Divine Savior Church-Delray Beach: Recent Episodes
Pastor Joel Schulz
Discipleship begins with a simple but life-altering invitation from Jesus: “Follow me.” Before the disciples understand everything, before they feel ready, Jesus calls them into relationship with Himself. A disciple is not defined by how much they know, but by who they follow. As we follow Jesus, He changes us—and He sends us into His mission. This call still shapes what it means to be a disciple today.
Discipleship does not begin with self-improvement, moral effort, or religious sincerity—it begins with new birth. Jesus confronts Nicodemus with the truth that spiritual life cannot be achieved, inherited, or engineered. Apart from the Spirit’s work, we are spiritually dead, even when we appear religious, busy, or sincere. A clear view of who we are apart from Christ exposes our need for rescue and reorients us to the One who alone gives life. The Gospel is not advice for the alive; it is resurrection for the dead.
The story of Jonah ends with a surprising twist: the prophet is angry. In this final message, we look at the struggle we all face when God is "too kind" to people we don't like. It’s easy to celebrate God’s mercy when it’s for us, but it’s much harder when that same mercy is shown to our enemies. We’ll explore the tension between our own ideas of fairness and God’s relentless love. The book ends with a searching question for all of us: Are we truly happy that God is gracious and merciful to everyone, or do we want Him to only favor people like us?
God is a specialist in second chances—not just for Jonah, but for everyone. In this message, we see how God uses even the most reluctant and flawed people to carry His message of hope. Despite Jonah’s past mistakes, God recommissions him to reach a city that seemed beyond saving. We’ll discover that God’s mercy doesn’t have borders; it reaches into the most unlikely places. It’s a powerful reminder that when God speaks, His words have the power to change everything, proving that no one is ever truly too far gone to be reached.
When we hit rock bottom, it often feels like God has abandoned us. However, Jonah’s time in the "depths" shows us that the end of our rope is often the beginning of God’s rescue. What Jonah first saw as a dark prison actually became a place of protection—a space where he could finally let go of his pride and realize that only God can save. This message explores how God meets us in our lowest moments to give us a second chance, pointing us toward the ultimate hope found in the one who spent three days in the earth to bring us all back to life.
We often think we can outrun God when His plans don't align with our own comfort or preferences. In this first message, we look at Jonah—a man who didn’t just reject a job, but tried to distance himself from the very Source of his life. Jonah’s journey reminds us that while we might try to sail away from God’s presence, He is too loving to let us go. Sometimes, God allows a "storm" in our lives not to punish us, but to rescue us from ourselves and bring us back to His mercy.
This week centers on the crisis of sin, embracing the power of Jesus’ resurrection, and living in fellowship with God. We must openly confront the reality of human darkness and separation from God, and allow God’s light to expose our sin. There is a solution to this crisis: Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, which cleanse us from sin and restore our relationship with God. The resurrection is not only historical truth but a transformative power that grants forgiveness, eternal life, and a new identity rooted in Christ. We can “come alive” to this resurrection power and live in confident fellowship with God and others.
This week we explore how being united with Christ through His resurrection gives believers eternal confidence and the power to live a fruitful life of authentic morality. Jesus’ victory over sin and the devil is not just historical—it’s personal and transformative. Believers are not merely labeled as children of God; they are truly adopted into His family. This identity shapes both our future hope and our present conduct. Authentic Christianity, according to John, is marked by doing what is right—not to earn God’s favor, but as a response to already being His children. As his children, we are called to live out this identity with moral clarity in a culture of confusion, continually renewed through repentance and grace.
Agape love—the selfless, sacrificial love modeled by Jesus and made possible through His resurrection carries unbelievable power. While friendship in the church is a blessing, God calls believers to something deeper: love that acts, gives, and sacrifices for fellow Christians. This love is not merely based on feelings or mutual benefit but is rooted in Christ’s example of laying down His life. We can challenge our people to express this love tangibly—through generosity, presence, and empathy. We can also reassure them that even when their hearts condemn them, God is greater and His love secures their identity and confidence before Him. We are and remain God’s children by his grace.
At times, we might raise doubts about or throw accusations against God’s love. Suffering, injustice, and personal pain can cause confusion regarding God’s great love. John affirms that God is love. This is not sentiment. It is action—demonstrated supremely through the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Savior of the world. This perfect love of God drives out fear. Our fear of judgment can be replaced with confidence and assurance. When we have received God’s love, we also reflect his love. As God’s children, we are empowered to love others with the same selfless, sacrificial love, becoming living testimonies of His grace. Encourage your people to allow God’s love to overflow into their relationships, leading others out of fear and into faith.
Maybe you have thought of “religion” as trying hard to live up to the Bible’s teachings, and it has left you stuck and frustrated. You wish you were a better person. But you still lose control and make mistakes you're ashamed of. The good news of Jesus brings us joy, because Jesus, our King, lived the life we should have lived, died the death we should have died, and took our penalty for us so we can be part of God’s everlasting, unshakeable kingdom. With Jesus as our King! So let’s worship Him! Not to get on his good side. But to thank Him for giving us the perfect life!
Life is a race. We have to run it. And like any race, it has its difficulties and agonizing moments. How do we get through them? In a race, you keep your eyes on the finish line. In the race of life, we keep our eyes on Jesus. The sufferings God allows along the way will make us stronger. Our Heavenly Father wants what is best for us, and wants us to finish the race even more than we do! Jesus is the way! Jesus is our finish line! He finished everything for us by running his race to the cross for us. He made it possible for us to experience that joy with Him! Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus!
As the saying goes, there are only two things you can count on in life: death and taxes. No matter how well your life goes or how awful it goes, death is something we all face as human beings. Escape from pain in this life is only temporary. We need something better to look forward to. God is better than anything life gives us or death can take away from us. We have the one thing that can give us what we need: the resurrection of Jesus! Because He lives, we will live! Christianity gives us something more than a story! It gives us an actual person raised from the dead. And He, Jesus, gives us the certainty of resurrection! He is our resurrection!
Living the Christian life isn’t just about trying to be good or trying to do better. That will just lead to frustration. We have to understand how serious a problem we have. Guilt and shame are real, and without Jesus, we have no way to deal with guilt or shame. The only way to pay for guilt is with sacrifice. Forgiveness always costs… someone has to pay. The awesome thing about our God is that He doesn’t demand our blood but offers his own. Jesus offered his own life to sacrifice for us. Once and for all. A sacrifice made on our behalf is what makes us what to “be good and do better” to experience the joy in life God wants us to have! The only thing that will give us complete rest is knowing Jesus loved us enough to be our sacrifice!
Life can be a kind of “trial” in which you are trying to prove to others and yourself that you are good. We so desperately need to know what we look like and how we measure up when compared to others. That’s why we need an advocate, someone who can speak for us. Jesus is the advocate we need. He doesn’t plead our case to God. He demands justice for us from God because He already made the payment for us. Jesus gives you a completely new identity. He removes all guilt from your life. He gives you a way to deal with discouragement and disappointment. And gives you a joy and courage to approach life with! If your advocate wins, you win! Because Jesus wins, we win!
