Redemption Hill Church | Sermons: Recent Episodes
Redemption Hill Church | Lawrence, KS
Weekly sermons from Sunday morning worship at Redemption Hill Church in Lawrence, KS. We exist to glorify God by being and making disciples of Jesus.
Luke 22:47-53 | JD SummersThe salvific nature of Christ’s mission had been foretold since before he was even born and was reinforced again and again throughout his life and ministry. Even so, as the hour for his sacrifice drew near, many failed to embrace his plan. Some seemed to follow but turned on him in the final hour. Some desired to stand with him, but foolishly pursued their own plans instead. And some outright opposed him, seeking to derail his sovereign design. But God’s plans do not fail. As Christ went to the cross, God was using Satan’s evil intent to accomplish his own plan of salvation instead. Behold our faithful, gracious, and sovereign God!
Luke 22:39-46 | JD SummersJesus, fully God, eternal, and preexistant, was also human. In the garden, he showed the full force of his humanity as he prayerfully relied on the Father in the moments leading to his crucifixion. Christ’s faithfulness can be seen as he prayed to embrace the Father’s will, relying on the strength he provides. As those who trust in Christ as our Savior, we too must persist in prayer that embraces God’s will and depends on the strength he displays in our weakness.
Luke 22:35-38 | JD SummersWe are called to carry out our mission in a hostile world. Jesus did not ask us to follow him merely when the going is good, but instead calls us to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus was numbered among the transgressors, taking on our sin and the penalty that accompanied it. Just as he experienced opposition and hardship, so should we. In light of this, let us make the necessary preparations and place our hope squarely in Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us.
Luke 22:31-34 | JD SummersThose who follow Christ are a group of people in process, so we know that there will be failures along the way. But we also know that our failures do not define us and are not the end of our story. We face a real and dangerous enemy in Satan who desires to lead us into sin, and our flesh wants to satisfy its sinful cravings as well. But thanks be to God who lovingly works his all-sufficient power in us to aid in our battle against sin. And when we do fall, Christ mercifully restores us by drawing us to repentance. What a wonderful savior!
Luke 22:24-30 | JD SummersThe ambition that the twelve disciples displayed at the Last Supper was a common problem for them, and so it is for us. Though our hearts often strive to be great and gain power by means of exalting ourselves above others, in reality, true greatness is exemplified in humble service. Our pride leads to conflict with others and a rebuke from Christ, but lowering ourselves to serve others shows love to them and brings joy to our Savior. Let us humble our hearts to serve and rejoice that God’s grace has enabled proud people like us to find true greatness by simple submission!
Luke 22:7-23 | JD SummersAt the Last Supper, Jesus demonstrates providence in orchestrating every event in the world according to his plan. He gives grace, pointing to his coming sacrifice and showing that he loves and delights in his followers. And Jesus affirms his hope that he will be with us again, enjoying a future meal with us in eternity. As he initiated the new covenant on the cross, Jesus accomplished salvation for all who would believe in him. As we consider the gospel, and especially as we participate in communion, let us enjoy the sweet fellowship Jesus has allowed us to have with God through his broken body and shed blood.
Galatians 5:22-23 | Steven ParkinWhat comes to your mind when you think about love? Love is too important for us to lack clarity about what it is and how to express it, so we must turn to God’s Word, where he describes and defines what love is. Love is definitional to Christ, marking out his ministry more than perhaps any other attribute. As we seek to express the fruit of the Spirit, of which love stands at the forefront, we must immerse ourselves in the love of God, watering our own hearts and souls so we can grow. And we must also weed out sinful hindrances that seek to choke out godly love. As we seek to love well, let us behold the love of Christ for us and be changed into his image as we love others.
Luke 21:37-22:6 | JD SummersIt is often uncomfortable to consider the betrayal of Jesus, especially thinking about the role of Judas, one of the 12 disciples. Judas spent 3 years side by side with Jesus, but he wasn’t a real follower. He was an unclean hypocrite who loved money above all else, and he was primed for Satan’s demonic influence in his life. We must beware lest our own hearts latch onto similar hypocrisy, idolatry, and greed. But we must not grow discouraged, for we know that God is sovereign - over Satan and Judas in their betrayal of Jesus, and over every aspect of our lives today. Our sovereign God is worth trusting!
Romans 8:18-30 | JD SummersJesus is risen! The resurrection of Jesus Christ marks a new age of redemption, but we still feel the marks of a fallen world. Creation also groans with us as we await the fullness of Christ’s restoring work. Until then, we must hope. We must long for Christ to return, waiting patiently and expectantly. Our strength would fail us, but the Holy Spirit bears us up and maintains us by his power. Our hope is grounded in God’s redemptive purpose - he has called us to salvation, and his power is more than sufficient to bring it about. Let us hope in Christ today!
Luke 21:29-38 | JD SummersWhy do we as a society have such an interest in the end of the world? In large part because we have a deep-seated sense that we need to be prepared for it. As Christians, how should we live to be ready for Christ's return? We should rest in assurance of Christ's work and strive for holiness in all we do. We must also place our entire hope in Christ, relying on him with our entire being. Are you prepared? By faith in Christ, you can be!
Luke 21:20-28 | JD SummersGod’s glory is displayed in the climax of his plan to bring judgment and salvation through his son. What a glorious thought that God will one day demonstrate his righteousness by giving justice to the wronged and giving judgment to the wicked. Yet how saddening it is to consider the extent of this judgment upon the world. As we consider God’s plan to redeem the entire world through his final judgment and restoration, let us share the good news of our hope in Christ with those around us.
Luke 21:10-19 | JD SummersWhat comes to your mind when you consider persecution? Jesus tells us to expect persecution to come; it is a normal part of following Christ. He also encourages us not to waste our persecution, but rather to use it as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel and glorify God in the midst of suffering. The way to do this is by entrusting our souls to the one with power over death, Jesus Christ, who not only provides for us in the midst of persecution but also promises eternal life to all who trust in him.
Luke 21:5-9 | JD SummersWe do not know when God’s final judgment will come upon the world, but we do know for certain that it is coming. Many seek to deceive God’s people about the future, and we must be on guard against falsehoods. As we reject lies about the future, we must also reject fear about the future. Yes, God will judge the world, but he will not pour out his wrath on believers. Earthquakes, famines, and wars rage around us, but they need not shake our faith in Jesus. Let us place our hope in nothing else than the Rock of Ages.
Luke 20:45-21:4 | JD SummersMan looks on the outside, but God sees the heart. Some portray a guise of strength, generosity, or importance. Image is everything, and they are skilled at looking right in the eyes of others. But God is not concerned with how someone looks on the outside. He knows our intentions, he sees our thoughts, and he peers through our deceptions. Instead, God loves the one who lives genuinely, no matter the level of means or station. Do you live to put on a show? Or do you go through life with a genuine heart?
Galatians 5:16-26 | Steven ParkinThe Holy Spirit is foundational to the Christian life. He indwells our hearts when we believe and he sustains us and empowers our sanctification. As we pursue holiness, we must reject the temptation to rely wholly on ourselves, forgetting that God produces holiness in us. We must also reject the temptation to put no effort in, assuming that nothing is required of us. Instead, let us walk by the Spirit, actively depending on the Spirit to sanctify us as we obey him.
Luke 20:27-47 | JD SummersGod’s Word bears the authority of God himself. In Scripture we see ultimate truth that contains the good news of the gospel, but this good news challenges our own assumptions. Without Christ, our own understanding of ourselves, of the world, and of God are faulty, and we must forego our own misconceptions and instead align ourselves with the truth of Scripture. What will you do when Scripture challenges you? Will you harden your heart and reject it, or humbly embrace the living Word which is able to lead you to salvation?
Luke 20:19-26 | JD SummersWhat authority does human government have in the life of a believer? This question was on the minds of contemporaries of Jesus even as it is on our minds today. Thankfully, the answer Jesus’ provided during his time on earth still bears true as well. God has ordained that human government has legitimate, though limited, authority. But even as we submit to human government, we should turn our attention more preeminently to our submission in all things to God. The Lord has ultimate and limitless authority, and our duty to worship him trumps any other responsibility. Are you rendering to him what he rightly deserves?
Ephesians 3:14-21 | Dave HintzWhen we think about what we’d like to change about our lives, we often focus on our circumstances - better health, better career, better relationships. But when Scripture talks about change, it focuses on change in our inner person. God desires to transform us and to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. This is who we were made to be, but left to our own devices, we often fail to look much like our savior. Praise be to God that he delights in answering the prayer for true change. Let us come to the One who is able to change us far more abundantly than anything we could ever ask or imagine!
Luke 20:9-18 | JD SummersGod has poured out his love throughout history. He created the world and entrusted it to his image-bearers. He called out his people Israel and covenanted with them to bless, grow, and establish them. And he sent his son Jesus as the Messiah, the curse-breaker, the redeemer - but even as Jesus came to his own, his own did not receive him. Thus even in the greatest demonstration of God’s mercy, he also demonstrated his righteousness, meting out justice to those who rebel and reject him. As we stand in the shadow of the cross, let us turn from unbelief and instead embrace the sacrifice of Christ, finding forgiveness for our sins!
Luke 19:45-20:8 | JD SummersJesus has ultimate authority over all. In expressing his authority, he values right worship and exposes unbelief. We must not corrupt or stain true worship, but rather come to Christ with clean hands and open hearts. Those who approach worship with a spirit of unbelief will find themselves in opposition to the authority of Christ, but all those who come to Jesus in faith will enjoy the blessings and mercy of our good and kind King.
Luke 19:41-44 | JD SummersDuring his time on earth, Jesus demonstrated the depths of his nature and character. Entering Jerusalem through a serenade of palm branches and hosannas, he does not linger in the afterglow of a warm reception but instead expresses his heartfelt lament for the many who have rejected him. Jesus contains immeasurable depths of compassion, even to those opposed to him. His heart goes out to fallen humanity, moving him to act in love to lay down his life. And yet even in the throes of compassion, he does not abandon the reality of judgment for those unwilling to trust him. Jesus is a wellspring of compassion, but we must not presume upon it. Rather, his compassion should draw us to life-giving faith.
