Our savior is seated in majesty right now until the Father is finished subjecting all spiritual authorities, rulers and powers to him…. And part of our worship is praising and adoring Him in that majesty and authority and patience.

Praise God that He raises us up after death and that we are forever with him. And may each of us deeply know and love the power of our Great God and his authoritative Scriptures.

Jesus once again shows that his approach to those who come to him with humility and sincerity is much different than those who come to him in accusation and condescension. As he does so he lays out some incredibly helpful guidelines for how we should look at God’s law as new covenant believers.

God created and appoints governing authorities for a specific work of providing justice and human flourishing. Both the people of government and the hearts of people must never allow government or leaders to become greater than their role, laying claim on things that belong to God alone such as glory, divinity, becoming a truth absolute, a hope of the soul or using his church.

The leaders of Israel knew who Jesus was and so-loved themselves that they decided to murder Jesus, the Son of God and the prophesied Messiah, to keep the money, power and honor that really belonged to Jesus and the Father.

True worship singing is my heart using the whole of my self to attest to and promote the goodness and beauty of God.  It is done through truths housed in melody, harmony, manner and whole body adornment. We are seeking to affirm, lean into and revel our souls in these excellencies of God, even if we dont “feel” them at the moment. We are Seeking to bring pleasure to our worthy God with all we have through a format that he has created and delights in.

As we wrap our Advent series, we trace God’s promise to bring everlasting joy to its fulfillment in the person of Christ. Jesus came from joy with the Godhead to bring joy to us, partially now, and fully forever with him.

The love of God and forgiveness was promised in the Old Testament and perfectly fulfilled in Christ.

God promised to give peace through the coming of his Son. Without Jesus, true peace - peace that lasts and is present despite of trouble - is impossible. What're you waiting for? Find peace with Jesus, the promised and risen Son.

Centering on the promise of hope, Psalm 130 provides a framework of waiting for the promise, whereas 1 Peter 1:3 gives insight into the fulfillment of that promise - both then and today.