We live in one of the most workaholic cultures in history. Technology makes it possible for us to work around the clock. We never escape our work. We get our identity, value, and worth from our work. It is hard for us to get real rest. Even when we take “vacations,” our focus and thoughts are on what we should be doing. God created us as human beings who need rest. Real rest is important. Real rest is a declaration of freedom from slavery. Real rest is being able to put something down because you are satisfied with it. Our sinful nature makes it impossible to have real rest. The only thing that can give us real rest is Jesus. In the same way a shepherd enables his sheep to rest, our Good Shepherd makes it possible for us to have true rest. Come to Him!
A brother is someone who will come and help you, even when it isn’t safe for him to do so. When life gets difficult, let’s fix our eyes on our greatest brother, Jesus. He is our brother who came to help us, even at the cost of his life. A brother stands in front of your bully for you, fights your fight for you, puts himself between you and your enemy, even puts his life on the line for you. Jesus did this as our brother! But even better, He defeated death for us! He rose again! He is the One who has our back! And He’s not ashamed to be called your “Brother.” He’s proud of it! No matter what you’ve done! It doesn’t matter what the world says about you. You have a brother who’s proud of you!
Life isn’t always easy. It’s like being on a difficult journey, looking forward to rest. Along the way, we need to know we aren’t alone. We need to know someone is with us. It is so helpful to hear someone’s voice… to know you aren’t alone. Jesus is how we know we aren’t alone. Jesus is how God lets us know He is with us. Jesus is how God speaks to us. He’s the first and last thing we need. The final Word from God. He isn’t like anything else that promises it can help us through this life. We can’t treat Him the same. Jesus is God talking to us. Jesus doesn’t tell us how to get to God. Jesus is the way to God. The resurrected, living, Word of God! The last word from God we’ll ever need.
We spend so much energy trying to squeeze everything out of this life—more success, more experiences, more meaning—hoping it will finally feel like enough. But “more” always runs out. The world feels fractured and loud, trust is thin, and we’re expected to curate a life that looks put-together even when it isn’t. Add sickness, loss, and the reality that life ends, and it’s easy to feel worn down and hopeless.
Easter interrupts all of that. Jesus’ resurrection means death doesn’t get the final word, and our lives aren’t measured by how much we managed to pack in. Because He lives, our future is secure—and that changes life right now. This is not the end. In Christ, it’s the beginning of a life that can’t be taken away.
The crowds wanted a conqueror. Jesus gave them a cross. He rides in—not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. Not with a sword, but with tears for the city. Jesus unplugs everything we think we know about victory. He enters not to take power but to give His life. Are you ready for a King who undoes your categories? Because He didn’t come to meet your expectations—He came to save your soul.
On the night before He died, Jesus prayed for you. He didn’t just pray for His disciples—He prayed for all who would believe. That we would be one. In a world of division, tribalism, and outrage, Jesus unplugs our addiction to self and prays for a Church that looks like heaven—diverse, unified, and rooted in His truth.
Everything was about to fall apart. So Jesus spoke peace. In a world of headlines, panic, and noise, Jesus speaks four words that echo across centuries: “Do not be troubled.” But this isn’t a shallow self-help mantra. It’s rooted in who He is: the Way, the Truth, the Life. Jesus unplugs fear and replaces it with confidence rooted in eternity.
Jesus didn’t leave us alone—He filled us with Himself. When Jesus said He’d send the Helper, He wasn’t offering spiritual motivation. He was offering power—His own presence. In a distracted and discouraged world, Jesus unplugs our fear of not being enough and fills us with the Spirit who is more than enough.
Jesus doesn’t take the throne; He takes a towel. In a culture that worships charisma, platforms, and power, Jesus gets on His knees and washes feet. He rewrites greatness with humility and defines leadership as love. This week, Jesus unplugs our obsession with status and invites us into a kingdom where glory is found in stooping low.
In John 13–17, Jesus opens His heart in the hours before the cross. Jesus didn’t preach these words to the masses. He whispered them to His friends. These upper room conversations are not theological lectures—they are raw, urgent, and deeply personal.
In a world filled with noise, He speaks clearly. In a culture chasing power, He bends low to wash feet. In a world fraying at the seams, He prays that we would be one. And through it all, He speaks to us. Unplugged. Unfiltered. Life-changing.
What we give to God is never lost — it’s invested in eternity. The treasures of this world fade, but the impact of a generous, surrendered life endures forever. As we close our Return to Sender series, we’ll celebrate that every time we give, serve, or love in Jesus’ name, we’re returning His gifts to Him — and He uses them to change lives for eternity.
God doesn’t want our leftovers; He calls us to give our first and best as an act of trust and worship. In a world that tells us to hold tightly to what we have, giving back to the Giver reminds us who truly provides. This week, we’ll learn how generosity flows from gratitude — and how every gift is a way of saying, “Thank You, Lord.”
Everything we have — our time, talents, and treasures — ultimately belongs to God. We’re not owners, but managers of what He’s entrusted to us. When we understand that truth, it changes the way we handle everything in life. This week, we’ll see that faithful stewardship begins with recognizing God’s ownership and our joyful responsibility to care for what’s His.
This week ties together the themes of spiritual growth and mission. It shows how the church equips believers to mature in faith and love, building up the body to reach the world. It emphasizes the collective pursuit of maturity and the church’s calling to impact others through a unified, growing community.
This week focuses on the joy and longing for fellowship within the church community, reflecting Paul’s desire to see and strengthen the faith of believers. It connects to Baptism Sunday by celebrating the inclusion of new believers into the church family, emphasizing communal love and encouragement as newcomers begin their journey in faith.
This week establishes the church as the body of Christ, where every member is uniquely placed by God to contribute to the whole. It emphasizes unity, diversity, and interdependence, highlighting why believers are “better together” in pursuing God’s purpose as a loving, life-changing family.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Look—the Lamb of God!” He pointed to the one who actually takes away guilt and gives real hope. Through Jesus, God brings forgiveness, peace, and a future we can trust. This Christmas, our hearts are made ready when we turn to him and discover the hope he offers—and like the first disciples, we’re invited to share that hope with others.
Zechariah’s voice had been silent for months, yet when he finally spoke, he celebrated God’s faithfulness. God had kept his promises and was bringing salvation to the world. His song reminds us that we don’t have to face life’s uncertainties alone—God’s mercy and faithfulness give our hearts confidence as we wait for Christmas.
Mary wasn’t rich, powerful, or famous. She was an ordinary young woman. Yet through her, God brought his Savior into the world—the one who would lift up the humble and bring hope to all people. Mary’s story reminds us that Christmas isn’t about what we do for God, but about what God has done—and is still doing—for the world.
The Christmas season often leaves us feeling scattered and stretched thin. But what if the best preparation isn’t about doing more, but about coming home? John the Baptist’s birth was announced as part of God’s plan to turn people’s hearts back to him. This Advent begins with God inviting us home—to forgiveness, peace, and a fresh start.
We come to the part of the story we have all been waiting for! It’s wedding bells for Boaz and Ruth. She is finally a bride and he is her redeemer. A redeemer is someone who does for us what we could not do ourselves. Pays a price we could not pay. So we could be redeemed. The marriage in this story gives us a beautiful picture of the relationship we have with our Redeemer… what He did for us to make us his Bride. It also shows how God worked this whole story out for that very purpose… so He could be our Redeemer.
How often have you been willing to use others for your advantage? How often have you tried to manipulate events and situations to benefit yourself? Without caring how it will impact others? It can be too easy to do this. The real test of faithfulness is doing something that might not be desirable or easy to do because it’s the thing God wants you to do. Like Jesus did for us. Our character is tested when we do the right thing even when no one is looking. The faithfulness and character we display will point people to how beautiful our God is. Today’s message will give us much to think about concerning faithfulness and character.
