"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

What a comfort to know that on the night he was betrayed and arrested–with the weight of the world crushing his heart–Jesus Christ the Son of God was praying for us. What a comfort to know that while the world is falling apart around us he is seated at the right hand of God and still praying for you and for me!

As baptized Christians (washed with water and the word) we have one massive responsibility: Dwell in Christ. We must be intentional and deliberate about centering our heart, mind, soul, and body on Christ or else we will be cut off.

The Spirit incorporates us in the body, arranges us in the body, and mixes us together in the body for the glory of Christ and the good of his church.

Marriage is an eternal mystery revealed in space-time history in the union and communion of Christ and the church.

There are many ways to tell our story, but the best way is to tell it in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that is what we do with this sermon. God is a Gardener, and we are his Garden.

Imagine what your life and world would be like if Jesus was not raised from the dead. If the grave/tomb is stronger that Jesus, what are the consequences?

Today, in lieu of a sermon, I want to present a eulogy for the triune God. [Note: This eulogy is an original mash-up of scriptures, fragments of my recent sermon on Acts 17, studies in Ephesians 1, recent thoughts on union with Christ, and portions of the Westminster Confession of Faith.]

As we make our way through the text let’s keep in mind the story of the Exodus. Jesus is the true and better Moses who delivers God's people from slavery and leads them on an exodus to the promise land. We are the true and better Israel who are following Christ out of the present evil age, across the blood-water sea, through the wasteland, all the way into paradise.

True pastoral ministry is shaped by the gospel of union and communion with Christ.