After briefly explaining the context, we begin a discussion on the peace that Jesus offers and how unique and different it is from anything the world can offer.

In this message we look at three parallels that I believe really help us as believers in Christ to understand what is going on in these sacred verses, 1) Jesus’ life from the Father/ our life from Jesus 2) Jesus’ union with the Father/ our union with Jesus 3) Jesus’ love and obedience to the Father/ our call to love and obey Jesus.

In our text this morning Jesus gives us a powerful word. It is a word that casts off fear and anxiety. In this message we look at how we are to understand and apply this word that we may find security in an hour when so much fear, insecurity, and anxiety abound.

In our text Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” In this message we look at these words to discover 1) what Jesus means by being glorified 2) how is Jesus glorified right then and there 3) how Jesus is glorified 4) how the Father is glorified 5) what the practical implications are for those of us who believe.

The virgin birth of Christ is one of the cardinal non-negotiable truths of Christianity and it is an integral part of the Christmas season. The goal of this message is two-fold: 1) to show how to develop and defend the doctrine of the virgin birth 2) to be brought into the joy and wonder of this great truth.

The title, “A Powerful Apologetic,” needs some introduction. By “apologetic” I mean a defense of the biblical faith. The title could alternatively be: “A Powerful Defense.” But I leave it as it is because it is 1) a defense given by Jesus 2) a defense of Christ’s claim to be none other than Yahweh–The Great I Am. Jesus gave this apologetic to His disciples to strengthen them through a dark hour and He has recorded these things for us to strengthen us the same.

In Mark 1:15 Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.” The kingdom has arrived because the King has arrived. But what kind of kingdom is it? And what are the people of this kingdom to be like? Our text speaks volumes to these important questions. In this message we look at what kind of kingdom community Jesus creates in order to both inform and challenge.

Unfortunately, Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet has been seen by many simply as a lesson in humility and service. But when the passage is developed we see how it symbolizes the Love, Sovereignty, and Humility displayed by Christ at the cross. When Jesus bows down to wash the disciples feet, the Holy Sovereign stoops down to personally cleanse the filthy. In the same way, when Jesus goes to the cross, the Holy One dies to cleanse the filthy.

Our text this morning is about a reversal: 1) Elizabeth, who was reproached and barren has been exalted 2) Mary, an obscure young peasant has been greatly blessed 3) the humble have been exalted 4) the hungry have been filled 4) every believer has been raised from spiritual death to be seated with Christ in the heavenly places. And contrariwise 1) the proud have been scattered 2) the mighty have been brought down 3) the rich have been emptied. In this message we see this all centers on our proximity (union) with Jesus.

For some, Christmastime can be very painful. And I am afraid this year this describes a lot of us. When you know there will be empty seats at the Christmas table the sound of joy can be like fingernails down a chalkboard. In this message we look at how the arrival of Jesus can transport us above this grief and loss.