Luke 19:28-40 | JD SummersJesus reigns as King over all. How will you respond to him? Jesus calls for a response of faith. True faith expresses itself in obedience to Christ’s commands. It honors him in humility, even as Jesus humbled himself. And true faith is demonstrated in a joyful embrace of his words. True faith submits to Christ, but it also rejoices in Christ. As we look to Jesus our king, let us look to him in real faith!
Ephesians 4:1-16 | JD SummersAs a new year begins and people consider areas they’d like to change, it can be helpful instead to look backward and remember what must stay the same. Christ has created a spiritual unity in the church and part of our mission is to maintain it, meaning to walk in light of it and steward it. A love for the gospel fuels this mission, as does a love for God’s people and a love for God’s truth. As we consider God’s love for us, let us grab hold of his love and put it to use in our daily lives in the church.
1 Corinthians 15:8-11 | Dan RudmanIn Scripture, God speaks to us from his very own heart. As the human authors record God’s message to us, they are living examples of God’s divine grace. This grace draws sinners out of depravity and brings them into glorious light. Grace works effectively in the lives of believers, empowering them to accomplish God’s will. And it moves God’s people to share the good news of the gospel with those who have yet to experience saving grace. Let us face our own pride and reject it, instead embracing God’s wonderful grace that strengthens us in our weakness.
Psalm 24 | JD SummersGod reigns in glorious might, strong in power, triumphant in victory. How then can we approach our magnificent Lord? Who can ascend the hill and stand in his presence? To come before him we must have clean hands and a pure heart, but no one meets this holy standard. Praise be to God, for he has sent his Son to make a way. What God requires of us he also provides for us in Jesus Christ. Who is this King of Glory? Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, the incarnate savior!
Psalm 110 | JD SummersOur Lord is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Jesus is our exalted king, deserving of glory and honor because of his own humiliation in coming to earth and dying on the cross. Jesus is our priestly king, bringing redemption through his perfect sacrifice. And Jesus is our triumphant king, conquering over all his foes and righting every wrong. As Christmas draws near and our attention is drawn to the memory of Jesus as a baby in the manger, let us also remember Jesus as king, giving him the praise he deserves and receiving the mercy he provides.
Psalm 98 | JD SummersWhy is it that we worship God? What directs our praise to him? True worship is a response to what God has done, a reflection of God’s goodness and faithfulness directed back to him in the form of thanksgiving and awe. Believers should take time to look at God’s saving work, meditating on what he has done in giving Jesus Christ to provide salvation through the cross. And believers should also spend time worshipping in a biblical manner. Scripture encourages us to praise God exclusively, joyfully, publically, artistically, corporately, and submissively. And all our worship should lead us to an eternal expectation of God’s ultimate salvation. Praise be to God!
Psalm 8 | JD SummersAdvent is a time of anticipation, and the Psalms can help us replace sentimentality with awe. In the Psalms, we see God’s people eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah, marveling at his intimate care and his majestic plan. God is transcendent, yet he made the pinnacle of his creation, human beings, just a little lower than the heavenly host. And God is imminent, taking on human flesh and joining his creation as a man himself. At Christmas, we rejoice as the magnificent glory of Christ comes among us as one of us. Praise Jesus!
Luke 19:11-27 | JD SummersWhile we live in the period between the first and second comings of Christ, we eagerly await his return. But we must not wait passively, as Jesus gave us a commission, commanding us to make disciples and spread the good news of his death and resurrection. Believers have a choice to respond to this responsibility in faith or to shirk our task in disobedience. Others will respond to Christ’s message of the gospel in rejection, rebelling against their true Lord. What is your response to the Son of Man, the rightful ruler of the world?
Luke 19:1-10 | JD SummersJesus comes to provide salvation. He seeks out the lost and brings them to salvation. He provides faith to those he saves and grants them the grace of repentance. All people are sinners, but believers are repentant sinners, those who have turned from their sin and embraced Jesus Christ. Real repentance runs deep and it produces significant change and significant joy. Like Zaccheus, let us eagerly respond to the call of Jesus and enjoy the blessing he provides in salvation!
Luke 18:31-43 | JD SummersWe see the world around us with our physical eyes, but the ability to see physically does not mean we can see spiritually. Spiritual sight, true sight, comes as a gift of God’s grace. When God opens someone’s eyes to understand the mystery of the gospel, he bestows upon them faith, the ability to see and grasp God’s goodness in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus miraculously gave sight to the blind, and he miraculously gives sight to the spiritually blind even today.
Romans 15:1-7 | Carey WilsonThe church is made up of a wide variety of people who differ in ethnicity, social class, gender, age, and a multitude of other categories. In light of these significant differences, how can believers live together in unity? Christians must humble themselves and selflessly serve one another, even as Christ did for us. Our pursuit of practical unity flows from the gospel reality that we are already united in Christ, and we live out that truth in a desire for the glory of God.
Habakkuk 3:1-19 | Steven ParkinTrials and tribulations often drive us to fear. We fear our circumstances or our oppressors. We are afraid that we will not endure or that we will be abandoned by God. But in the midst of fears that discourage us, there is a holy fear that sustains us. True faith in God leads to a fear of the Lord that does not drive us away from him but instead draws us in, draws us close to the God who is worthy of reverence, awe, and trembling delight. As we walk through our own valley of the shadow of death, let us fear not evil, but the Lord who sustains.
Luke 18:18-30 | JD SummersSometimes people try to earn eternal life by following a set of rules, reasoning that if they can be good enough, God will accept them. Others desire eternal life on their own terms, willing to follow Christ in some areas but not willing to give up whatever is most precious to them. Jesus accepts all who trust in him, but saving faith in Christ is wholehearted and repentant, relinquishing sin and leaning wholly on Jesus for salvation. Salvation is impossible on our own, but with God, all things are possible, and Jesus provides miraculous salvation to those who turn to him!
Luke 18:15-17 | JD SummersIt is normal for humans to despise weakness. We hate it in others and hate it in ourselves. But true faith in Christ includes a profound sense of need. The Kingdom of God belongs only to those who are completely dependent on Christ because he embraces the lowly and endorses lowliness as a defining characteristic of our lives. We will often be confronted with our inability, and how will we respond? Christ urges us to lean into our lowliness and boast not in ourselves, but in Christ, who raises us up.
Luke 18:9-14 | JD SummersJesus makes it plain that not all roads lead to life. Those who place their faith in themselves, evidencing pride in their character and deeds, will be humbled. Exalting yourself will only lead to destruction. But those who place their faith in Christ, throwing themselves at his feet for mercy, will receive life. God exalts the humble because they trust not in themselves but in Christ alone who gives grace and kindness to needy sinners. Let our neediness drive us to our loving savior!
Luke 18:1-8 | JD SummersIt is very common to run to God in the first moments of a significant trial. But the longer the time of suffering continues, the more difficult it is to continue trusting in him. But God does not grow further away, instead he invites us to keep coming back to him again and again. He wants us to run to him in prayer, petitioning him to act justly and bring about his righteousness. And he delights in wrapping his arms around us in a warm embrace of love, comforting us in the depths of our trials. Little sheep, do not lose heart!
Luke 17:20-37 | JD SummersWe are often taken and distracted by many things, some more important than others. But nothing is as important as our Lord. Are you ready for him to return? As we look to Christ’s second coming, we must first receive him as our savior. We must also beware of the sinful and deceptive pull of the world around us. Jesus is coming again, and while he came initially to die, he will return to judge. Let us live in light of these realities, preparing our hearts for the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 | Bryan NealThere are many ways to define success. We often evaluate ourselves by our position, our accomplishments, or our wealth. But Scripture reminds us that success for followers of Christ is defined by our service and our stewardship. We are servants like mere rowers on a boat; we are stewards like mere tenants of another’s money. As we seek to live successful lives, let us embrace the roles God has given to us and wholeheartedly pursue God-defined success!
Habakkuk 2:2-20 | Steven ParkinLooking at the world around us often causes us to question God’s goodness or plan. But his justice is perfect and he gives many reasons to trust it. God has planned out exactly how he will mete out justice in his own time. He knows the heart accurately and provides justice for external and internal sins alike. He brings justice about in accordance with the extent of the injustice done. And he does not pour out justice arbitrarily but does so for the express purpose of demonstrating his glory to the entire world. Let us trust the perfect justice of our God!
Luke 17:11-19 | JD SummersJesus desires genuine faith from his followers, and genuine faith is grateful. Believers in Christ have so many reasons to give thanks, and a heart of faith naturally overflows in praise and gratitude for them all. We are needy and God has given us mercy. We are lonely and God has come to us personally. We are worshippers and Jesus is worthy of worship. Let us respond to Christ in heartfelt praise!
Luke 17:1-10 | JD SummersScripture not only tells us what is true, it tells us how to live. Jesus graciously explains what it means to follow him, not merely commanding obedience but showing us the way to obey. Following Christ means taking sin and error seriously. It means forgiving as God in Christ has forgiven us. It means placing our faith, no matter how weak at times, in the almighty power of God. And it means lovingly embracing our role as servants of a good master and delighting in his service. What a wonderful God!
Luke 16:19-31 | JD SummersDeath is the great equalizer. The rich and the poor both will die. No matter what your station in life, death is inevitable. But through faith in Christ, all those who trust in the Messiah will find rest and eternal life with their Savior and God. Let us take time to consider the day of our death now and place our eternal hope in Jesus!
Luke 16:18, Matthew 19:3-10 | JD SummersFollowers of Christ are called to embrace and follow his Word, even when his Word seems difficult. Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him, and there are many crosses to be born in the area of divorce and remarriage. Scripture teaches that God highly values the marriage union and desires none to separate what he has brought together. But it also teaches that God’s grace and mercy towards the hurting is abundant as well. Let us follow Christ and delight in his love for us!
Luke 16:14-18 | JD SummersJesus loathes hypocrisy. When he interacts with hypocrites, he speaks truth directly to their hearts, no matter how painful it feels. Rather than seeking to maintain a certain appearance before others, we ought rather to embrace the Word of God no matter what, aligning our hearts and minds with the truth of Christ and receiving the love and grace found therein.
James 1:19-25 | Stephen ConleyGod speaks to us through his Word. Many of us in the church hear the Word repeatedly in our lives, putting us in danger of forgetting or ignoring what God says to us. Rather than taking a quick look into the mirror of Scripture and not applying it to our daily lives, let us instead gaze intently and humbly into the perfect Law of Liberty, submitting our lives to our good and loving God and asking him to apply his holy Word to our lives.
