Titus 1:5-9

We naturally distrust self-appointed authorities, and easily question anyone who presumes to speak with any authority. We put them under the microscope and ask, "What gives you the right to say that to me?"

While it seems nice to say "to each their own," or "let's agree to disagree," this thinking has led to a world where everyone has their own truths These truths often contradict and it can begin to feel like no one has anything of any meaning.

That's where God steps in. He sends his ministers, both public and personal into the world with his own authority. In order to safeguard his image and the authority that they carry, God has specific qualifications for those who would serve as pastors.

Ezekiel 2:1-7

Christians have the greatest news to share: There is forgiveness, life, and salvation in Jesus! You might expect such wonderful news to be received with joy, eagerness, and thanks.

More often than not, however, that is not the reaction Christians experience as they share the life changing gospel that means so much to them. Instead of joy and thankfulness, they're met with rejection, animosity, and resentment.

There is a temptation to feel like our personal ministry is worthless and empty when it's received so poorly. Looking at Ezekiel's call, we see that our ministry is meaningful whether people respond the way we hope or not! God gives meaning to our ministry!

Mark 5:21-24a; 35-43

What might cause people to drive more recklessly, to spend more time tanning in the sun, and to be more aggressive toward people who don't share their world view?

It's not lead in the water. It might be the fear of death. Some social psychologists believe that the fear of death doesn't just effect our lives, it might sub-consciously be the main driving motivation behind everything we do!

As we reflect on Jesus' act of power and love for one family in grief, Christians are blessed with a different perspective on death–one that can only come from God. The top-down perspective on death relieves our fears and sets us free from slavery to fear so that we can be in control of our lives and live in peace and joy!

Mark 4:35-41

Assuming there is a god, there seem to be only two logical conclusions that explain the evils we face in the world. Evil happens because either God doesn't have the power to stop it, or because he just doesn't care enough to be bothered to stop it.

Jesus' actions one night on the Sea of Galilee show that neither is true. The "top-down" faith God has given us allows us to see that, despite all appearances, Jesus does have the power to control all the storms of life, and he does care for us perfectly!

Mark 4:26-34

All the great nations of earth have a lot in common in how they were established. It was force, conquest, power, wealth, and strength that built them. We might expect the greatest kingdom of all–God's kingdom–to grow with similar power and strength.

In two short parables, Jesus turns our understanding of how an empire or kingdom is grown upside-down.

God's kingdom grows in seemingly small and insignificant ways, but that's just how God likes to work. Jesus teaches us to trust that even though the gospel seed seems trivial and ineffective, it's what God uses to grow his mighty kingdom!

Genesis 3:8-15

From any outside perspective it looked like the devil had won. Adam and Eve had taken his word to heart and chose to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. Their act of defiance had driven a wedge between them and God.

Thousands of years later, on a hill, it looked like the devil was victorious again. The corpse of the Son of God–Eve's promised offspring–hung on a cross. His followers were dismayed, terrified, and scattered.

Still today it seems like the devil wins victory after victory. From the evil in the world, to the evil in the hearts of believers that bring us shame, it looks like the battle is all but lost.

However, all the way back in the garden, God made an announcement, not of defeat, not of concession, but of victory. Even as the world first plunged into sin, death, and evil, God was there to promise a light!

The devil does his worst. Jesus wins anyway!

Romans 8:12-17

Being a member of one family as opposed to another seems like luck of the draw. You might be born with the silver spoon in your mouth. You might be born into abject poverty. Today, on Holy Trinity Sunday, we see that the Triune God himself adopts us into his own family. It's no stroke of luck. By God's grace, we're his children, co-heirs with Christ, empowered by the spirit, and obligated to ourselves to live like it!

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-11

Even before he died, Jesus was busy preparing his disciples for the time when he wouldn't be with them physically. After his ascension, they had to adjust to a new reality–one that today's Christians have known as their entire existence–life in a world without Jesus physically present.

Even though Jesus ascended back to heaven in glory, he promised he would not leave his disciples alone. He would send the Holy Spirit as their Advocate, Guide, Counselor, Comforter, and more. On Pentecost, we celebrate the specific and spectacular fulfillment of that promise to the disciples.

Pentecost is also a celebration of the truth of that promise for every believer since. Jesus doesn't leave us alone. He sends his Holy Spirit to our side to comfort, guide, enlighten, and empower us!

Ephesians 4:7-16

Goodbyes are hard, and usually not a cause for celebration. The one you love is going to be far away, and you'll miss them, and all the good they bring into your life.

When Jesus ascended, it was a serious goodbye. It was the end of his earthly ministry, and never again would his disciples and followers get to see him face to face on this earth. It can seem like he is awfully far away.

However, the opposite is true. When we realize what Christ's ascension means, we realize that Jesus is actually closer and more active in our lives than ever!

John 15:9-17

The entirety of God’s Word can be summed up in one word: love. God’s Law is all about love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37,39). The gospel is all about love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16). From his compassion for the sick and broken, to his sacrificial death on the cross, to the peace he provided after his resurrection, Jesus was the perfect embodiment of love. Love is his business.

That means love is our business too. The resurrection reality is that with the same supernatural power by which God raised Jesus from the dead, God now also enables us to live a new life–one marked by radically selfless love. The motivation and ability to do this comes from seeing the endless love Christ has for us. We love only because he first loved us.