Everyone I’ve met who has weird, creepy, stupid theology – that they need to be more Jewish to be better Christians, or that some Christians are too judgmental because Christians believe the marriage bed should be between a man and a woman, or kept pure before a wedding – I can tell you, 85% of the time, if not more, those people who try to defend themselves will then say, “Look at these teachings. Look at these websites,” or they’ll look to some quote from some teacher outside of Jesus, outside of the Bible! That’s not remaining in Him.

This is how we face suffering. We reset our perspective. “Paul, how can you willingly go into suffering?” Because it’s not about me. It’s not about my comfort. My convenience. It’s about the good news of God’s grace! God’s grace is food for the hungry, care for the helpless, redemption and freedom for the slaves-to-sin, regeneration for the dead in trespasses! And when a heart is set on the Gospel, suddenly the need to bring God and His grace and His Gospel outweighs the risk of danger!

This is how we face suffering. We reset our perspective. “Paul, how can you willingly go into suffering?” Because it’s not about me. It’s not about my comfort. My convenience. It’s about the good news of God’s grace! God’s grace is food for the hungry, care for the helpless, redemption and freedom for the slaves-to-sin, regeneration for the dead in trespasses! And when a heart is set on the Gospel, suddenly the need to bring God and His grace and His Gospel outweighs the risk of danger!

NOTE: Recorded at Kamiah Valley View Church of the Nazarene, 5/1/22, where Pastor Kevin had been invited for a baby dedication, and to preach. Scriptures are out of the HCSB primarily. Woodland Friends heard a bell choir the same morning.

The same world that hates Jesus because He testifies its works are evil, and hated Him first before His disciples, is the same world that God sent His Son to die for. We too, though not of the world, are sent into the world!

NOTE: Recorded at Kamiah Valley View Church of the Nazarene, 5/1/22, where Pastor Kevin had been invited for a baby dedication, and to preach. Scriptures are out of the HCSB primarily. Woodland Friends heard a bell choir the same morning.

The same world that hates Jesus because He testifies its works are evil, and hated Him first before His disciples, is the same world that God sent His Son to die for. We too, though not of the world, are sent into the world!

This Eutychus guy. You want to know what his name means? Fortunate. Lucky. Of course it does. Now some commentators have gotten really stuffy, and high and mighty with this picture. “Here’s why you shouldn’t fall asleep in sermons.” You know, “Eutychus gives the lamest picture, the poorest example, the lowest illustration – just, sleeping through sermons. Don’t do it.” It’s past midnight! Give him a break! I don’t think Luke nor the Holy Spirit had in mind to embarrass folks who sleep in sermons here. I just don’t think that was rating high on their priority list here. I could be wrong.

This Eutychus guy. You want to know what his name means? Fortunate. Lucky. Of course it does. Now some commentators have gotten really stuffy, and high and mighty with this picture. “Here’s why you shouldn’t fall asleep in sermons.” You know, “Eutychus gives the lamest picture, the poorest example, the lowest illustration – just, sleeping through sermons. Don’t do it.” It’s past midnight! Give him a break! I don’t think Luke nor the Holy Spirit had in mind to embarrass folks who sleep in sermons here. I just don’t think that was rating high on their priority list here. I could be wrong.

While the Resurrection terrifies some, it’s reassuring for others! While it’s an earthquake and the living dead for some, it’s a startling quake to wake up sleeping believers for others. Joseph Benson, writes: The resurrection of Christ, which is the terror and confusion of his enemies, is the joy and consolation of his friends; the ground of their confidence and hope, and the source of their comfort and felicity, for time and eternity.

While the Resurrection terrifies some, it’s reassuring for others! While it’s an earthquake and the living dead for some, it’s a startling quake to wake up sleeping believers for others. Joseph Benson, writes: The resurrection of Christ, which is the terror and confusion of his enemies, is the joy and consolation of his friends; the ground of their confidence and hope, and the source of their comfort and felicity, for time and eternity.

It’s interesting to me that Jesus is appointing a substitution from the Cross. No longer would the God-Man be the Son for Mary, but Jesus appoints another Son, a brother of His in the faith for Mary, and Jesus appoints, yes, a mother for John. And there is this substitution happening. And without clear words, nevertheless in symbolism, in a sign, John likes to use signs, at the Cross, we are reminded that believers in Jesus are recipients of a substitution.