Today’s installment of our story is the heart-warming meeting of a girl and boy, Ruth and Boaz. God is bringing them together for a very important purpose. God has been bringing men and women together since the beginning of time… for very important purposes. God has a purpose for your marriage. For Ruth, not everything had been going very well. She had been through difficult circumstances. But would she let those circumstances define her? Or would she define her circumstances as obstacles and opportunities she would get through with God’s help? We can learn a lot from Boaz and Ruth in today’s message!
It’s a classic opening to a tragic short story… “It was a dark and stormy night.” That opening line usually leads to all the challenges and hardships that are making things “dark and stormy.” In the beginning of this story, death separates three marriages, all in one family. The widows have no place to live. No way to make a living. It’s a time of bitterness. Why did this happen? How does God see his people through situations this dark and stormy? Why does He allow it? This story will offer us an enormous amount of life lessons and faith lessons. Lessons about how following God is worth more than anything else.
We all crave happiness—but what kind? The kind that fades the moment life gets hard? Or the kind that endures even in pain? This week, God challenges the popular belief that his highest goal is our short-term comfort. In Hebrews 11, we see an example of someone who could have chosen comfort, ease, and status—but instead chose something better. Through this, God shows us that true happiness isn’t found in chasing pleasure, but in walking with him toward something eternal.
We’re told from every angle—school, work, even church—that our worth depends on how we perform. But this Reformation Sunday, we remember the truth that set the Church free: you are saved not by performance, but by grace. As we celebrate 175 years of God’s grace in the WELS, we’re not bragging on ourselves—we’re boasting in Christ alone.
In a society that has almost tried to get the word “sin” out of circulation, it’s fascinating that self-loathing over unresolved guilt, anger over unexpressed forgiveness is still one of the largest drivers of behavior. This week, we look at the most famous fail of processing guilt in history, the story of Judas Iscariot, to see the necessity of finding forgiveness, including self-forgiveness.
Modern America is what philosophers might call a “soft closed religious society.” What that means is that it’s technically not illegal to discuss matters of faith in public, but it’s considered socially inappropriate. Particularly inappropriate would a discussion of Hell. But it’s actually impossible to be a Christian witness, without modifying the gospel of Jesus, if you never address Hell. So the end result is that most Christians today simply don’t witness their faith in any sort of true, vocal way. If we are called to be witnesses, we need to be confident, and biblical, and loving in our witness of Christ. This week we’re going to learn about how to talk about Hell in a true way, but one that resonates with contemporary culture.
Modern Americans are very familiar with the practice of the privatization of faith. But if good news is, in fact, good, then how private can you truly keep it before you insinuate it’s not all that life-changing? This week, Jesus shows us that faith was never meant to be hidden—it was meant to be lived, spoken, and shared. Because when the gospel grabs hold of your heart, it can’t help but overflow into your words, your relationships, and your world.
“If your marriage isn’t happy, you should leave.” It sounds reasonable—even compassionate. But Jesus speaks a better word. In Matthew 19, he challenges not just our decisions, but the lies we believe about happiness, commitment, and love. This week, we’ll wrestle with what God permits in a broken world, what he commands for our good, and what Jesus himself vows to us—an unbreakable covenant love that stays. Whether you're married, single, divorced, or hurting, Jesus meets you with truth that heals and grace that holds.
Researcher Robert Bellah wrote in Habits of the Heart that 81% of Americans believe that you should come to religious conclusions APART from any religious organization. In other words, the majority of people believe you don’t find God in community. They think you find God on your own. The reality is that Americans today, including many Christians, have reported that they’ve never been lonelier. Gen Z, vv18-22 year-olds are the loneliest, followed by Millennials. Why? Because we’re trying to do life and faith on our own terms, not cemented into Church community.
Most philosophers and religious leaders throughout history have suggested that contentment is the secret to happiness. And yet, modern research also seems to suggest that $34k/year income is a threshold, and $75k/year is another income threshold for happiness. So which is it? Can we be content without X amount of dollars? Should we be content where we’re at and never pursue more money? What can we do with the money we have that will bring greatest joy?
Unlike the fleeting hacks for lunches, cleaning, or relationships, there is a life hack that when we live it and strive to daily implement it, will radically change our lives. It will transform how you live, impact your health, wellness, emotions, and relationships, and it all flows from something given to you that will drive you. The truth, the real-life hack? Living each day in light of our sure hope in the living God who has redeemed us! Godliness matters! Intentionally living the faith, hope, love, and forgiveness of Jesus each day changes us, by his power, through his word.
It is not a matter of “If suffering will happen… It’s a When?” The better question then is “how do you experience the suffering?” Do you throw pity parties and live as a victim moping around in the darkness? The final secret to a great life is your life changed on a cross 2000 years ago. You are no longer a victim, but a victor in Jesus. Never Forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, this is the ultimate Biblical truth that leads to a truly great life, as it is that which proves God is trustworthy. What is truly remarkable about all of these reliable truths to a truly great life is that all are dependent on God’s faithfulness, not ours!
Are you choosing to follow influencers or leaders? We have the privilege of choosing those who will influence our world view, how we handle our emotions, morals, and values. We do this through the podcasts we listen to, the shows we stream, the friends we keep, the mentors we choose and media we consume. An influencers’ job is to get clicks, likes, and views, a leader’s job is to help develop, lead, correct, and train us for a life filled with faith based on our future. The next Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is choosing influencers who honor God, honor authority, and live with character and integrity. I know that sounds like the antithesis of all modern influencers, but Christ’s kingdom and ways are often upside-down from the worldly standpoint? We don’t like anyone overseeing us, yet it is critical that for a great life, we allow ourselves to be led well by faith filled leaders, and we become such leaders. In fact, there are some significant rewards to leading God’s way.
Living for family, friends, our social media followers, or even just our own view of ourselves is overwhelming and leads to a constant fear of imposter syndrome and not good enough. Our second Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is living every moment of every day for an audience of one! When we live for that ONE, it changes how we view ourselves, how we engage with others, and the power to overcome the past which has haunted and dominated our identity.
It all starts with understanding your view and an understanding of your identity. Think about it, what type of mirror are you using? Are you using the carnival mirror which distorts your image? When I have a disordered understanding of my own identity it impacts my emotions, relationships, and purpose in life. Or are you using a real mirror which clearly shows who you are? This type of mirror shows who we really are and reveals our need for rescue from ourselves. It helps reorientate ourselves with the one who created us. The first truth to focus on is our real identity, not the one we’ve created for ourselves.
It's so exciting to receive a special invitation to celebrate. That's exactly what God's kingdom is - a celebration. You're invited. Jesus has personally extended you such an invitation - no matter your past, no matter your history, no matter your status. It's a free invitation from him and it calls for a joyful response. It calls for preparing ourselves for the party. It calls us to dress ourselves in grace, mercy, and love, because Jesus has given us the proper attire for this feast - we just get to be those who wear it. Come and enjoy the celebration, having been clothed with Christ.
