Thomas VanderPloeg

Thinking about New Year’s resolutions for the church.

He shall be called Prince of Peace — Jesus is the Messiah who brings the restoration of shalom.

It is the third Sunday of Advent. The series of messages we are considering over this season is based on the titles which the prophet Isaiah gives to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 . Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will…

he shall be called mighty God — the Messiah who makes a way of salvation for his people where there appears to be no way for salvation to happen

He shall be called wonderful counselor — the Messiah who has restored us and our world to himself by his own authority, and continues to guide his people today by the presence of the Holy Spirit

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with a reminder that the kingdom of heaven comes with blessings; they are blessings which meet God’s people no matter where they are.

A time of worship for Thanksgiving Day

The kingdom of heaven is a gift made available through Jesus, but it is a gift that comes with expectations; how are those who receive the kingdom expected to respond?

Jesus tells a story that shows the kingdom of heaven is full of both equality and inequality at the same time.