We all suffer from heart trouble.

The prophet Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" As sinners living in a world corrupted by sin, the heart troubles extend far beyond our own context. It is a worldwide epidemic. And we don't have the cure... but Jesus certainly does.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me." These comforting words of our Savior came in the final moments before his darkest hour. As the disciples enjoyed what they didn't realize was their final Passover with the Messiah, the confusion began to set in as Judas fled in haste and Jesus spoke of betrayal. But then comes one of the most comforting sections in Scripture.

Jesus knew. He knew what lay ahead for him, and he knew why He had to do it. He loved his disciples... He loves us. Jesus calmed the uneasy hearts of the disciples by reminding them that HE ALONE was the Way, Truth, and Life! Resting securely in the arms of our Savior is resting in the arms of our God. His powerful Word consoles us with the proclamation of sins forgiven, peace with God, and life eternal in the Father's House. Let us always take comfort in the promise spoken by our Savior!

The image is woven through countless pages of Scripture. There are few verses as well-known as the first line of David's pastoral psalm, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Good Shepherd Sunday is not simply an opportunity to sing familiar and beloved songs; it is a reminder of the beautiful, comforting picture of the relationship between God and His people. A relationship founded, restored, and maintained by our Good Shepherd.

Listen to this Good Shepherd Sunday sermon and realize that we are indeed helpless sheep, but sheep who have been claimed, cared for, and given the gift of an eternal home with our God!

Redeemed – do we often think about the realities of this word?

When Peter wrote to the scattered Christians who were living out their lives of faith in a world opposed to the gospel, he reminded them of their status: redeemed. Peter offered both warning and comfort with this simple yet powerful word. He showed his fellow believers from what they had been redeemed and by what they had been redeemed.

Peter is quick to recall the "empty way of life handed down" from his listeners' ancestors. A life without the hope of Christ's life, death and resurrection is worthless! But Peter uses that grace filled word, redeemed, to show the change that had been brought about in their lives. They were no longer of the world, but now foreigners awaiting their true heavenly destination. And the comforting source of their redemption is highlighted with these words, "with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Peter reminds the redeemed that the ransom has been fully paid! Through the sufficient sacrifice of the Lamb of God, they had been bought back from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Redeemed was a present reality and a comfort for the future. Peter's words ring true today as we continue to sing the praises of the One who bought us with His own blood. Praise be to Christ! We ARE Redeemed!

"You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your holy one see decay."

From the pen of King David came this astounding prophecy about the future Messiah. Death would not... could not... hold him. Victory and life emerged from the tomb on Easter Sunday, and the message was just as clear on the pages of the psalm written by David. The Savior of the world has conquered... for us.

When we read the prophecies that fill the Old Testament with the richness of the gospel message, it is amazing to see the clarity of God's plan. It was no surprise to our Savior Jesus when he was arrested, led away to be beaten, mocked, and crucified. The pain of the cross and the humiliation of death played out exactly as God intended. The stunning display of power and victory on Easter morning was written on the pages of Scripture a thousand years before it took place. God had a plan — a plan to save, to redeem, to forgive.

Jesus IS exactly who he claimed to be. Jesus IS the victor, the living and reigning King, the Savior who made himself nothing to fulfill all righteousness. Because of Him, we are His.

The darkest hour ended in death.

The word that often makes us uncomfortable. The word that should sound so foreign, but because of sin is all too familiar. The word that was spoken by angels on Easter Sunday to proclaim, "No more!"

Although the women stood confused and astonished at the tomb where Jesus was laid, they had no reason to be surprised. This had happened exactly as Jesus had said it would happen. Death has been swallowed up in victory! The author of life commands death and defeated the curse of sin through his glorious resurrection! The angels joyfully comforted the women, "He is not here, he is risen!"

Easter Sunday is so much more than a prophecy fulfilled or a miracle of God – it is the comfort of life eternal. Death no longer looms over us as the "final sentence". Death does not hold us in fear. Death is not a dreadful end. Easter Sunday reminds us that death has been crushed, destroyed, conquered. Because He lives, we also will live – with Him, eternally, in joy and perfection in His glorious presence!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

It was the darkest hour.

The weight of the world's guilt upon his shoulders. The terrible and agonizing pain, scorn, mockery. The very Son of God hanging, suffering, dying. The blood flowing from head, hands, side. A loud cry as his head is bowed in death. Darkness.

