A paradox is a statement or problem that either appears to produce two entirely contradictory (yet possible) outcomes, or provides proof for something that goes against what we intuitively expect. During the Sundays in Lent we will look at apparent paradoxes in the life and person of Jesus and in our own lives. Today, we see a paradox in these words: victory in temptation. When God surveys our condition he sees that we are utterly fallen in body and soul with no power to heal ourselves. But God intervenes by sending his Son to take humanity as his own and achieve final victory where sinners have been defeated time and time again. God has intervened with righteousness in the face of our sin!
Ash Wednesday: Return to the Lord!
Ash Wednesday calls us to a forty-day journey of repentance and renewal. The forty days of Lent are set aside as a time to take a look at our walk with God. Our attention is especially directed to the holy sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, instruction, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws life and hope from it. In our service today as a reminder of our mortality and our sin, ashes are imposed on the foreheads of believers. Note the sweet Gospel phrases that dominate: Return to the Lord, for he is gracious. Having obtained his pardon, we seek a renewal of our faith and life that we might live as baptized children of God.
uncommon sense: exhibit a - The Transfiguration of our Lord
Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if people used a little more common sense. But Jesus came to introduce a way of life that wasn't an improvement or addition to what's considered common sense. It was a complete reversal. This week we see that common sense says glory is for personal gain, but Jesus hides his glory to accomplish salvation for the world. Common sense says you must gain power and prestige to accomplish your ends, but Jesus says even the greatest power is nothing if not used in service to another. We live in the uncommon sense of the gospel that Jesus Christ veiled his divine glory for a time to achieve for us glory that will last forever.
uncommon sense: rights
Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if people used a little more common sense. But Jesus came to introduce a way of life that wasn't an improvement or addition to what's considered common sense. It was a complete reversal. This week we see that common sense says get revenge, but Jesus says love your enemies. Common sense says that every action must have an equal and opposite reaction, but Jesus calls for a radically different reaction to every action—he calls for love. We live in the uncommon sense of the gospel that removes from us the wrathful reaction of God and replaces it with his boundless love.
uncommon sense: control
Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if people used a little more common sense. But Jesus came to introduce a way of life that wasn't an improvement or addition to what's considered common sense. It was a complete reversal. This week we see that common sense says to follow your passions, but Jesus says control them. Common sense says that you can only realize your true self by first identifying and then gratifying your deepest desires, but Jesus says that your true self is doomed to death by default—what’s required is a new self set free from sin. We live in the uncommon sense of the gospel that offers reconciliation between passionate sinners and a merciful God.
uncommon sense: the letter of the law
Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if people used a little more common sense. But Jesus came to introduce a way of life that wasn't an improvement or addition to what's considered common sense. It was a complete reversal. This week we see that common sense says follow the rules, but Jesus says be salt and light. Common sense says that morality is achievable by redefining morality, but Jesus says the standards cannot be lowered—every requirement must be fulfilled. We live in the uncommon sense of the gospel that says we have a Savior who has provided the perfect obedience God expects.
uncommon sense: #blessed
Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if people used a little more common sense. But isn't it just as possible that common sense is not the solution to our problems but the cause of them? Jesus came to introduce a way of life that wasn't simply an improvement or addition to what's considered common sense. It was a complete reversal. What the world calls cursed, he calls blessed. What the world pities, he prizes. And yet, we see from his own life that this complete reversal of the world’s values is the system in which God works to bring us our greatest blessings—not only through Jesus’ life but in ours as well.
News & Announcements
Jesus Appears: As A Light that Shines in the Darkness
Jesus appears as the light that shines in the darkness. Dark places remain covered in the shadow of sin and unbelief. Now there are, however, bright places, too, and there you find God’s children. Jesus shines his light by preaching repentance and the good news of the nearing kingdom, and he invites us to follow him to a life illumined by him.
Jesus Appears: As the Lamb of God
Jesus appears as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This Lamb would take away the sin of the world and bring both Israel and the Gentile nations into the Kingdom of God. The hearts that see this Savior in faith cannot help but take news of this salvation to the ends of the earth.
The Baptism of our Lord - The First Sunday in Epiphany
This past Friday, January 6th, the Christian church celebrated the Epiphany of our Lord. Epiphany means “to reveal.” Over the course of the next several weeks, we are going to see how God reveals to us that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One. In fact, the titles “Christ” and “Messiah” both mean “The Anointed One,” and they describe how God prepared Jesus for his mission of saving all people from sin. Today, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. At his baptism, God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power and declared this son of Mary to be the Son of God—the one anointed to be the Savior of mankind.
Baptism Of Christ by Pietro Perugino, 1481-1483.
The Littlest Martyrs
Our meditation this morning from guest Pastor Keith Kruk is focused on Matthew 2, the story of Joseph taking his new family to Egypt to escape the slaughter of the innocents by King Herod.
Christmas Day - The Festival of the Nativity of our Lord
Christmas is a day to celebrate the fact that what once was hidden is now revealed. That isn’t the case just because presents that were once wrapped have been opened. It’s because the baby born in Bethlehem is God’s Son revealed for all. Come see just what our God is like as we celebrate his love and his salvation.