Small things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak to others. It may seem small, but it has a big impact
What's the cost of entry? Whether it's the theme park, ball park, or skate park - it likely isn't free to get in. What about the magnificent, marvelous kingdom of God? What would it cost us to get in? It's not a material amount, and it's not some great deed that we can do, but there is a cost. The cost of humility. The cost of setting aside our pride and allowing God to carry us. The cost of repentance, which turns to God to receive his mercy, favor, and grace - all which he is so willing to give us, so much so that he didn't seem to even think twice about the great cost of forgiveness to him. He gave up his only Son, and Jesus gave up his life so that we could know this forgiveness. What a blessing! What a kingdom! What a king!
As we live in the kingdom into which God has brought us through his forgiveness, we too demonstrate forgiveness to others. Though we often assume that we live autonomous lives, we are interconnected with our God and with others. Everything we have is our God's - a recognition that leads us to see the debts we have owed him. Such debts have been forgiven because of God's grace In his kingdom, we are empowered and moved to freely forgive others their debts they owe us.
Some days go well and some don’t. Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and others like we’re on the bottom. If the value we place on our lives and ourselves is tied to how well things are going in our “everyday,” we’re going to be riding an uncomfortable roller coaster. We need something, someone we can look to for unchanging contentment no matter how our “everyday” is going. Paul had plenty of highs and lows, but learned the secret of contentment in any circumstances. His unchanging reason? Jesus. We can do everything through Him who gives us strength. If we have Jesus, we don’t need anything else. Genuine joy isn’t dictated by your changing circumstances, it is found in the unchangeable Lord.
We all have the childhood fantasies of finding buried treasure - how would we celebrate? What would we do with the wealth and the resources? How determined would we be if we knew where treasure was to be found? As Jesus speaks of faith, he describes its value as that of a buried treasure now discovered. He leads us to ask the same questions, not with our childhood fantasies but with the reality of this amazing, valuable blessing that God has given to us. How precious is the kingdom!
We've realized that the kingdom is something incredible and more valuable than anything we could ever own. It is ours freely through repenctance. We are part of the kingdom because we have been forgiven and we can extend forgiveness. God's gracious invitation to a celebration is so good, and yet when we speak about it to others it can be met with confusion, question, anger, and rejection. Why? The effects of sin go down deep into the soil of our hearts. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate hearts to be prepared for the gospel, so that God's powerful message can take root. Yet, though it may be misunderstood, or questions, or rejected, our King still calls us to recklessly scatter his words and promises. The harvest will be plentiful, and we can celebrate with him again.
Life isn’t always easy here. And it isn’t hard for friction to happen between people. If it keeps happening, it can start causing pain, and then start creating bitterness. And when bitterness has built up, a single spark can cause an explosion. There is a joy we are given as a gift through Jesus. This means we can rejoice together no matter how hard things get. This joy can help us live together with other imperfect people like us. And this is so important… because those who will spend an eternity in joyful unity might as well start living in that joy now. Life is just better that way. So let’s focus on the good gifts God has given us, and let that overflow with joy into not only our lives, but the lives of those around us.
When you’re on your way home from travelling, and have been gone a while, there’s nothing like getting close to home. You can see the familiar sights, hear familiar sounds, even smell familiar things. It keeps you going, and encourages you to finish the journey and get home! Life on earth is like that. We’re on a journey here, but our real home is with God. He’s put that home in our hearts, and the closer we come, the more we will long for it. Keeping our real home as our focus helps us through life’s journey, with all its highs and lows. It’s easy to be sidetracked along the way. This scripture passage helps us keep our home in view.
We love sharing with people the places we’ve been, things we’ve done, stuff we’ve accomplished. There are things in this world that have brought us joy that we want to share with others. But when we focus on sharing with everyone what we have done or accomplished, it can turn into a competition as to who has done or seen the most. And truth be told, all these things can only bring joy for so long. If we think things we have done have brought us joy, there is something that was done for us that brought us a greater joy than anything we’ve done or experienced. Unspeakable joy. And when we know this joy, believe it, celebrate it, it changes everything.
Have you ever felt like you really didn’t fit in or belong in the place you are? Cheering for the wrong team in the wrong stadium? All dressed up while everyone else is casual? Excited about something no one else is? We live in a post-Christian world. The viewpoints prevalent in this world are a world apart from the viewpoint God gives us in His Word. That means, in this world, we stick out. Stand out. Shine like stars in a very dark sky. As we hold onto God’s Word and hold it out for other people to see, we will shine like stars in people’s lives. Imagine what a difference it makes in a dark night sky to see a bright light shining forth! We can make a difference in the lives of others, just like Jesus made a difference in ours. Let’s shine like stars!
In this world, it seems that it is important to show everyone who you are, what you have accomplished, what you deserve. If you aren’t watching out for yourself, who is going to? But the greatest possible contradiction to this is the heart and core of the Bible. We must humble ourselves if we are to be exalted. But if we do that, then who will take care of us? Jesus will. The very One who showed us what it means to humble Himself for the good of others. Let’s learn what a truly great life is – it begins with making ourselves lowly.
What does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It means living in such a way that shows Jesus is worth something to you. It looks like walking with, loving with, and doing life with those who are different than you, because Christ binds you together. It looks like striving together to make Christ known because Christ motivates you. It looks like standing with courage against all oppressors, because Christ secures you. Have you found Christ worth living for, dying for, worth casting all away for?
Letting God’s light shine as we live in this dark world can be pretty difficult. As we follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t, we will face opposition. So we need a thick skin if we are going to do what God calls us to do. But we also need a loving heart toward people. Love moved Jesus to do what He did for us, and it is love for people that will move us to live out our purpose.
Easter Sunday is the cornerstone of our faith, celebrating the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marks the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. On this sacred day, we gather to rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promise, the victory over sin, and the gift of eternal life through Christ our Lord. He is risen—He is risen indeed!
Good Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. This Friday of Holy Week, before Easter Sunday, we observe the suffering and death of Jesus and the forgiveness of all humanities sins.It is a day of mourning, reflection, and solemn remembrance.
Despite the name, “Good” Friday reflects the goodness of Jesus’ sacrifice rather than the actual events leading up to his crucifixion—it’s considered “good” because of what Jesus’ death achieved for his believers.
"That week in Jerusalem was unlike any other. When Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, the crowds erupted with excitement, waving palm branches and shouting praises. They sang, “Hosanna!” and celebrated His arrival, but the truth is, they didn’t fully understand what was happening. By the end of the week, those same crowds changed their tune. They cried out for His crucifixion, shouting for His death.
No one truly understood what was happening that week—no one except Jesus. Jesus knew exactly what He was walking into. He knew the betrayal, the suffering, and the cross that awaited Him. But He also knew why He was doing it. Jesus willingly embraced condemnation so that the condemned—us—could go free.Think about that for a moment. Jesus, the innocent one, stood in our place. He took the punishment we deserved so that we could receive the freedom we could never earn. He didn’t have to do it, but He chose to—because He loves us that much.
So today, as we reflect on that incredible week, let’s thank God that Jesus understood what no one else did. Let’s thank Him for His willingness to walk the road to the cross, for His sacrifice, and for the freedom He offers to everyone who believes in Him.
This is the heart of the Gospel: Jesus was condemned so that the condemned can go free. And because of Him, we’re invited into a freedom that is eternal, unshakable, and filled with hope."
