Episodes

  • This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday which marks the time when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowds waved palm branches as a sign of respect as he passed by. They shouted, “Hosanna!” which means, save us! This is the action displayed by those who are receiving their king. However, by the end of the week, some of these same people will be shouting, “Crucify him!” What happened? Well, Jesus was not the king they wanted him to be, but rather he was the king they needed him to be. You see, they did not understand the ultimate purpose for which he arrived. If Jesus came riding a white horse and wielding a sword to cut down the Romans - what ultimate good for mankind does that accomplish? He would not come in human power but in divine humility. As a result, his kingdom had greater impact than anyone could imagine. Jesus was different. He is the King of love and strength. Unlike the kings of this world who crave power, Jesus came to serve and to die for his people. There’s an old hymn that confronts our response to the truth of who Jesus is... Crown Him or Crucify Him Mary Brainerd Smith Today you have come to the valley of choice, Today to your heart speaks the Saviour’s own voice, “Tis your hand must lay the wreathed crown on my brow, Or drive cruel nails thro’ my pleading hands now.” Crown Him or crucify Him, which shall it be? This is the choice from which you cannot flee; Crown Him your King, or most surely ‘tis true, You crucify Jesus, your Saviour anew. Do you say with the Christ you have nothing to do, That the crown and the cross have no meaning for you? Yet the choice you have made, and your Saviour nailed then To a cross of neglect where He suffers again. Crown Him or crucify Him, which shall it be? This is the choice from which you cannot flee; Crown Him your King, or most surely ‘tis true, You crucify Jesus, your Saviour anew. Your job can’t die for your sins why would you worship the career path? Your politics can’t die for your sins so keep them in their proper place. Your wealth can’t die for your sins so stop bowing to your stuff. Your family can’t die for your sins so don’t make them your king. Only Jesus did what no other could do. Let’s keep the crown in its proper place!

  • Normally, diversity does not easily breed unity. The human tendency is to judge and look down upon those who are different than we are. This was certainly true in Paul’s day. The Jews living in Jerusalem viewed the Jews living in Rome as sellouts because they had adopted Roman customs. The Jerusalem Jews shunned Roman culture and therefore they were holier…or so they thought. Both groups looked down on the Gentiles who practiced paganism and had very little spiritual life. When people from these divergent groups met Jesus they soon met together. Their backgrounds had very little in common but their present belief in Christ brought them close. There had never been anything like Christianity in forming heterogeneous groups. Yet much was to be overcome because some of the differences were quite intense. This is what Paul addresses in Romans chapter 14…

    "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables." Romans 14:1-2

    It was the "Meat-eaters" versus the “Vegetarians." The simple solution is to create two distinct churches. Paul gives another and better choice. Take the higher and more noble road and live together in harmony. But how?

    1. Don’t despise each other.

    2. Don’t judge each other.

    3. Welcome each other.

    4. Let God be one another’s judge.

    "Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:3-4

    The weak are inclined to say, “You should not be doing this!” The strong are inclined to say, “You’re so immature!” If we are to be honest, we would have to say both misguided attitudes are within each of us. One of Paul’s main points is that people with opposing viewpoints on non-essentials can both be perfectly right with God.

    Now to be clear, we are not talking about issues of sin. We are not talking about basic doctrines such as the deity of Christ, salvation by faith or matters of moral conduct as listed in the Ten Commandments for example. Instead, these are matters of Christian conscience.

    "Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." Hebrews 14:10-12

    Twice in these verses Paul refers to us as family members so we should treat each other this way. Then he essentially says that we should stop trying to be God and leave the judging to Him. This should cause us to pull back from a critical spirit because God will hold us accountable for playing His role. Some things are less important than others and we need to pray that God will give us the wisdom to see what is essential and where we need to display liberty and charity for the sake of unity.

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  • This Sunday we read from the last half of Romans chapter 13. It is beautiful. It contains the distinctively Christian virtue of love. I say, "distinctively Christian" because of the specific Greek word used by Paul - agape. This word is rarely used outside of the Bible. Yet it is the primary way in which Christians are commanded to love each other - without condition and without end. It is this unending love in action that gave rise to the spread of Christianity around the Mediterranean. The world had never seen anything like it.

    First century AD culture was deeply divided and separated. There was strong prejudice in every direction. There were deep lines of division between male and female, Barbarian and Greek, Jew and Gentile, slave and free. Class differences kept people from speaking to each other. “Stranger” and “enemy” were the same word in many languages.

