Grace Alone Online

Today is Reformation Sunday. On this day, in 1517, Martin Luther challenged the Roman Catholic Pope to a debate on the abuse by the Roman church on the forgiveness of sins. Our text in Romans talks about being free through Christ; something which is unattainable even we try our hardest because we are born and exist under the law...that is flesh and blood. As humans, we can only exist under the law, not freedom, because we are subject to the world around us. Like Free Willy...we cannot let ourselves out of the cage. Listen to how God rescues us from death and the Law and let's us enjoy freedom.

In the world of digital and social media is a new type of restlessness and anxiety that occurs in young people. But it does not only affect young people. The restlessness is caused by boredom and the drive to be on social media is because of boredom. But at the root of boredom is loneliness. Here more about why we fear to be alone and constantly need to be liked by others to the point of inventing images that will cause others to like us.

The Rich Young Ruler who came to ask Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life was dumb-founded by Jesus' answer. In fact, he sadly walked away form Jesus. He had kept the commandments that Jesus listed off, but failed to realize he was his own biggest enemy. Listen to find out.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Hebrews 2:1). These words from today’s Epistle are spot-on. In a culture that is quickly drifting away from the values we once held sacred, it’s imperative for us, as the people of God, to hold firmly to the Word we have heard. Today as we gather to listen to God’s Word and receive His gifts of grace, we are drawn close to the Redeemer, who has given His life in exchange for ours. Only in our relationship with Christ will we ever be made complete—members of His eternal kingdom, sons and daughters of our King. Once we see how our true identity is found in Jesus, we can better understand our unique roles in the relationships with one another that He has given to us.

A description guide for themes on the Gospel given by our church organization makes the distinction between preachers and parishioners by calling parishioners 'ordinary' Christians. I take issue with that because Jesus does not make that distinction anywhere in the Gospel lesson for today. Ordination is not the power of the Gospel, it is the Name of Christ.

the Apostle John uses imagery such as DARK and LIGHT to talk about identifying who is the true Christian and who teaches the truth about God. But rather than remain vague with these terms, he goes deeper into a confession of faith that is based solely on God's revelation in Christ.

Monty Python had a skit called the Spanish Inquisition in which people were forced to "confess..." and then subsequently tortured with comfy cushions and feathers. The word "confess" and "confession" have make us feel uneasy and is misunderstood. But Scripture invites us to confess for the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God.

Jesus commands, "Go make disciples baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching to obey all I have commanded you." Carrying out the commissioning, the Apostles did exactly that. Paul teaches that Baptism is a washing through God's Word, which cleanses us and makes us God's own children. God has "signed, sealed and delivered" our salvation through word and water.

The Lord's Supper, also known as the Sacrament of the Altar, or Communion, is where our Lord meets us one on one in his outpost int he Kingdom. Everything that goes on inside a Christian congregation is where his power and glory and promises are made. Here he promises, through His Word, "take eat this is my body; take drink this is my blood." to be present for the believer with the forgiveness of sins. But, St. Paul warns, if you do not believe His words, you take this meal to your judgement for not knowing and discerning Christ's body and blood in the bread and wine. Our meditation centers on faith in the words of Christ.

This closing to the Lord's Prayer blesses and glorifies God. It shows who is in control in this world, and who leads the Christian in spiritual warfare. In the prayer we ask for all we need to live our lives in the world, and reminds us in this closing that within the four walls of worship, we are an outpost of the kingdom of God.