Grace Alone Online

Firstborns are important in the bible.  They inherit the wealth of the father.  At times, the firstborn is not an exemplary person.  Take Cain, for example, who killed his brother.  On there other hand, take Isaac, who was the firstborn of Abraham according to the promise given him by God.  He was the firstborn according to promise and God tested Abraham to offer him in sacrifice.  Abraham's trust in God, proved to be the blessing of all nations, for his descendants gave birth to the Christ child, the firstborn of Mary, and the firstborn from the dead for the salvation of the world.

Midweek Advent Devotional based on Luke 21:28 "Look up, your redemption draws near."

NO ROOM FOR YOU is not exactly welcoming words we would ever like to hear. As Christians, they are words we should never say to others. But, as you know, there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph and, with these little words, there is a lot to consider in our text!

A Midweek devotion for the Second Week of Advent.  Todays Hymns: What Child is This and The Twelve Days of Christmas.  What is the history behind these hymns.  Also, our reading from the last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, chapter 2, where the Lord pronounces judgment against Israel and Judah who have forgotten their first love (God) and broken the covenant made with Israel.  Our devotional reading comes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on 1 Corinthians 2:8-10.

Can you imagine traveling now? With all the COVID 19 bans on getting together, distancing, etc.  It might seem dangerous to travel.  Mary and Joseph, however, were forced to travel to the city of David, Bethlehem, according to the edict of Caesar Augustus.  They had no choice.  There is a lot of traveling - journeying - going on in the Bible.  As Christians does your faith "travel" or do you "shelter in one place"?  Listen in....

Midweek devotions are an additional devotional time to Sunday services.  Each week, for four weeks, this podcast will have a devotion based on two familiar Christmas hymns and their background stories, a reading from the prophet Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament, and a short devotional reading from the letters of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

During the season of Advent, Christians prepare to meet Christ in His Second Coming.  His first advent was as a child in a manger.  He came to fulfill God's promise of salvation to the first created people on earth thousands of years ago, which is the focus of and purpose of the whole Old Testament and God's faithfulness to the people of Israel since their deliverance from Egypt.  God's promise, as prophesied by the Old Testament prophets, was not merely for the people of Israel but for the whole world as God says, "all nations will be blessed and come to Me."  Through Christ's death and resurrection that promise of forgiveness and eternal life is fulfilled, yet, we await Christ's return - His Second Coming - when the world will end and He takes all believers to reign with Him for eternity.  

Decrees are given by power and authority.  they're no good if there is no power or authority behind a decree.  Caesar Augustus gives a decree for taxation.  what kind of power did he have to mandate the obedience of others.  god gives decrees too.  He decrees total obedience and absolute trust in Him, punishable by death.  Decrees are given in accordance with legislation and laws.  But God decrees the impossible, which governments are powerless to do.  He decrees forgiveness and mercy.  Why can't we do that?  What makes this only possible for God to do?  Listen in....

2020 is a difficult year in which to give thanks.  Can we?  Seriously?  How and why should we.  We give thanks for the faithfulness which God has shown to all creation through the work of His son Jesus, Christ.  His death and resurrection fulfilled the promise of the Father, by offering a sacrifice for having gone our own way after creation.  He forgives and grants eternal life out of his love and mercy.  Yes, even in the midst of a pandemic which is, after all, the result of sin int he world - a world gone astray and corrupt; one which was destroyed by the sinfulness of humankind.  God uses even the most horrible situations in our lives which we ourselves have brought upon us, to call us closed to Him, to seek Him, to find forgiveness, survival and eternal life only in Him.

Rev. Kevin Austin of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California, is guest preacher.  Pastor Greg will return on November 29, 2020

Rev. Kevin Austin of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California, is guest preacher.  Pastor Greg returns November 29, 2020.