of our Humble Expectations series. The word Advent means “coming,” in reference to the ways Jesus comes to his people. What are your expectations when it comes to Jesus’ coming?

This morning Jesus sets the tone for our Advent preparation as we see him humbly enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What do palm branches have to do with Christmas? More than you might think.

“Give thanks to the Lord…” but why? There are many reasons, but here are two of the greatest: 1) He is good, and 2) His love endures forever.

God’s Word encourages us to use all of the financial gifts God has given us with an eye on our purpose.

Our challenge this week will focus on living shrewdly with the blessings and treasures that God has given us. But what did Jesus mean when he encouraged us to be shrewd? Who is someone you know that is a positive example of shrewdness? In what ways are you already shrewd? In what ways are you not shrewd? How can you honor God by managing with intention the gifts he has given you?

This week, we look at the God-lived life as one that opens our lives to others. As we invite people into our lives and our homes, God gives us opportunities to share Jesus as we build relationships with them.

Our challenge this week will focus on living a life of hospitality—opening our hearts and homes to others. How did Jesus show “radical” hospitality? Think of a time someone showed you radical hospitality. How did that make you feel? How can you reflect the love of Jesus by showing that level of hospitality to someone? How can you be different, like Jesus was different?

This week, the particular focus of the God-lived life is a life lived for others, a life of generosity. God allows us the opportunity to serve and love one another, especially those who are part of our communities.

Our challenge will focus on being a good neighbor. What makes someone a good neighbor? How can you show God’s love to others by being a good neighbor? How can our church be a good neighbor to our community? How can we be present for others?

This week, the particular focus of the God-lived life is that of being a disciple, a learner, one who grows in God’s Word. May God’s Word cause us to crave that pure spiritual milk so that by it we grow up in our salvation.

Our challenge this week will focus on growing and learning in God’s Word. What’s your biggest motivation for spending time in God’s Word? What’s your biggest obstacle to spending time in God’s Word? What can help you overcome that obstacle? How can you build Bible study and prayer time into your regular routine?

What is the room capacity in heaven? How many will be there? Many of the Bible’s descriptions of heaven include some imagery of food and feasting - will heaven be an endless buffet or are those descriptions figurative? While there are many unknowns regarding heaven, Jesus would have us focus on what we do know: you’ve been invited and there is room - room for us and plenty of room for others.

There are many things we look forward to. In fact, it is often the anticipation of some future experience that excites us as much or more than the experience itself! Heaven, though, will be different. No matter how much we look forward to it, experiencing it will surpass anything we could have anticipated. Heaven is coming! Are you looking forward to it?

The Word of God works. But what do we do when others are not interested in hearing it? We apologize - defend - our faith. While reason takes a back seat to faith, that doesn’t mean the Christian faith is unreasonable. Reason can pave the way to open others up to hearing the Word. Sometimes the first step in simple evangelism is defending what you believe. #simpleevangelism

As we become better at listening to others, opportunities for us to witness will increase. However, those occasions are more likely to occur rather sporadically than they are to be scheduled ahead of time. So how do we prepare ahead of time if we don’t know when these opportunities will arise? We make sure we’re always ready. And how do we make sure we’re always ready? We acquire a taste for the Lord. #simpleevangelism

A witness providing testimony in a court of law isn’t required to be an expert. Such a witness merely testifies about what has been seen and heard. It isn’t any more complicated than that when it comes to our Christian witness: we merely testify about what we have seen and heard. When it comes to Jesus, what have you seen and heard in your life? Tell others. Witness. #simpleevangelism.

Just about everyone today has something to say. Everyone wants to be heard. Few, however, are all that interested in listening. The result? Listeners are in high demand. That means an open door for us - one that is very simple: we just have to listen. #simpleevangelism.

Evangelism - making the extraordinary news of Jesus known to others - can be intimidating for many. But sometimes that’s because we make it out to be more complicated than it really is. Through this series, “Simple Evangelism: One Word at a Time,” we pray that you will be equipped and encouraged to be the evangelist God has called you to be.