    This was the backdrop against which Jesus said to his followers, “love one another” and, “love your neighbor." As the years went by and as people from all walks of life embraced Christianity something remarkable began to happen. Former enemies considered each other family. They sat at the same table holding hands and sharing food. It was unheard of before this time.

    "Christian" is a word that was made up by those who were trying to identify this unusual collection of people. The name was not invented by Christians themselves. Christ means messiah and the suffix ‘ian’ means party of or belonging to. (Romans soldiers called themselves Caesarians, meaning they belonged to Caesar.) This diverse group was brought together by Christ. They were the party of Jesus!

    How did it begin? With this attitude of heart...

    Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

    Friends, we have a lifelong debt of love. No matter how much you give, you are called to give more. You never reach a point where you say, “I have loved enough, I’m done!” The motivation for this is God’s love for us. God loved us immeasurably through his son Jesus. We understand His love to the degree that we love others.

  • Romans chapter thirteen is famous for its words relating Christian conduct and human governments. This is not the first place in Scripture we read these things. In Matthew chapter twenty-two we find an interaction between Jesus and a group of men who were trying to trap him. This group was an unusual alliance between two types of Jews. The Pharisees, who represented religious life in the Jewish community, did not like Roman rule. The second group was the Herodians. These Jews didn’t mind the Roman way of life. In fact, they supported the Roman government and paid their taxes. These unlikely allies came together in order to put Jesus to the test. They did so with one very clever question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

    If Jesus responds by saying, “No, do not pay taxes to the Roman Emperor,” then he will be accused of being a traitor and possibly an insurrectionist. Rome had no tolerance for men like this. If Jesus says, “Yes, go ahead and pay your taxes to Caesar,” then he will be accused of being a Roman sympathizer by the Pharisees. So it seems there is no way out. Either way, he will be accused of wrongdoing. Jesus' enemies are sure they’ve got him trapped.

    But Jesus responds in the most brilliant way. He says, “Why do you put me to the test, hypocrites?” He’s saying they come from a place of moral superiority but he knows their words and deeds do not match up. Jesus replies, “Show me the coin,” and, “Whose face is on this coin?” They said, “Caesar.” Jesus delivers, "Therefore give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God the things that are God’s." This is the answer of a genius intellect. On one hand, he is acknowledging the validity of human government. On the other hand, he is putting limitations on it.

    Caesar minted the coins and his image is imprinted on them, so in this sense they are his property. However, all humans bear the image of God. Therefore, all humans belong to God. It’s as if Jesus says, “This coin has the likeness of Caesar, but you have the likeness of God." This is the most profound political statement ever made. The critics cannot accuse him of being a traitor or a Roman sympathizer. They have nothing to do but walk away. Paul’s words in Romans chapter 13 give further expression to what Jesus said to his enemies.

    Here are a couple of questions for Christians this election year: How are citizens of heaven supposed to relate to human governments? What kind of citizen is God calling you to be while on the earth?

  • Last Sunday we looked at Romans 12:3-8. We read about having our minds renewed in Christ. This has a profound effect on who we are and what we do. A renewed mind manifests itself in loving those inside and outside the church. How exactly is this done? Paul tells us what Christian love is, and is not. This is necessary because in our day we use the word love to describe affections that are not all the same. For example, you might hear someone say they love ice cream and then a minute later they tell you they love their spouse. Are they really talking about the same kind of love? Depends on the flavor…fair enough.

    The ancient Greeks however, had four primary words to describe different types of love. Philia (close friendship), eros (romantic), storge (family) and more rarely, agape (Divine love used to describe God’s affection for humanity). This love is unwavering, unconditional and authentic.

    "Let love be genuine." Romans 12:9

    Of those four main Greek words for love, the one Paul uses above is agape. This is a persistent love that seeks to understand how one can be a blessing to another. It does not give up.

    The word genuine means to be sincere. In other words, don’t fake it. It’s like when you smile and thank the police officer for giving you a speeding ticket. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you're loving someone when in reality you are neglecting them. This is a call to honestly evaluate your heart and ask yourself the question, “Do I love without hypocrisy?” “Do I love only those who love me?”

    The question Paul is asking each of us is this: How do you know if your heart and mind have been renewed in Christ? The answer is found in who and how you love those in the church and those in the world.

  • Last Sunday we covered the first two verses in Romans chapter twelve. Paul exhorted us in this way…

    "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

    In the verses that follow, he explains how to renew our minds, and as a result our lives will be transformed. This wisdom is needed today. Many (moreso the younger generations) struggle with these questions...