Luke 16:1-13 | JD SummersGod has placed us in the unique position where we act as stewards of the money, property, and opportunities with which he blesses us. We are neither to turn these gifts into gods nor squander them with foolish choices. Instead we must faithfully use our means to love and serve others, demonstrating our faith in God by generously holding our money with an open hand, trusting God to provide as he always will.
Habakkuk 1:12-2:1 | Steven ParkinGod does not call us to approach times of crisis with reluctant acceptance or sinful anger. He instead invites us to acknowledge the true difficulty of trials and suffering and to come to him with our laments. Where can we find answers to our questions? Where can we find the soothing comfort our hearts demand? In the wonderful character of God.
Luke 15:11-32 | JD Summers The story of the Prodigal Son demonstrates incredible truths about God. When we run from God in our sin, he lovingly welcomes us back through the grace of repentance. When we respond to him in arrogance and pride, he graciously reminds us of the goodness of humbling ourselves. Let us draw near to God and share in the joy of salvation he offers to all who believe!
When Jesus faces criticism for welcoming sinners and tax collectors, he tells a series of parables that condemn spiritual hypocrisy and illustrate divine grace. The story of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrates what God is doing in the world. Jesus shows us that God’s joy abounds as he seeks and saves sinners.
When Jesus sees the crowds accompanying him on his way to Jerusalem, he teaches them about the true cost of following him. True Christianity is more than a worldview, more than a moral code, more than religious traditions. Discipleship requires unreserved devotion to Christ.
Luke 14:15-24 | JD SummersThe gospel call goes out to all, inviting us to come to the great feast at God’s table. However, it is only those who respond to Christ’s message who will enter the kingdom, and enjoy the eternal blessing of this feast. In God’s grace, he seeks to fill his house not with the proud and self-righteous, but with the humble, needy, and most unlikely of guests. Those who know this generous Master are to rejoice in his benevolence, and invite all who will listen to come in.
3 John 1-8 | Brian WarneTo accomplish the final command Jesus gave on the earth, the Great Commission, both senders and the sent are essential. God appoints some to go to the ends of the earth and proclaim the good news of the gospel, but how can they go unless someone sends them? Those called to stay must also embrace God’s mission to save people through the ministry of the gospel and participate in this mission by loving, encouraging, and caring for those on the front lines. Let us rejoice in God’s good plan of salvation!
Luke 14:1-14 | JD SummersPride rests in the heart of every person, motivating us with the false promise of exaltation and fulfillment. Christ calls us to something better, to humble ourselves so that we will be truly exalted, not in an earthly, human way, but in an eternally beneficial and fulfilling way. Let us embrace the humility of Christ, our servant king, and humble ourselves in love to those around us.
1 Corinthians 15:58 | JD SummersScripture calls us to hold fast, to remain firm until the end. But how can we do this? We can only do so by first holding fast to Christ. In the gospel, Christ promises to work all things for good in us. He empowers us to do everything he calls us to do. And we follow his word in the confidence that his resurrection has secured our eternal victory!
Deuteronomy 18:14-19 | Carey WilsonEver since the Exodus, God promised to send a prophet like Moses to lead his people. Throughout the history of Israel, people longed for this prophet to speak on behalf of God and represent the people. God sent his true prophet in his son Jesus Christ, and now we have but one task: To listen. Let us listen to what Jesus, our good and loving prophet, has to say to us and keep in step with his message through obedient faith!
Luke 13:31-35 | JD SummersJesus is Prophet, Priest, and King, and he fulfills each role in multifaceted ways. Jesus is fearless in the face of opposition and faithful to his mission. He feels emotions deeply as he expresses love, care, and compassion to his children. And he is the final, true prophet who takes away the sin of the world. Let us trust the prophetic word of Jesus Christ!
Revelation 2:12-17 | Bret CapranicaCompromise is especially dangerous because it doesn’t require you to wholly reject Christ. Adding in a bit of the world here and there inoculates us to the true evil and peril in which we are participating. Let us instead look clearly upon the judgment we risk adding in false worship to our relationship with God. And above all, let us gaze ever more steadfastly upon our glorious savior who sustains us in the face of temptation!
Habakkuk 1:1-11 | Steven ParkinIf you are pained by the injustice that you see around you, you are not alone. The world is filled with the results of the fall both inside and outside the community of God’s people. When we reckon with this reality, it is appropriate to cry out to God. When we do, we can know with certainty that he is the God of justice, comfort, mercy, and power. Let us bring our appeals before our loving Father and trust in his sovereign plan!
Luke 13:18-30 | JD SummersWhat is the kingdom of God like? To what does Jesus compare it? It is like a mustard seed, expanding from small to large. It is like leaven, transforming all that is around it. And it is like a narrow door into which only those who humble themselves by faith and repentance can enter. Let us rejoice in the kingdom of God and strive to enter it by grace!
Luke 13:10-17 | JD SummersIs your heart more compelled by a breach of etiquette or by a person in need? Jesus calls us to move past our human traditions and critical spirits and instead seek to love those around us. Jesus redeems the people he chooses in the way he desires. He pours out his grace on the least of these, and he demonstrates his compassion and power in ways that don’t always make sense to us. Let us embrace his sovereign plan and pour out his love to a world in need!
Luke 13:1-9 | JD SummersRepentance is a universal need. It is not just for those who are especially sinful but for everyone, because everyone is truly sinful and guilty before God. When we see bad things happen to friends, family, or even ourselves, we should not immediately leap to the conclusion that God is pouring out retributive justice for sin, but rather we should consider that God is just and we all deserve to perish for our own sin. Praise be to God who bestows the grace of repentance upon those who believe! Let us turn from our sin and embrace Christ by faith!
Ephesians 1:15-23 | JD SummersThe life of the Christian is often one of weakness, failure, and difficulty. We struggle as we wonder what we are really able to do and accomplish. But God is able to do all, and he already has worked his incomparable power in and for us. The power of God raised Jesus from the dead, seated him at the right hand of the Father, placed him in authority over all of his enemies and every entity in the universe, and ultimately will unite all things together in Jesus. This is the power of the resurrection. This is the power of Jesus at work in us!
Various Texts | JD SummersJesus paid the price for our sins by giving himself as an offering on our behalf. What does that mean for us? It means we can have joy and that we should give thanks. But it also means that we can have confidence - confidence in our right standing before God, confidence that our sins are forgiven forever, confidence that we are accepted by the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Let us walk in the wonderful freedom and assurance that the atonement wins for us!
Genesis 3; 22; Exodus 12; Leviticus 16 | JD SummersAt the heart of the Christian faith is the gospel, and at the heart of the gospel is the atonement. It carries such a central place because it addresses the most basic needs of humans: We all have sin that leads to guilt and shame. Atonement pays for our guilt and removes our shame. Let us embrace the atonement of the sacrificial lamb, Jesus Christ!
Philippians 4:14-23 | Steven ParkinBelievers give thanks with their lips for the grace that is in their hearts. We have gratitude for our fellow believers who partner with us in the ministry of the gospel. Together with others, we seek to generously pour out offerings of sweet-smelling grace to glorify God and love those in need. Let us respond to the goodness of God with gratitude!
Philippians 4:10-13 | Steven ParkinWhat does it look like to be content in a broken and sinful world? We must pursue contentment as it is something to be learned. We must endure in the midst of difficulties, as our joy comes in spite of, not because of, our circumstances. But ultimately, we must simply trust in Christ’s all-sufficient grace. We will only find satisfaction when we recognize the goodness and sufficiency of the one who strengthens and sustains us!
Luke 12:54-59 | JD SummersSometimes our own intelligence and ingenuity are only enough to condemn us as we can understand the world around us but reject the straightforward truth about Jesus. The evidence is plain, Jesus is who he says he is - Savior, Lord, Son of God, and Judge. Let us not tarry in turning to our loving Messiah who died and rose again to forgive and cleanse our sin!
Luke 12:49-53 | JD SummersJesus is the Prince of Peace, but he is also the means of judgment upon the world. Jesus is not an impotent ruler who turns a blind eye to sin, but rather a righteous judge who will return one day to tread the winepress of God’s wrath. Yet even as he promises to execute judgment, he himself was judged so that all who deserve judgment can call upon him in faith and receive mercy instead of their just reward. Let us be moved in the fear of God to draw near to him!
Luke 12:35-48 | JD SummersUnderstanding every specific detail of how the Bible talks about the future is daunting, but every believer should have a firm grasp of the load-bearing walls of Eschatology. Jesus is coming again, and he calls us to respond accordingly. As we consider his return, we must be ready. We must pursue faithfulness, enduring to the end by holding fast to the truth of the gospel. Jesus is coming soon. Praise the Lord!
Luke 12:22-34 | JD SummersAnxiety has become a significant buzzword in our modern culture and entire industries, whether motivated by genuine care or by a desire for money, have been created to provide answers to the problem. But God has already given us the key in the person of Jesus Christ. Let us address our fears, call out to our Father, and set our hearts on our friend and savior, Jesus.
Luke 12:13-21 | JD SummersWhether we consider ourselves rich or poor, it’s possible for anyone to fall into the trap of covetousness. When we trust in money, we idolatrously exalt the gift above the giver. When we long for money as a source of security, we are missing the provision of our good God. Let us store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, rejoicing in whatever amount God provides for us and rejecting a covetous love of money.
Luke 12:1-12 | JD SummersIn one of the most repeated commands in Scripture, God tells us “do not fear”. Yet in the same breath we are often commanded to fear God. How can we do both? By rejecting wrong sources of fear and instead living in light of our awe-inspiring God. Let us embrace the reverent terror created by our sovereign, omnipotent, loving, compassionate God.
Luke 11:37-54 | JD SummersHypocrisy is incredibly dangerous, especially because attempts to deceive others often end up deceiving ourselves. Let us move past our proud desire to whitewash our exterior and instead come to Jesus presenting our inner hearts to him to be washed clean.
Various Texts | JD SummersThe beginning of a new year can be a beneficial time to make changes, but one thing that should never change for believers is their mission. At Redemption Hill, our mission is to glorify God by being and making disciples of Jesus Christ. God’s glory matters, our sanctification matters, and our ministry matters. Let us advance into this new year with a renewed love for our unchanging mission!