Getting out of the rut of chasing after other empty escapes is not easy on our own. The good news? We aren’t on our own. We have the power and strength at our disposal to overcome. But that power and strength do not come from us; they come from the Lord, and he equips us with everything we need to escape and find #realrest

No one would doubt that technology has provided us with many blessings. However, many of those blessings can also double as doorways by which we tune out the world. When such things serve as an escape to avoid adversity or ignore responsibility, they become part of the problem, not the solution. If entertainment becomes our escape, we’re not only missing out on the greatest invitation ever offered by tuning out; we’re also turning up the problem. #escape #realrest

Inside each of us is the desire to be known and appreciated. We seek significance. If we’re not careful, that can drive us to value our self-worth heavily on the basis of what others think of us. We can quickly become infatuated with status and success, and the endless pursuit of such desires can become an unhealthy escape. How do we avoid that unhealthy endless hamster wheel? We look to the One whose opinion of us matters the most. There we find real rest. #escape #realrest

Once a gift is received, there isn’t really any guarantee that gift will be used the way the giver intended. It is now up to the recipient to determine how or if he wants to use that gift. This is too often the sad reality of God’s gift of sex. He both gives it and has provided us with clear guidance on how to make the absolute most of this special gift, but we end up using it however we wish. The result? The world - and we - remain deeply wounded because of it. Jesus, though, the source of healing and renewal, is able to give grace for our guilt AND to restore this blessing of God to its rightful place as a treasured gift. #escape #realrest

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” (James 1:17). God has indeed lavished us with gifts! However, what happens when we allow those very gifts - our possessions - to serve as our go-to escape, when we turn to stuff for relief instead of to the One who gifted it to us in the first place? It is our possessions that end up owning us. No matter how much we seek to acquire, it is never enough. We find ourselves more run down and burned out than when we started. Stuff can never provide the real rest that only Jesus can. #escape #realrest

You don't have to be an alcoholic. You don't have to be an addict. The truth is, any one of us can have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol or drugs (whether legal or not). But how can we tell? How does one avoid crossing the line from moderation into excess? How does one determine when a permissible thing has become a necessary thing that we can't live without, and more importantly, which then robs us of the real rest we can only find in Jesus? #escape #realrest

Achievement and success so easily become “ours,” don’t they? The more hard work and effort we put into something, the more natural it is for us to overlook the true source of our success: the Lord and his strength. May we grow in our ability to humbly give credit where it is due, and always remember to thank God for the strength he provides to accomplish even the smallest good through us.

Sermon Info: "JUDGES - Rebellion → Regret → Rescue: (Samson)” • Judges 13-16 • Breaking the Cycle series

The same individual or group who previously dismissed you or rejected you now needs you. Do you help? Do you come to their aid? Jephthah was in a similar situation. He wasn’t the only one. So was Jesus. We know how Jesus responded and are eternally grateful for it. How did Jephthah respond? How would you respond?

Sermon Info: "JUDGES - Rebellion → Regret → Rescue: (Jephthah)” • Judges 11 • Breaking the Cycle series

We all make plans - some better than others. Sometimes we formulate and carry out our plans to near perfection and other times things seem to start to unravel right out of the gates. While some plans are better than others and sometimes we may forget certain details, may we never forget to include God in our plans. Yet even when we do, may we rejoice all the more that he hasn’t forgotten to include us in his!

You may not feel particularly special. You may have convinced yourself that God is very selective with the people in whose lives he chooses to operate and make an impact. You think that God only makes a difference for people who have their act together and have everything going for them. Well, that’s not the God who chose to raise up an ordinary Gideon for an extraordinary rescue mission. That God is more than capable of accomplishing anything he wants by using absolutely anyone. Including you.

Maybe it’s only been recently. Maybe it’s been your whole life. We get spiritually stuck. Progress suddenly slows or comes to a complete stop. Perhaps we backslide or stumble mightily in sin. Then we turn to the Lord and start all over again. How do we break the cycle? How do we get unstuck so that we see less of the pattern of rebellion, regret, and rescue in our lives? We’ll look at the book of Judges for answers, directing our attention today to the account of Deborah.

If you’re a #dad, Father’s Day might be a mixed bag. Your wife and children might do something special to express their appreciation. At the same time, a day set apart to recognize your role as a dad might also serve as a sober reminder of past failings as a #father. God has good news for you today: he specializes in making faithful fathers from deficient dads.

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me a Dad with Proper Priorities” • Deuteronomy 6:4-9 • Summer Vocation series

If God is so great, then why does he need us to #glorify him? Is he that full of himself? Does he actually struggle with insecurity? Truthfully, God does not need us to give him #glory. He doesn’t call us to glorify him for HIS benefit, but for ours.

