INTRODUCTION: The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem marks the Advent (arrival), not only of the long promised Messiah, but also the advent of a new humanity, established in the last Adam, the one St. Paul calls the man from heaven. We sometimes emphasize that Immanuel means “God with us,” and it does. But let …
Just Love On Her
Once there was young lady in college who flew home for Christmas vacation. Her mother picked her up at the airport, and so they had a very good talk on the drive back to her home, which was a couple hours away. The thing that the young lady really wanted to unburden her soul about …
Enlarging the Imagination of Our Hearts
Suppers are frequently in conjunction with other events. We have memorial banquets, banquets to honor an individual, birthday celebrations, anniversary dinners, and so on. God has created us in such a way that whenever we really want to mark something as important, we attach it to a meal. God has done the same for us …
Greater Works
INTRODUCTION: The celebration of Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation. The Incarnation of the eternal Word is the miracle of miracles, the first wonder of a series of wonders. The Incarnation was the foundation, the Crucifixion and Resurrection the capstone and roof, and the Ascension the great steeple. But there is another wonder beyond …
Critical Thinking Skills
Once there was a little boy who loved to argue with his mother. I know this is hard to fathom, but he did. Whenever she asked him to do something, his mind, within seconds, was forming objections, and all he wanted to do was talk with her about it. This of course was exasperating for …
Seeing Jesus
The greatest thing that Jesus ever did in His life was actually the sum total of His life, and the effect was to manifest the Father. He did various particular wonders, true enough, but in the cosmic scheme of things, they were little more than attention-getters. When we get distracted by them, we are missing …
Forgiveness of Sin
INTRODUCTION: The Lord Jesus was born into a sinful world. His advent was not designed as an inspirational moment to crown all the others, but rather He was sent as a Savior. He came to bring forgiveness, and consequently if there is anything His followers should understand and practice, it is forgiveness. THE TEXT: “Then …
The Gift of Body and Blood
In this Supper we partake of bread and wine, representatives of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This is representative of His sacrifice, of course, but it is also important to note that this rite underscores the fact that Jesus took on a body. He did not do this right …
Things That Accompany Salvation
INTRODUCTION: One of the perennial pastoral problems in the Church is the question of assurance of salvation. On the one hand are some Christians who hold that to seek any kind of solid assurance is presumptuous. On the other hand are other Christians who appear to glory in just that kind of presumption—”just prayer this …
Renewing the Oath
This is a service of covenant renewal worship. This means that we believe we have assembled here to renew covenant with God. But it is important for us to understand the nature of this renewal. We are not renewing covenant because “if we don’t” it will somehow expire. We are not renewing covenant the way …