So distant are we from creation’s dawn. A time forlorn, forgotten by our fragile minds, when the Father spoke all into being, and formed a humanity in His image. Too soon did defect begin to breed, to blemish and blacken a perfect creation. For the man and woman, Adam and Eve, feast on what is […]
John 1:6-9, 15: No Longer Need We Fear
December 17, 2017 by
In life, we face many tormentors, whether in school or those of the spiritual kind—sin and shame, guilt and blame. The worst tyrant in town is the Devil, who is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). With His deceit and slander, He seeks to destroy us, taking all the children of men […]
The Parables of Jesus, Lesson 10: An Exploration of Salvation and Damnation
December 17, 2017 by
Intro In the last Lesson, in “The Parable of the Final Judgment” or “The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats,” many in the class left perplexed. For the parable didn’t answer many of our questions. The parable did make clear: Salvation is 100% God’s doing. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit […]
The Gospel According to Isaiah, Isaiah 52:1, 7-10: Y’shua is our Salvation
December 17, 2017 by
The attention-grabbing words and phrases soaring from the messenger’s mouth. “Awake, awake,” are his first words flying out. “Listen!” follows eight verses later. What’s going on to demand such immediate attention? No doubt, something vital. So rouse to life and pay heed to what is happening! What’s going on? The sleep overtaking us needs to […]
Matthew 18:1-5: The Hidden Hero within our Lord’s Advent
December 10, 2017 by
This is a confessional address our pastor preached for our Confessional Service, which is a Service of Confession before receiving the Lord’s Supper. The Son of God humbled Himself to be the Son of Man so we, the children of men, might be exalted to become the children of God. So, from heaven, the […]
The Parables of Jesus, Lesson 9: The Parable of the Final Judgment
December 9, 2017 by
Intro In the last Lesson, we studied The Parable of the Ten Virgins and The Parable of the Talents, which all deal with being prepared to meet Jesus. They both dealt with our Lord’s return on the Last Day and its significance. Today, we learn what happens after Christ’s return—in a parable. We can understand […]
The Gospel According to Isaiah: Isaiah 4o:1-11
December 8, 2017 by
The moving descriptions of a foretold Messiah earned Isaiah his nickname: “The Fifth Evangelist.” Did our Old-Testament reading for today not confirm this? Still, what a contrast to the dispatch God earlier directed Isaiah to deliver, in chapter 6. Go and tell the people: “Be ever hearing, but never comprehending; always seeing, but never perceiving.” […]
The Gospel According to Isaiah: Isaiah 64:1-9
December 8, 2017 by
The poetry in Isaiah is striking. The turns of phrase and imagery amplify and repeat. The people are like grass, soon turning into flowers wilting in the intense, Middle-Eastern sun. Next, valleys are twisting upward, reaching for the sky, while mountains flatten as they become molten. Such power resonates in those well-crafted words. A Hebrew […]
Midweek Services: The Gospel According to Isaiah
November 26, 2017 by
This year, our Thanksgiving, midweek Advent, and New Year’s Eve services will have a common theme: The Gospel According to Isaiah. You’ve heard of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But have you heard of the Gospel according to Isaiah? This Old-Covenant Prophet pointed forward to Jesus and His redemptive work is many […]
The Parables of Jesus, Lesson 8: Matthew 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten Virgins
November 26, 2017 by
With burning lamps, ten virgins await their Groom’s arrival. The waiting virgins are all dressed in white—but everything is not as the picture portrays. Some are wise; some, foolish. So, how can we tell which is which? For they are all wearing the proper garments. Each one uses the same hymnal and liturgy. Every maiden […]