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Glorify Him” • Colossians 3:15-17 • Summer Vocation series

“All the church cares about is #money.” Maybe you’ve heard it. Maybe you believe it. Financial giving is a struggle for many. Why are some able to give so generously while others struggle to give at all? The difference is found in realizing who is really doing the #giving. Spoiler alert: it’s not us.

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Manage His Gifts Faithfully” • 1 Corinthians 8:1-15 • Summer Vocation series

Jesus described characteristics that apply to his #disciples. They will hold to his teachings, love others, and bear fruit, to name a few. But as challenging as any of them is Jesus’ call to bear our #cross. What makes it so hard? The better question is, what makes it so worth it?

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Bear My Cross” • Luke 9:21-26 • Summer Vocation series

When God called you to faith in Jesus, he made you a part of something big: his body, the #Church. As a member of the body, each part is uniquely #gifted. That means YOU are uniquely gifted. And what are we to do with gifts? We use them.

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Use My Unique Gifts" • 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 • Summer Vocation series

Violence is everywhere. #Conflict and war, shootings, assaults, oppression - these all flood our newsfeed daily. What is wrong with our world? Has the #GoldenRule become outdated? When will we #heal? How do we heal? We realize that “we” starts with “me.” God has called you to #love and serve your #neighbor. What are you waiting for?

(Summer Vocation series: "God Calls Me to Love and Serve My Neighbor" [Luke 10:25-37])

God calls everyone to various roles in life. As a matter of fact, everyonefrom young to old has multiple roles. He gifts us in unique ways to carry out those roles. In each of these roles he connects us to other unique people we can love and serve. So, who are you? Who are the people God has placed in your life? How can you glorify God as you carry out your unique role - caring for others even as others care for you?

Today we give thanks to God for the vocation of motherhood, a vocation by which we all have been blessed, for we would not be here were it not for our mothers. Mothers carry out a unique - and challenging! - role. When so many depend on mothers for so much, where do mothers turn for the strength to carry out their calling?

Fear, shame, and sadness. Those are just a few of the emotions and thoughts that were going through the hearts and minds of the disciples after Jesus was crucified. 2000 years later, these are still feelings we experience when we don't understand why life happens the way it does. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples multiple times, he opened their eyes to the reality of his resurrection and how it could change their emotions, attitudes and actions.

He can open our eyes, too, and do the same for us. He can help us see that he keeps his promises. Always. Right? So… why doesn’t it always seem like it?

Fear, shame, and sadness. Those are just a few of the emotions and thoughts that were going through the hearts and minds of the disciples after Jesus was crucified. 2000 years later, these are still feelings we experience when we don't understand why life happens the way it does. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples multiple times, he opened their eyes to the reality of his resurrection and how it could change their emotions, attitudes and actions.

He can open our eyes, too, and do the same for us. When we feel isolated and alone, it is easy to feel as if no one cares about us or knows us. But if Jesus rose, then not even death could keep him from caring so deeply for us. Jesus’ resurrection means we do have a Good Shepherd - one who cares for and knows each and every one of his sheep.

Fear, shame, and sadness. Those are just a few of the emotions and thoughts that were going through the hearts and minds of the disciples after Jesus was crucified. 2000 years later, these are still feelings we experience when we don't understand why life happens the way it does. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples multiple times, he opened their eyes to the reality of his resurrection and how it could change their emotions, attitudes, and actions.

He can open our eyes, too, and do the same for us. We often struggle to see our purpose in life, which can lead to despondency or indifference. But Jesus’ resurrection hasn’t just removed fear and doubt from our lives and left a vacuum; in their place it fills us with purpose. The empty tomb means our life is significant. It means your life has purpose.

Fear, shame, and sadness. Those are just a few of the emotions and thoughts that were going through the hearts and minds of the disciples after Jesus was crucified. 2000 years later, these are still feelings we experience when we don't understand why life happens the way it does. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples multiple times, he opened their eyes to the reality of his resurrection and how it could change their emotions, attitudes, and actions.

He can open our eyes, too, and do the same for us. We doubt - daily. We might say that doubt is a normal part of our lives. However, doubt was never intended to be a normal part of our lives. And it doesn’t have to be. Jesus’ resurrection helps us see that.

Fear, shame, and sadness. Those are just a few of the emotions and thoughts that were going through the hearts and minds of the disciples after Jesus was crucified. 2000 years later, these are still feelings we experience when we don't understand why life happens the way it does. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples multiple times, he opened their eyes to the reality of his resurrection and how it could change their emotions, attitudes and actions.

