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. This week we see that the problem within is death itself. When God surveys our condition he sees people doomed to death because of the corruption of sin. But God intervenes by sending his Son to be the power of resurrection from the dead and the bringer of life everlasting. God has intervened with a paradox—life in the grave!
Paradox: Sight in Blindness
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. This week we see that when God surveys our condition he sees people groping in the darkness even as they boast of their ability to see. But God intervenes by sending his Son as the true light that reveals the only path to seeing God’s grace and mercy for our good. God has intervened by giving us sight in blindness!
Lent Midweek Meditation: Holy Baptism
Beginning in March, the Christian church enters the season of Lent. To prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday, we take a season of 40 days to focus on our need to repent of our sins and our need for a Savior from sin. This season of repentance and preparation is called Lent. The six weeks of theLenten season is a time to meditate deeply on the meaning of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation as well as a time in which to concentrate on the continuing importance of amending our sinful lives.
During the season of Lent, we will have 2 special midweek services. The focus of the services these services will be on the Sacrament of Holy Baptism—its blessings, it’s connection to our daily life, and the comfort in brings in our daily repentance.
Paradox: Water in Thirst
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. This week we see the paradox of how when God surveys our condition he sees people trying to quench their thirst with water than brings only bondage and death. But God intervenes by offering his Son as living water to slake our spiritual thirst with freedom and grace. Jesus intervenes to satisfy our spiritual thirst and gives us life!
Paradox: Faith in Religion - Second Sunday in Lent
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. This week we see the paradox is our desire to justify ourselves. When God surveys our condition he sees people creating religions in which they try to pursue righteousness through works. But God intervenes by lifting up his Son so that we might be righteous before him through faith rather than through works. God has intervened in our manmade religion of works and established a religion that is by faith from first to last!
Paradox: Righteousness in Temptation - The First Sunday in Lent
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.
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