Cross Encounters

Only Jesus forgives sins. Only Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

We, sinful humans, are incapable of climbing up to God through our own works or merits. Instead, we gather at the foot of the ladder and wait for God to come down to us and God did exactly that when He sent His own incarnate Son into the world.

Humans want to be happy but they are unwilling to do what they know will bring them happiness. This is true even of those who long to do God’s will. Trapped in a hell of our own making we often aren’t "living the dream" but the nightmare. However, Christ’s forgiveness for our sins and His clothing us with His righteousness gives us newness of life.

In the darkness and stillness of His death Jesus turned apparent defeat into glorious victory overs sin, death and the devil.

The glory of God was fully revealed when His Son was lifted up on the cross to draw all people unto Himself. He took all your sins into His body and was forsaken by His Holy Father so that you would never experience the eternal forsakenness of Almighty God.

Christians are founded on Christ. They are living stones being built up as a spiritual house to proclaim God’s light and mercy.

Don’t just read books about the Bible and spirituality. Don’t settle for the polluted and contaminated water that the world offers. Instead, read the Bible, the source of fresh and living water that wells up to eternal life.

Repent and believe in the gospel. Jesus is the source and the object of faith and salvation.

The Holy Scriptures teach that Jesus actually, physically and historically took our sins into his body that we might die to sin with him and live to righteousness.

Only Jesus, only Scripture, only grace, only through faith to the glory of God alone and so that no one may boast in their own works. We don’t have to do good works. We get to.

Rebellion and disobedience have infected and poisoned all humanity with sin and the sure consequence is death. But Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us and his blood was shed to bring us forgiveness and life.

Sin has you tied up in knots? Are you fighting to free yourself only to find sin’s grip tighter around you? Stop struggling and start confessing. Allow the Saviour who has conquered sin to come to you, to rescue you and to set you free.

They promise so much but deliver so little. Jesus delivers us from sin and assures us of eternal life.

Under trampled by sin? Jesus’ righteousness is proclaimed to you: your debt has been paid in full.

"A god means that from which we are to expect all good and to which we are to take refuge in all distress, so that to have a God is nothing else than to trust and believe Him from the heart" [Explanation to the First Commandment in Martin Luther’s Large Catechism]

False prophets mistake their own thoughts for the word of God. They may deceive and lead many people away from the truth. They are often full of grandiose promises of blessings and riches but say almost nothing about the disastrous effects sin has upon us. They cause people to doubt the Holy Scriptures and fail to provide people with God’s comfort.

God’s children through Christ. God’s anointed King Jesus transforms crippled and lame sinners into the glory of His image.

This week Pastor Jon tells us that when we are one with Christ we can stand united and before God.

We cannot find God by our reason or strength. God’s Word leads us to Jesus. In Him our faith finds salvation.

God doesn’t need us to massage His ego. Rather, we give Him praise and honour for what He has done for us.

Pastor Jon reminds us that in the New Year temptations are bound to come and advises us to seek security and shelter from the attacks of the evil one in God who is our fortress.

Didn’t get what you wanted this Christmas? God gave us what we really need: salvation through His Son Jesus.

Sing because God has come to us. Sing because God is with us and for us.

The Holy Spirit works God’s will among humanity through the proclamation of His Word.

If you are looking for the greatest, look no further than Jesus