He can open our eyes, too, and do the same for us. Jesus faced the greatest fear imaginable: the suffering of hell itself. And he faced it for us, in our place. If his resurrection has removed that fear for us, may it help us see all the other fears he has removed as well!

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and on Palm Sunday we see in Jesus the humility we long for him to see in us.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and today we see in Jesus the forgiveness we long for him to see in us.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and today we see in Jesus the patience we long for him to see in us.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and today we see in Jesus the compassion we long for him to see in us.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and today we see in Jesus the determination we long for him to see in us.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow” (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Habits are powerful. When those habits are filled with and fueled by grace, their impact can be profound. Jesus does not merely model these habits for us, but also equips us with the grace needed for these habits to take root and flourish in our lives. These are the Habits of His Grace, and today we see in Jesus the faithfulness we long for him to see in us.

We’re not always so good at distinguishing between wants and needs. We are quite good even at convincing ourselves that a want is really a need. If we aren’t careful, that same mindset can begin to affect how we view Jesus and his role in our lives. Does Jesus exist merely to provide for what I want, or is he truly the Savior that I need? Jesus’ Transfiguration provides us with the answer.

We’re not always so good at distinguishing between wants and needs. We are quite good even at convincing ourselves that a want is really a need. If we aren’t careful, that same mindset can begin to affect how we view Jesus and his role in our lives. Does Jesus exist merely to provide for what I want, or is he truly the Savior that I need?

What do others think of us? Do we have a good reputation? Is our name respected? It may very well be, but not even a good name is enough to guarantee that we’ll be OK when life isn’t.

At least not OUR good name, that is. HIS, on the other hand, makes all the difference.

It would be more than enough for God to breathe life into us through hearing and believing his Word. That alone is priceless. But that wasn’t good enough for God. He went a step further and provided us with the privilege of prayer, the opportunity to speak to him about what is on our hearts. And he listens. He always listens.

Being OK when life isn’t? That involves bouncing back to prayer.

Our identity is solidified as we bounce back to the Word and to our baptism. They are our anchor when it comes to being OK when life isn’t. One would expect that the more confident we are with our own identity, the more confident we would be in witnessing to others. So why is witnessing still such a challenge, and more importantly, how do we overcome it?

2020 was a tough year, but is there any guarantee that 2021 will be any better? No, there isn't. Is there a way though, that we can turn a setback into a comeback? Can we bounce back from last year? We can, if we bounce back to our baptism.

2020 was a tough year, but is there any guarantee that 2021 will be any better? No, there isn't. Is there a way though, that we can turn a setback into a comeback? Can we bounce back from last year? We can, if we bounce back to the Word.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," has allowed us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save.

As we look back on the mess of this year, how do we plan accordingly for the next year to ensure that it isn't such a mess? Unfortunately, we can't control how messed-up next year will be. However, we can plan to be better prepared for whatever comes our way. How? Less focus on our life and more focus on the Lord.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save.

Messed-up plans are one thing, but how do you handle when others plan to mess you up? What hope is there when we have no control over the ill intentions of others toward us?

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save.

We’ve all faced messed-up plans this year - multiple times in many cases! How do we keep ourselves from unraveling when our plans do? We find hope in this: our failed plans don’t deter his faithful promises.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," allows us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. No matter how messed-up and dysfunctional our family has been in the past or is even now in the present, Christ brings hope for messed-up people... including us.

This year has been a mess in so many ways. Today we begin our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," which will allow us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save. Yes, our world has been a mess, but Christ is the Hope for a messed-up world.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is this: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have freed us from the condemnation of sin, the control of Satan, and the dread of death. Now that’s freedom!

During November, we have been giving our attention to what a difference-maker our freedom in Jesus really is. If you had the choice, would you rather be free or be ruled? That's pretty much a no-brainer. But, what if both could coexist... and you'd be better off because of it?

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is this: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have freed us from the condemnation of sin, the control of Satan, and the dread of death. Now that’s freedom!

During November, are giving our attention to what a difference-maker our freedom in Jesus really is. That freedom determines how we face death. Without it, the thought of death is terrifying - and rightly so! But through the freedom that only Jesus offers, the dread of death disappears. Being free in Jesus means being free to face death.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is this: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have freed us from the condemnation of sin, the control of Satan, and the dread of death. Now that’s freedom!