Philippians 4:4-9 | Steven ParkinRejoicing brings us peace. But how are we to rejoice? We express our joy by being reasonable with others, by dealing with our anxiety in prayer, by meditating on that which pleases God, and by following godly examples. Let us pursue joy in the midst of difficulty and enjoy the peace that comes as a result!
Various Texts | JD SummersHow ought Christians to respond to the Trinitarian activity at Christmas? We ought to revel in and treasure the miraculous blessings we have received. We should overflow with praise back to God for the gifts he has given to us. And we should spread the good news to others, inviting them into the glorious joy that we currently experience.
Various Texts | JD SummersAt Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed good news of great joy to the shepherds. This good news of great joy is found in the gospel, specifically in Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals the person and nature of God, provides redemption for lost and weary souls, and embraces us in deep intimacy by joining himself to us in spiritual union. Let us rejoice in Christ this Christmas!
Various Texts | JD SummersAt Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed good news of great joy to the shepherds. This good news of great joy is found in the gospel, specifically in Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals the person and nature of God, provides redemption for lost and weary souls, and embraces us in deep intimacy by joining himself to us in spiritual union. Let us rejoice in Christ this Christmas!
Luke 2:10-11 | JD SummersWe often speak of joy at Christmas. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem that they had good news of great joy. What was the source of that joy? The giver, God himself, who sent Jesus into the world. God is full of mercy, grace, wisdom, and sovereign care. Let us rejoice in the giver of joy!
Luke 11:29-36 | JD SummersIt’s easy to consider faith as something that occurs purely in our minds, but in reality faith is a matter of our hearts. Unbelief does not come from a lack of understanding, but a lack of submission. Without Christ, we are all dead due to the hardness of our hearts, and it takes divine intervention for God to open our eyes and give us the ability to believe. Praise God for this indescribable gift!
Luke 11:24-28 | JD SummersIt is impossible to be neutral toward Jesus and harmful to try. Seeking to avoid the work of the enemy but not embracing the true Lord will leave you open for greater attack than before. But aligning yourself with Jesus gains you entrance into his spiritual family, providing access greater even than being merely physically related to him. Let us believe in Christ and find true blessing!
Luke 11:14-23 | JD SummersJesus does not leave room for ambiguity. We cannot come to him on our own terms, nor can we blasphemously ascribe his power to the enemy. Jesus is Lord, and he calls for us to align ourselves, either with him or against him. What will you do with Jesus? Are you for him, or against him?
Luke 11:5-13 | JD SummersWhat does God’s goodness have to do with prayer? Everything. God’s goodness invites us in, arming us with the knowledge that he wants to hear from us. And it equips us with confidence that he desires to answer our prayers out of his goodness. Better than even the most loving human father, God’s sovereignty and power guide his goodness into always giving us what is best for us. Praise our good God!
Luke 11:1-4 | JD SummersHow does God desire us to pray? Our prayers should be personal, knowing that we address our loving Father. Our prayers should be reverent, knowing that God is holy. Our prayers should be God-centered, seeking to align our desires with God’s. And our prayers should be dependent, acknowledging that we pray because we need God to act. Let us come to God often in prayer in these ways!
Luke 10:38-42 | JD SummersWe are often caught up in the busyness of life, with cares and distractions abounding. Many times the things that keep us busy are good things, like serving God and others. But as Robert Murray McCheyenne said, no amount of service to the kingdom can make up for neglecting the king. Let us take a moment and pause at the feet of our loving Lord.
Luke 10:25-37 | JD SummersWhy do we have the story of the Good Samaritan? To initiate and answer questions about love and eternal life. How can we have life with God forever? Can we earn or inherit a right standing with God? And what does love have to do with it? Jesus shows us that only God’s love for us can draw us to faith and repentance that leads to salvation and overflows in a response of love for God and others. Praise be to our loving savior!
1 Kings 19:1-18 | Dave HintzWhat can we do when we face discouragement? Are we relegated to face despair alone without help? Must we resign ourselves to our fate when we can’t see God’s hand at work? No. Let us look to God in all his sovereign subtlety and know that he has a good plan, even when we do not see it. God is worth trusting, for he loves us.
When times are bad, it’s easy to think it isn’t possible to find joy. When times are good, it’s easy to find joy in our successes. But Jesus tells us not to rejoice in anything but that our names are written in heaven. Rejoice in what Jesus has done for you. Rejoice that our sovereign God has chosen, simply because he wanted to, to save believers. God delights in bringing salvation - let us delight in it as well!
Following Jesus comes with significant hardship, but it also produces incredible joy. One of these joys is our opportunity to participate in God’s mission. We can join in prayer, trust him deeply, engage with others, and preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice in the message of peace and hope and proclaim the truth to the world around us!
Believers should not expect to live without any conflict in their lives. But as they navigate times of necessary or unnecessary disagreement and confrontation, they must enter into conflict with the mindset of the servant of Christ, desiring unity, pursuing Christlikeness, and walking in love. Let us have the same mind as one another and put aside the selfish motives that often taint our relationships!
Jesus does not hide what his mission entails. Unlike swindlers and schemers, he does not have red tape, fine print, or hidden conditions. He makes it abundantly clear that following him means following him to the cross. Yet he is worth it, worth all the pain and suffering that could ever come, for following Jesus means losing your life to find it. Jesus is worth it!
Jesus has a heart for outsiders. He evidences this by going to the least of these, the unwanted in society, and offering the good news of the gospel. He shows his mercy in his response to rejection. And preeminently, he shows his mercy in his dedication to the cross, the instrument of torture of suffering that he endured for the sake of all who believe in him. Have you experienced this mercy from God? Trust in him today!
We all have pride deep in our hearts, and it comes out in our thoughts, words, and actions far too often. Disciples of Jesus root out that pride, submitting to his plan for his followers in humility. You cannot follow Jesus with a spirit of self-centered pride. Lay it down at the foot of the cross and embrace the humble Lord Jesus who has gone before you in humility of his own!
Jesus is worthy. He is worthy of our praise, worthy of honor, worthy of our faith. Jesus clearly displays his glory, compassion, and power in what he did in his earthly ministry and in how he works in our lives today. Jesus is worthy. Will you trust him?
2 Corinthians 9:1-15 | JD Summers God has blessed believers with more than we can ever imagine. How will we utilize the resources he has given us to steward? How will we respond when we see the needs of others around us? God delights in our giving, and he is glorified in our giving. Let us pursue his joy and glory as we generously give what has been given to us!
Many things in life exist in a gray area, but not our eternal destiny. There are two ways to live - magnifying Christ or loving the world. There is no in-between, no following Christ as a wishy-washy disciple. Let us follow godly examples who have modeled the walk of faith before us. Let us look to Christ and trust in the heavenly power God gives for us to follow him!
When we see the glory of Jesus Christ, all we can do is behold him. As the glory of God overwhelmed Moses and Elijah as they gazed upon it on mountains in their time, so also the disciples fell dumbfounded when the glory of Jesus Christ was manifested on the mountain in their time. Let us behold him as well; behold his glory in the Word, and behold his glory in the gospel!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” The cost of following Jesus is high, but the reward is endlessly worthwhile. As we walk through life, facing daily the challenges and hurdles that accompany being a disciple of Jesus, let us set our eyes on the one who has gone before. Jesus took up his cross for our sake. Let us deny ourselves, take up our own cross daily, and follow him.
We all are faced with pressures from within and without about who we want to be. But who we want to be matters much less than who we truly are. For those whom God has saved, our identity is bound up in our savior, Jesus Christ. We no longer bear allegiance to the law, to sin, to the world, or to our flesh. We are now alive in Christ! Cling to Christ, your God, your savior, your identity.
The most important question you could ever answer in the entire world is this: Who do you say Jesus is? Some think of him as a good man, others a moral example, a revolutionary leader, a teacher. People in Jesus’ day saw him as a great prophet. But Jesus is more. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the Redeemer King, the suffering Son of Man. How do you see him? Will you embrace him for what he is?
Jesus is the savior who provides for our need. He has provision for all to come to him. He can provide what we lack. And when provides, he does so abundantly. Let us run to our loving provider who has all we could ever need or imagine, and he will freely give!
Jesus doesn’t need any help to accomplish his mission, but he chooses to accomplish it in many ways through his Church. If we proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, we participate in Christ’s ministry and demonstrate our desire to obey his commands. Let us love Christ and let the world know about the gospel!
Christians are called to grow in Christ, not to remain stagnant or rest on our laurels, but to pursue knowing him more and striving towards the upward call. Let us put aside what lies behind and with humility train our eyes on Jesus. He will preserve us faithfully to the end. Let us pursue him!
Jonah | Roger Johansen
God gave Jonah a mission to take the gospel to the Assyrians. He loathed this mission and resented it because he didn’t care about the Gentiles. We have been given the great commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Are we participating? Do we love our neighbor? Are we willing to obey God and carry out the mission?
Luke 8:40-56
Jesus’ interaction with two people who had two different sets of needs teaches us one principle: The compassionate power of Jesus calls for faith. Jesus has all power, let us trust him. Jesus cares for us deeply and personally, let us trust him. We have needs and questions and Jesus has promised that he will save those who trust in him. Let us embrace him by faith!
Luke 8:26-39
Where can we turn when we face insurmountable obstacles? When we face opposition from spiritual powers arrayed against us? When the enemy martials not only their normal power but the power of legions? We can turn to Christ, the only one who wields true authority over any power, human or otherwise. Let us embrace Christ, the rescuer of our souls, and rejoice in fear and trembling.
Luke 8:22-25
When people follow Jesus, he brings them through events they may not anticipate. But he is always there with them, exercising his divine authority by simply speaking. All the universe was created and now holds together by his word, and he brings his authority to bear in every situation of our lives. Does that make a difference for you? Will you hear him? Will you trust him?
Luke 8:19-21 | JD Summers
Many of us have wonderful family relationships. Many of us do not. Either way, Jesus reminds us that for those who believe, we have a a greater family, our family in Christ. This family is built of those who hear and obey, demonstrating their faith by their response. Praise Jesus who gives us the ability to trust and obey!
Luke 8:16-18 | JD Summers
Jesus cares how we listen to him. It is essential that we not merely take in the Words of our God and let them pass over our minds and hearts. We must respond in faith, humbly submitting our desires and intentions to God’s design. Are you ready to receive the Word of God in faith and receive the increased blessing he promises?
