Last Sunday afternoon, we looked at the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16. Through a detailed ceremony involving animal sacrifice, the Day of Atonement taught the people of Israel that they were sinners who deserved to die for their sins, but it also reminded them that God had graciously provided a spotless substitutionary animal to die in their place. These Old Testament shadows point us forward to Jesus Christ, the spotless Son of God who willingly offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins. While the OT priests sprinkled the blood of the animals at the foot of God’s earthly throne, Jesus Christ has appeared in heaven before His Father with His own precious blood. Although we sometimes feel our sin and guilt so deeply, Jesus Christ has provided a perfect atonement for us through His once-for-all sacrifice that covers our sins and makes us at-one with God. This week, take some time to re-read Leviticus 16 and thank God for the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday afternoon, we started a new sermon series in Leviticus by hearing from Exodus 40:34-Leviticus 1:2 together. Although Leviticus gives us the same gospel as the New Testament, it is a hard book for us to understand because it speaks to us in shadowy form. We especially saw that the shadows at the end of Exodus speak to us of the awesome holiness and glory of God. At the same time, Moses’ inability to enter the tent of meeting reminds us that as sinners, we cannot approach the holy God on our own and live. So, is there any way for us to draw near to the holy God? This is the fundamental question that Leviticus answers. We saw that Leviticus 1:1-2 points us to the start of the answer: God calls and invites Moses into His presence. The only way for sinners like us to approach a holy God is if God Himself calls and makes a way, and God has done just that in Jesus Christ! This week, take some time to pray and ask God to help us understand the shadows of Leviticus as they point us forward to Jesus. Even more, thank God that He has made a way and called us to draw near to Him covered in Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

Last Sunday afternoon, we heard from Luke 22:14-23 together. This passage helps us understand the gift of the Lord’s Supper. In particular, we saw that the Lord’s Supper is all about Jesus Christ. As a new covenant meal, the Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus Christ our Passover lamb has died to cover our sins. Not only that, this new covenant meal reminds us of our new covenant relationship with Jesus; covered with His blood, we are now Christ’s precious bride. Even more, the Lord’s Supper is a true meal that Jesus uses to feed and strengthen our hearts as we seek to serve Him. Finally, the Lord’s Supper is a foretaste of heaven and of the even better meal that we will share with Jesus when He returns. The Lord’s Supper may sometimes seem quite ordinary, but this week take some time to thank God for this precious meal that shows us Jesus and feeds our faith.

Last Sunday afternoon, we looked at the tree of life as it appears throughout the Bible. We saw that the tree of life shows up at each of the major four sections of the Bible’s story: creation, fall, salvation, and new creation. In creation, the tree of life reminded Adam of the promise of eternal life if he obeyed God. Tragically, however, Adam disobeyed God, plunging this entire world into death and blocking our access to the tree of life. Now, because of both Adam’s sin and our sin, we live in a world that is dying, and we see and feel the effects of death all around us. Yet there is hope. Jesus died on a tree of death and cursing, taking the judgment that our sins deserve. Now, through faith in Jesus, we have the forgiveness of sins and new life in our hearts. And an even better day is coming! When Jesus returns, we will live in a new creation and have the right to eat of the tree of life. When we do, we will never be able to sin or die again, and we will enjoy perfect life in the presence of our God forever! This week, take some time to thank God for His wisdom and grace in saving sinners like us through the work of Jesus. Thank God for the hope that Jesus gives us both now and for all eternity.

Last Sunday afternoon, we heard about the Sabbath together from Genesis 2:1-3. We saw that the Sabbath is a creation ordinance, with the pattern of six days of work and one day of rest being built into creation itself. This reminds us that we all need Sabbath rest. Even Adam in the garden of Eden was not made to work non-stop. Indeed, following God’s own pattern of work and rest, we are commanded and invited to rest one day a week. Such rest is not a burden. Instead, Sabbath rest is a blessing and gift in the middle of our busy lives. Yet the rest of the Sabbath is not simply physical rest; it is also the spiritual rest of worship. The Sabbath is day for us to gather with God’s people and worship our Creator and our Savior together. As we gather for worship on the Christian Sabbath, we are looking forward to our eternal Sabbath rest that is coming in the new creation, bought for us by the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week, take some time to thank God for the gift of Sabbath rest in our busy world, and prayerfully consider how you can make the most of the weekly Sabbaths that God gives us in 2026.

Last Sunday afternoon, we heard Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 together. We saw that this is a particularly appropriate prayer for us as we enter a new year. As we enter 2026, many of us make resolutions, plans, or dreams about what we hope to achieve in the coming year. While many of our plans and resolutions may be good, Paul’s prayer shows us what is most important—knowing and walking with Jesus Christ even more, all for God’s glory. This week, take some time to assess your goals for 2026. Where does your relationship with Jesus fit into all your other goals? Most of all, take some time to pray through Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, making it your own prayer for 2026 and beyond.

Last Sunday afternoon, we heard from Isaiah 9 together. This passage gives us a glorious promise of Jesus’ birth. In particular, God promises that a son will be born who will be the perfect King forever. Even more, this son will be both God and man in one person. As Christians, we know the promised son of Isaiah 9 is Jesus, the true King, the God-man who has come to save us from our sins. Isaiah 9 also promises us what Jesus will accomplish: He will bring us perfect hope, joy, and peace. As Christians, we have the hope, joy, and peace of knowing God through Jesus even now. We also have the perfect hope, joy, and peace of a new creation that is coming where we will live in the presence of King Jesus forever. This week, take some time to thank God for the gift of Jesus and for the blessings that Jesus brings us, both now and forever.

Last Sunday we finished off our series in Acts for the year by looking back over Acts 1-10. We saw the big picture of Acts is that Jesus is still at work building His church through His witnesses among all nations. As we near the end of 2025, Jesus is still at work in our lives today; He is still building His church at All Nations and around the world; and His gospel still rests on the foundation of eye-witness testimony from people who saw Jesus live, die, and rise again to save sinners like us. This week, take some time to look back over your 2025. How has God been at work in your life this past year? Give thanks to God for the work that He has been doing in 2025. Then, pray and look for more opportunities to speak to other people from all nations about the good news of Jesus this Christmas season.