When Christ Went to Calvary - He Was Determined to Save Us

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A foreigner comes to Birmingham in the fall. It seems as though everyone is wearing crimson and white or navy and orange. They say words that when put together seem to make no sense, words like “War Eagle” and “Roll Tide.” Yet, they sense that something important is happening, they just don’t know or understand what.

Perhaps the same is true for us as we approach Easter. We know its important, we just aren’t sure why the church makes Easter such a big deal.

In the week’s leading up to Easter, we are going to be looking at what happened When Christ Went to Calvary. Each week, we will see a different aspect of Christ’s battle on our behalf against sin, the devil, and death itself. Each week, we will come away with a clearer picture in our mind not only why Easter is important, but why Christ went to Calvary.

This week, we see that even though he was rejected by many, Jesus was determined and resolute on his journey to redeem us. Having met his enemy face-to-face (last Sunday’s readings), the Savior now proceeds to accomplish that which needed to be done so that the enemy might be crushed. We see Christ’s boundless love in the self-sacrificing way in which he resolutely goes up to Jerusalem, knowing what must happen to him there. His compassionate love is also directed toward those in Jerusalem who would reject him and who thus bring upon themselves their eternal destruction.

When Christ Went to Calvary - He Trampled Temptation

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A foreigner comes to Birmingham in the fall. It seems as though everyone is wearing red and white or navy and orange. They say words that seem to make no sense, like “War Eagle” and “Roll Tide.” Yet, they sense that something important is happening, they just don’t know what.

Perhaps the same is true for us as we approach Easter. We know its important, we just aren’t sure why the church makes Easter such a big deal.

In the week’s leading up to Easter, we are going to be looking at what happened When Christ Went to Calvary. Each week, we will see a different aspect of Christ’s battle on our behalf against sin, the devil, and death itself. Each week, we will come away with a clearer picture in our mind not only why Easter is important, but why Christ went to Calvary.

This week, we will reflect on the battles each of us fight with temptation every day, and the results that are too obvious to mention. Christ was no stranger to temptation, either. He battled, yet was without sin…for us and for our eternal righteousness. This message of victory gives us confidence as we journey through the wilderness of sin in true repentance. When Christ went to Calvary, he went to trample temptation!

Ash Wednesday: Humble Repentance and Gracious Forgiveness

Almighty and merciful God, you never despise what you have made and always forgive those who turn to you. Create in us such new and contrite hearts that we may truly repent of our sins and obtain your full and gracious pardon; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Where is God? He is Revealing Himself as the Lord of Glory!

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We are often filled with silent fears, burning guilt and heavy sorrow. We can feel that we are without hope and imagine that God is absent from our lives. We believe that God has forgotten about us. When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

The season of Epiphany draws to a dramatic close. Jesus atop a mountain reveals his divine glory, giving Peter, James and John a glimpse of all that He is! Moses and Elijah are there too. The voice of the Father speaks. Together with the disciples we are filled with holy awe at Who Jesus is! Even more amazing: the Lord of Glory insists on leaving this mountain so that at just the right time he can ascend the Mount of Crucifixion to subject himself to the ugliest of punishments but for the most glorious of reasons: to save you and me! Come and see for yourself just how glorious a Lord you have! 

Where is God? He Is Loving You!

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We are often filled with silent fears, burning guilt and heavy sorrow. We can feel that we are without hope and imagine that God is absent from our lives. We believe that God has forgotten about us. When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

It is natural for us to love those who love us and hate those who are our enemies. In a world of messed-up love, Jesus reminds us that when our hearts are warmed by His divine and forgiving love for us, then we can share that same love with others. We can love the unlovable and have compassion on those who curse us.

Where is God? He Is Blessing You!

We are often filled with silent fears, burning guilt and heavy sorrow. We can feel that we are without hope and imagine that God is absent from our lives. We believe that God has forgotten about us. When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

In our world, the rich, powerful and happy are blessed. Jesus turns our world upside down so we may be saved. He blesses the poor with the riches of His grace. He blesses the hungry with the good things in His house. He blesses the weeping with resurrection hope. He even blesses those who are hated, insulted, and persecuted, because these things are happening to them because they are connected to Christ.

Where is God? He is Calling You

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We are often filled with silent fears, burning guilt and heavy sorrow. We can feel that we are without hope and imagine that God is absent from our lives. We believe that God has forgotten about us. When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

Jesus called fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him. We might think it would be nice to abandon our family schedules, work requirements and routine obligations to do some exciting mission work for the Lord. Yet for most of us, Jesus calls us to follow Him in the faithful vocations of a working dad, a stay-at-home mom, a carpenter, electrician, or office manager. God calls us to faithful service. In that service, we live and share our faith wherever we are and whatever we do.

Where is God? He is Healing You

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When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

We are sick. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are sick with illness or suffering or loneliness or pain or grief. Jesus is the Great Physician of both body and soul. He uses the scalpel of His Word and Sacraments to cut, clean, bandage, and heal. Our God heals.

Where is God? He is Delivering You

When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

So often we put on our happy Christian face so when people ask us how we are doing, we reply, “I’m fine.” But we are anything but fine! On the outside we appear good, faithful, and even almost holy. On the inside we know there is nothing good that lives within us. We are captives to our sinful nature. We have a Savior who steps into our lives to deliver us from our prison so that He can really make us good, faithful and truly holy in Him.

Where is God? He Is Strengthening You

When sorrow burdens our hearts, worries pester our minds, and the world simply scoffs – where in the world is God? Our series this Epiphany season will show our God exactly where he is, and where he is found.

As far as miracles go, changing water into wine at a wedding party doesn’t seem to be all that important. Yet there is comfort for us that Jesus chose to reveal His extraordinary power for the first time in a very ordinary situation. There comes a time for each of us when the wine runs out. Yet we have a Savior who cares enough to help us and strengthen us in both the ordinary and extraordinary issues of life.

Where is God? He is there: Baptizing You

We are often filled with silent fears, burning guilt and heavy sorrow. We can feel that we are without hope and imagine that God is absent from our lives. We believe that God has forgotten about us. In our uncertainty and vulnerability, we often cry out "Where is God?" During the season of Epiphany, we see exactly where God is in our world - He is in the person of Jesus Christ. We may ask “Where is God”, but through His holy writers of the Gospels, God tells us that He exactly where He is.

Despite our best intentions, we find ourselves caving in to the cravings of our sinful nature. In Baptism, we are renewed and reborn. We no longer have to give in to our sinful cravings. Christ stands in the Jordan River in our place, washing us clean of filth, forgiving, restoring, and saving us through the precious waters and words of Baptism.

The Savior Comes for All - The Epiphany of our Lord

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Just as no one would have guessed that the Son of God and Savior of the world would have been born in such lowly circumstances, so also no one would have guessed that the experts and insiders of his day would be left out in the dark while strangers and foreigners from distant lands would be drawn to the light. God’s wisdom often looks like foolishness to us. Rather than trusting our wisdom for everything, true wisdom is found in the worship that results when we recognize God’s wisdom.