This is now our third message for this advent season and we have been following the music. And as we turn to Luke chapter two the music gets louder as we are confronted by an army of angels forming a choir and singing what the church has historically called the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” In this message we follow this high song of praise straight to the source of this praise—Jesus Christ. And this is really reflective of what the Christian faith is—praise to God through Christ.

As we continue through what the church has historically called “advent” we come to what many call “The Benedictus.” The Benedictus, named after the first word of Zechariah’s prophecy in the Latin translation, means Blessed. As we have said before, a few scholars have likened these addresses or songs as an aria in which the reader or hearer is enabled to bask in the significance of what has just happened. In this message we join in this aria, taking in the significance of the great things the Lord is doing, namely, ushering in the Messianic age. One of the great lessons from this is: We are redeemed to serve.

As we continue through what the church has historically called “advent” we come to what many call “The Magnificat.” The Magnificat, named after the first word of Mary’s address in the Latin translation, means magnify. A few scholars have likened these addresses or songs, as an aria in which the reader or hearer is enabled to bask in the significance of what has just happened. In this message we join in this aria, taken in the significance of the great announcement of Jesus coming into the world.

With the season of Thanksgiving upon us we turn to a great Psalm of thanksgiving. In this message we focus on the Psalmists resolve to proclaim words of thanksgiving before the entire cosmos. And though the journey may seem at times like a rigorous hike the summit we reach will reward all who take the trek!

For decades the evangelical church has done evangelism around the question "Are you saved?" While this is a crucial question, it has had a tendency to eclipse and even extinguish discipleship. Peter's restoration provides a great corrective to this. As Peter is restored, he is at the same time called to serve the church. In this message we see this applies to all believers.

It is well known that Peter betrayed Jesus three times on that night Jesus was arrested. And often times we can be be very harsh in our estimate of Peter's conduct. In this message we look to the extended context of Peter's denial and restoration. As we do so, we see Jesus takes the initiative to explain, protect and restore His wayward disciple.

One of the great mysteries concerning Jesus' resurrection is at first even Jesus' closest disciples fail to recognize Him. Lots of complicated and sophisticated arguments have been put forward to why that is. In this message we discover that a very clear and life transforming truth is often missed in all of this, namely, that even though we don't recognize Him, Jesus is nevertheless present. From there we begin to look at how we can have a more tangible communion with Jesus.

In this text Jesus Reveals Himself to His gathered disciples now for the third time. In this message we build on what we learned in part one to see how we know Christ to be present with us and how to anticipate His loving care.

This passage is the text in which the famous phrase “doubting Thomas” originates: a phrase used to describe anything from skepticism to agnosticism and atheism. Because we are prone to read these ideas into the text, in this message we go back and retrace the footsteps of the disciples from the upper room to the cross and Jesus post resurrection appearances. We also look at Thomas’ world view in order to understand where Thomas is really at as he hesitates to believe Jesus is alive. What we discover is a great antidote for crushed hope.

This is now the third time the risen Savior has appeared to His disciples. In this message we look at the advantages of Jesus' departure for us today.