Life often calls us to take a stand. Whether it's standing up for what we believe in or making a statement about who we are, these moments shape and define us. As followers of Christ, we’re sometimes called to take a stand that speaks to our relationship with our Savior. It isn’t always easy. Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, someone who boldly declared his allegiance to Christ. But when the moment came for Peter to take a stand and witness to his faith, he famously failed. Why? Because Peter’s focus wasn’t where it should have been. He had his eyes on his circumstances instead of his Savior, and his faith was resting on shaky ground—his own strength—rather than on the unshakable foundation of Christ. How often do we feel the pressure to stand firm in our faith, only to falter because we’re relying on ourselves? Yet here’s the good news: our faith doesn’t have to be perfect, because Jesus is. He is the foundation that will never fail us, even when we stumble.
Two things in life are certain—death and taxes. Taxes are due in just a few weeks, and most of us are already preparing for that. But what about the other certainty? Death is something no one can predict. Who knows when it will overtake us? One thing is for sure: at that moment, we’ll stand before the ultimate Judge of all.
That might sound sobering or even intimidating, but there’s incredible hope in what comes next. You see, for you, Jesus willingly stood before human judges and even God Himself. He, the ultimate Judge—the One who had every right to pass judgment—chose to be judged in your place. Think about that for a moment: the Judge of all the earth became the judged. He took on what we deserved so that we could stand justified before God.
Because of what Jesus did, there’s now a new certainty for those who trust in Him: “Death, taxes, and justification.” Justification means you’re declared right with God—not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has already done for you.
So today, as you think about the things in life that are certain, consider this: Jesus made a way for you to face life’s uncertainties with confidence and peace. He stood in your place so you could stand before God without fear. And that’s the best certainty of all.
Everyone has their price. We’re all chasing something and will pay almost any price to get it and keep it. Jesus had something on his mind and He was willing to do whatever it took to get it. Whenever everyone else fled away from the fight, Jesus rose up to meet it and embraced it because embracing it meant he could embrace you!
Family ties are some of the closest and most powerful bonds we experience. We know the deep joys they bring—and the heartbreak when trust is broken. Few things are harder to mend than a shattered relationship, especially when one has been unfaithful. Yet, in a love greater than anything we’ve known, Jesus chose to bind Himself to us—not with a fragile promise, but with His own blood. Though we’ve often been unfaithful to God, He calls us family and becomes our brother. He remains faithful even when we falter. This is a bond unbroken, a love unshaken. A bond solidified by Jesus' blood.
We were stuck in a mess we couldn’t escape—trapped by fear of the cost, unwilling to pay it, and unable to find the way out. Deep down, we thought we could handle it on our own, but the truth? We couldn’t. Only one could—and He already did. Jesus stepped in, paying the price we couldn’t afford, wouldn’t choose, and didn’t even realize we needed. One Savior, one sacrifice, one ransom—for everyone who walks the earth. That changes everything!
Drinking is a big part of our culture, like it or not. It isn’t hard to get caught up into it. It also isn’t hard to see the damage that can come from abusing it. Alcohol affects us. Some Christians are certain it must be sinful and evil. Some seem to be OK with it. What does God think about all this? What does Jesus say about drinking? It may surprise you to find out what the Bible does say about it. But the Bible is very clear about how God feels about abusing this gift He gives us. And how generous God is with his healing, grace, and forgiveness. So, along with everything in our lives, let’s let this gift glorify God!
Depression feels so overwhelming. Many times, there’s the feeling of having no hope. Here, we see the psalmist feel despair, his soul thirsting for the Lord. But then he talks to himself. Why am I so down? Even in this desperate situation, he is my Savior and my God. If only that was the silver bullet. However, depression can be like a yo-yo; wrestling match in the mind. One minute we know our hope is in God. The next moment, we are back to despairing. Keeping God’s Word in our mind, thinking about the hope we have, meditating on his promises, and the hope we have in him.
We’re going to talk about sex! But it’s not going to be a shameful, embarrassing conversation. God loves sex. He created it and designed it for our enjoyment. He loves it when we enjoy sex the way he designed it. But good sex takes work. It’s not as movies and TV and porn represent it. Sex is a beautiful gift from God that can bring amazing blessings, but its power can also bring harm and pain when misused. Let’s learn about God’s beautiful gift of sex.
Anxiety is prevalent in so many people today. Worrisome thoughts fill our minds and it leads to a bodily response. As Christians, God’s Word tells us again and again not to be anxious and not to worry. Why? Because we have a God who is in control. More than that, we get to call this God Father. Just like a loving father protects, provides, and loves his children, our Heavenly Father protects, provides, and loves us more than we could ever know.
How do Christians participate in the transgender conversation? How does God want Christians to feel about the topic, and more importantly, the people? Too often, the topic of transgender makes us think about ideologies, progressive societal trends, and angry debates. But what about people? How can we help people who struggle with transgender feelings? How does the gospel apply to this issue? God’s Word will be our guide as we see how God gives us hope amidst the brokenness of our bodies and minds.
We live in a country of extremes. How many of us have seen online posts that rip apart those with opposing political views? We tend to avoid politics in conversations because we know how fast such a topic can cause anger to flare quickly, even between Christians. But what would it look like if we loved across the aisle? What if our focus was less about proving our political points and more about proclaiming the Savior who faced the ultimate injustice so he could make us citizens of his kingdom? This week, we explore how God's grace is the answer in our culture of divisive partisanship.
As we celebrate Baptism Sunday, we rejoice that our true identity as children of God is a divine gift through baptism, not a self-made achievement. Baptism, empowered by God’s Word, welcomes us into God’s family and grants us a new, unshakeable identity beyond our achievements or status. Unlike our culture that insists on earning worth through personal success, we find our true value at the cross of Jesus. Because God has given us such an identity, we are clothed with Jesus and we have the greatest reason to live.
Who gets the final say in your life? That question is a matter of authority. In a culture where we are raised to live out our truth, the Bible calls us to the exact opposite. We conform ourselves to the truth of God’s Word. That’s what it means to call Jesus Lord.
Are you following the Star? Everyone can see it – it isn’t a big mystery. But it is wise people who follow it. Plenty of things in this world can make it difficult to see it. But what joy it brings us when we can truly see it! Start out the new year with a definite plan to see God’s “star” in your life. You need that light to lead you and guide you! And it isn’t a mystery… it’s right in front of you.
Simeon and Anna give us a stirring picture of what it means to wait on the Lord
and finally experience the joy of God’s promises fulfilled.
How have you experienced the joy of God’s promises fulfilled?
Where have you been before? What is your background and experiences? These questions serve in evaluating candidates for leadership. They help us form our opinions, and the stronger the background and experiences, the better. Whom we celebrate at Christmastime is the One whose background and experience answer all our questions and give us security and peace. The one we worship and adore is begotten of the Father from eternity. He is worthy of all praise and glory, just as Mary sang in her song. And he comes to be our shepherd. To stomp on the ancient serpent and old evil foe, and to watch with care and concern over all his flock.
When your leader is strong, you are strong. When your leader is weak, fear and despair overtake his followers, because there will always be enemies and adversity. Fear and despair creeps into our lives because of the adversity and unknowns we face, but God calls you to rejoice, shout aloud, and sing, because your leader is a mighty warrior. Jesus came as an infant, lowly, and humble, yes, but he was a warrior with the might to overcome our greatest enemies – sin, death, hell, and Satan, who desires these for us. Since God has so delighted in us to send such a mighty warrior, we have nothing to fear. Instead, rejoice, shout, cheer, and sing for joy.