    How should I think about myself?

    How should I think about others?

    What is my purpose?

    For the Christian, these questions have been answered in a way that brings life and meaning. If you’ve been wondering why you should live for God; here’s one answer - You will never have the life you’ve always wanted without a proper perspective of who God created you to be.

    This is how we are not to think and how we are to think about ourselves...

    "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

    Romans 12:3

    There is a universal tendency in the human heart. We think we’re better than most. The cure is to think soberly according to the measure of faith God has assigned. The word measure can also be translated as standard and when read this way, it opens up the meaning. God has assigned to all of us the standard of faith which is Jesus himself. Paul understands that He is the yardstick by which we measure ourselves. This is very helpful. The main reason why you and I become arrogant and conceited is because we compare ourselves to others. And since everybody can look down on somebody, there is ample opportunity for the inflation of one’s ego. So here’s the correction: compare yourself to Jesus. Suddenly, pride gives way to humility and this allows us to think rightly about ourselves and others.

  • In Romans chapter 12 there is a noticeable shift in the letter from Paul. He moves from doctrine to application. This is the part where you ask yourself, "What difference does knowing God make in my life?" Paul helps… I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1-2 Paul is making an urgent request and at the same, he forms the basis for it: God’s mercies. God’s mercy is both simple and complex. A short definition is to say that mercy is the gift of God’s forgiveness and the withholding of His punishment. God’s mercy pardons your sin thereby granting you eternal life. This, according to Paul, forms the foundation of our commitment to God. Paul doesn't say, “Hey, do yourself a favor and obey God.” Instead, he says you and I have an obligation to live for him because of what he has provided. God the Father showed mercy on us when he sacrificed his son on the cross to pay the price for our sins. The greater our comprehension of what God has done for us, the greater our commitment should be. This is worship. God’s mercy is the magnet that draws us closer to him!

  • Our text this week is about the nation of Israel. There is no doubt they are a unique group of people. They have been around a long time despite many efforts aimed at their destruction. Many ancient nations have come and gone yet Israel has stood the test of time. They are second to none in the history of battle. Think about this - they can trace their lineage back thousands of years to one man, Abraham. Worldwide those who identify as Jew first total about 15 million. Approximately half live in Israel and a little less than half live in the United States. Their religious, intellectual and socio-economic contributions to society are enormous. Yet today, there are many divided sympathies towards them throughout the world and in our own country.If the question is - What is the proper attitude toward Israel from the Christian community? The answer is found in Romans chapter 11. It’s here that Paul takes up the conversaton about whether God himself has given up on Israel. This is a natural question because in ancient times the majority of them were spiritually lost and did not follow God. Additionally, when Jesus arrived the Jews not only rejected him but they offered him up to be crucified. So does this mean that God is done with the nation of Israel? Paul responds with a resounding “No!" His answer also carries with it advice regarding our own attitudes. The simple fact is, if you are a Gentile Christian then you should be humbled to know that you were not a natural part of the spiritual tree in the first place. Instead, you were grafted in. Paul says that salvation is for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. C.S. Lewis said, “In a sense, the converted Jew is the most normal human being in the world. Everyone else is, from one point of view, a special case dealt with under emergency conditions.” So then, if you are a Gentile believer there is no room for pride or arrogance. We are privileged to have any part in it at all. Furthermore, God wants to use the Gentiles to bring the Jews into His kingdom. Individual believers and the believing community at large are meant to radiate a spiritual reality that causes unbelieving Jews to be provoked to spiritual jealousy. The love we have for Christ and each other is the magnet by which all people are drawn to the Savior. They look at us and say, “They have something I don’t have!”

  • Romans 10

    There is a recurring argument that Paul confronts in the book of Romans and it goes like this…If the nation of Israel, with all of its tremendous spiritual privileges has not followed God’s plan of redemption through Jesus but still clings to a works oriented view of salvation - does that mean God has failed? Afterall, God chose Israel to be his people and yet they have turned their backs on his offer of salvation through Christ. This might lead some to think God did not accomplish what he set out to do and therefore God has failed.Paul’s answer is that throughout Israel's history God has been supernaturally directing events. He operates according to his sovereign choosing. For example, even though Ishmael was born first, God chose Isaac to carry on his promises. Later, God would select Jacob over Esau. Paul says God raised up Pharoah to show his power. These are just a few events in history that reveal the foundation for God’s sovereign election.Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out Paul ends the chapter saying everyone is personally responsible for responding to God in faith.

