It’s wise to learn from others’ errors. A child, seeing their sibling punished, can learn obedience. A student, observing a peer caught cheating, can learn integrity. An athlete, watching a teammate fail, can learn of strategy. Whether in business, dating, gaming, or home renovations, it’s wise to learn from others’ errors (see, for example, 1 Cor 10:1–11; 1 Tim 5:20). That that’s what we re going to do this morning.

As we draw nearer to Matthew’s account of Jesus’s death, the abject failures of Israel become increasingly obvious and official. While the King has been formally presented to his subjects (20:29–21:17), he is now formally rejected by his subjects (21:18–22:46). And, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are going to learn from their mistake, avoid the consequences that come with such a misstep and, instead, be propelled forward in our personal and corporate pursuits of God-pleasing and God-glorifying maturity.

If you follow the church calendar a bit, you may have noticed that last Thursday was a memorable day. In some countries it is actually a holiday where we commemorate the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven. Now, in between Easter and Pentecost (not to mention Christmas), Ascension day may not make it into your top three Christian holidays. And so I wanted to talk about this event using three questions: 1) What happened? 2) How can we be sure that it happened? And 3) What is the significance for us?

It is not uncommon to look forward to something for a long time only to be a tad underwhelmed, unfulfilled, or disappointed at its eventual realization. Whether a particular milestone or accomplishment, a unique experience or possession, the goal has been anticipated, daydreamed about, planned for, and worked toward. And yet, when the longing gives way to reality—the milestone reached, the accomplishment grasped, the experience felt, or the possession owned—it’s not all that had been expected. It is wonderful but, at the same time, it seems that something’s missing. Something about the experience does not quite match what was envisioned.

In a way, this was what faced national Israel when their Messiah finally marched into Jerusalem, his would-be capital city, and was presented to them as their long-awaited King. It was exciting and cathartic, celebratory and worshipful. And yet, at the time, something was missing. Something didn’t quite match that which they had come to anticipate and expect.

The God of the universe calls and invites all people to obey him, to fellowship with him, and to serve him and, like a wise parent, he motivates his children in a variety of ways. Sometimes God motivates with fear (e.g., Rev 2:16). The reality of hell is terrifying and, rightly understood, is hugely incentivizing to trust in the One who can save us from it. Other times, God motivates with love (e.g., John 14:15). As we grow in an understanding of all God has done, is doing, and will do for us we are propelled by gratitude toward allegiance, commitment, and submission. There are also times God motivates with rewards (e.g., Rev 2:10, 26; 3:21). These are perks and accolades that go beyond everlasting life and, just like fear and love, can be very motivating. No doubt, that’s why God uses them to spur his people on toward faithfulness.

Jesus’s first century disciples needed some clarification on the topic of future rewards and the Holy Spirit saw fit to record and preserve this lesson for Jesus’s twenty-first century disciples as well.

Today I want to talk about Romans chapter 8. Romans 8 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible, great because it is full of blessings for the believer, blessings that we are only beginning to appreciate as we walk with the lord. This blessed chapter follows chapter 7, one of the most troubling chapters for Christians because Romans 7 documents the great struggle we have with our sinful ways.

Romans 8 is a beautiful description of the victorious Christian life. It is bounded front and back by two amazing promises from God for those in Christ. All that self-condemnation in Romans 7 is replaced with this grand assurance, no condemnation. Then, at the end of the chapter, from verse 31 to the end he adds a second great promise, no separation from God’s love in Christ. The very best thing that could ever happen to me has happened and will continue to happen forever!

The more famous, powerful, and wealthy someone grows to be, the less approachable and available they become. For example, just as most citizens are unable to walk into the office of the Prime Minister to casually discuss public policy so most Roman Catholics can’t schedule a dinner with the Pope to chat theology. Why? Because in our world, one measure of importance is inaccessibility.

But that’s not the case with Jesus. Indeed, he who is far more famous, powerful, wealthy, and important than anyone else grants total access to all who want it (e.g., Matt 11:28; John 7:37). Yet, many people—including many Christians—don’t take advantage of the invitation to himself that Jesus offers. Instead, we put barriers between us and him. We hinder the access we have to Christ and, inso doing, trade the peace, joy, and security of being in his presence with the fear, fatigue, and insecurity that comes with being estranged. How can we remove those obstructions so as to enjoy the privilege of unhindered access to the King?

As we read the first chapter of the book of Acts, it appears that the disciples were still struggling with this resurrection thing. Over a period of 40 days, Jesus appeared to them and as Luke says “they talked about the Kingdom”, and Jesus gave them many “incontrovertible” “irrefutable”, “undeniable” proofs that he was raised from the dead. He was alive and well. But, they still are not in focus! They are concerned about one thing: the Kingdom. Their question is simple: “will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?”

But Jesus says something very different from what they expected! “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons that have been set by the Father! But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!” THEN HE LEFT! HE ASCENDS IN A CLOUD! They have their instructions. They are to be witnesses of the risen Christ!

But, I am not going to speak from the book of Acts today, though speaking from Acts on any day is a good thing. I want to speak to you from the Gospel of John, specifically about a special witness: John the Baptist

The final verse of the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth invites and implores believers in Jesus Christ to stand with immovable conviction in their faith and serve their Lord with joyful confidence. Few Christians would deny their need and longing for either of these two realities. The question is, how can they be cultivated? This is where the first fifty-seven verses of the chapter come in! Therein, Paul describes how it’s the resurrection—both Jesus’s resurrection and the believers’ future resurrection—that fuels our stability and labour. Because he has risen and because we too will rise, we are empowered, motivated, inspired, humbled, and affirmed. He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

On December 19, 2013, Ontario was hit with a huge ice storm that in effect shut down the whole province. Driving was impossible and for days many were trapped in their homes. Many had to abandon their homes and go live in warm shelters for days. Tragically, in the GTA, 27 people died because of the storm. Such was the devastating effect of the power shortage.

Today we are going to look at Romans 7, a chapter that describes a power shortage, not a physical one due to an ice storm, but a spiritual one that happens in our hearts and can bring us to our knees. Then we will look at God’s provision so that we can overcome it.

Our culture is hugely confused about marriage, its importance and significance, exclusivity and accountability, permanence and purpose. The institution of marriage is often treated today as something with which to play, like a board game that can be briefly enjoyed and then discarded if broken or replaced if old. It’s treated like something to ignore, like a war monument commemorating something important but treated as archaic and impractical. Or, it’s treated like a pest, an oppressive invention of primitive generations that must be exterminated. Our culture is increasingly unclear about marriage because it increasingly rejects the God who created it. But this degradation shouldn’t happen in the church, amidst those who claim to believe in God, his sovereignty, goodness, and love. While our world lacks clarity about the institution, God’s people should be thinking clearly, sharing the Messiah’s view of marriage.