The anticipation of a new leader comes with new expectations for those who follow. Are we prepared in our own hearts to welcome the one for whom we prepare? God’s expectations stand for all time – they don’t change. Which means, we must change. All change is hard. This change is impossible – for us. Thank God his grace and mercy never change. He sends the refiner – the one who applies the heat so that the silver is purified. Our God calls us to return to him in repentance, acknowledging our sin and letting it be burned away, and God returns to us to restore, to refine, and purify through the miracle of justification and faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit will continue to refine and purify us as God’s holy children – purified silver in the hands of a master silversmith
Lineage matters. Family trees tell us of the values and strengths. We might look at family members of the past to gain an understanding of a person in the present, and especially their pedigree when it comes to leadership. What if the family tree leaves much to be desired. What if there is weakness and immorality and brokenness there. This was the case with the family tree of the royal line of David and the ruling family of God’s people. A tree that seemed to begin so strong, became filled with weak, diseased, and broken branches. Yet, God promised to raise up a righteous branch in that tree. One who would serve his people well, and this righteous branch is also your righteous Savior. We begin the Advent season with some Messianic Metaphors pointing us to Jesus and getting us ready for his coming!
“Eyes on the prize.” That axiom stresses that when pursuing some good goal, focus is important. You don’t want distractions or a lack of self-discipline to keep you from obtaining whatever that prize might be. “Eyes on the prize.” You summon the willpower to fixate on that good thing. You let nothing divert your attention from obtaining the prize. The prize that we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. As the Church Year comes to a close, Jesus promises that he will come again “in clouds with great power and glory” to give us that prize. That prize will be so unbelievably good, it is worth fixating on. It merits our striving to set aside all that would distract us from Christ. Let us be ready. Let us keep watch. Let us live with our eyes on the skies.
Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling that others are watching you, trying to find something to criticize? We don’t want others judging us. It is bad enough listening to the voice inside our own head, whispering that we aren’t worthy. How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that there is only one person whose opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Everyone is going to live forever in one of two very different places. Where you spend eternity depends on a judgment that Jesus will render. This week we see why his judgment need not trigger any sort of anxiety. Judgment day is something we can joyfully anticipate. We can live free from the fear of judgment.
Perhaps you have heard the axiom, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, while you still can, use what you have in order to enjoy life to the fullest. If this life is all there is, St. Paul agrees that would be a good philosophy. Paul wrote, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die’” (1 Corinthians 15:32). However, note the “if.” Paul was saying that the epicurean approach to life makes sense only if this life is all we have. But it isn’t. Jesus will raise us from the dead and take us to live in his home, a place of perfect comfort and beauty. Knowing that, we are set free from the need to live a self-indulgent life now. Instead, we can be generous people, using the wealth that God has given us to serve both him and others. We can live a life of startling generosity.
“It will get better.” We say that to try to comfort someone who is having a bad day (or maybe a whole string of bad days). Perhaps tomorrow will be better. But perhaps it’s worse. In this life, there really are no guarantees that things will get better. That isn’t the case with the life that is to come. That life isn’t just going to be better. It will be perfect.
Jesus repeatedly told his followers that living as his disciples would bring hardship. Living life according to God’s Law is going to make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. Sharing a message of mankind’s sin and God’s gracious salvation can cause offense. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier? Why not keep our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever. In gratitude for Christ saving us and giving us eternal life, we share the gospel with others, hoping that they will believe and be saved too. Since we know we are going to live forever in the perfection of heaven, we don’t worry if being a witness for Christ brings hardship or even death.
One of the easiest ways to make our problems worse is to dwell on ourselves and make everything center around ourselves – make our life all about ourselves. It might seem counter-intuitive, but the way life works better is when we make life about God… because life is about God. With some of the most powerful words in Scripture, God reminds Job that the universe doesn’t revolve around Job. It revolves around God. A life focused on God will never disappoint. A life focused on self always will. Join us for the last week of the series and listen to God’s powerful words at the end of the book of Job.
Is it OK to question God? Why have you received nothing you wanted from Him? Why has He let such awful things happen to you or those you love? Or to anyone in the world? Isn’t there a limit to what He will let you endure? Do you feel guilty if you are questioning God or something God is doing? Does questioning God mean you lost your faith in Him? Is there a difference between having questions for God and losing trust in Him? What gives us true comfort? Is it just maybe knowing WHO God is? Explore these questions with us in the book of Job this week.
Do you feel like you are in complete control of everything? Or does your life sometimes feel out of control? And if we aren’t in control, who is? When we come to the realization that we aren’t in control, it becomes very important how we answer the question of who or what our God really is. Is our God in control? Is He able to control our lives? Do we worship Him only to get good things from Him and get Him to do what we want Him to do? Or is He the true God who uses his control over all things to love us and save us from the real reason for our brokenness? Let’s find the answer this week in Job.
Has it ever seemed God isn’t listening or answering your prayers? Things aren’t going your way, and you’re reaching out, but you’re starting to wonder if God is there? Where is God in your pain? Well… look at the cross. That is where God dealt with the real source of our pain. Jesus isn’t on that cross anymore. He rose and He lives. And because He lives, we will live too! That was Job’s strength, and it is also our strength. Because Jesus lives, we have something that gives us hope no matter what we suffer. Our loved ones we have lost will be with us again! Our real life is with our risen and living Lord in heaven! No matter what we go through here, we always have that hope!
When you are going through hard times, it is so important to have good friends. Friends who will be there for you make all the difference. When a friend of yours is dealing with hardship, being there for them is important. Just your presence and your love makes a difference. Your words can too. But there are times a friend’s words are helpful, and there are times a friend’s words are not as helpful. Job had some friends who were there for him, but loading him with guilt over what was happening to him, and in the end, making him feel even worse. This week, let’s discover how best to befriend a world that is filled with pain.
When things aren’t going your way, does your family help you? Or make it harder for you? Are you and your spouse a team who can be strong when the other is weak and regularly encourage each other? Or do you sometimes panic or lash out and make it even more difficult for the other? Different people react to the same difficult circumstances in different ways. Job and his wife had very different reactions to their difficult circumstances. Let’s see what we can learn from Job in how to deal with relationship pain and how can we learn to be stronger examples for our children.
No matter who you are, young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy, you face pressure in life. Parenting pressure, school pressure, work pressure, loneliness and grief pressure. We are often “surviving” one day at a time and don’t know what we will do if things get “worse.” Since we live in a broken world, we can expect things to go “wrong” in our lives and force us off the path we have charted for ourselves. Yes, “bad” things can happen to “good” people in this world. We begin looking at the Biblical book of Job to learn how to find peace on an unpredictable path. How can bad things happen to good people?
We are joining Jesus in changing lives! By not only becoming disciples, but making disciples… who make disciples. We each have a role to play in this important process! Each of us not only have a gift… each of us is a gift. The church is here to train us, equip us, and prepare us for this adventure with Jesus by using our gifts. It’s not only what we learn to do, but how we can help others learn to do it, too. It’s not only what we do to serve Jesus, it is how we show others and help others live for Jesus in the same way. Let’s put some thought and prayer into how we can grow in living for Jesus, but also take others by the hand and help them live for Jesus too.
