Christ Church

This passage comes at the end of Paul’s bold defense of the gospel of grace—that we are justified by faith, not by works of the law. It’s an audacious claim, and it raises the question: if salvation is by grace, does it matter how we live? Paul’s answer is deeply personal and theologically rich. The Christian life begins with death: “I have been crucified with Christ.” The old self—the one that li...

Paul confronts Peter for acting in a way that misrepresents the gospel, reminding us that justification is by faith in Christ alone—not by works or law-keeping. When we misuse God’s law as a means of righteousness, we not only mislead others but also obscure the good news of grace. The law functions like a mirror, showing our need for Christ, while only Christ can make us righteous. Justification...

Some troublemakers had infiltrated the churches in Galatia, and they were spreading a non-gospel — specifically, they said that if you wanted to be saved, you needed to obey the Law of Moses. Conversely, Paul had taught the true gospel: that salvation comes through Jesus’ obedience, not ours. To undermine his teaching, they attacked his credentials as an apostle and questioned the source of his go...

Instead of opening this letter to the Galatian churches with a thanksgiving for them — as Paul normally does — he begins by stating that he is astonished that they are so quickly deserting Jesus. The Galatians didn’t think that they had deserted Jesus! But Paul labors for Christ formed in them through the book of Galatians by demonstrating that departing from true gospel doctrine is deserting Jesu...

Guest Preacher Charisma Clarke

Jesus commissioned his apostles (sent ones) to bring his testimony to us — who who haven’t seen the Risen Jesus. Our faith does not come by sight, then, but by hearing. As we hear and receive Scripture’s testimony about who God is and what he’s done for us, we are receiving the very word of Christ, and thereby offered the gift of eternal life. Not by our righteousness, but by his grace; our mere f...

The first day of creation, God spoke light into the darkness. John 20 brings us to the first day of New Creation, when the Light of the World was brought forth from the darkness of death. And just as the first creation story culminates in Adam meeting his bride, so this New Creation story shows us Jesus and his Bride — the Church.       The resurrection of Jesus is our betrothal to the heavenly Br...

The kingdoms of this world jockey for power and influence, and often use deception and corruption to get what they want. Jesus’ kingdom is different — it’s not of this world. That comparison snaps into focus when Jesus, the King who bears witness to the Truth, is tried by two corrupt authorities.   Although it seems like Jesus ‘lost,’ his exchange with Barabbas hints at his victory: Jesus will sta...

Jesus Christ was no victim. The Gospel-writer, John, makes certain we know that. Though Jesus is arrested in John 18 , there’s no doubt who’s in charge: he picks the spot, he initiates the confrontation, and he commands the troops to release his friends. Though he had the power to evade capture (and more), he chose the way of the cross. He chose the way of love. He knew how bad it would be, and he...

Jesus prayed for us, that we might be one — unified in the same way that God the Father and God the Son are unified. That’s a tall order! For that humanly-impossible calling, God provides the power of the gospel through the Holy Spirit, to help us bear witness to the world through our unity and love.

The glory of God is most prominently on display at the cross of Jesus. God’s character — abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, full of grace and truth — are demonstrated most prominently when Jesus died for the sins of undeserving us.

Jesus comforted his disciples by telling them that through their greatest sorrow (his death) will come their greatest joy (his resurrection, and all its implications). If God can produce great joy through great sorrow, then we can trust him with all of our sorrows and pain. He promises that he will work all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

While Jesus was on earth, he convicted the world of sin, righteous, and judgment — not to condemn them, but so that he might save them. Now that Jesus has returned to his place by the Father’s side in heaven, he has sent his Holy Spirit to continue that same ministry. Convincing the unbelieving world of sin, so that they might seek its cure in Christ; of righteousness, that they might see that the...

Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the vinedresser, and we are the branches. Our Lord uses this illustration to teach us the importance of abiding in his love, so that God may be most glorified through our lives, and that our joy might be full! While coming with a caution to those who do not remain connected to the Vine, it is a passage full of gospel-comfort. Jesus is teaching us to draw on hi...

The search for meaning and purpose in life is universal, and we can think of it as a search for “Home.” We were designed and created to be at home with God, and we’ll be restless until we rest in him. In John 14, Jesus comforts his troubled disciples with the truth that he is preparing the way for them to come home, and for home to come to them. Today, we can take comfort in that same reality — th...

The treasure of Christ is the only treasure that grows and sweetens as we share it. When we tell people the good news of Jesus, we’re enriched, not diminished! But evangelism can be daunting. It is my prayer that from Matthew 13 and 2 Corinthians 4 the Lord will grant us all courage to joyfully share Christ with those in our lives, so that we might see many neighbors adopted into the family of God...