Christ's Aroma (Fostoria Baptist)

We do not know when Jesus comes, so we must always be ready.

This life seems long and hard, but that's only because we perceive it only according to what we see. From an eternal perspective, as we ought to have, this life is short with only light affliction.

The tears of Jesus' elect are not wasted because when he comes, he will gather his people into the world he is remaking.

Jesus' return is not to happen in secret, but is to be visible, public, and unmissable as he comes with glory and judgment.

Hopeless situations require the power of an unstoppable God.

When it comes to a race, it is not about how you start, but about how you finish. When it comes to the Christian life, often likened to a race, the same reality pervades.

Sometimes we treat what we see as the only things that are, but we do better to focus on the substance found in the invisible Christ.

Our source of joy and our focus should not be on what we are doing for Christ, but what Christ has done for us.

In the midst of the great darkness there came a great light. Why is the coming of the Lion King of Judah such a great hope in the midst of darkness?

The world may have reason to scoff at the idea of a gentle giant, but the Lord regularly presents himself as both mighty and gentle, both far off and near, both transcendent and immanent. This passage is no exception.

With all the righteous blood shed on the earth crying out for vengeance, how can anyone escape being sentenced to hell? Thank the Lord that there is one righteous Man's blood that speaks a better word.

Being precedes doing. True righteousness and cleanness comes from the inside out. "We are really what we are inwardly."

The Pharisees are poor leaders because they are blind to what really matters. They may have good religious scruples, but they have missed God's call for character and communion from the heart.

The Pharisees go above and beyond in seeking to reach those outside the fold, but all that proselytization does more harm than good.

Jesus is everything, we are all equally nothing (of ourselves) under him, so we can and should make him our everything. If you are interested in the musical works introduced in this sermon, you can find them at these links: "I Haven't Either" ~ Andy Gullahorn "Hand Me Down Clothes - Intro" ~Rich Mullins

The Pharisees place heavy burdens upon the people and refuse to help. Meanwhile, we remember that Jesus, who bore our sin burden, places a light burden upon us and sends His Spirit to help us bear that cross.

Jesus the Christ is more than the Son of David, he is God the Son incarnate! He, the very Word and Wisdom of God, fully silences his opponents.

Jesus welcomes us into a relationship of heartfelt love and devotion culminating in obedience.

Unlike his opponents, Jesus knows the Scriptures AND the power of God.

The Wisdom of God Incarnate cannot be tricked or trapped as he sees through appearances straight into the heart.

The path to safety and freedom is not fighting Yahweh, but trusting in and surrendering to him.

Blessing and strength come from meditation/murmuring in the Torah of the Lord.

Many are called, but few are chosen. So let us not presume upon our election, but clothe ourselves with righteous behavior so as to make our calling and election sure.

Accept the identity of the Son and he will be to you the cornerstone. Reject him, and the stone will crush you.

From where does Jesus get his authority? He has demonstrated in three sign-acts, and now the chief priests and elders (who together with the scribes) will turn over Jesus over to die) ask him where this authority comes from. So where does Jesus get his authority and who gave it to him?