The Humble and Exalted Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-21)

The story of Christ seems to show that God is doing too little too late. It seems as if the Lord has not fulfilled his promises. However, as we look deeper in the story we find that Christ is the one who will overcome. Our problem as humans is that we do not live our lives in light of the Lord’s wisdom, but on the world’s wisdom. So, what in the story communicates that the Lord is victorious?

Are Angels Real? (2)

Last week we considered the fallen angels. This week we consider the angels who remain in glory. They have a purpose to serve the Lord, and the Lord's people. What does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah teach us about the righteous angels? What does this narrative communicate about the final judgment?

International Pilgrims

The Lord does not forsake his promise.  The Lord continues to work in the midst of his pilgrim people.  There is a man called to the Lord, but this man is not able to have children.  How is this man going to establish the victorious line of the woman?  What gives us hope that the Lord will prevail? 

Are Angels Real? (Jude 6)

Jude warns the church that judgment is coming. He appeals to Israel being brought out of Egypt, he appeals to Sodom and Gomorrah, and sandwiched between these events he reminds us that the Lord is judging the angels. What does it means that God holds these angels in chains? Are these angels who are part of a super race?

Christmas' Unsung Hero (Luke 1:67-80)

When we talk Christmas we think of Christ's entrance into history. This would be one of one of the obvious reasons for Christmas. However, there is another child who is born in time. This is the child who prepares the way for Christ. Why does the story of Christ have a delay? Why does Luke delay the birth of Christ and first communicate John's birth?

Devil's Tower

The tower of Babel is a sinful act devised by a rebellious mankind.  Does this mean that it is wrong for us to build?  Are towers and sky scrapers necessarily evil?  What makes the tower of Babel so wicked? Why would we call this tower the Devil’s Tower? 

Song of Mary (Luke 1:39-56)

Mary does not give praise to herself even though Elizabeth is honored to have such a person in her presence. Mary turns her attention away from herself and to the Lord. What is the Lord doing through this child? Why should we follow Christ when his ministry begins in such humiliation? What is Luke teaching us about Christ's humiliation and exaltation?

Christ’s Helper (John 14:25-28)

Christ promises that he will send his helper. It is encouraging to know that Christ's return to heaven does not leave us as orphans. How can we be sure that Christ's teaching will resonate within us if Christ is in heaven? Why does Christ have to go away? How can we be sure that Christ’s work will accomplish its redemptive goal when he says the father is greater than I?

Triumphant Pilgrim

The Lord told Noah to go into the ark and now Noah walks out of the ark.  The Lord washed this creation while delivering his pilgrim through the ark.  This testifies to the ultimate triumph of God’s pilgrim people.  So, if Noah walked out the ark as God’s triumphant pilgrim why do we feel like we lack victory?  Why are we still on a pilgrimage?  Where is our pilgrimage ultimately going? 

God’s Radical Standard (Matthew 25:31-46)

Christ is facing the cross, and setting into motion the events promised in Matthew 24:1-13. We may still wonder: am I in Christ's kingdom? Does kingdom entrances mean that we have to take 2 million or 5 million dollars and double the amount? Is God going to send us away if we do not seem righteous enough? How do we know if we are members of His kingdom?

Celebrating God’s Steadfast Love (Psalm 136)

The Lord tells us to be thankful. There is no doubt that we should be thankful. God is God, he is the king who rules over all. We should desire to be thankful to God just because He is God, but what reasons does the Psalmist give for us to be thankful to God?

Born in the Fullness of Time (Galatians 4:4)

The promise that Jesus will enter history is not just a New Testament promise.  The Lord promises at the exit of Eden that Christ will enter into history taking on the flesh.  God binds himself in a covenant to Abraham that Christ will enter into history.  This is a wonderful promise, but why is this promise necessary?  

Serpent Seed Rising

The Lord promises to prevail, but it seems that history contradicts this promise.  The family that exits eden is hopefully going to have harmony, unity, and a homogenous existence.  However, this is not the case.  Adam and Eve have two sins only to have one die at the hand of another son.  Will the Lord prevail?  Can the Lord triumph? Will the Seed of the Woman really prevail?

Christ’s Cautious Call (Matthew 24:45-25:13)

Christ’s judgment seems strange because the examples Christ gives are people doing the same exact thing.  However, one person is saved while the other person is judged.   What is the standard?  How can we be sure that we will make it through the final judgment?  How do we know if we are insiders? 

The Trinity’s Testimony ( 1 John 5:6-12)

The doctrine of the trinity is a fascinating doctrine.  We teach that God is one God and three persons.  How can God be one and three at the same time?  Why would we want to teach this doctrine if it is so complicated?  Why is this doctrine necessary for us to believe as a church?

Triumphant Trampling

The reptile rebel tempts the creatures to destruction.  They think that they will become triumphant kings over the one true king only to find that they are confined to destructive despair.  Will the Lord be able to overcome this death despair? 

The Eternal Word (John 1:14; 15:26)

Christ makes the promise that he will be with us until the end of the age.  How can Christ deliver on this promise when Christ is up in heaven and we are down here on earth?  How can the incarnation teach us about the significance of the trinity, and God's desire to redeem?