Tabernacle

The Gospel is full of surprises.  Did you know that Jesus was a wealth advisor?  He warned us against investing in things that will lose value, and He was bullish on what is truly, eternally valuable.  Most people think serious Christians shouldn’t care about money, but Jesus says that money is one of the most important indicators of our spiritual health.  Without apology, He tells us to gather treasure, true treasure, and keep it secure.

It is my great pleasure to welcome Dr. Philip Smuland to the pulpit today. Phil grew up in Texas. He began his ministry as an associate pastor in California, Phil and his wife Rhonda Ann then saw God work in extraordinary ways in Virginia where he shepherded a church for 18 years. Phil currently serves as a chaplain and ministers to our overseas pastors and leaders with Advancing Native Missions. I had the privilege to sit under his preaching as a college student and the Lord used this to greatly grow my faith and my understand of grace. May God bless him today as he proclaims the glorious good news once again.

What do we do after Christmas?  Now that all of the hubbub has died down, what is our posture as disciples?  Let’s remember that Advent was not only a time to remember the longing for and amazement at Christ’s first coming, but to ready ourselves for Christ’s second coming.  What do we do as we wait for Jesus to return?

What do you do with bad news?  Bad news is no fun to share.  What do you do with good news?  Good news is lots of fun to pass along!  The Gospel is God’s “good news” about real facts and events and pronouncements about future events that will bless every single person who takes them to heart.  Maybe it’s been a while since the Gospel was more than just news to you.  Maybe this Christmas it can be good again!

The message is all around us: “Christmas is the happiest time of the year.” It is the season for love and giving. It is a time of peace on earth and good will towards man. Many of us may view Christmas in this light. However, for some of us, this is a season of pain and loss. Or it is a season full of busyness and stress. How do we balance these two extremes? We need to remember the purpose of that first Christmas morn. Jesus came to save sinners. He came to make all things new and to set all things right. He came to suffer and to die. That is why we celebrate. And as we remember and reflect upon the beauty of the incarnation, we will be blessed!

What is the goal of the Gospel?  In other words, why did Jesus come?  On the macro, cosmic level, He came to make all things new and to restore His creation.  On the individual, personal level, why did He save you?  So you can flourish and feel better about yourself?  So you can go to heaven when you die?  No doubt those things come to us as benefits of the Gospel, but there’s something even more fundamental.  He came to be with us.

Advent comes with an invitation: “Let every heart prepare Him room”.  Our 2018 Advent series will focus on the Gospel’s Promise, Prophecy, Purpose, and Proclamation.  We need this.  Today, we need to hear the Promise of God’s forgiveness, of His love for us even when we are not so loveable.  He loves us at

our worst, and promises to keep loving us to the end.

What’s better than a good shepherd?  How about more good shepherds?  God’s design for the sheep is that they have healthy leadership who remind the sheep of the character and mission of our Good Shepherd, Jesus.  In addition, God’s design for disciples is that we become more and more like Jesus, reminding each other of the character and mission of our Good Shepherd, Jesus.  See the overlap?

Looking forward to your best turkey ever?  Some seek the golden degree of roasted perfection, right out of the oven.  Others risk a three-alarm Thanksgiving, frying their fowl.  Last year I smoked that bird ‘til it was mighty awesome.  And let’s not leave out the tofurky crowd, who seek an alternative sort of awesomeness on their platter.  Nobody wants a ho-hum Thanksgiving.  Glory is the goal!  Ever wonder why?

Authority is something that makes us nervous, especially because we see how often those in authority misuse it.  Like it or not, we are all under authority.  Like it or not, many of us wield some sort of authority.  How can we have a healthy regard for authority, especially since it something God has instituted for our flourishing?  As you might expect, we need the Gospel to help us.