1 Thing Matters

No one wants to be judged. Being judged is a deflating experience. Our culture has made that clear by how it treats anyone it sniffs out as being judgmental. It’s perceived to be about one of the worst accusations our society can throw at you - that you’re guilty of judging someone.

But, like it or not, when Jesus comes back, he will do so as Judge. And everyone will face one of only two possible judgments. Either they will be judged righteous and inherit heaven, or they will be judged wicked and suffer unquenchable fire in hell (Mt. 3).

For those who heed John the Baptist’s cry to prepare, we can welcome that judgment. We already know the verdict! And his judgment matters more than the judgment of a judgmental world. So yes, Come, Lord Jesus - as Judge!

"Come, Lord Jesus" Series

It is an odd sight, this man riding into Jerusalem on a baby donkey, to cheers and the celebratory waving of palm branches. Understandably, many asked, “Who is this?” The answer: This is not just a rabbi. This is the King of all Creation. This is God Almighty wrapped in flesh.

This is a King unlike any other ruler who has ever lived. For he is infinitely greater than all other kings, while simultaneously being infinitely humbler. This King is willing to trade his golden crown for one made of thorns. This King comes not demanding our service but to serve us. You look at how good, how loving is this King, and you ask that question upon which eternity hinges. “Who is this?” As we march through this new Church Year, the answer becomes crystal clear. This King is the Savior of the nations. He comes to you.

"Come, Lord Jesus" Series

When the Israelites clamored for a king, yearning to be like all the other nations of the world, God warned them. Their desire for an earthly king was a rejection of the Lord as their leader. It would also result in their world being turned upside down as their kings would abuse their authority and suit their own selfish purposes. Nevertheless, in his grace, the Lord did promise - and ultimately deliver - a Ruler who would be unlike any of Israel’s kings. This King would not take advantage of his authority to serve himself, but others. This King, Jesus, came to establish a kingdom that would last forever and would be open to everyone.

Jesus will return again on the Last Day. That day will be a day of judgment - his. His judgment will not be based on popularity or performance. It will not be determined by good intentions or bad behavior. Jesus’ judgment will come down to one all-important matter: do you believe him to be the Savior you need or not? It’s that simple. Our answer to that question determines whether the Last Day will be a day of dread or a day of delight.

Jesus’ words, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” are commonly quoted by anyone searching for any truth today. While many in the world take these words and misapply them in any generic sense in which it suits their purpose, Jesus had a specific relationship in mind between truth and freedom: a spiritual one. Truth in general does not guarantee freedom. It cannot. But there is a truth that does, and thanks to God’s work through Martin Luther and the reformers, that truth prevails today. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we believe it - and have the freedom it promises.

Each new week sees fresh news headlines, but many continue to ask the same question: why? Why does God allow it all to happen? If he promises to work good through all things, where is the good? Why does it feel as if he is distant and removed? These are not uncommon questions to ask.

But they aren’t the most important question that needs to be asked. There is one question that matters most… and the answer to it matters even more. What question is that? More importantly, what is the answer to the most important question anyone can ask? If you haven’t been able to find it on your own, what have you got to lose in listening to Jesus’ answer?

"Lord, Increase Our Faith" Series

“You have to learn to walk before you run.” The expression serves to highlight the importance of starting with the basics before we move on to the more complex. We don’t start out with graduate school, but preschool and kindergarten. We don’t start out as the CEO of the company, but more likely in an entry-level position. In this way, we build on what we learn and gain more experience and knowledge to equip us for more difficult challenges and additional responsibilities. In some ways, our faith is like this - we start with the fundamental teachings of Scripture and grow to learn the more challenging doctrines.

But in another sense, the issue isn’t a matter of faith running versus walking, but faith moving at all. Faith acts. Faith works. Faith does. In other words, to appreciate the value of our faith, we don’t need to wait until we have more of it to take action; faith can act right now no matter what size it is. That’s what a growing faith does - big or small, it gets to work.

"Lord, Increase Our Faith" Series

"HARD TRUTH" Series

While money and possessions matter in this life, they cannot bring true happiness and fulfillment. In fact, they often bring the opposite of what they promise to deliver! Yet, the ultimate failure of money and possessions is that they fail to deliver when it comes to death. Those whose hearts are filled with love for possessions and no love of God or for God will receive the only eternity that money can buy: a pain-filled forever without God.

Conversely, that which can often matter too little in life will never fail us in death: the Word of God. While those who hear and heed the Scriptures often appear to receive little benefit in life from it, the reward of the gospel upon death will dwarf anything and everything that money could ever buy. Those who find the help they need in God rather than in money will never be disappointed.

'HARD TRUTH" Series

There are more than 2300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. And that evil foe knows how successfully he can manipulate us with money. Money provides us with a false comfort and a sense of security. It serves as a source of pride. It serves as a wonderful tool for a favorite pastime: justifying ourselves in our own eyes and the eyes of others.

Jesus knows that serving money makes it impossible to serve God. The human heart is not big enough for both. As a result, Jesus does all he can to expose the futility of serving money. He also helps us see that the only one truly worth serving is our gracious, loving God. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of money being a lord to serve, it becomes a resource for serving the Lord. This is the hard truth. There is no way for us to serve both God and money. But we can serve God with our money.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

“He’s lost.” We use that term not only to refer to someone who is bewildered about where they are but also to refer to someone who is in a helpless, hopeless state. Mankind’s natural state is one of complete spiritual helplessness, a profound lostness. It manifests itself in countless ways. The one who simply wants God to leave him alone: lost. The one who feels she can handle life on her own: lost. The one who thinks he has the right to repent of his sins on his own timetable and on his own terms: lost. The one who thinks God owes them in some way: lost.

Wandering around physically lost can lead to winding up in bad places. But the hard truth is that wandering around spiritually lost puts you in the worst place of all. Fortunately, Jesus does not leave us alone in our lostness. He relentlessly seeks us. He involves the rest of the Christian community in seeking the lost and rejoicing over the found.