We are joining Jesus in changing lives! By not only becoming disciples, but making disciples… who make disciples. We need to be fueled, trained, and equipped for the journey first. That happens as God’s Word is taught and learned. How important that is for us from the beginning, from childhood! If we are going to make disciples who make disciples, parents need to be active in teaching and training their children in God’s Word! To pass it down to the next generation and the next and the next… So, our church needs US to be involved in that important ministry! My church needs me in Christian training! The church can help equip us for that in many ways. Come hear how!
We are joining Jesus in changing lives! By not only becoming disciples, but making disciples… who make disciples. We need to be fueled for the journey first. That begins by being in the Word… by listening to Jesus. We are here to help you on that path. A great start is Start class. Then Grow class, then Connect Groups and other Bible studies. All these things are geared to help us join Jesus for this important mission of changing lives… the way He has changed our lives. So take the first step on the journey! Join us this Sunday! Get rooted in Jesus. Deepening one’s relationship with God leads to growth in hope, peace, and purpose.
How often have we heard these words, “Let your conscience be your guide.” No doubt, the acceptance of this concept is part of the reason so many people’s lives and messed up and broken. The problem is that a lot of us imagine our conscience to be a spiritual thermometer. We assume it can be placed into any situation and it will tell us the moral temperature—too hot, too cold, or just right. But that’s not how our conscience works. It’s more like the thermostat in our living room. It reflects our definition of hot and cold. We set it to the standards we choose. We determine when it kicks in and when it stays idle. Our conscience doesn’t tell us if we’re violating God’s standards. It tells us when we violating our standards. Our conscience can’t be our guide because it needs to be guided itself—by God’s Word.
You just gotta believe! As long as you believe, anything is possible! Have you heard that? Thought that? Believed that? That if you have enough faith, it can fix any problem, heal any loved one, guarantee any solution? Faith certainly is important! But can it actually fix anything? Or does it connect us to the God who can actually fix everything? What’s the difference, and why would this matter to us? A lot more than most might think!
"God wants me to be happy. He wants me to have what I desire, so if I follow Him, and obey his rules, and generally be good, God will make my life good! Right? After all, Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full," right? Sounds like following Jesus will make my life here pretty good! But what does Jesus really mean when he says that? Let's examine the context of this saying and be assured that Jesus loves us too much to give us whatever we ask for. And his promise to make our lives good isn’t always referring to our lives here in this world. Truth is, they will often be hard and filled with difficulty. Setting up false expectations will only lead to disappointment, and trying to manipulate God into giving us what we want. Instead of what He wants for us, which is much better!
"Don't judge me!" is not just a common saying, it is a philosophy of life for those controlled by the sinful nature. "Let me do whatever makes me feel good as long as it doesn't hurt other people, and don't criticize me for it." Even unbelievers pull out Matthew 7:1 to show Christians how lacking their Bible knowledge is and say, "See, Jesus tells you not to judge!" But is that what Jesus is saying? There is no question that Jesus calls us to judge, but the question is how should we judge? That's where Christians sometimes fall into temptation, by looking down on others whose lives are not as sanctified as theirs, and judging them in a self-righteous way. Let's let Jesus teach us what he means by examining the context of this oft-quoted saying, and then we will be ready to judge lovingly.
"I wish I could figure out what God's plan is for my life." Many Christians have mouthed these anguished words. They read Jeremiah 29:11 and conclude that God has a detailed, tailored plan for their life that they just need to discover. This presumes that Jeremiah 29:11 is directed at us specifically, as well as the idea that we have no choices in life, kind of like chess pieces on a board that God moves around according to his will. When we start listening to the feelings of our heart, the passions that we have, or some "voice of God" we think we hear when we pray, in order to discover this plan, we’re led either to idolatry or despair. What we really need is to trust the all-sufficient revealed Word of God and rejoice in the freedom it gives us through Christ.
Philippians 4:13 might easily be called the Christian version of, "Just do it." There's nothing you can't do if you set your mind to it...and trust in Jesus. Jesus will make it possible to achieve what you thought was impossible: beat cancer, found a Fortune 500 corporation, or win an Olympic medal. With Jesus at your side, there are no limits. But life is not one victory after another, even for the founder of a billion dollar corporation. What happens when we don't achieve what we want? We don't need Jesus as a mantra or a life coach but as a Savior sufficient to deliver us from sin, death and the power of the devil, and that's who he is. When we stop making it about our achievements and instead about Christ, we can have joy and peace at the highest points of life, and especially at the lowest.
It just sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Those who trust in Jesus alone are completely forgiven and reconciled with God. This is what you have been taught, but this is such an important issue so it totally makes sense that there must be at least something that you have to do. Then you look in the Bible and it seems to agree with you because James says, "You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." Is James telling us that faith alone in Jesus is not sufficient? Is he in disagreement with the apostle Paul? In this message we will see that there is no disagreement at all. Faith alone in Jesus saves, but it is never alone!
Dying seems so normal because it happens to everyone and so it is tempting to think that it is just a part of the life that God designed for us...but it isn't. Death is not our friend, nor is it something we should just "get used to" simply because it seems inevitable. Death is the consequence of sin and our enemy...an enemy that has been defeated by Christ, who took away the sin of the world. As believers in him we have sure and certain hope in the face of death, the hope of a real, eternal, physical, life in a world as God originally intended it to be.
It's almost like a mathematical formula: Teach your children the Word of God when they are young and without question you will see them in heaven. If your children lose their faith at some point, they will come back without a doubt. Unfortunately, that is not what Solomon is saying. By all means, baptize your children and teach them the Word of God starting when they are young! But recognize that although it is not an absolute promise from God that our children will persevere in the faith until the end, it is his wisdom that all Christian parents will want to follow.
"God is love" is one of the most beautiful and comforting truths of the Bible, but it is also one of the most abused. Some understand God's love as if it were like human love, mostly based in feelings that change according to the behavior of those around us. Others feel a God of love is like a strict parent who is tough on you in order to push you toward great accomplishments. Still others think of God as a permissive grandfather in whose eyes you can do no wrong. He is willing to overlook your faults and focus on the good qualities you have. None of these ideas is right. What they’re missing is Jesus.
There is no safer place in the universe than in God’s hands – so let’s cast all our cares on Him. We need his protection – the enemy is real! But we are safe with God. Forever. The world can take away everything… but it cannot take our identity or our future. So stand firm in that living hope! And look forward to what Jesus is coming back to do for you!
It’s not easy being a Christian today. It never has been. Jesus said that would be the case. We need a deeper joy, a deeper hope to live for to make it through. Easter gives us that living hope. But don’t be surprised by the suffering. Jesus experienced it too. Rejoice in it! It’s proof you belong to Him! Don’t be ashamed – be honored! We have nothing to fear about the future – but everything to look forward to! We are in the hands of the God who loved us so much He suffered for us and gave his life for us!
It’s not easy to suffer. We want to fight back and get revenge. But as Jesus followers, we live a new way. We don’t repay evil with evil, but evil with good. We are called to actively bless people! Even hard-to-bless people! If we are afraid of people, we will keep our mouths shut and not share the life-giving hope we have to share. Let’s remember the living hope of Easter. That will open our mouths and give us reason to share our hope. We have a living, eternal hope! Death is not the last word. The faith the Holy Spirit has given us brings us into that hope. Our “suffering” will lead to hope for many!
