1 Thing Matters

A paradox is defined as "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.” The wise individual who states “If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing,” is using a paradox. Paradoxes can be thought-provoking ways of stating profound truths, and so it is no surprise that we find them in Scripture. On each o...

It does not surprise us that from the beginning of his ministry Jesus demonstrated his commitment to proclaiming good news of the kingdom of God, regardless of whether people rejected his message or embraced it. That was Christ's agenda, and he was committed to it. What is surprising is that, also from the beginning, Jesus demonstrated his plan to carry out this proclamation by sending others to s...

When our message is rejected, as last week reminded us is often the case, it is natural to equate that rejection with failure. How do we respond? Do we give in to the temptation to alter the message or try a different approach in pursuit of success? If a church makes its central focus things like personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that church may draw a crowd - it just...

When one proclaims God's Word, typically the intentions are good. We want others to know the joy of salvation and the love of Christ. Therefore, it can be surprising to us when God's Word is met with apathy or rejection by those who hear it. It's easy to conclude that when the Word of God offends human minds and hearts (including our own), something has gone wrong. The truth that is uncovered this...

Are the pursuit of God and the pursuit of pleasure two separate paths? Many make that assumption—that life with Jesus is a boring, sterile experience. They are dead wrong. Jesus came to undo everything that is wrong with our world as a result of sin's curse. He also came to multiply our joy and deliver delight beyond our wildest dreams. Note that when Jesus begins to reveal his glory, it isn't by...

Our sight tends to be the sense we trust most. We say we will believe something when we see it. That presents a problem when it comes to the work of God. So often what our eye sees differs from what God decrees. This is true of the life of Jesus. In the eyes of the world, he was nothing special. This is also true in the life of the Christian. To the world, the believer does not look more blessed t...

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

WHAT CHILD IS THIS? The ability to appreciate Christmas is directly proportional to the understanding of whom Christmas is for. Christmas is only meant for those who are held captive by our enemies, sin and death. Christmas is for people who have no power of their own to free themselves from those enemies. Christmas is for people who patiently wait for God to redeem them and set them free. God's C...

There is something that sets the Christ child apart from all others. It is not simply his humble beginnings, with a cattle trough as his first cradle. It is not just the miraculous nature of his birth, his mother being a virgin. There is so much more. This child is the only hope we have for peace and a future. This child can wipe away every tear, drive away every fear. Here is the truth of Christm...

By this time of the holiday season, people are often weighed down. They feel guilty about presents that are not perfect, or parties that did not go as planned, or year-end projects that did not get completed. To top it all off, now is when it dawns on people how little attention they have given to the spiritual preparation Advent invites. If that is how we feel, perhaps the frenzy of December has...

Last week we saw that the Lord sends messengers to call us to repentance. This week we learn that those who refuse to heed that call to humble themselves will be humbled anyway. The Lord who once came near in flesh and now comes near in Word and sacrament will one day come near with consuming fire and judgment. The Lord will humble his enemies. This truth does two important things. First, it adds...

People tend to feel a lot of pressure this time of year. We want to stay on top of our family traditions. We want our houses to look good for out-of-town guests. We want to impress people with the thoughtfulness of our gifts. What a welcome relief, therefore, to hear what is required of us to meet the Lord: nothing. Well, there is something. It is the humble acknowledgment that we can do nothing t...

Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent (which marks the beginning of a new church year!) and the start of our Humble Expectations series. The word Advent means “coming,” in reference to the ways Jesus comes to his people. What are your expectations when it comes to Jesus’ coming? This morning Jesus sets the tone for our Advent preparation as we see him humbly enter Jerusalem on Palm Sun...

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

God’s Word encourages us to use all of the financial gifts God has given us with an eye on our purpose. Our challenge this week will focus on living shrewdly with the blessings and treasures that God has given us. But what did Jesus mean when he encouraged us to be shrewd ? Who is someone you know that is a positive example of shrewdness? In what ways are you already shrewd? In what ways are you n...

This week, we look at the God-lived life as one that opens our lives to others . As we invite people into our lives and our homes, God gives us opportunities to share Jesus as we build relationships with them. Our challenge this week will focus on living a life of hospitality—opening our hearts and homes to others. How did Jesus show “radical” hospitality? Think of a time someone showed you radica...

This week, the particular focus of the God-lived life is a life lived for others , a life of generosity. God allows us the opportunity to serve and love one another, especially those who are part of our communities. Our challenge will focus on being a good neighbor. What makes someone a good neighbor? How can you show God’s love to others by being a good neighbor? How can our church be a good neig...

This week, the particular focus of the God-lived life is that of being a disciple, a learner, one who grows in God’s Word. May God’s Word cause us to crave that pure spiritual milk so that by it we grow up in our salvation. Our challenge this week will focus on growing and learning in God’s Word. What’s your biggest motivation for spending time in God’s Word? What’s your biggest obstacle to spendi...

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

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

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

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

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

Just about everyone today has something to say. Everyone wants to be heard. Few, however, are all that interested in listening. The result? Listeners are in high demand. That means an open door for us - one that is very simple: we just have to listen. #simpleevangelism.  Evangelism - making the extraordinary news of Jesus known to others - can be intimidating for many. But sometimes that’s be...

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