God pulls no punches in describing the pre-flood condition of humanity in Genesis 6. “Every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” and “Now the earth was corrupt…and filled with violence.” This is not a world ripe with potential while drifting and morally confused. It’s a world full of decay and collapsing on itself. And it’s a world that must be blotted out and then renewed. What lessons is God showing us from this heartbreaking section of Scripture? He is giving us a pattern to understand history and our own heart if we’re paying attention.

God created human beings with limits. We must eat. We need sleep. We require healthy relational boundaries and clear parameters to live well. We can’t function without them. But if we’re honest, we despise them—just like our ancestors in Genesis 6. The first eight verses of that chapter uncover an ancient world engrossed in violating boundaries and crossing lines. Their sins provoked a world-wide flood of judgment. But if we look closely, we’ll also see God’s grace.

When do you feel the most confident? Is it when you look your best? When you're surrounded by people who like you? When you've accomplished something great? The human heart is prone to place confidence in all the wrong things. This Sunday at GraceLife we'll follow the theme of boasting and confidence from the prophet Jeremiah to the apostle Paul.  Join us to see how God brings good news that corrects our upside-down and inside-out approach to confidence.

As you read the New Testament, especially the book of Acts, it’s clear that the church plays a central role in God’s mission to a dark, broken, sinful world. What is that mission? To deliver the saving message of Jesus Christ; to be the “pillar and buttress of truth.” The proclamation of the Gospel is critical in that mission. One of the reasons the apostles and elders remained devoted to that mission was because they refused to let it get hijacked—even by legitimate needs. They kept their priority straight. One of the means for protecting that priority was a special group of humble, devoted servants called Deacons who served and met practical needs in the church.

There’s a stirring movie scene where a Japanese emperor asks a captured soldier to tell him how the last Samurai Warrior died. The soldier, played by Tom Cruise, responds, “I will tell you how he lived.” His point was not to minimize the courage with which the warrior faced his death, but the honor in which he conducted his life. Genesis 5 is often rushed through or skipped altogether in daily readings—and sermons!—because it’s a lengthy genealogy. A family tree. But there are riches to be mined in the careful way Moses tells us, not only the deaths of Adam’s family, but their life. What Do You Want on Your Tombstone?

A plot twist that always resonates with an audience is the underestimated hero revealing his true colors. He is finally seen and admired for who he is. Jesus has been massively underestimated—by both his enemies and his followers. The book of Revelation was written to correct that mistake and unveil Him. Within three paragraphs, we behold Jesus as the Resurrected Victor, Reigning Sovereign, and Returning King. The suffering lamb is transformed into the conquering Lion of Judah. The early church needed that vision for what was coming. We need it too.

As a new year dawns we find another opportunity to reflect on the daily paths we walk and to reconsider God’s invitation to walk “The Ancient Paths”—with Him. His offer is not to add him to a loose list of resolutions, but to enter his fellowship, experience his presence, and enjoy his rest more deeply. Will you consider his offer?

Good news still stops us in our tracks: a clean scan, a new job, a baby on the way, an offer accepted. We live for it. And we rarely hear it. Christmas begins with good news—the greatest news. The Gospels are filled with joy: shepherds running, wise men rejoicing, Mary pondering, Simeon blessing God, and John leaping in the womb. Why all the excitement? Because our Savior is born. Nothing else can save us—not money, health, success, or family. Jesus has come.