    “Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:32-33Notice carefully how Pauyl says, “...they did not pursue it by faith." He presents the other side of the coin. Everyone is accountable for accepting or rejecting Jesus. The fact is, the Bible teaches God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It doesn't show us exactly how these two things blend together. It does not resolve the paradox. I used to struggle with this. My tiny analytical mind was troubled. Until I realized my inability to understand all that God does is a good thing. This is something a supernatural being would create and that actually gives me peace. If everything God does makes sense to me then there would be no transcendence. Nothing here contradicts reason, but it does go beyond it. God is bigger than we can conceive! Perhaps most glorious of all is that God has given us the dignity of being the vessels to bring about the message of salvation. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 This is simple, progressive logic. Salvation comes when you and I preach the gospel to those who have not heard. You can’t call on Jesus if you don’t know him. God sends preachers like you and me to increase belief!
  • In this very special service, Dr. Peter Williams from The University of Cambridge joins us to speak about the trustworthiness of the Gospels. Dr. Williams is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, Chair of the International Greek New Testament Project and a member of the Translation Oversight Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. He assisted Dr. Dirk Jongkind in Tyndale House’s production of a major edition of the Greek New Testament and his book "Can We Trust the Gospels?" has been translated into 13 languages. His latest book, "The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher", was published in October 2023.

    This is a great opportunity to further enhance your confidence in the reliability of the Gospels.
  • Happy 8th Birthday Illuminate!

    Wow, how time goes by! What began as a dream eight years ago has become a movement of God’s people who call Illuminate their home. We couldn’t have imagined all that God would do, but we are not surprised because we believe God is big and he wants to do much more than we could ask or think... Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 So as we talk about past victories, celebrate changed lives and brag on God’s faithfulness, we also look forward to the next chapters believing the best is yet to come! I’ll be sharing the vision for 2024 and where we believe God is guiding us into the future. There are some unique opportunities on the horizon for us as well. I am so grateful for your participation in the Gospel. The best part for me is that we get to do this together and experience more, “Only God” stories!

  • In this message, we will be reading from Romans chapter nine. It’s a stark contrast to the end of chapter eight where Paul ends on a high note. He gives a mountain top experience but when you arrive at the summit and look ahead you see storm clouds approaching. After turning the page, you find distress in what Paul writes next. Consider the change in tone... For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 This is the crescendo moment as Paul speaks of the overwhelming love of God. However, it is quickly followed by anguish in chapter 9 verses 1-2… I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. What happened? Well, Paul’s mind turns toward those who have not accepted God’s love in Christ. Specifically, his Jewish brothers and sisters. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:3-5 These are intense emotions spoken out of love for those who have had every advantage and yet, they have rejected the good things God has blessed them with. Paul goes so far as to say that he is willing to give up his seat on the bus to heaven so that his kinsman can take it. Many of us have gathered with friends and family for the holidays. Some of them don’t yet know Jesus and while we laugh and enjoy each other’s company, we have a deep sadness and underlying pain because they are far from God. Luther said it well, “Love is not only pure joy, and delight, but also great and deep heaviness of heart and sorrow.” Like Paul, our hearts break for those who are lost. One more thing to note about Romans chapter nine. It contains one of the more challenging and hard to follow issues in the entire Bible. Paul speaks of God’s sovereign and unconditional election. I hope to show this gives the believer great peace in knowing God has a plan and has been working that plan from eternity past. When God works, nothing will stop Him!

  • In 1660 John Bunyon, the Puritan preacher and author was in deep depression until he began meditating on the words of our text this Sunday. He read this from Romans chapter 8, “If God is for us, who is against us?” 

     
    The more he reflected on these words the more the clouds departed. All we have to do is look around us and see what’s happening in the world and it’s easy to become downhearted. Or we can look within and recognize life’s unwanted circumstances and this too can cause a downward spiral. It’s time to look up.
     
    Romans chapter 8 contains what might be the most joy-filled, confident expressions in the entire Bible - and not just a few, but many in rapid succession beginning with one familiar to many Christians…

    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 
     
    The text doesn’t say all things are good because in fact, sometimes life brings us horrible situations. However, even in this God works the bad for good. The Greek words translated as ‘work together' form the foundation for the English word synergy. Synergy is when two or more things come together and produce something better than what each could do on it’s own. Still the question remains...
     
    What exactly is meant by ‘good’? The ultimate good is revealed in the next verse...
     
