Heritage Bible Church

When a king is coronated, the people hang on every word and every move. These highly symbolic events are planned and carried out with meticulous care. No small part of a king's coronation is the processional. In Luke 19:28–48 we witness the arrival of heaven's king to earth, David's greater Son, and the one to bring true peace.

What kind of king is Jesus? World events in recent days remind us that kings of this world have their ways: force, coercion, killing. There are better and worse kings. But the pattern is remarkably consistent. Jesus' last parable before entering Jerusalem makes a statement about the kind of king he is for us. He is the kind of king who brings his kingdom through crucifixion—not of others but of himself. He suffers for his people and we love him for it.

Among the most central questions in the Christian life is this: What exactly do you believe about the Bible? Whether you've been reading the Bible regularly for decades, or have just begun to develop the spiritual habit, what you believe about the Scriptures will determine what you profit from reading them. In Psalm 119:105-112 we will see the example of the Psalmist, who shows us that the Bible is more than words on a page. It's light shining on our path, life in the face of death, and the joy of our hearts, forever.

Our children often ask us "why". In fact, at this time of year as we're interacting with children of a certain age, we've probably had many of these conversations in the last few days! As we arrive at this last week together through the Christmas season, we'll look to Paul's letter once again as he tells the Galatians "why". Why did the eternal Son leave heaven? Why did he take on a human nature? Why did he go to the cross and to what end was the redemption he accomplished? Paul seems intent on telling God's children the "why" behind it all. In Galatians 4:1-7 we will look at the purpose underlying the incarnation and the joy that propels us to praise and glorify God!

Baby Jesus can't help us. He was, humanly speaking, quite helpless at that time himself, helped in life by the very ones he made. And, yes, by the very people he came to save. For, God did not send his Son into the world to become a baby. According to Galatians 4:4–5, he sent his Son, "born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law." He obeyed where we did not and he suffered the law's curse that we rightly deserve.

What's so special about being born of a woman? Aren't we all? Yes, and that's Paul's point when he wrote in Galatians 4:4, "God sent forth his Son, born of woman." But what about Mary? Does this passage teach the virgin birth? And why does the incarnation of the eternal Son set Christianity apart from every other system of thought and religion?

We're used to hearing, "Jesus is the reason for the season." True enough. But what is the reason for Jesus? Galatians 4:4–5 is a pregnant verse that addresses this question: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." In this first sermon in a four-part series we explore the phrase, "God sent forth his Son." What does it mean that God has a son, and that he sent his Son? Why do we need this kind of savior in the first place?

Do spiritual people give thanks differently than natural, God-fearing humans? How might we end Thanksgiving weekend not simply as thankful Americans but as Christ-grateful Christians? Psalm 30 gives us a remarkable glimpse into how one deeply religious man became arrogant in his prosperity, was humbled in great losses, cried out to God for help, and learned afresh to thank his Lord as a spiritual, rescued man.

The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus is a children's Sunday School favorite and for good reason. Zacchaeus is little and so are kids. Zacchaeus wanted a look at Jesus and wouldn't we all? Maybe. This story in Luke 19:1-10 comes at a crossroads in Luke's gospel account and in our lives as hearers.

It seems inevitable that our eyesight goes bad. Usually around age forty. These days there are a few solutions to ensure good eyesight until old age. But our spiritual seeing problems are a different matter. We are born blind, unable to see ourselves rightly, God for who he is, or Christ for all he has done for sinners. Blindness is a deliberately chosen metaphor for our spiritual condition since the blind cannot heal themselves. In Luke 18:31–43 we come to the last stop before Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. There he makes a final prediction concerning his death and resurrection and shows his powers of spiritual healing for one last miracle before the cross.