During November, are giving our attention to what a difference-maker our freedom in Jesus really is. Today we are reminded of the sobering reality that every one of us will face judgment. When we are made aware that the only standard God accepts is a 100% perfect track record, we have reason to be afraid! But Jesus makes all the difference. Being free in Jesus means being free from fear of judgment.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Many love to quote these words of Jesus and misapply “truth” and “free” rather generically to suit whatever ideology or agenda they are promoting. But Jesus shed light on the real meaning of these words just a few verses later when he also said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So the “truth” is this: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have freed us from the condemnation of sin, the control of Satan, and the dread of death. Now that’s freedom!

During November, we will be giving our attention to what a difference-maker our freedom in Jesus really is. Today, as we celebrate the ongoing blessings of the Reformation, we give thanks and we stand guard. We give thanks that our freedom is only by faith in Jesus, and we stand guard against the lie that freedom could ever be achieved by observing the law.

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.

The best banquet imaginable is in the works, and you’re invited. So is everyone else. Sadly, many are not interested and will miss out. Sadder still, many would love to attend - even expect to - but will miss out because they won’t be properly dressed. Will you?

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.

A vineyard is planted for one reason: to produce fruit. In this parable, Jesus uses the picture of a vineyard and its workers to teach us that he is looking for the same thing in his followers. What kind of fruit are you producing in his vineyard?

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.

A father and two sons. Recalcitrance and repentance. Deceptive disobedience. Are we the first or the second son in Jesus' parable, and why does it matter? As Jesus himself asked, "What do you think?"

The parables of Jesus are much more than just stories; they are spiritual truths. Through parables, Jesus deepens our understanding of who he is and who we are.

In his parable today, Jesus helps us understand how his kingdom operates. His is not a kingdom made up of "good people" who have been dubbed such by good intentions, best efforts, or hard work, but a kingdom governed by grace. That's good news because grace is for everyone, which means grace is for you.

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the fifth and final message in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives.

If you wish to see what makes Christianity so different from every other religion, look no further than the matter of forgiveness. How does one get it? How does one give it? The answer is the same: Jesus Christ. His Church, made up of forgiven sinners, is also a Church of forgiving saints.

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the fourth in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives.

Those who care about us are not afraid to tell us like it is. And, though it may be difficult to hear, we appreciate hearing what needs to be said when those who speak up have our best interests in mind. That's where the church comes in. It is a place where we care enough about each other to judge, without being judgmental.

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the third in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives.

The church could attract so many if only it could promise freedom from every danger and difficulty of life! But such a promise is reserved only for the life to come. In this life, believers ought to expect danger and difficulty specifically because of their connection to Christ.

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the second in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives. While we are used to the limitations of time in our world, beginnings and endings, today we are reminded that the church has no such limitations.

Virtually everyone has some thought or opinion on what church is or isn't, or what it should or shouldn't be. There's one perspective that matters more than all of them, though, and it belongs to the One who established the church in the first place. This is the first in a five-week series that focuses on the church and God's purpose for it in our lives. Today God answers the question, "Who is his church for?"

When you're feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place, do you go with your gut or with God? Follow Pharaoh's final footsteps and you'll see the clear answer.

Does God Really Love You?

God promises to work out ALL things for the good of those who love him, but... can he really make good on that promise?

You didn't want to... but you did it anyway. Why? Why do we struggle with doing what we know we shouldn't and not doing what we know we should? Knowing the answer to these questions is not nearly as important as knowing the solution to the problem.

In the midst of such deep division in our world, we look to Jesus for unity, and what he promises is... more division?

Got fear? Get Jesus. If he was able to address your biggest fear, then rest assured, he can handle your ongoing and daily fears as well.

Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (Mt. 9:37). Why? Why aren't there more workers, and what does it take to be numbered among them?

Are you building on a foundation of rock or sand, and how do you know?

Sure, Jesus says "Watch out!", but how... and why? This is the first of a two-part series, "Fruit and Foundations."

Anxiety has been described by many different people in many different ways, and they all have something in common: none of them are pleasant. But you don't need me to tell you that. You undoubtedly know from experience. Whether you suffer from chronic anxiety or deal with it periodically, you've experienced how suffocating it can feel. But there is hope - hope for anxiety. While I will always point you to the Word for that hope, I also want to make sure you know how to apply it. Knowing where to find it is one thing; letting God replace your anxiety with hope is another.

Whether you have 20/20 vision, are legally blind, or are somewhere in-between, we are all born blind when it comes to our spiritual sight. But that doesn’t mean we’re lost. God offers a way for those willing to see how blind they are.