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, Romans 8:29a
     

    There it is. Did you catch it? The ultimate good for you and me is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean everything in this life will be easy. It means that God will use all things to produce Christ-likeness in you and this is what serves you best. So your present distresses should not be viewed as destructive. Pleasures, pains, suffering, heartache and disappointments are being used by God synergystically.
     
    Sometimes we say, “Why is God allowing this to happen?” Paul reminds us that God gave us His best in Jesus so He won’t withold any good thing from us. This leads Paul to proclaim, "If God is for us, who can be against us!"

  • Have you noticed that Christmas has become the world’s largest secular holiday? Sadly, the story of Jesus’ birth goes unnoticed and yet the story itself is remarkable. It’s like someone who lives in Arizona and yet never visits the Grand Canyon thinking, “It will always be just a few hours away and when I get time, I’ll make it there.” There’s this incredible place of natural beauty and yet never experienced even though it’s in our own backyard! That’s the way many people treat the birth of Jesus. “Someday, I’ll think more critically about the most talked about and written individual to ever walk the planet. The story will always be there so I’ll explore it when I have time.” This weekend I’d like to bring us to the manger and into the sights and sounds of what took place 2000 years ago.
     

    Actually, I’d like to take us farther back in time. 
     
    Seven hundred years before the days of Mary and Joseph there lived a man named Isaiah. He was from the same region where Jesus was born. God speaks through Isaiah and gives remarkable insight into future events…
     
    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 
     
    Immanuel means, “God with us.” Shockingly, the prophet tells us that Jesus is God in human form and will dwell among humanity.
     

    Many people have very little tolerance for Christianity because it is seen as exclusive and intolerant. The idea that Jesus is the only way to God and only through him can you achieve eternal life appears to be extremely narrow minded. The fact is, Christmas is the cause of irritating exclusivity. You see, every other religion believes that if you just follow their founder’s moral teachings then you will gain something better in the life to come. Morality and goodness is the path to God. Christianity says that’s not possible. Your situation is so desperate that morality and goodness will never be enough. Oh, and the reality is, you’re not actually as good as you think you are. So someone has to be good for you.
     

    Suddenly, Christianity doesn’t seem so exclusive does it? Because God did for you what you couldn’t do for yourself. This is the meaning of Immanuel, God WITH us. This shatters many people’s view of Him. They think God is distant and far off and only mildly interested in human affairs. Christmas gives correction to that. Listen to the words of the apostle Paul, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
     
    In other words, God gives light in the darkness by sending Jesus to be THE light who is the very representation of God himself. Now that is something to celebrate!


  • Advent - PeaceLuke 2:14 You may not speak Hebrew but you know the word shalom. The peace symbol is one of the most recognized in the world. Worldwide recognition is given every year to those who are considered great peacemakers. Meanwhile the 20th century has seen more bloodshed in war than all previous centuries combined. Currently there are two major ongoing conflicts. In reality; peace on earth is elusive.Last Sunday we looked at the first part of the angel’s glorious birth announcement. Shepherds were the first to hear about the true source of joy arriving in the form of a baby. The second part of the angel’s announcement proclaims this virgin born baby is the ultimate peacemaker.“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14There is no mistaking this - we please God by accepting his Son, Jesus. He is the only one that can remove the barrier of sin between us and the One who created and sustains all life. Once you have made peace with God, you can then have the peace of God in your life.

    As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples, he says this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27

    The world cannot offer inner peace. This is a deep security in knowing you are loved by God every moment of your life – in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, in bad times and good. It’s a comfort the world cannot know apart from God and found only in Jesus.




  • Christian joy is not dependent upon circumstances, it is dependent upon a person.

    And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14


    God comes to those who are attentive no matter what society thinks of them.


    There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41

    In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Luke 2:1-2

    And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:3-5

    But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2

    And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

    Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5


    Christians have the ability to look beyond the suffering and look to a sovereign God who uses suffering to refine our character because He loves us. 

    “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11

    Jesus says if you want joy that transcends your circumstances then do two things: obey His word and remain in His love.





  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
     
    The Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard reflected on the reason for the incarnation and said this…
     
    Imagine a prince desiring to get married. Each day his gold carriage traveled through the marketplace on its way to the castle. One day his eye caught the beauty of a peasant maiden. He fell in love with her. But how could he get her to marry him? As prince he could force the girl. Or he could have put on an incredible display of wealth and power. But he wanted a marriage of mutual love, not manipulation or force. So he exchanged his royal robes for peasant clothes and became a commoner. The prince lived as a poor man, worked as a laborer and ate scraps. Eventually, the girl took notice of him as a hard working and kind man. Soonafter, they wed.
     
