St. Paul Lutheran Church, Matteson, Illinois & Pastor Troester

Judges starts after the death of Joshua, the leader who brought the people into the land Promised by God, and conquered Jericho, where now they are to take the land God gave them.

The closing instruction, warnings and blessings of God through Paul to the Christians in the church which Paul planted in Corinth.

Paul defending his message and ministry among the people, that he is teaching the truth about Jesus Christ and offering this free of charge.

We want to be commended by Christ, most of all, and be found faithful to Him.

God gives us the gift of giving, motivated by His giving first to us the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life, which comes out in the Christian life.

The gift of Christian giving.

Christians learn that godly sorrow over sin leads to repentance which leads us back to God and to forgiveness.

We are in ministry as Ambassodors for Christ to show others how Jesus has redeemed us and given us life.

Believers in the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins are heirs of heaven, who lived now to love God and all others.

While there is much in this life that cause us to "lose heart", as we focus not on what we see, but on the unseen power and gifts we have in Jesus Christ.