In the fourth chapter of Luke Jesus sums up his whole mission in two sentences. This is the best "elevator speech" of all time. Then he goes on to preach the shortest sermon ever by adding one more sentence. You can fit a lot in a nutshell. Dr. Jim Keck will offer his own one sentence sermon on Sunday (If you believe that, we have some swampland in Florida for purchase.)

In one of the last sermons he ever preached, Martin Luther King Jr. claimed that the basic impulse of all humanity is the desire to be important and surpass others. Dr. King praised our desire for distinction so long as it fit Jesus' paradigm of greatness: humble, non-violent, and unrelenting love. Honor the legacy of MLK by hearing anew Jesus' call to dethrone our desire for significance so we might enthrone our desire to serve one another no matter what the cost.

Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan but we can forget there were a lot of other people in the river being baptized at the same time. It was a communal movement that was underway. "Church" is a communal movement and the moment of Jesus' baptism gives us some wonderful clues about the nature of that movement today.

Along with Easter and Christmas, Epiphany is one of the three oldest, and principal festivals of the Christian church. This day commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles represented by the Magi. Each of us must personally recapitulate this great festival by experiencing a light of recognition or an insight into the meaning of Christ. Come, let us seek the light together.

The second chapter of Luke is our one biblical view into the childhood of Jesus. He is in the temple seeking to learn from his elders and grow in wisdom. Are you actively seeking to grow in wisdom? Or are you only accumulating information? Join Dr. Keck and lean into 2019 with a desire for greater wisdom.