Jesus knows what it is like to be ridiculed, abandoned, and humiliated. He suffered for us and by doing that, gave us a reason to live for Him, even when that is hard or means suffering for us. The first enemy we have to fight is our own sinful self. It craves things that God knows aren’t good for us. Let God change our hearts and minds – which will begin to change our behavior. The best way to do this is living with the end in mind – especially when the going is difficult. Living for God includes self-control, wisdom, loving, showing hospitality, serving, giving. We do all these things together as the body of Christ.
Christian husbands and wives are an object lesson to the world of Jesus’ love for us. They submit to one another and love each other the way Jesus loves the church. This isn’t always easy. And we don’t like to deal with words like “submit.” But there is a beauty here in how God uses husbands and wives, equal and joint partners, heirs together of his salvation and blessings, not only to love each other, but to share his gospel with the world. It is a beauty that never fades. It isn’t weakness – it shows strength. This lesson will help husbands and wives live out the calling God has given us.
We live in two different kingdoms – the kingdom of the world, and God’s kingdom. As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to submit to the governing authorities. It is part of how we honor God. But we do this remembering there is one true King, and He isn’t voted in. We honor our leaders, but we worship The King. Our submission shows worship to our heavenly King. The truth is, we are free. Free in Jesus – in the living hope of Easter. So let’s live as free people. But as servants honoring God. We aren’t the first to suffer. Jesus did for us. Let’s follow in his steps. We will never have to suffer what He did. And at moments of unjust suffering, we will discover whom we truly worship!
It’s not easy being a Christian in our world. The living hope of Easter makes it easier, it makes it possible. We learn how to think with hope and how to live with hope. The way we live shows what we are hoping in. God made us “strangers” in this world with the new home He has promised us. Do we live as strangers? Or do we forget that there is more than this? We won’t enjoy living with the love of God until we have the right fear of God. What Jesus did for us at Easter gives us all the reason in the world for hope and for living differently!
Jesus purified us and made us new! So it doesn’t make sense to keep living the way we used to. Let’s live new lives, imitating Him. Loving the hard-to-love. Let’s grow in our faith by continuing to be fed with his Word. Devour it! He is building us into a building – the greatest building – a spiritual building – His Church! The greatest building with the greatest story! He is the cornerstone and foundation. Our purpose to glorify God in the world around us with our lives, our words, and our witness.
Grief. Suffering. Hardship. Loss. These experiences can cause hopelessness. We need a deeper joy, a deeper hope to live for to make it through. Easter gives that to us. So does the fact that God was thinking about us since before creation! The God who chose us before time began isn’t going to let go of us now. The future we have to look forward to will make everything worth it. That gives us reason for joy. Our suffering isn’t meaningless – it focuses us ever more sharply on the inheritance waiting for us.
We all need hope. We need an answer for what comes after this life. What are we living for? And what happens after we die? And then… how does that change the way we live? Easter gives us a living hope! Easter answers what happens after we die and gives us a whole new reason to do all the things we do today! Join us Sunday for the best news in the world – Jesus has risen from the dead – and that means that Hope is alive!
They come around the final turn and now it is a sprint to the finish, but just because it is near the end of the race doesn’t mean the steps become less important - they become more important. Every stride takes the runner closer to the finish, closer to victory, but every step becomes more challenging, more difficult. The crowds may roar around the turn, but the celebration can’t fully begin yet. There is more to take in. As Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds roar with praise, but the chants will turn by the end of the week. Every step, every movement, and every word of Jesus’ teaching is important in this final stretch before the cross.
What does it take to get ahead in this world? To achieve greatness? Hard work? Skill? Luck? Making sacrifices? The real answer might be different than we think. If we are going to believe what Jesus tells us, true greatness comes through service. Lifting others up, serving them, sacrificing for them. Jesus showed us, to the extreme, what it looks like to serve others and be great. He gave everything, even his life, to serve us. That is the only true way to love someone – making sacrifices for them.
How many of us easily buy into the thinking, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” The Kingdom of God flips this thinking around. Jesus turns the ways of the world upside down. Which is so good for us. We need Jesus’ revelation and teaching to help us with this. Worldly wisdom takes us the opposite direction and we’ll never finish the race. Jesus guides us in understanding what is truly valuable and important to pursue with eagerness and urgency.
No one likes to lose. No matter how much our competitive nature drives us, we still prefer to win. But sometimes you win by losing. If you want to follow Jesus you have to lose to win. You have to give up your life for Jesus in order that he can save that life. You have to deny yourself and follow Him, just as Jesus denied himself to take up his own cross.
Proper form makes all the difference in the race. How your feet hit the ground, the way your toes push off, the rotation of your legs, the pumping of your arms, the position of your chest, the focus of your eyes - it all matters. Runners practice proper form and technique for a purpose, but not just an external one. It is to ensure their whole body is in sync, including their lungs and heart. It all contributes to a successful race. Jesus reminds that when it comes to our spiritual race proper form in our hearts leads to proper worship in our lives and proper praise on our lips.
How do we approach God? How are we able to be in his “good graces” enough for Him to listen to us and help us? Do we have to get “cleaned up” first? Do we need some kind of pass that gets us in? People have been asking these kinds of questions since the beginning. Jesus gives us some good answers as He ministers to some people considered far outside of those people who were “welcome” in good society. And He knows what we need even better than we do! Jesus shows us that God gives us just what we need in exactly the way we need it.
Only through pain can a runner gain the glory that is to come, if they finish. Throughout his life Jesus showed glory in his miraculous power, and on the mount of transfiguration he showed incredible glory, but his race wasn’t complete. His race needed to continue; to the cross. There was no turning back. It had to go through the cross. There was glory ahead, but first the agony of the cross. This mountain worship experience gave the disciples and us a “sneak peek” at the awesome things God has in store for us. This worship experience, this “mountain peek,” is just what we need in this life!
Every find yourself in a storm? What kinds of storms are you going through now? Financial? Health problems? Relationship issues? Work challenges? Lack of inner peace? Jesus’ disciples found themselves in a real storm one day. And Jesus was in the boat with them. But they didn’t realize they had the Lord of the storms with them, and they didn’t think He cared about them enough to do anything about it. They learned that even though He loved them, it was still good for them to go through this storm, have their faith tested and refined, and learn that God is far stronger than anything that holds us back. Jesus is with us, and He calmed storms to show us we can replace our fear with faith.
Religion can be really draining. It can be exhausting. How do we define Gospel/rest and Religion/works? What is the difference? In the passages in Mark 2:23-3:6 we are faced with the theme about the Sabbath Rest, pointing to the rest Jesus gives us and the difference between Gospel/Rest and Religion/Works.
What inspires you to get up each day? What allows you to live with joy? With the hardships and struggles we experience in this world, we need something to encourage us and empower us to live well each day. Money, philosophy, and technology might be tools we use, but they aren’t the reason we live. Jesus uses tools to bring his incredible and miraculous grace into our hearts. That grace can inspire us each day. That grace gives us joy each day. Because of the power in Jesus’ words, you can live with joy; you can live with purpose; you can run on his forgiveness.
Some athletes are incredible. When they compete, you can’t help but stare in awe and wonder at the strength they exert, the focus on their task, the abilities with which they have been blessed, and what they are able to accomplish. It tells you something about their origin, their work ethic, their determination, and you wonder what drives them so hard… You can’t help but stare in awe and wonder at Jesus’ miraculous power. It is amazing! As He is determined to use that amazing power to help people in need, He shows his determination to continue to help people with their greatest need.