We know that heaven isn’t earned, right? We know that our works count for nothing as far as our salvation is concerned, don’t we? So we say. Nevertheless, our way of thinking and our very lives themselves often reveal otherwise. This morning we take an honest look at our works and where they really rank in our lives.

Calvary was not the only battlefield on which our Savior handed Satan defeat, nor was it the first. Jesus’ duel in the desert with the devil put the devil in his place and showed that our Savior had what it took to take down temptation.

What is the best way to live for the Lord? There is no better way than to start by listening. Listening to the Lord and living for him are inseparable. Do you really want to live more for him? Start by listening. This is the final sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

We crave affirmation. A child obeys his father in an effort to receive it. An employee works hard for her boss to receive it. Do we live for the Lord for the same reason, or is there more to it? This is the fifth sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

Knowing the Lord is key to loving him. What do we do for those we love? We live for them. In the second half of our series, our focus shifts to living for him who loves us most. This is the fourth sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

Living for God depends on knowing him better. In addition to knowing our Savior as the Lamb and the Light, we also rightly call him Lord. But… do we even know what that title means? Do we really know what we’re saying when we call him our Lord? This is the third sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

Living for God depends on knowing him better. One of the more common names given to Jesus is the Light. If you want to live in the light, the key is greater focus on its source. This is the second sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

How you live depends on who you know. To know and care only about yourself is to live a life of selfishness - one which will be empty of real joy and purpose. If you want more than that for your life, get to know the One who can make it possible - the Lamb. This is the first sermon of a six-week series, Knowing –> Loving –> Living.

Will you ever be good enough? What if you have all the right resolutions and actually keep them this year - will that be enough to find favor with God? The bad news? The answer is no. The good news? In Jesus Christ, the answer is a resounding yes! Relying on his righteousness is better than good enough.

Though some may frown on the practice of re-gifting, there is an appropriate place for it. When it comes to God's gift of grace, each of us can say along with Paul, "God has given it to me, for you." Grace in Christ Jesus is for everyone, and it was revealed to us in part so that we can then make it known to others. So then, grace is meant to be re-gifted.

Paradox: "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true." What do we do when we come across a paradox in Scripture? Avoid it? Discard it? What if instead, we chose to study it? When we study it, we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with a deeper understanding of any supposed contradictions. The world has its view of greatness; Jesus has a different view. Where does humility fit in?

Paradox: "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true." What do we do when we come across a paradox in Scripture? Avoid it? Discard it? What if instead, we chose to study it? When we study it, we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with a deeper understanding of any supposed contradictions. In this message, we wrestle with two truths: 1) Christianity - Christ - is for all people. It is truly all-inclusive. Nevertheless, not everyone will end up in heaven. The words of Jesus clarify the paradox for us.

Paradox: "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true." What do we do when we come across a paradox in Scripture? Avoid it? Discard it? What if instead we chose to study it? When we study it, we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with a deeper understanding of any supposed contradictions. In this message, we address the claim that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did not come to bring peace, but division.

What are you working for? There's a better question to ask: who are you working for? Asking the right question will lead you to the right answer, and that is when your life will have meaning.

When the right stuff is the most meaningful, then nothing is meaningless.

Paradox: "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true." What do we do when we come across a paradox in Scripture? Avoid it? Discard it? What if instead we chose to study it? When we study it, we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with a deeper understanding of any supposed contradictions. In this message, we explore the concepts of blindness and sight, appreciating that in order to see, we must first recognize that we're blind.

Are you getting the most out of your family? Are you putting as much as you can into your family? You are free both to be blessed by and to be a blessing to your faith family.

It’s not only OK to fight; it’s absolutely necessary to fight in order to guard against losing the greatest gift we’ve been given. The best part? We fight not to win our freedom, but because we already have it.

Faith is more than mere knowledge. To think otherwise is to miss out on how richly our lives can be blessed through it. When Faith Learns, it puts that knowledge into practice, freeing us to live in Faith over Fear.

Not knowing what our temporal future holds can leave us living in fear. But it doesn’t have to be that way, because we know what our eternal future holds. That allows us to live in Faith over Fear, because faith anticipates our future in heaven.

The key to deeper friendships isn’t getting better at loving our friends, but rather loving the One who gave them to us. To know and be loved by him - and to love him best in return - enables us to love others rightly. When this happens, deep, rich, meaningful friendships with others will follow.

September 2, 2018 sermon (Pentecost 15) at The Way Ev. LC (WELS)