Thanks to Mark Hartley for leading the congregation in a study of Esther 4!

We didn't gather just for some ok news, even for some good things, but for great news, someone and something in a category beyond all others. It was told in the house of Roman soldier named Cornelius. And it was written down that we might also hear great news.

On this Good Friday, we're invited into the life of Abraham, approximately four thousand years ago, where the Lord provided for Abraham and for us all in a way that he and we might not expect.

When Jesus told Peter that he would "build his church", he intended to build an assembly, a community that would be marked by their activities in a few crucial areas; areas that, if the Church doesn't do them, no one else will.

When Jesus told Peter that "upon this rock I will build my church", what kind of church was Jesus intending to build. Scripture gives us several pictures. Join us in God's art gallery as we look at his work of art, the Church.

The disciples have rightly identified the Hero of Israel, the Christ, the Son of the living God. And they have been told of an incredible plan of Jesus to gather his people together. And just as visions of grandeur began to fill their minds, Jesus says that the unthinkable must happen, and that his disciples must follow him where they did not expect to go.

One of the most momentous moments in human history is contained in this passage, a world-shaping, identity revealing moment.

Sometimes when we don't "get it", we can just laugh about it and move on. But there are some times when as followers of Jesus, we just can't "not get it". Too much is at stake. That is true of us, and it was true of the first disciples as Jesus gave them an unforgettable warning.

Can we see what's really going on? How do we interpret what's going on? We need the sign of the times.

When the power of the Kingdom of heaven comes, it doesn't stay in the expected bounds. It overflows and all who come are satisfied.