Luke 8:-15 | JD Summers
What can we learn from the soil? We can see many parallels between different types of ground and the growing ground of our hearts. Are you hard hearted? Are you consumed with other distractions? Do you flinch away from difficulty? Or is your heart a fertile, humble soil willing to receive the Word of God?
Philippians 3:1-11 | Steven Parkin
Growth in Christ is essential, but it is only possible as we give up our self righteousness and look to Jesus alone. Looking to ourselves instead of Jesus will only result in frustration, failure, and fear. Instead, let us turn our eyes upon Jesus and glory in him alone. Let us press on to know him more!
Luke 7:36-50 | JD Summers
Those who have been forgiven much love much. Do you know the extent of your forgiveness? It is easy to think of ourselves as mostly good, competent people in need of some help here and there, but the gospel of Luke reminds us of the true depth of our sin. Thankfully, as deep as our sin runs, the love and power of Christ runs deeper. Let us embrace Christ by faith and find forgiveness!
The Jews fought dirty and used bribes in an attempt to discredit Jesus. Satan lied and used every trick in his book to do the same. People today have come up with endless excuses to try and explain him away, but the truth remains: Jesus raised from the dead! Let us embrace the powerful truth of the resurrection and enjoy our risen savior by faith.
Luke 7:24-35 | JD Summers
It is easy to separate God from the message of the gospel, but in reality the two are inextricably linked. God’s person, character, wisdom, and purpose shine forth in the gospel, and how we respond to the gospel demonstrates how we respond to God. When you hear the word of Jesus, what will you do?
Luke 7:18-23 | JD Summers
We often look at the heroes of Scripture as having perfect obedience and unshaking confidence. But as we see in John the Baptist, the men and women in the pages of Scripture faced real crises of faith. This should encourage us, for Jesus welcomes those who come to him with humble questions. He comforts us from his Word and blesses those who cling to him by faith.
Luke 7:11-17 | JD Summers
What does Elisha have to do with Jesus? Much like the prophet’s miracle of raising a widow’s son from the dead in Nain, Jesus does the same in a town just next door. But while the comparison is obvious, Jesus is much greater. Jesus' compassion is extravagant, and the power of his word is overwhelming. How wonderful is the great prophet who comes to us in our need, cares for us as he understands our sorrows, and reigns supreme over death!
Philippians 2:19-30 | Steven Parkin
Biblical authors not only command obedience from servants of Christ, they commend obedience of servants of Christ. Faithful men and women serve as shining examples of how to follow Christ in squelching our own interests and desires and placing the needs of others above our own. Let us look to these faithful servants, and look to Christ, to draw encouragement and strength for our walk.
Philippians 2:14-18 | Steven Parkin
It’s easy to grumble. It’s also easy to excuse our grumbling. But in reality, grumbling is a matter of utmost importance because it reveals the state of our heart. Will you continue to express your selfish, prideful attitude through grumbling and disputing? Or will you walk in blameless obedience, shining forth in a crooked generation, and overflowing in sweet-smelling praise to our great God?
Luke 7:1-10 | JD Summers
We all have faith of some sort. Where is yours? Jesus delights in those who place their faith in him, who place their confidence in Christ’s power and authority. Will you humble yourself, turn away from your pride, and trust in Jesus Christ?
Luke 6:46-49 | JD Summers
As we come to the end of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6, we must reckon with how we will respond. Will we go away as hearers but not doers, building our life on shifting sands? Or will we respond in faith, holding on to the rock of ages and walking in obedience? Let us embrace the firm foundation of our cornerstone, Jesus Christ!
Luke 6:43-45 | JD Summers
Humans have a hard time evaluating the motives and intentions of others - after all, we cannot see the heart. But out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, and the fruit of our tongue and of our actions reveals what hides within. As we are reminded of our sinful nature, we must look to Christ to change us from the inside out and give us new hearts!
Luke 6:39-42 | JD Summers
It is essential for citizens of the kingdom to see with right vison. Jesus reminds us that we must pay attention to those we follow so that we are not led astray into destruction. We must also care for others, but only after we have evaluated our own hearts and ensured we are seeing others with a clean conscience. As we pay attention to how we look, let us also look to Jesus to keep the right perspective!
Luke 6:36-38| JD Summers
Our culture loves to remind others not to judge - after all, Jesus said so! But the full meaning of this statement must be seen with the backdrop of mercy. We worship and serve the Father of mercy, and as his followers we must display mercy to others as well.
Luke 6:27-35 | JD Summers
What does it mean to be a follower of the king? In our relationships with others, it means loving extraordinarily. If we seek to love only those who can benefit us, we are not truly showing kingdom love, but self love. Let us embrace our high calling and seek to imitate our Father in giving of ourselves and loving others sacrificially.
Luke 6:20-26 | JD Summers
The Beatitudes are well known, but often difficult to understand. At their heart though, we can see that God is proclaiming grace - to the person who understands that they are needy, who weeps over injustice, who hunger for what is right. These people will find grace, even as they face opposition from the world. Will you be one who hates believers who identify with Christ? Or will you recognize your need for a savior and embrace his blessing through faith?
Luke 6:17-19 | JD Summers
When Jesus teaches, we ought to listen. What des he have to tell us? In the sermon on the plain Jesus shows that his message of the good news of the kingdom of God is for all people and that it transforms those who believe in it. How? Because of the king of the kingdom is Jesus, and he changes the lives of all who submit to his rule.
Luke 6:12-16 | JD Summers
What does the calling of the 12 apostles have to do with a believer’s approach to a new year? From Jesus’ prayerful selection of men to form his inner circle of disciples, we can learn great lessons about his redemptive work and draw encouragement, confidence, and love for our savior. God' shows sovereign choice in his redemptive work, executing his sovereign purpose in applying his saving power to those who believe. God’s plan begun before time and continued through the time of the apostles is ongoing today. Let us acknowledge and embrace it!
JD Summers | Various Texts
Jesus was born. That is history and indisputable. But why was he born? This is worth considering. Jesus was born to save sinners and give abundant life. He came to crush the head of the serpent. He came to bring the love of God imminently into the world. And he came to shine forth the glory of God into a dark and dying world. Praise the Lord who was born at Christmas!
Steven Parkin | Matthew 1:18-25
Christmas should fill us with wonder. But why? Because everyone in the world magically does good to each other? Because we receive the fulfillment of our hearts’ desires? Because Santa visits? No, because our faithful God has come to demonstrate his faithfulness in the person of Jesus Christ. Let us behold his goodness to us at Christmas!
Carey Wilson | Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas time is often celebrated and sung about as one of happiness, cheer, and good spirits. But we find that this is often not the case. Isaiah 9 reminds us of the backdrop of an essential Messianic prophecy that illuminates our celebration of Christmas today: That out of the gloom and darkness, the Wonderful one, the incredibly wise Counselor, the only Mighty God, our Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace - he has come.
JD Summers | Genesis
What does Genesis have to do with Christmas? Everything. In Genesis, we see the beginnings of God’s promise, the first reason for hope. God promises that one will come who will conquer the enemy. This offspring will bring blessing to all who are united to him by faith. And he will simultaneously reign as sovereign king over all the world. This saving, conquering, blessing offspring is Jesus, born as a baby at Christmas. Let us rejoice in hope!
Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath demonstrate his authority and his grace. Jesus wrote the law commanding Israel to keep the Sabbath holy. He also has the authority to use the Sabbath as he sees fit, unbound by human tradition. Jesus also demonstrates grace in the sabbath, providing for needs and restoring what is broken. Let us reject our own efforts, reject extra-biblical standards, and instead lean on Jesus, trusting in him for rest!
Has the good news become old news? It can often become easy to let the message of the gospel wane in our hearts. But when we consider the reality of Jesus’ incarnation and the intimacy and communion his life, death, and resurrection secured for us, we should be overwhelmed with white-hot joy. Let us consider Jesus, the great bridegroom, who invites us to feast with him!
Shared food becomes shared life, and Jesus shared food with the outcasts of the Jews. He came to sinners, to the despised, to the disobedient. He came to us. We are the sick, the needy, the sinful, and Jesus draws near to give us of himself and to call us to repentance. Let us turn to him and be welcomed in!
Jesus intentionally and adeptly used conflict to communicate his heart, mission, and identity. In this narrative, he shows his authority and his desire to forgive sins. As we encounter Jesus, we must recognize that forgiveness is our greatest need, and Jesus delights in forgiving those who trust in him!
Scripture is filled with doctrine and stories that provide the foundation and framework of our faith. But at the heart of our Christian walks, we must come to see and know the one these doctrines and stories are about. Let us draw near to our compassionate savior and come to know him more. Jesus is the healer who can make us clean!
Matthew 5:13-16 | Michael Summers How should we live as citizens worthily awaiting the kingdom of God? By willingly testifying to the light of the world. God blesses us with the opportunity to represent him in the world and he delights to shine through us. Do you cover your light? Have you eroded the platform from which he shines?
Ruth 2:1-16 | Dave Hintz God calls men to care for women. Men should protect, provide, and prize women in their lives. While the flesh tells men to domineer and subdue, or perhaps to fear and flee women, men should instead seek how they can lay down their lives out of love and honor. Let us look to Jesus for an example and for the power to be or to follow worthy men.
As Christ obeyed to the end, so must we also as we seek to follow as obedience servants. Let us look to Christ with fear and trembling, with backwards glances to review his faithfulness in the past, and with eager expectation that he will uphold us. Let us work out our salvation as God works it in us. What a wonderful God who is pleased to grow us in holiness and salvation!
When we encounter Jesus, we must respond in the right way. We must obey his Word and recognize his purpose. We must trust in the grace he holds out to us. And we must submit to his mission of bring many sons to glory. Let us draw near to Jesus, recognizing our sin and his love for us, and let us go out to bring the good news to others.
The God of all comfort uses his people to love the suffering. He pours out his mercy through our words and actions. He uses us to remind others of the the truth of his Word. And he provides for others through his generous provision to us. Let us love those in need because of our deep love for Christ.
Jesus, the Messiah, has authority over the power of darkness. Not only this, he has authority over the the power of disease. What great news that the Son of God has this power! But we must also remember that this demands our submission as well. Let us bow the knee to the authority of Christ. And let us rest and rejoice in the power of our savior and find hope, goodness, and life!
