Thomas VanderPloeg

The resurrection of Jesus confronted the disciples with a question: what should they be doing now because of what Jesus has done? It is a question that still confronts us today.

Even from the time of Christ’s birth, there are those who anticipate resurrection; we can be people today who also live as those anticipating resurrection.

I would like for us to jump ahead in the story today for a frame of reference. Before we back up and trace through the events of this Maundy Thursday, let’s use a story from Matthew’s gospel to set our point of reference. You see, we may have the tendency to read these stories as an outside observer…

Jesus demonstrates the humble nature of shalom in the way he fulfils Zechariah’s words on the day of the triumphal entry to Jerusalem.

God’s salvation shalom is beyond our understanding, yet at the same time we are invited to witness and participate in all that God is doing to restore his world.

The restoration of God’s shalom shows up not only in God’s closeness to his people, but also in his people’s closeness to each other.

The prophets speak of God’s shalom as something which draws all people to himself; Jesus continues to draw people to himself today through his provision of shalom.

The prophets speak of God’s peace NOT as rest which comes apart from our places of wilderness, BUT as rest that comes even within our places of wilderness.

Nehemiah and Ezra make sure that the Word of God is not only a priority to be read and known, but that the people also prioritize their response to God’s Word; how can we plan a life of faith that responds to the Word of God?

All that was broken at Babel begins to find its restoration through the Holy Spirit.

Even as Nehemiah moved forward in faith and action, the needs of the people around him did not go ignored; Nehemiah shows us that communities of faithful obedience to God are also communities of justice and mercy.

Nehemiah faced obstacles while trying to put the vision of his faith into action; what can we learn from Nehemiah’s example in times when we too face obstacles in our life of faith?

Nehemiah had a vision of an ambitious plan for God’s people; it was essential for prayer to be the link which allowed Nehemiah to know the vision for God’s people and to act upon it.

Thinking about New Year’s resolutions for the church.

He shall be called Prince of Peace — Jesus is the Messiah who brings the restoration of shalom.

It is the third Sunday of Advent. The series of messages we are considering over this season is based on the titles which the prophet Isaiah gives to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 . Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will…

he shall be called mighty God — the Messiah who makes a way of salvation for his people where there appears to be no way for salvation to happen

He shall be called wonderful counselor — the Messiah who has restored us and our world to himself by his own authority, and continues to guide his people today by the presence of the Holy Spirit

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with a reminder that the kingdom of heaven comes with blessings; they are blessings which meet God’s people no matter where they are.

A time of worship for Thanksgiving Day

The kingdom of heaven is a gift made available through Jesus, but it is a gift that comes with expectations; how are those who receive the kingdom expected to respond?

Jesus tells a story that shows the kingdom of heaven is full of both equality and inequality at the same time.

On October 31, 1517 (All-Hallows’-Eve) Martin Luther famously posted his 95 theses to the door of the chapel in Wittenberg, Germany; but it was not the first time God’s people posted something significant to a doorway on a spooky night.

Our faith in Jesus is both personal and public; we believe and have a personal relationship with God, but we also participate in the wider restoration of God’s kingdom in this world.

Jesus shows us that there is a pattern by which we are to live within the kingdom, because it is the same pattern by which God brought us into the kingdom.