Genesis 22:1-18

This Lent we are examining some of the assumptions we might be guilty of making when it comes to religion, even our own.

“If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. The truth is, they’re not. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests as a way to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good!

Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love. That’s a false assumption! Instead, they are examples of God’s love! Proof is that God allowed his beloved Son, Jesus, to face trials and temptations so that he might be our perfect Savior and substitute.

The potential promotion at work. The third date, which will signal if there is real potential in this relationship. The test this Friday, which will determine if you make honor roll or not. The game on Sunday with the playoffs on the line. So many things compete for our attention! It’s easy to think of religion as just another of many activities to cram into our schedules. Sometimes, perhaps, the schedule is just too crowded. 

So, Jesus lovingly whispers in our ear, “Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.” Those are the words spoken as a dead body is planted in the ground. The reality is that our time in this world is so short. After comes eternity, spent in one of two very different places. Jesus wants us to grasp that somber truth so we rethink where he should fall among our priorities. Death can come at any time. So now is the time to cling to Christ in true repentance. Not later. Now. There is no higher priority!

On Ash Wednesday, we face the uncomfortable truth because we need to wake up, repent, and cling to God’s wonderful promises.

Mark 9:2-9

Do we take it for granted that Jesus is God? Do we realize exactly the magnitude of this truth? It should terrify us that all the glory of God belongs to Jesus as true God, but because of his love, we don't have to fear. Instead, we find joy and hope even in the darkest times when we see Jesus' glory on display.

1 Peter 5:6-11

It's important to know your own strength! As we learn more about Jesus we learn more about ourselves as well. When we look at Jesus, we see our strength.

Mark 1:21-28

No one likes to be stuck with a customer service agent who doesn't have the authority to actually fix the problem. We hate to do it, but that's when we have to ask for the manager.

Early in his ministry, it became abundantly clear that Jesus had the ultimate, unlimited authority that can only belong to God. When we see Jesus, we see a Savior who has the authority to command demons out of the possessed and to declare our sins forgiven. We have a Savior whose ultimate authority means we don't ever need to wonder or worry about whether or not all the good news he tells us could be true. It absolutely is! What joy!

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

"What was I made for?" is one of the biggest questions in life. Not knowing an answer to that can cause serious pain and even hopelessness, and so many of the things we find meaning and purpose in are only temporary.

Knowing Jesus is knowing a Savior who doesn't just reconcile us to our God, but who lovingly gives us a mission and purpose that is constant. Knowing Jesus is knowing your mission, and that can bring great peace and joy!

Romans 6:1-11

Often, substitutes are not quite as good as the real deal. When you arrive at a show and find out that the lead role is being performed by the understudy, you might feel a little disappointed. If you're going on vacation and need to leave someone in charge of your responsibilities, you might be a little worried that your job won't be done as well as it should while you're gone.

Today we see that Jesus is exactly the opposite as our substitute. At his baptism, God the Father declared his pleasure and satisfaction with Jesus. By our own baptisms, we're connected to Jesus, our perfect substitute, who pleased God in our place and died to pay for our sins, so that God's affirmation of love and pleasure are ours too!

Matthew 2:1-12

Does the joy of Christmas seem to end too quickly for you? If so, there is good news!

This Epiphany season we are looking at who the Bible reveals Jesus to be. As we do that, we'll see that it's impossible to know Jesus without also knowing true and lasting joy.

Today, we're talking about the three wise men. Do they really belong in your nativity? No! But should you keep them? Yes, because that's what Epiphany is all about. People like the magi, like you and me, people who don't belong, find belonging in Jesus, the Savior of the world!

Luke 2:22-40

The angel choir at Bethlehem sang to the shepherds about peace on earth, but it sure doesn't seem like the first Christmas actually accomplished this. Peace is wonderful and powerful and life changing, but it's hard to find and even harder to maintain...

...that is, if you're looking in all the wrong places like we so often do. In the gospel for the first Sunday after Christmas, we meet two faithful believers who found true peace in their Savior, peace we can enjoy as well, not just in heaven, but here on earth!

Isaiah 61:1-3,10,11

Christmas is a time of joy, but so often our joy fades quickly. The excitement of new presents fades, the company of friends and family turns into a burden and a lot to handle, the decorations eventually go back in their boxes. True, lasting joy is hard to find.

But not with Jesus! Our king comes to bring us perfect joy. Joy that never fades because it's connected to the love and power of a Savior who never fails. Joy that comes from knowing that we are free from our captivity to sin and clothed in God's own righteousness. This is the entire reason our Savior came: to bring us perfect joy!