Closer to Christ

At his baptism in the Jordan River Jesus was publicly anointed with the Holy Spirit and designated by God the Father as his chosen Messiah. Thus, Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus’ baptism revealed that he was not just a nice guy who could make a sturdy table. He was God’s chosen servant, the one who had come to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the on...

On Christmas Eve a choir of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” So, where is this peace on earth? Between nations? There are always wars going on somewhere. In our country? Disagreements have only grown more contentious, one group screaming angrily at another group. We might not even have perfect peace in our homes! So, what were...

Why would Mary be highly favored? The thought troubled her. How could she be the mother of the Messiah? Mary had certainly heard the words of Isaiah 7, but that didn’t mean she expected the Messiah to be born without a human father. And she was a virgin! Was she supposed to rush the wedding to Joseph? Very confusing! And then Gabriel gave her an answer, that could have easily created more question...

Have you ever wondered why the Jewish leaders sent people to ask John who he was (vs19)? Why did they care? Why did they need more than public knowledge? Because John was great. He had crowds coming out to him, listening to him, obeying him. He had power and influence. He was great! But he was also confusing. Surely, he could have turned all this attention to his own benefit, but he didn’t. He jus...

Have you ever wondered why the Jewish leaders sent people to ask John who he was (vs19)? Why did they care? Why did they need more than public knowledge? Because John was great. He had crowds coming out to him, listening to him, obeying him. He had power and influence. He was great! But he was also confusing. Surely, he could have turned all this attention to his own benefit, but he didn’t. He jus...

The crowds outside Jerusalem identified Jesus as the one who comes—the Messiah they were waiting for, the Messiah they needed. And they had great expectations about what he would be and do for them. So, when they saw him riding into Jerusalem as king, they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes!” And they pinned all their hopes on him. They were so excited because their king was showing up to...

Since Death’s sudden appearance at the sin of Adam…since Death’s first victory with the bloody hands of Cain…Death has reigned undefeated. The genealogies of the Old Testament read like the results of battle after battle, or boxing match after boxing match. Another name is called, another man stands in the ring with death, but the verdict is always the same: “and then he died.” The referee raises...

Don’t Be Foolish! Be rich toward God!

See how thoroughly Endless Easter Encouragement has redefined life and death for the Christians in Thessalonica!  • They were concerned that those who had died would miss out, not on the things of this world and this life, but that they would miss out on Jesus’ glorious return at the end of the world. • Death itself has been redefined as a sleep that we will wake from.  • Death is no longer a perm...

See how thoroughly Endless Easter Encouragement has redefined life and death for the Christians in Thessalonica!  • They were concerned that those who had died would miss out, not on the things of this world and this life, but that they would miss out on Jesus’ glorious return at the end of the world. • Death itself has been redefined as a sleep that we will wake from.  • Death is no longer a perm...

Giving brings joy to the giver, joy to the recipient, and joy to our God as he sees his children live and act like him. What gives you joy as you think about your commitment to Because iT Matters and as you pray about your initial gift on the December 3 Celebration Weekend?

The Macedonian congregation presented the Corinthians and us with a role model of surrendered giving. They did not have much. Paul mentions their “extreme poverty.” What they did have was a “singleness of purpose.” They could only be truly generous if they surrendered their hopes and dreams to Christ and instead focused on the mission Christ had given them. The Macedonian response amazed Paul and...

As we celebrate the Lutheran Reformation, we remember how much the cross and the mission of God’s church mattered to Martin Luther and the other reformers. They were willing to risk their lives for the mission. What would it look like if I were willing to risk my life (or livelihood) for the mission presented to us in Because iT Matters? 

God’s church is designed to be a partnership. What is your part in this partnership? What is your next step to strengthening our partnership? A commitment to regular worship? Participation in the “Following the Promise” Bible study? Joining a small group? Giving more consistently or starting a recurring gift online? Volunteering? 

When did you have that defining moment, that life-changing encounter with the Savior? At your baptism? As an adult? Has it happened to you more than once? When did the cross matter to you more than anything else in the world? If you haven’t had that life-changing encounter, could today bring God’s invitation to you to bow before the cross?

When Jesus set out to create a church family, he didn’t go looking for people who were “right”. Case in point: Levi/Matthew the tax collector. There were many tax collectors and sinners who followed Jesus. Only Mark includes this detail. They didn’t need to be right for Jesus to love them. But once again Jesus is accused. Are there many “tax collectors and sinners” following us? Or do we fall into...

Sometimes headings can be helpful. The NIV heading for this reading is: “Jesus accused by his family and by teachers of the law.” We might not catch it at first, but there are two accusations against Jesus: his family accused him of being insane, and the people who should have been his church family accused him of being demon possessed. I wonder which one hurt more, his biological family or church...

From the “He Gets Us” sermon helps: “The Roman Stoic Philosopher Seneca is not wrong with this statement: ‘He suffers more than is necessary, who suffers before it is necessary.’”— Seneca Anxiety whispers, “What if? What if I won’t have what I need?” Jesus gets us—he knows what worries us. He speaks the beautiful and comforting words: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He also knows...

From the “He Gets Us” sermon helps: “The Roman Stoic Philosopher Seneca is not wrong with this statement: ‘He suffers more than is necessary, who suffers before it is necessary.’”— Seneca Anxiety whispers, “What if? What if I won’t have what I need?” Jesus gets us—he knows what worries us. He speaks the beautiful and comforting words: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He also knows...

When we feel anxiety, we are often tempted to think that knowing what will happen would make us feel better. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew what was going to happen, but knowing didn’t relieve his anxiety. Knowing didn’t make it easier. Where did Jesus turn for relief? He confided in his believing friends. He told them he wasn’t OK and asked for their help. He turned to his Father and tol...

God has designed Family Church to be regular conversation with him--something we call prayer. Prayer is not something parents or friends just "model" for their children and for those in their functional family. Prayer is something that we "live" with our children and friends as God is the purpose and focus and true friend of our lives. "Can I pray for you?"

God has designed Family Church--the home or one’s functional family--to be a place of safety and security for its members. Family Church is also a place of preparation and training for the spiritual warfare awaiting us in this world. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street, or buy their child a helmet for riding his or her bike, so we outfit our children a...

God has designed Family Church--the home or one’s functional family--to be a place of safety and security for its members. Family Church is also a place of preparation and training for the spiritual warfare awaiting us in this world. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street, or buy their child a helmet for riding his or her bike, so we outfit our children a...