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!

2 Peter 3:8-14

When you have a guest on the way, it's nice to have an ETA. That way you can be sure to be prepared for their arrival. In Advent, we anticipate Jesus' arrival, but just like he didn't reveal exactly when he would be born in Bethlehem, Jesus hasn't provided an ETA for the last day either.

The devil and our sinful nature would love for us to be unprepared for Jesus' arrival, but God calls us to prepare. The key to being prepared is repentance - turning from our sins and trusting in our Savior.

Mark 11:1-11

How should we feel in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival? When you’re expecting someone’s arrival, your attitude and preparations will vary greatly depending on who they are and what they’re coming to do. As we begin another church year and prepare to celebrate the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus' life and ministry, we can get a glimpse of the big picture in the Palm Sunday Account. Jesus is our King, and he comes to save!

Matthew 25:31-46

On the last Sunday of the church year, we look forward to the Last Day. It could easily be a day we anticipate with fear, anxiety, and desperate acts of self-preservation. Thankfully, our Judge is also our Savior, who tells us exactly to expect. This knowledge turns the "time in between" from a time of dreadful anticipation to one of eager yearning and joyful service.