Who can receive Christ? Anyone who responds to him by faith. What is in your heart? Are you entitled, hard hearted, and arrogant in your expectation that you deserve to be saved? Or are you humble, contrite, and submissive to God’s sovereign mercy? Let us receive God’s grace in willing humility and trust him as Savior!
How did Jesus triumph over temptation? He knew his enemy and had his guard up. He counted the cost and was willing to endure. And he knew his resources and utilized them effectively. We can make use of the same resources, and add to them the knowledge of our Savior Jesus, our representative, who has gone before us to make a way through temptation.
Luke 3:21-4:13 | JD Summers
Jesus is the Son of God. What does that mean? It means that he is beloved by God, endorsed by the Father to accomplish his mission. It means that he, Son of God and Son of Man, represents us as the better Adam. And it means that he passes the test where we fail, and that we can look to the Son of God as our savior!
The ministry of John was a prophetic ministry, and like the prophets before him, his message honed in on the necessity to repent. We do well to listen to John’s words today and wholeheartedly turn to Christ in sorrow, confession, and contrition, embracing the grace of repentance God offers to those who believe.
It isn’t enough to know that Jesus came. We need to know why. Jesus came to die - to be the savior. We can see this in his dedication, in the response of Simeon and Anna in the temple, and in his actions at the temple. Jesus is the savior who came to provide redemption. Let us praise him for his gracious love!
The birth of Jesus brings together all the necessary pieces for God’s plan. God accomplishes his purpose in sending his Son to become a man and bring salvation to those with whom he is pleased. His birth enraptures those around him with joy and this joy reverberates to ends of earth and the ends of time. Let us join with Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in praising God for the birth of the Savior!
Luke’s account leads us to a glorious moment, a prophetic word from the lips of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Healed of his muteness, he bursts out in proclamations of God’s power to save, covenant faithfulness, and incredible mercy.
How will you bow the knee to Christ? Paul comes to a crescendo in this section of his letter, calling to mind the exaltations of God in the book of Isaiah. Jesus Christ is God. Jesus Christ is Lord. There is none greater than God. Will you, by faith, humble yourself to serve Christ, or will you harden your heart until it is too late? One day you will bow. Choose to bow this day, while the offer of salvation is attached.
Jesus is the Son of God and has come to save us. The divine Son of God takes on true humanity through the virgin birth, which is essential because salvation can only come through a divine-human mediator. Jesus brings the divine power to accomplish salvation, which means that sinners can rejoice! Let us bring praise and honor to the king in all his beauty!
God demonstrates that his good news is for needy people like you and me. The story of Gabriel giving the good news to Zechariah shows God speaking and working according to his promise. He is a God who desires to save! Yet we must respond in faith, trusting his Word to us. Is God’s Word enough for you?
Why do we have 4 gospels? And what makes Luke important? The gospel of Luke demonstrates that the message about Jesus Christ is trustworthy. It has been faithfully recorded and passed down by those who saw and experienced the ministry of Christ. And the person at the center of this gospel, Jesus Christ, demands our faith and our devotion. Let us praise the glorious Son of Man who comes to bring salvation for all who believe!
Carey Wilson | Psalm 118 The Psalms shape our desires and actions. Psalm 118 speaks directly to our hearts and compels us to praise the Lord as we reflect on the truths about his redemption. Let us give thanks! God is good. Let us worship God! He has delivered us. Let us acknowledge, enjoy, and declare the goodness of God on display in his redemption!
What can we do when we look at ourselves and find that we are not useful to God? The description of the stark spiritual state of Laodicea should drive us to fear God as the one who sees and evaluates hearts, and that fear should drive us to deeper faith and repentance. Let us turn from our sin and turn to Christ in response to the grace he offers us in his Word!
God’s Word is essential to the life of the Church. It allows us to see Jesus Christ as he clearly reveals himself. It encourages us by reminding us that we are citizens of heaven. And it gives us the sure hope of a secure destiny. Let us seek God in the Scriptures and commit to keep his Word.
What is revival? It is a reawakening, a coming back to life, a rising from the dead. Revival depends absolutely on the power of Christ, and any emotional experience not driven by his Spirit is not true revival. It also requires a response to Christ’s Word. We must obey his call and respond to the gospel. And revival anticipates the approval of Christ, so let us look forward to the joyous celebration with which he will welcome us after we turn from our sin, trust in Christ, and follow him completely!
Jesus does not allow compromise. Those who compromise are not making a small mistake, but are rebelling against the resurrected Christ, and they will experience judgment as insurrectionists. But those who hold fast and do not indulge in the lie that engaging with sin is acceptable, Christ offers a glorious reward - not only does Christ promise that we will share his authority, Christ offers himself to us as a reward. What better reason do we have to pursue faithfulness and purity!
Jesus stands close by with the sharp, authoritative sword in his mouth. His Word inspires hope of relief and reward for faithfulness, but it also reminds us that repentance is not optional. Even as we seek to remain faithful in the face of opposition, we must remain wary of allowing any acceptance of sin to creep in. Let us press on to greater purity knowing that eternity blessing with Christ lies ahead of us!
When we know the Lord, we realize that we have nothing else to fear. The more we know God, the more we recognize how marvelous, almighty, and overwhelming he is. God draws us in and magnifies himself, moving us to fear and trembling, to faithful honor, and to humble worship. Let us press in to be gripped by the fear of the Lord!
Tribulation is a given for believers. If we desire to be faithful to Christ, we must endure adversity, but we know that this endurance will be worth it. Jesus is the first and the last. Jesus has died and defeated death. He shares his power and victory with us, allowing our fear to turn to faith and suffering to turn to hope that will not put us to shame. Let us look past our present tribulation to Chris, keeping the right perspective, and pressing on for the crown of life!
What does Jesus look for in a healthy church? He desires and demands purity, faithfulness, and right doctrine. But while these are marks of a healthy church, any body of believers that has these in spades yet lacks love actually lacks Christ’s seal of approval as well. We must constantly be aware of the necessity of love, actively look back to the love we had at first, and humbly turn away from our sin and return to Christ, who is himself the definition and example of love.
Jesus Christ is supreme in and over the church. The vision of Christ which John recounts in Revelation 1 allows us to ponder and meditate on the crucified and risen savior and consider how to respond to him. It is essential that we get our view of God right, as we so often think too lowly of him. Let us dwell on his character, his deeds, his words, and his promises, and seek and savor Jesus Christ!
The resurrection has eternal implications for those who believe in Christ. But perhaps more than this, it means something for Christ as well. The resurrection shows that Jesus is worthy of honor, of incredible joy, and an immeasurable inheritance of us, his saints. Let us look to our resurrected Christ and give him honor, share in his joy, and revel in the love he has for us!
God not only commands us to live in humility, he gives us the greatest example to show us how. Jesus gave up his rights, privileges, and comforts, took on human flesh, and humbled himself to the point of dying a tortuous, painful, undeserved death. Why? For us. Because he loved us. He put our needs above his own and laid down his life for us. Let us glory in the cross and love others with the same humility as Christ.
JD Summers | Psalm 77 We all have endured, will endure, or are enduring times of overwhelming suffering. Times when we feel like even the truths we know about God are not enough. Times which could lead us to doubt God’s goodness, love, and power. How can we deal with these times? By resolving to fight for belief; by looking back to what God has done; by refusing to succumb to despair, but rather pressing in to find comfort in who God is. Praise be to our holy, faithful God!
A healthy church lives in community. It cares for those sent out of the community to share the gospel with the world. It cares for those within the community who are in need. And it understands that community can only be fostered and grown and maintained by the grace of God. Let us seek to be a grace-filled, community-loving church by first taking stock of our own hearts and then striving side by side with those in the church around us for the sake of the gospel.
While we must insist that our church be unified on the gospel, we must avoid controversies on other matters. The church is made up of people whom we are called to love, not to prove wrong or belittle due to differences of opinion. For the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us refuse to divide over petty matters and rather seek to outdo one another in love and glorify our savior who died for us.
Humility is essential to unity as a church. We must pay attention to our inner desires for pleasure or fame and instead seek ways to serve others and glorify Christ. The power of the gospel produces humility in his servants, and when we utilize this power we both imitate Christ and glorify his name.
When we contemplate the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only right response is to pursue unity with the body of Christ. Jesus gives grace in redemption and that grace manifests itself by growing our love for one another. Do you struggle to be unified with the church? Consider Jesus Christ and what he has done for you to create a new body in himself. Let the glory of the gospel grow your desire to love and serve him and his people!
The authoritative ministry of the gospel must be central to a heathy church. Not only is the gospel able to save people, but it also provides the basis for believers to grow in Christ personally and disciple one another communally. We must put aside our pride and fear and embrace the call to submit to the preaching of the Word in our own lives and to rebuke, exhort, and encourage others with that same Word.
A healthy church will live humbly before outsiders. Rather than becoming proud, we must remember the depths of sin that God pulled us from when he applied his saving grace. Our salvation is a miracle that overcomes spiritual impossibilities. Let us consider the amazing mercy and kindness of our salvation and be moved to love our neighbor with gospel humility.
God’s grace affects our salvation in the past, present, and future. God displayed his justifying grace in Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. He applies his sanctifying grace by the Spirit to grow us in holiness. And he promises his glorifying grace as we wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Let us zealously respond to God’s grace in gratitude, love, and obedience.
Obstacles abound in our pursuit of self control. We live in a culture of indulgence, our natures crave fulfillment, and our minds and hearts must constantly be directed back to the truth. But by the grace of God, we have the power to be disciplined, sensible, and sober-minded. Let us fiercely pursue the fear of the Lord by hating out sin, putting up a fight against it, repenting of sinful actions, thoughts, and desires, and looking to Christ for the eternal reward which will follow when we practice self control.
Sound doctrine must produce gospel transformation in the lives of church members. For a church to stay alive, it must never grow content but its members must pursue growth in Christ, self control, and discipleship from one believer to another. By the grace of God, the aroma of Christ will continue to flow from our lives to the glory of God.
Believers are called to walk worthy of the gospel. This means turning away from our own desires for comfort and advancement and instead embracing a life centered on Jesus Christ. Let us stand firm and strive side by side with our brothers and sisters in Christ, facing whatever comes without fear. God has qualified us to be worthy in his sight through the cross of Christ. Let us walk in accordance with this gospel!
