Enduring Joy: The Joy of New Life
Jesus did not need to be baptized to cleanse himself of sins. He was baptized to connect himself with sinners and also connect sinners with his righteousness.
Good News: For the World
The star is really an Epiphany symbol. The star is important because it led wise men to see the Savior of nations. On Epiphany, we rejoice in God’s grace to all his people.
Good News: Means Peace
More often than not, big New Year’s promises are broken. Big plans become big flops. In our Gospel reading, we meet two individuals who had big hopes—but not in themselves.
Full of Grace & Truth
It is not just the details of Jesus’ birth that are remarkable. Rather, the reason he was born—what he came to do and be—is most marvelous to the hearts and minds of sinners like us.
Good News: Arrives
Tonight we celebrate a light shining in the darkness—the love of God’s heart taking on human flesh and being revealed to us for the very first time.
Good News: Is Faithful
With the pressure to be perfectly obedient taken away from us, we rejoice, pray, and give thanks because God has given us everlasting and adaptable joy. Rejoice in the Lord!
Good News: Brings Comfort
God wants us to examine our hearts and minds. This week we see the Lord’s investment in this preparation in the person and work of John the Baptist.
Good News: Is Worth the Wait
In the Old Testament, God’s people watched and waited for the Messiah’s first coming. So we, too, wait for our Savior’s birth—Christmas’ joy & peace—and our Savior’s triumphant return.
Living in Tense Times: Confident in Christ’s Domain
Whenever you come to the end of a major period of time, it’s appropriate to look back and reflect. On this last Sunday of the Church year, we rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation through Christ our King.
Living in Tense Times: As a Living Sacrifice
God has given us his great treasure so that we will put it to use. How do we do that?
Living in Tense Times: Ready for Anything
Are Christians strong people or weak people? Yes. This is not to say that there are believers that fit in both categories—though that is true. Christians are strong people and they are weak people—sometimes at the very same moment.
Living in Tense Times: With a Clear Identity
In the past, many have seen a saint as someone whose exceptional holiness is something you should venerate and even call upon in times of trouble. Today’s readings puts the saints in their proper place.
Living in Tense Times: Faithful Even Under Attack
People believed they were saved based on their good deeds and generous gifts.
The Lord Almighty Reigns Here & Now
God’s Word anticipates the messy realities of life more than we might imagine. Today, we tackle one of those messy realities.
The Lord Almighty Reigns Over All People
There are many things about God that we just don’t get. His eternal nature. His deep wisdom. His steadfast will. But just because we don’t understand these things doesn’t mean that we cannot see them. Today’s focus is on God’s patience.
The Lord Almighty Reigns Over Eternity
There are many things about God that we just don’t get. His eternal nature. His deep wisdom. His steadfast will. But just because we don’t understand these things doesn’t mean that we cannot see them. Today’s focus is on God’s patience.
The Ambitious Church Has a Different Mindset
Too many times, we are like the son who says all the right things but doesn’t do them. With this guilt and shame laid bare, we look to the Son who doesn’t just say all the right things, but does all the righteous things that our Father requires.
The Ambitious Church Is Concerned for All Sinners
Is God fair? Without much reflection, we may answer too quickly. God is all-powerful. Powerful humans and institutions that are unfair are often self-serving and insatiable. Our God is nothing like that. But that does not mean that our God is fair.
The Ambitious Church Forgives Freely
We hold grudges—we tuck them away and trot them out again when we are in the middle of an argument. God presents a better way. Full and free forgiveness.
The Ambitious Church Rebukes Rightly
The two great commands are to love the Lord your God and your neighbor. Today, we see how these two commands intersect with one another.