Beautiful Savior
One thing I ask … to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord… (Psalm 27:4)
2 Kings 5:1-14 sermon, “Lord, lead us to love your ways”
Posted by on February 15, 2012
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
How do you approach a special holiday? Are you the type that just sort of goes with the flow – “I don’t really care what we do to celebrate my birthday, let’s just have fun? Are you the type that wants every detail planned out ahead of time? Or maybe you might make a few subtle suggestions like – did you see that new restaurant? My sister said the food there is excellent.” Or maybe you even make it obvious what you want: “It’s my birthday, and I want a book and my couch” or “it’s Valentine’s Day – we need flowers, chocolates, and a night out!”
We have different approaches to special days, but more importantly, how do you approach life with God? Read more of this post
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 sermon, “Give Thanks to God for Calling You to Faith”
Posted by on January 15, 2012
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – Click here to read the lesson!
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, sanctify us by the truth; your word is truth. Amen.
“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Those words from Genesis speak of the creation of Adam. It’s the part of the Bible Michelangelo painted in the Sistine Chapel, famously known for the finger of God reaching out with the touch of life to Adam. It’s such a personal picture. God formed him from the dust and then gives him life. So Michelangelo painted this “touch” of life from God to Adam. It’s so personal.
Wouldn’t it be neat if you were in that painting? Can you say that God “touched” you? Today we’re not talking about God being the Creator of our physical being and bringing us to life. Instead, we’ll talk about a different personal touch of God Read more of this post
Ephesians 3:2-12 sermon, “Make Known the Mystery”
Posted by on January 8, 2012
Ephesians 3:2-12 – Click here to read the lesson!
Sherlock Holmes 2 was a movie in theaters over the Christmas season. Being a story of the great detective Sherlock Holmes, it’s a mystery film. You have to see the end to finally make sense of it all. Before then, all you have are questions and confusion. You keep asking yourself, “What did Sherlock notice that I didn’t or say what he said in that way?” But in the end, it all comes together and makes sense. They mystery is made known! In fact, my brother-in-law made the comment afterward that “it would be fun to go back and watch the movie again just to see how all the little clues came together.”
What if Sherlock died before the mystery was solved? What if he couldn’t figure it out? Or what if he didn’t really care to share the solution and bring justice to the criminal? It would all still be a mystery…
The Apostle Paul was a lot like Sherlock Holmes, wasn’t he? He tells us today about the special role God gave him by grace to make know the mystery of how God saved all people from sin and death.
You and I have the same role too. Read more of this post
Isaiah 52:7-10 sermon, “Home for Christmas”
Posted by on December 25, 2011
Isaiah 52:7-10 – Click here to read the lesson!
“The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.” [Psalm 146:10] “Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.” [Psalm 144:15] Alleluia and Amen!
The camp is cold and dark. It’s a quiet December night. A soldier leans back on his bunk and finally has a few minutes to finish his letter home: “I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree… I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” That last line really brings you down to earth. A soldier wishes he could be home, but really can’t say for sure. It may just be in his dreams. It’s a sobering thought for a soldier. At the same time, imagine being the one to open that letter. It’s sad to think about it – not knowing if you can spend Christmas with those you love most.
But being “home for Christmas” takes on a whole new meaning if we think about the One we love more than anyone or anything – our God, the LORD. Read more of this post
Revelation 12:13-17 sermon, “This is a Time of War!”
Posted by on December 14, 2011
Revelation 12:13-17 – Click here to read the lesson!
It’s wartime. Wartime brings a lot of changes to a nation. Factories make less goods for civilians and start producing machines for war: tanks, guns, battleships, ammunition. A nation may ration its food, create new jobs to meet all the needs, and tries to be as productive as possible. People connected to the common cause of war are focused, pooling their resources and mustering all their strength.[i] All these things happen with urgency and determination – because it’s wartime.
As we consider this final section of Revelation 12, we realize that we are in a time of war in this life – a war over our souls. What changes, what impact, does this wartime bring for us? Read more of this post
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 sermon, “What God Gives You Before Christ(mas) Comes”
Posted by on December 11, 2011
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 – Click here to read the lesson!
Grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you opened any Christmas presents yet? I wouldn’t be surprised if you have, because I know there is such a thing as an “early Christmas present.” You know, something someone gives you and says, “You can open it now.” Sometimes that happens because it’s something that you can use right away. Like jewelry or clothing you can wear to a Christmas party, or something you can use for your trip over Christmas break. So you are asked to open the present early.
This morning we are but two weeks away from Christmas Day. That being the case, we are in the midst of waiting for Christmas. The same is true for the Last Day – as believers, we are waiting for Jesus to come again. So, I know it’s early, I know it’s not Christmas nor has Christ come again. But God reveals gifts to us today that he wants us to open and use before Christ comes. Read more of this post
Revelation 12:1-6 sermon, “The Unseen Story of Christmas”
Posted by on December 1, 2011
Revelation 12:1-6 – Click here to read the lesson!
“There are two sides to every story.” One of our children’s books at home is the story of the three little pigs, told by the wolf. He claims he was only going to the pigs’ homes for a cup of sugar, and accidentally blew their homes down with a sneeze because he had a cold.
Revelation is a picture book, using visions to help us see the spiritual victory we have in Jesus. This picture tonight shows us the unseen side of the Christmas story.
In this picture, we don’t find any of the cuteness of Christmas Eve, no Read more of this post
Genesis 6:1-3, 5-14, 17-22 sermon, “What do we learn from the flood?”
Posted by on November 29, 2011
You know what it’s like. You mop the kitchen floor only to find food splattered on it moments later. “I just cleaned this!” You vacuum the carpet and then a plant is knocked over, spilling dirt all over it. You wash a shirt and put it on and then drop your drink on it. You clean out the car only to pick up your kids who have muddy shoes or cleats. Nothing stays clean for that long.
Today, God’s Word tells us about something filthy Read more of this post
Colossians 3:15-17 sermon, “How’s Your Heart?”
Posted by on November 29, 2011
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
“How’s your heart?” That’s a doctor’s concern, isn’t it? A doctor will often explain how diet and exercise are good for your heart and how your heart performs. Today, we have a parallel question as Paul turns our attention to our spiritual hearts. This heart mentioned in the Bible is Read more of this post
Matthew 25:1-13 sermon
Posted by on November 21, 2011
“Believer, Keep Watch!”
Fellow saints, Jesus says to you: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown… ” (Revelation 3:11)
I remember the large cans on nonperishable foods – fruits, vegetables,etc. I remember the bundles of bottled water. The flashlights and batteries. The powdered milk and vitamins. The First Aid Kit. It was December of 1999. We were prepared for Y2K. My mom seemed to be in charge of it all and built up our supplies over several months. But, as you know, Y2K came and went without any problem.
Recently, my wife read a fiction book where all the electricity got wiped out by an EMP (electromagnetic pulse). Cars wouldn’t start, planes wouldn’t fly. Water supplies don’t work. Cell phones, computers, telephones, heat and air conditioning, refrigerators – none of those function. No hospital service, no emergency services, no credit cards or banks. And the list goes on. If it happened today, people presume most of us would die of starvation (see http://www.newsmax.com/RonaldKessler/emp-attack/2009/09/09/id/334894). So my wife said to me with a straight face, “We should really prepare for this now – or we could just go to your mother’s…”
Today, Jesus speaks to us about an even more important preparation that must be done now Read more of this post