One reason why churches need qualified leadership is to refute false teaching from inside and outside the church. The gospel always faces opposition and people will seek to corrupt it through addition or subtraction. Let us hold fast to the true, pure gospel, correcting those who are in error with the desire to restore and reconcile them to the truth.
Churches need qualified leaders. The standards for elders apply to their role in the home, their character, and their doctrine. Elders must be above reproach in all areas and not have any aspect of their life that would not stand up under scrutiny. Given the high standard for becoming a pastor, we should be moved to pray for those men God has already called, as well as praying for God to purify and preserve more men for service in leadership in our body.
The book of Titus was written to aid a pastor as he established leadership in churches and sought to proclaim the gospel. It is just as necessary for us today as it was in the first century. The church needs to recognize the authority of Jesus Christ, understand the priority of carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ, and grasp the importance of eternity with Jesus Christ. Praise be to Jesus, who gives us the hope of eternal life!
JD Summers | Psalm 24 How should we see our God? We should see him as the King of Glory who transcends all things as the creator. He is the King of Glory who stands set apart as the holy Lord. He is the King of Glory who is coming again with power. The King of Glory redeems with power and grace. Rejoice in his salvific power. Revel in his cleansing mercy. Repent and be renewed by the sovereign savior!
JD Summers | Misc. We can often get caught up in the season of Christmas with its celebrations, gatherings, and busyness. But these can only offer a momentary reprieve from our suffering, our trials, our temptations. As we seek to endure and overcome our suffering at Christmas, we must look to Jesus, our humble high priest who understands our weakness because he endured them himself as a man like us. Let us boldly draw near to our brother, or savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who overcame the grave and offers us hope in the midst of our hopelessness.
JD Summers | 2 Corinthians 8:9 How is the grace of God displayed at Christmas? Through the humility of Jesus Christ. Jesus had all glory and position in his eternal fellowship with the Trinity, yet he chose to forego them to be born, and even more to be shamefully crucified by the men he had created. Jesus’ sacrificial love overflowed at the cross as he took on the sins of the world. We receive the benefits of His humility and love in the great blessings and provisions he grants to us each and every day. This is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! We have an indescribable inheritance in the incarnation.
Faithful servants of Christ will confidently rejoice in Christ. They are able to approach life and death with a mindset informed by the victorious end of the story, by the desire to honor Christ, and the overwhelming need for Christ’s bride, the church, to glorify their savior. The fruit of Christ centered confidence is consistent courage, and the result of this courage is a fearless drive to praise the Lord.
The third scene of Exodus shows the construction of the Tabernacle. These chapters show a repentant people obeying God out of a pure heart. They show how God works in his people through a faithful leader, Moses, who points forward to how God will redeem his people through Jesus. And the construction of the Tabernacle shows that God will keep his promises. Just as he was faithful to Israel, so will he be faithful to us today!
God delights to display his grace. He also desires us to respond to it. Our behavior demonstrates what we believe, and it starts with what lies in our heart. The wonderful grace of God invites us to personally rejoice, give, and draw near to the Lord. Let us give our whole heart to God and seek to have our hearts burn within us as we gain a greater experience of Jesus Christ.
Anything God gives his people is a gift, a grace we do not deserve. The most necessary and glorious grace he gives is to show us his glory. And God does primarily by proclaiming the gospel to us for us to hear. We see his glory as we listen to the truth. Let us bask in this truth, and look and listen to the Word, the Son of God Jesus Christ, who is the most glorious display of God’s glory and grace even given in the world.
The most desperate need of God's people is God himself. The people of Israel recognized this, as God withdrew his personal presence from them. Moses understood this as well, and begged God to reveal himself more to him, that Moses might know God more and see his glory. Let us also approach God with this same bold desire, that we might know God, that we might see his glory. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that this is a prayer God delights to answer!
Why was Jesus baptized? He had no need to repent of sin, as baptism usually signified. Rather, he was fulfilling all righteousness by submitting to the sovereign plan of his Father, symbolizing that he was willing to follow the path from the banks of the Jordan to the cross of Calvary. Let us behold the Son of God, the suffering servant, our brother, Jesus Christ.
A godly Church is only ever one generation away from falling away from the truth. Believers must recognize that if we hold the torch of faith in Christ, we have the ability and responsibility to pass it on to other believers. Let us look to Jesus and the mission he has given us and let us faithfully seek out and disciple those who can take the faith into the next generation.
Dealing with sin is a universal experience. We all sin and are all faced with how we will deal with it. We must be ruthless in our honesty, complete in our repentance, and continual in our confession. But even as we fight with all our strength to mortify our own sin, we must remember that we need Jesus. Christ and his sacrifice alone gives the power and ability to overcome sin. We must trust in Christ to receive forgiveness and victory over our sin.
We usually think poorly of sheep, but when Jesus declares himself the door to the sheep pen and the good shepherd, we would do well to desire to be known as his sheep. Jesus calls us to follow him for security from our enemies, for access to God, for deep communion with our savior, and for unity with our fellow sheep. May we not buck against our good shepherd, but rather embrace him by faith and enjoy the blessings he gives to us!
The mission of Christ should motivate us to endure persecution for the glory of God and to endure defamation if the name of Christ is promoted. We so often view our circumstances as a reason to doubt God and his plan or use them as an excuse not to obey, but we must rather see our circumstances, especially the most difficult and unwanted ones, as God's unique tools and gifts given to us to further the gospel. Praise be to God!
The golden calf incident describes our tendency to turn away from God. While it records a real event that happened, it also describes what happens in our lives today. When we turn away from God, we are showing impatience with his plan and unbelief in his promise. But we have a mediator, one who stands in the gap between our condemning sin and God's just wrath. Jesus pleads for us, appealing to God's mercy, God's glory, and ultimately, to Jesus' own sacrifice of himself on the cross to atone for our sins.
The priests of Israel served a crucial role for the nation. They represented the people before God because the people themselves could not stand in his presence. God consecrated the priests and gave them a specific way to atone for the sins of Israel. The priests mediated the Old Covenant, and Jesus mediates the New Covenant, bearing the sin of all who believe in him, atoning through the sacrifice of himself, and interceding before God as the Great High Priest. May our hearts burn within us as we consider our glorious mediator, Jesus Christ!
The furnishings of the Tabernacle hold great significance because of what they tell us about God's gracious provision and his glorious pattern for worship. In addition, they point us to Christ. Jesus tabernacled with us in the incarnation. Jesus is the ultimate atonement, the light of the world, the bread of life. Jesus offers complete cleansing, sanctifies our prayers, prays for us, and brings the glorious presence of God to us. Let us bask in the glory of all that Jesus is and does for us!
Because God is Holy, Holy, Holy, separation is essential. In the instructions regarding the structure of the Tabernacle, we see God's holiness magnified, Eden reflected, and hope provided. God miraculously displays his holiness and comes to us with grace and forgiveness first in the Tabernacle, but further in the person of Jesus Christ, and his plan to dwell with his people in the Tabernacle, in Jesus, and in the Spirit's indwelling of the Church today points us forward to the time when God will dwell with us forever in eternity.
The Tabernacle demonstrates many aspects of God's plan for his people. It shows us the blessing that God intends to dwell with them. It portrays his loving willingness to accommodate himself to them. And it serves as a picture of how God works in redemption. We should recognize this great gift of God and press into it by receiving and rejoicing in God's wonderful blessing of dwelling with us!
God did not arbitrarily decide to give the Law to his people. He did so out of grace, inviting the people to enter into a relationship with him and sharing his wonderful love and salvation. The bloody sacrifices of the Old Covenant point forward to the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, the blood he shed as an act of grace to us, which he invites us to receive by faith. Praise be to the crucified savior!
God's faithfulness lies at the center of his covenant with his people. He has always kept his promises and he always will. This means we must place our full trust in him no matter what comes. It also means we should respond with faithfulness of our own, following the Lord wholeheartedly in all we think, say, and do.
Devotion to God means being different from the world. We cannot walk in the Spirit while looking like the sinful world around us. God demands a unique purity, mercy, submission, and integrity from his chosen, called out people. Jesus, not our good works, is the door to salvation, but God has prepared good works for his chosen people to do as a response to their salvation, and we must strive to walk worthy of this calling.
Experiencing joy as a servant of Christ requires a God-centered, grateful heart for God's people.
Restitution offers an application of the 10 Commandments, showing how to rectify situations of theft and injury. Restitution involves paying back what was taken and making it right with the injured party. It is a process for reconciling our horizontal relationships with each other. Our vertical relationship with God, however, can never be made right through restitution, as we could never repay the wrong we have done against God. Praise the Lord then for his act of substitutionary atonement on our behalf!
Exodus 21 provides specific instructions for how to meet out justice for crimes against people. They demonstrate how God works justice in the world, and shows us the necessity of loving and respecting human life. These verses also point us to the cross, where God's mercy and justice are so greatly manifested, providing us both the means for our salvation, but also showing us a model of how we can extend mercy to others.
At first blush, some parts of Scripture can cause us to question God's goodness. But it is often these passages that truly reveal the depths of his goodness, as well as his love and justice. As we take a closer look into God's instructions to Israel about slavery, we see God's protective hand and his concern for the defenseless in the community, as well as being reminded of the transformation that has occurred in the lives of believers to transform us into slaves of Christ.
When God gives commands, he desires us to respond in worship. A redeemed people worships, and specifically, they worship by the book. God's law supplies the reason and the means for us to praise God, who graciously instructs us how we are to live in the presence of a holy God. Let us consider what God has done for us, and give him the honor, love, and gratitude he deserves.
Prayer is the only topic recorded in the gospels that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them about. Do you take advantage of his instruction? Prayer is a necessary piece of our life here on earth, and we would do well to pray more and pray more Biblically. Let us take advantage of the teaching Jesus has left for us and pray!
The final commandment speaks to a fundamental truth beneath the other 9 - obedience starts with the heart. Not only must we not disobey the commands with our actions, the 10th commandment shows us that we must not covet with our heart. Coveting shows a lack of trust in God, a lack of contentment in his gifts to us, and a heart that is not satisfied in God. Let us rejoice in what God has done for us, and set our hearts on Him, not on what we do not have.