And yet, what amazing love – what incredible grace. The guilt of the world's sin taken willingly. The pain and mockery endured in perfect submission to the Father's will. The torment of the punishment for sin being fully realized through his sacrifice. HIs head is bowed in death... for you.

The darkest hour in all of history stands as the clearest testament of God's love. Justice has been satisfied. Peace with God has been won. Forgiveness flows from the blood of our Savior shed on Calvary. Salvation is ours through Christ!

What wondrous love is this, O my Soul!

"I saw heaven standing open, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True..."

The vision that John saw and recorded in Revelation was quite different than the scene that played out on Palm Sunday. Both, however, describe the exact same Savior and King whom we honor and praise. The humble and lowly King we see entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is the same righteous and victorious King of Kings atop the white horse in John's vision. Our Savior, the King, brings peace and justice.

As the one who speaks the truth of God's Word, our Savior cuts through the lies and deception of this sinful world. He exposes the darkness of rebellion and the depravity of sin, showing that only perfection can dwell in God's presence.

But what did John also witness when his Savior rode a humble animal into the city that would soon sentence him to death? He witnessed the peace that Jesus promised to bring. The King of Kings himself took on flesh to dwell with us. The one who holds all power and authority stepped down from his heavenly throne to become a servant, to carry the burden of our sin, to endure the suffering and pain of the perfect justice of God... so that we might have peace through his blood.

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday did not show a weak King. It displayed the incomprehensible love of the greatest King - our Savior. The praises from the crowd pointed to the promised King, the King who would suffer, die, and rise again to bring peace and righteousness. Hosanna to the King!

The hints are there. Jesus' words and actions paint a clear picture of what is to come. Mary and Martha stand confused, until..... "Lazarus, come out!"

When Jesus called to his dear friend and restored life as only God can do, the crowd was rightfully amazed. The dead don't just rise and walk out of the tomb after several days - except by the power and command of the eternal God. Jesus was sending a clear and powerful message: he had the authority, he was the very Son of God, he would do an even greater miracle. Jesus assured those with him that day as he assures listeners two thousand years later - there is Life after death.

We know that the grave is not the "final resting place" for those who trust in the One who has power over death. The joys of an eternity in God's presence and love await his children. As Jesus showed the crowd a sneak peek of what was to come by raising Lazarus from the dead, we too receive a sure promise of our future in the life to come. Our Savior has given us that assurance.

What could be more astounding than the abrupt change from absolute darkness to a flood of light, color, and the breathtaking beauty of God's creation? If you asked the man whom Jesus healed in John 9, the answer might be, "Well, nothing.... except the Savior revealing himself to me personally, lovingly, simply."

The man born blind had quite the day. From societal obscurity to the talk of the town, the man received more attention than he or his parents seemed to want. All because a life-changing miracle had been performed on the Sabbath. Jesus' enemies were not only blind to the true meaning of the "day of rest"; they were also blind to Jesus' identity and mission.

The message Jesus communicated through his miracle was far more than a display of divine power - it was an indication of divine purpose. The Son of Man had come to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The blind man receiving his sight was surely a display of God's work, but one that pointed to the greatest work: a Savior for lost sinners.

As we read the truth of God's Word, let us rejoice in the amazing light that breaks through the darkness! Through the Holy Spirit's power, our eyes have been opened to the amazing grace of our God. "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!"

Where is the foundation of our hope?

Human nature likes to build hope upon skills, abilities, and the work and effort that has been dedicated to achieve a particular goal. But no matter how hard we try, no matter how long we focus on the outcome of our efforts, there is always uncertainty. Doubt lingers in the corner of our minds. Why? We are imperfect; we are prone to failure; we are sinful. How much more does the weak foundation of human hope show its cracks than under the hammer of God's law?

This is why Paul invited the Christians in Rome and invites us as well to build our hope on the eternal and solid foundation of Christ. Through the sacrifice our Savior made, the price that he paid, and the perfection that he lived, we have hope — a sure and certain hope that will not disappoint. We have God's own promise of forgiveness and life.

Paul not only encourages this perfect hope, but he tells us to Rejoice! We can rejoice in every situation, including our own troubles and trials, because we know that God uses even the most difficult times in our lives to bring us to Him! In the darkest of days, the certain hope of the cross of Christ shines brightest! Rejoice in Christian Hope!