Living Savior Podcast

Sunday's Focus Today we maintain our focus on the Lamb of God and on his cross. Why should something so simple, lowly, and even ugly keep our attention? Because nothing else in all the world can save. Careers and careful planning, friends and family, our best efforts and loftiest goals — none of those things can give us what we really need.

But Jesus can. Jesus has! We have been buried with him and raised with him in baptism, not because of anything we have done, but because of his saving work on the cross.

As with a spotlight on a stage or a flashlight in a dark hallway, light helps identify what otherwise could not be known. Likewise when Jesus launched onto the scene, God    identified him for all the world to see. Heaven opened, the Father spoke, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. At his baptism Jesus is not only identified as the Servant in whom God delights (Isaiah 42); he also identifies with us sinners and with our own baptism in his name. What is more, in baptism God identifies us as his children by connecting us to the forgiving and eternal life of his Son. We sing about these wonderful truths in today’s hymns. Two examples are as follows:

“Sin disturb my soul no longer! I am baptized into Christ!”

“When nothing else revives your soul, your baptism stands and makes you whole.”

As with a spotlight on a stage or a flashlight in a dark hallway, light helps identify what otherwise could not be known. Likewise when Jesus launched onto the scene, God    identified him for all the world to see. Heaven opened, the Father spoke, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. At his baptism Jesus is not only identified as the Servant in whom God delights (Isaiah 42); he also identifies with us sinners and with our own baptism in his name. What is more, in baptism God identifies us as his children by connecting us to the forgiving and eternal life of his Son. We sing about these wonderful truths in today’s hymns. Two examples are as follows:

“Sin disturb my soul no longer! I am baptized into Christ!”

“When nothing else revives your soul, your baptism stands and makes you whole.”

Few things are more necessary for life than light. It's no surprise that the very first thing God did when he created the world was pierce the primordial darkness with light. It's also no surprise that Jesus does the same thing. He illuminates our world of darkness with his beautiful, life-giving light. This wasn't true only when he walked the earth. He still breaks into our darkness and gives us new life as we bask in the light of his Word.

Today we see how Jesus is the light that draws. More than drawing Magi to the manger, Jesus still brings people to the brightness of his love and forgiveness. That’s what Epiphany is all about. Epiphany (from the Greek word for “manifestation” or “appearance”) is the second oldest festival of the Christian Church, observed continuously for about 18 centuries. Throughout these weeks, culminating with the Festival of Jesus’ Transfiguration, we celebrate how God made known Jesus’ identity as true God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.

Few things are more necessary for life than light. It's no surprise that the very first thing God did when he created the world was pierce the primordial darkness with light. It's also no surprise that Jesus does the same thing. He illuminates our world of darkness with his beautiful, life-giving light. This wasn't true only when he walked the earth. He still breaks into our darkness and gives us new life as we bask in the light of his Word.

Today we see how Jesus is the light that draws. More than drawing Magi to the manger, Jesus still brings people to the brightness of his love and forgiveness. That’s what Epiphany is all about. Epiphany (from the Greek word for “manifestation” or “appearance”) is the second oldest festival of the Christian Church, observed continuously for about 18 centuries. Throughout these weeks, culminating with the Festival of Jesus’ Transfiguration, we celebrate how God made known Jesus’ identity as true God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.

December 29, 2019 - Hendersonville Location Sermon - Isaiah 63:7-9 - “Christmas Is for the Children" by Living Savior

The calmness and pageantry of Christmas wears off quickly. Such was the case that first Christmas. Evil was in the world before the Son of God dwelled in flesh and was wrapped in a manger. Behind the wicked plans of King Herod is greater evil that sought to destroy God’s Son and salvation along with him. And it is for this reason that the Son of God came, to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8). Let us ponder this extended yet unprecedented Christmas story. See how unpredictably God preserved his Son and our salvation along with him.

December 25, 2019 - John 1:1-14 - Christmas Day Sermon by Pastor Paul Zell by Living Savior

December 24, 2019 - Christmas Eve Devotion - Part 2 - Luke 2 - Pastor Caleb Kurbis by Living Savior

December 24, 2019 - Christmas Eve Devotion - Part 1 - Luke 2 - Pastor Paul Zell by Living Savior