Theme of the Day: Against the Rock of Grace, Condemnation Is Crushed We assume people get what they deserve. We assume what goes around comes around. We assume God helps those who helps themselves. And all those assumptions must be crushed. Got does not operate on the principle of merit but of grace. Like gravity, […]
Theme of the Day: Against the Rock of Faithful Presence, False Security Is Crushed Where is God? This is one of human beings’ most frequently-asked and incorrectly-answered questions. We are tempted to believe that evidence of God’s presence is found in outward circumstances. We equate good fortune with God’s favor and bad fortune with his […]
Theme of the Day: Against the Rock of Determination, Shortcuts Are Crushed Last week we talked about temptation. This week we see what is at the center of every temptation: a promise of a shortcut to glory. Even in a world as sharply divided as ours, there is near universal agreement that the preferred path […]
Theme of the Day: Against the Rock of Obedience, Temptation Is Crushed It was a custom known as “battle by champion.” Two opposing armies would each send out their best warrior to fight each other. That is what we see this week. The demons send their champion: Satan. Humanity’s best warrior, Jesus Christ, steps forward […]
Theme of the Day: Glory Uncovered: When It Is Most Hidden, It Is Most On Display Throughout Epiphany, we have seen that God must uncover for us the truths that could not be discovered by us. As this season ends, we are presented with a twist. For God’s glory to be revealed, it actually must […]
Theme of the Day: Equipping Christian Witnesses Luke 24:44-48 Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 10:11-17 Psalm 96 498 – Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire 573 – Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying 314 – O Living Bread from Heaven 317 – O Lord, We Praise You 318 – Sent Forth by God’s Blessing Prayer of […]
Theme of the Day: Definitions Uncovered: Blessings Are Cursed; Curses Are Blessed When someone is new to something, there is a period of orientation. For example, when someone takes up a new game or sport, they need to first learn the rules. Likewise, when someone is a new disciple of Jesus, a period of orientation […]
Theme of the Day: Reactions Uncovered: Love Your Enemies; Overcome Evil With Good Last week we saw that the governing principles of Christ’s kingdom initially seem upside down. This week we see that truth in how Christ would have us react to those who wrong us or oppose us. Jesus asks us to befriend our […]
Theme of the Day: Agenda Uncovered: What Must Be Said, Not What Others Want To Hear Last week we saw that there can be a temptation to alter the message we proclaim to avoid apparent failure and rejection. This week we see that there is also a temptation to alter the message we proclaim because […]
Theme of the Day: Reception Uncovered — Rejection Is Not the Exception But the Rule When one proclaims God’s Word, typically the intentions are good. We want others to know the joy of salvation and the love of Christ. Therefore, it can be surprising to us when God’s Word is met with apathy or rejection […]