Bearing false witness is one of the easiest sins to slip into, but it bears significant consequences. When we lie, we cover up the truth, which harms others as well as ourselves. Our speech comes from the overflow of our hearts, so as we consider our words, we must reflect on the motivations and desires that produce them. Let us pursue truth, uplifting speech, and words that bring glory to God.
When Jesus died and rose again, he established the Church, his bride, his body, his temple. As we reflect on the ways God has blessed our body at Redemption Hill, we must come back to Jesus' promise to build his Church, and respond in gratefulness and praise
Though we often seek joy from our circumstances, in reality it comes from another source, and often comes in spite of our circumstances. True joy comes from being saints and slaves united to and submitting to Jesus Christ, who gives the blessings of grace and peace to all who trust in him.
Baptism is a beautiful part of the Christian life. It represents the union we have with Christ as we are symbolically lowered with him into death and raised with him into newness of life. Baptism is a step of obedience for believers and a wonderful opportunity for the Church to welcome their brothers and sisters into membership in the body.
God designed the world in such a way as to give humans private property to steward, and that gift came with instructions. We must not take what has been given to others, and we must also not hoard what is in our possession. Rather, we should love God and love our neighbor by respecting the property of others and generously sharing our own, showing faith in God's provision and reflecting his generosity in giving good gifts to others.
Exclusivity is important in worship and in marriage. Adultery is unwise and dishonoring to God and others. We must turn away from adultery by guarding our heart, fleeing temptation, and making war against the flesh. And we must turn to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing so that we may find redemption through his blood and freedom from sexual sin.
God values human life and forbids us to take it for personal, selfish reasons. From clear cases of homicide to culturally acceptable means of killing others, we must oppose and turn away from all manifestations of murder. We must look into our hearts to root out the seeds of discord and hatred that are forms of murder themselves, and turn to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing.
As God moves from commands focusing on our relationship with Him to commands focusing on our relationship with other people, he leads off with a command about parents. Children in the home are called to obey and respect their parents' God given authority. Grown children are called to honor, love, and care for their parents at any age. And parents are called to love and nurture their children in a way that points them to Christ. Let us honor God by honoring our parents!
God's instruction about the Sabbath is one of the most misunderstood of the 10 Commandments. While the Church, under a different covenant, relates differently to the Sabbath regulations than the nation of Israel did, the Sabbath is eternally important to believers today. As we consider God's rest in creation and the rest he enjoyed and secured for the Church by his work on the cross, we should be moved to rest ourselves, and to worship our Savior.
God's name is important because it speaks to who He is, His essence. Misusing his name misrepresents and scorns his holy, worthy character. We must pay close attention to our words, and thus to our hearts, for it is out of the overflow of our hearts that our mouths speak. As we consider the Third Commandment, let us bring our lives under the sovereignty of God, align our conduct to follow his commands and represent him accurately, and ultimately look to Jesus, who did truly proclaim God's Name rightly in his life, and whose blood covers the guilt we deserve to bear.
The resurrection is a doctrinal truth we must believe. But it is much, much more than just this. The resurrection changes everything for those who trust in Jesus, giving us freedom from sin, victory over our enemies, and strength for the race that lies ahead. Let us stand firm in our faith in our risen savior and take up our cross and follow him.
When the Church recognizes the Spirit's equipping and calling of an elder, they should look to Scripture to form their expectations. Pastors must shepherd the flock out of the overflow of their own relationship with Christ. They must maintain their personal integrity and protect the flock from threats without and within. Above all, they are to love the bride for whom Christ died, the Church, and seek to present her holy and blameless before him.
In order to worship God correctly, we must be distinct from the idolatrous nations around us. We need to put away our own ideas of what God is like and submit to his clear direction and commands for worship. In order to believe and obey God fully, we must get worship right.
We, like the nation of Israel, live in a time where multitudes of false gods clamor for our attention, devotion, and worship. Only the One true God deserves to be worshipped exclusively, however. Let us take holy action in embracing the Lord by faith and rejecting lessor objects of worship. Let us give God the glory he deserves and receive joy and satisfaction in the great I AM.
For believers living under grace, it is easy to ignore or demonize the law as something unhelpful for the Christian life. But God still utilizes the law to reveal his character, remind us of his authority, convict us of sin, point us to Christ, and guide our obedience. Let us seek to understand and apply God's law to our own lives, as well as utilizing it in pointing others to Christ.
The giving of the Law is rooted in who God is and what he has done for us, and it reveals what he wants from us. They are eternal commandments rooted in his character and his work, and is intended to produce holy fear in us. In God’s prohibitions, there is safety. Let us run to God in faith, pressing into a fear of God based on awe and reverence, not fear of death.
God's arrival on Mt. Sinai caused the nation of Israel, and all creation, to respond in fear and trembling. His arrival brought his holiness and the people's sinfulness into stark clarity. These twin realities are still true today, but now we see both through the lens of Jesus Christ, our mediator who took our sinfulness and brought God's holiness to us. Praise be to our great Savior!
True freedom does not exist in being completely unrestrained by any external authority, as our current day and age might have you believe. Rather true freedom comes from living in step with the design of the Creator, by being who and what we were meant to be. At Mt. Sinai, God reveals his purpose for the nation of Israel and invites them to embrace it. Let us also search God's Word for his purpose for us, seek to walk in it, and be free!
It's easy to lose hope in the Christian walk, but there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! If God is executing the plan, if God's Son died for the plan, if God has declared the success of the plan, and if God the Son prays for the fulfillment of the plan, then God's plan for us to know the fullness of his love for all eternity will not fail!
Scripture often contrasts different reactions people have when they are faced with the presence of God. Some reject him and oppose his plan and his people. But others embrace the fear of the Lord and experience his blessing, which in turn leads to a desire to love and bless God's people. May we come to God out of reverence and worship and enjoy the lovingkindness he promises in the gospel!
We are sure to face battles in our life. As we do, we must remember that the battle depends on God's presence, power, and authority. No other source can overcome our adversaries, no other power can lift us through the fight. Let us look to the Lord, our banner, and find hope in the midst of the fight!
Faith is the primary way we relate to God. We are called to trust in God at all times, but often the hardness of our hearts keeps us from faith. When faced with difficult circumstances, we are tempted to protest against God's plan and demand his provision. But God calls us to repent of this hard heartedness and receive the abundant grace he extends to us as our redeemer, our rock who himself was struck for our transgressions to provide forgiveness for our sins.
No one desires times of crisis. But God brings them about in our lives to accomplish a variety of purposes, and we are called to respond to them with faith and obedience. As we encounter times of crisis, let us look to God's provision, listen to his Word, take in his glory, and remember his faithfulness. The glorious, faithful God who provided for Israel is at work today, and will be in the future.
Scripture teaches that God works all things together for good. Days, years, and people come and go. Things change but God does not. Who He is today is who He was and who He will be.
God uses difficulty to teach us things we desperately need to know. Like how, here in Exodus, the children of Israel are taught what it means to trust in Him as our provider.
When it comes to following Christ, 99% is not enough. Christ calls us to follow him with our whole hearts, denying ourselves and giving everything to him. This is not a hollow trade, for the greatness of Christ means true life, profit, and recognition for all his disciples. Let us forsake all else and follow Jesus!
The birth of Christ displays the immensity of God's love. God is love, and the depth and character of his love is shown most clearly and fully in the coming of Christ to live, die, and rise again in our place. The incarnation powerfully matches God's love with his sovereignty, showing that as he orchestrates and ordains everything, he does it all for our highest good. Praise be to God that his love for us prompted him to send his only son, that whoever believes in would not perish but have eternal life with him!
Jesus is God with us. Though once lost to sin, God worked in salvation history to restore his presence with us and to reconcile us back to himself. God fixes our problem, not us. Let us fix our attention and direct our desires to be on him alone and seek to fellowship with him as he has made a way for us to dwell with him.
Why did Jesus come? Why did he have to come? The answer lies partially with us - in our sinfulness, we needed someone who could represent us and pass the test we cold not. We needed a substitute who could offer acceptable atonement for our sin. We needed someone who could resolve the problem of death by going through it to overcome it. But Jesus came for another reason, to reign in righteousness. His first coming foreshadows his second coming, and even now he is growing his kingdom in preparation for his all encompassing, eternal reign.
Exodus 15 shows us how to respond to God's work: with thanksgiving. We should also follow their example of seeing God's work, fearing him, and believing in him. The same God who worked in the history of Israel works today in our lives, and we must join with Israel in remembering what God has done and recognizing who he is. Then we should look forward to what God will do, overcoming our greatest enemy and keeping his final promises of salvation. Thanks be to God!
The Exodus was the greatest salvation event in the history of Israel. God displayed his power, his faithfulness, and the importance of his presence with his people. God shows himself mighty in working salvation, and invites us to respond to him, nay, demands that we respond to him. We, like the Israelites before the crossing of the Red Sea, are prone to fear and unbelief. But we must embrace our sovereign, saving God with faith and trust that he will keep his promises to us.
No one deserves to have their sins forgiven by God. And no one is able to earn forgiveness from God. It is from his gracious, merciful, and loving nature that he is willing to forgive, but he also forgives according to his justice, having received atonement for our sins through the cross of Christ. Ultimate, forgiveness displays God's righteousness, glorifying his name to the ends of the earth.
The image of God reigning on his throne is one of the greatest and mightiest scenes in Scripture. God reveals his glory and perfect holiness, and Isaiah understands his sin and unworthiness. God is still holy and sovereign, and we, like Isaiah, are still sinful and broken. But just as these two aspects still hold true, so also does God's solution. Jesus Christ is still the hope of the world, and worthy of our trust.
God's deliverance demands a response. We cannot receive salvation and redemption apathetically, neglecting to remember and act on what has been done for us. God calls us to rehearse and share the wonders of his hand, and to give him the praise and glory that he deserves for his mighty acts. Let us live in light of God's powerful redemption and walk according to his holy desire!
Our God is a saving God, and the Exodus reminds us of this. God's salvation includes overcoming our enemies, providing for all our needs, keeping all of his promises, and building a new community. God demonstrates his faithfulness, his sovereignty, and his goodness in salvation. Let us meditate on the story of God's salvation with the nation of Israel and look to Jesus, who has given himself to effect an even greater salvation!