    You see, the prince became as she was so that she could understand his heart for her. 
     
    That’s why God sent Jesus. So that we would understand God’s heart for us. This method is far better than any external voice shouting from heaven or some powerful ruler announcing a decree. God’s love can be a difficult thing for us to grasp. We tend to withhold love if we have been wronged. We tend to think of what is in our best interest first. Sometimes we harbor bitterness and grudges toward those we love the most. God however, withholds nothing from us.
     
    Consider this: The greatest gifts are both useful and costly. The gift of Jesus is the most useful and costly thing you will ever receive.
     
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
     
    Through Jesus you recieve eternal life. I would say that is very useful! However, it will come at a sacrifice and not of your own. It will require the death of Jesus. That is costly. Useful and costly is this gift from God. A clear expression of his love for you!



  • This Sunday we start our Advent series in preparation for the most significant event in human history - the birth of Jesus. The word advent means “arrival” and beginning in the fourth century AD Christians have been preparing their hearts, minds and homes with the hope of Christmas. We use the word hope several different ways. We might say, “I hope next summer won’t be as hot as the last one!” There is an element of pessimism in this. That’s not the kind of hope we are talking about. Instead, Biblical hope is a confident assurance that what God promised, He will deliver. Read slowly this comforting truth from Paul... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 5:13 God is the source and supplier of hope. Certainly our world today needs a confident assurance that is rooted in the nature of the One who created and sustains all life. There are two major wars with no end in sight and more people are taking their lives than at any other time in recorded history. The number of those seeking professional mental health has never been higher. Why is this? It’s because we pour our hope into leaky containers only to realize they are soon empty. In God, we will never be depleted because our hope is in His son Jesus Christ born long ago and alive today. Johnathon Edwards said this about the Christian life… "Our good things can never be taken away from us, even our bad things turn out for good, and the best things are yet to come.” This is the hope of Christmas!

  • Romans 8:18-27

    Friends, the Scritpures are honest in describing an inescapable reality: there is pain in human existence. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 Paul is honest in describing a life modeled after Jesus and guided by the Spirit includes suffering. He would know. This is his testimony… Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 Down through the ages some believers have had it worse than this. Notice he begins verse 18 by saying, “I consider,” which means he has taken time to think things through and develop a conclusion: Earthly hardships are temporary. The joy of heaven is eternal. Paul suffered physically and emotionally, but one day he, like us, will have a mind and body immune to pain. He has been without food but in heaven he has a feast. He bears the scars of several beat downs but his unbreakable body awaits. Best of all, he is in the presence of the one who saved him. There’s no comparison between what our lives are like now and what they will be in eternity. C. S. Lewis said this…“If we consider the unblushing promises of reward … promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.” In other words, consider what your heart truly desires. The best of what this earth has to offer is a mere shadow of what is to come. Wash your hands of the mud and lift your eyes toward heaven. Whatever your earthly pain or pleasure it cannot be compared with what awaits you Christian. Through grief there is hope!
  • Romans 8:1-17Last week we heard some brutally honest words from the apostle Paul. He reveals his own personal struggles in Romans chapter 7…

    For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. vs.24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:14-15; 24.I can relate to this and so can you. We want to do good but we end up doing the very thing we do not want to do. Our inner being wants to please God and recognizes the destructive patterns but yet we continue down the same road. Chapter 7 paints a bleak picture of the believer's ongoing struggle. At the same time there is something else present in the life of a Christian. Something even more powerful. If chapter 7 reveals the battle, chapter 8 gives us the victory. It is the Spirit of God that has the power to set us free from sin’s bondage. In the first seven chapters Paul has spoken of God’s Spirit only twice, but in chapter 8 the Spirit is mentioned 20 times!For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2The law shows us we are sinners and brings condemnation and death, but the law of the Spirit brings liberation and life. This was accomplished when Jesus took on human flesh and was without sin. He stood apart from it, therefore he could judge it. Through his resurrection Jesus conquered sin’s penalty. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you and now gives you the power to overcome life's daily temptations.Paul explains how the Spirit of God works in cooperation with the Word of God and this gives you a new mindset, a new lifestyle, a new identity and new purpose. You are part of a new humanity and you are not in this alone. What a great comfort!