Theme of the Day: Rethinking Trials, Tests and Temptations “If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. They aren’t. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As The Son Of God In His Glory We began this worship series in the Jordan River. At his baptism, Jesus heard his Father’s glorious voice: “You are my Son, whom I love” (Mark 1:11). From that day, in word and deed, Jesus began to reveal more about himself. He […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As The One Who Heals And Helps Martin Luther once said, “Where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” Satan and the other demons hate God. They demonstrate hatred by hurting those that God loves in any way they can. The epiphany Christ wants us […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As The Prophet With Authority Authority is the power to determine what happens, the ability to give direction or even commands. Authority is limited. Authority is limited in duration. Parents have authority over their children until they grow up and move out. Authority is limited in scope. A governor has […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As The Messiah Through The Ambassadors He Calls To whom does the work of salvation belong? Simple question. There is only one Savior. But this is how perfect Jesus is. So that our lives might have profound meaning and eternal purpose, he shares some of that work with us. He […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As The Messiah Who Calls Us To Follow Him We try to hide our faults and failures from others. We want people to see us at our best. Perhaps we assume that if people knew what we were really like, they would want nothing to do with us. There’s no […]

Theme of the Day: Revealed As Our Substitute At His Baptism At his baptism in the Jordan River Jesus was publicly anointed with the Holy Spirit and designated by God the Father as his chosen Messiah. Thus, Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus’ baptism revealed that he was not just a […]

Theme of the Day: Peace On Earth On Christmas Eve a choir of angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” So, where is this peace on earth? Between nations? There are always wars going on somewhere. In our country? Disagreements have only […]

Theme of the Day: Just As God Promised In Eden, mankind fell into sin, bringing death and despair to Paradise. God immediately promised to send a Savior who would undo that devastation. This Savior would be a descendant of Adam and Eve—a human being. Century after century, through the prophets, God reiterated and expanded upon […]

Theme of the Day: He Is Bringing Perfect Joy The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we remember that when the King shall come, he will bring us perfect and everlasting joy. Joy […]