Isaac: A Funny Foundation (Genesis 21:1-21)

Genesis 21 recounts the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah—the birth of Isaac. This chapter centers on God’s faithfulness, the nature of grace, and the surprising ways God accomplishes His purposes.

The chapter opens with the Lord visiting Sarah, just as He had promised (v. 1). At the age of 90, Sarah gives birth to Isaac—a name meaning “laughter”—as a testament to the joy that comes when God’s promises are fulfilled, even in the face of human cynicism.

Isaac shows the Lord’s redemption: God moves his people from cynical laughter to joyful celebratory laughter.  God’s promises don’t operate on our timeline; they operate on His. Isaac’s arrival reminds us that waiting on God is not wasted time but formative time—teaching trust in His sovereignty.

Isaac’s arrival contrasts sharply with Ishmael’s, Abraham’s son through Hagar. Ishmael represents human effort—Abraham and Sarah’s attempt to secure God’s promise through their plans. Isaac, however, is entirely the result of divine grace, showing that God’s blessings come as gifts, not as something we can earn or achieve.

Isaac shows the impossibility of the Christmas promise.  The thought of the Lord establishing his promise through death seems absurd.  However, Abraham and Sarah testify that the Lord establishes life through death because the Lord knows the depth of sin, and what it will take to overcome it.  Isaac sets the joyful foundation, but Christ is the one who definitively establishes the foundation by fulfilling God’s promise.

Christmas' Foundation (Genesis 4:1-26)

Genesis 4 tells the story of life after the fall, revealing the deepening impact of sin and the hope of God’s redemptive plan. After Cain murders Abel in a tragic display of jealousy and defiance against God, humanity seems to be spiraling further into brokenness. Cain’s descendants establish cities, culture, and technology, but their achievements are tainted by arrogance and violence, as seen in Lamech’s boastful declaration of vengeance.

However, the chapter ends with a glimmer of hope. Adam and Eve have another son, Seth, whom Eve sees as God’s provision to continue His promise. Seth represents a new beginning and a fresh line through which God’s purposes will unfold. The text notes that during Seth’s time, “people began to call upon the name of the Lord.” This marks a turning point—amid the darkness, there is a remnant seeking God.

Seth, foundation, is God’s provision to set world history back on course. Where sin increases, God’s grace abounds more. The contrast between Cain’s line and Seth’s reminds us that even Lamech claiming god like power cannot thwart God’s plan. Through Seth’s descendants, we see the beginning of a faithful community—a foreshadowing of the ultimate Redeemer who would come to reverse the curse and establish a new humanity. Seth reminds us that in the midst of the world’s fallen and broken condition that God is working his redemption.

The Humble Shepherd (Luke 2:1-21)

The shepherds gather round the messiah to see this thing that has happened. It is magnificent that such a thing has happened. However, we can grow so familiar with the Christmas story that we lose the humanness behind this story. Please join us as we look at this familiar story once again on Christmas Eve.

Matthew's Account of Christ's Birth

This is a reading of Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth. Please enjoy this reading as we ruminate on Christ’s birth.

Christ's Birth from Luke's Gospel

This is a simple reading of the birth narrative from Luke’s Gospel as we prepare for worship.

Singing the Magnificent Humble Song (Luke 1:39-56)

When Scripture opens we are told that the Lord created this world good. We read of the adversary, Satan, who enters the garden of Eden. He wants to challenge whether or not God created this world good. Satan is arrogant, Satan thinks that he can humble the great God of heaven, and he tempts Adam and Eve to sin. Adam and Eve sin joining this Satanic community. They soon discover that God will not be humbled, man will not be worshipped, and man's exaltation is only found as man submits to God. This is the very theme that Mary celebrates.

Removing Our Reproach (Luke 1:26-38)

Our Lord enters history through a very unlikely person. This is Mary, a person who is easily discarded. She has no genealogy, she is from a no nothing town, and she is a young peasant. However, she is the vessel that the Lord uses to bring about his redemptive purpose. She demonstrates the true essence of Christ's mission that we have to humble ourselves for our reproach to be taken away.

Elijah is Coming (Luke 1:1-25)

Luke desires to present to us an orderly account of Christ, and why Christ is the messiah. We begin our Christmas series with Luke's account of John. We are going to cover Luke's gospel for Christmas, and then we will head back to Luke's gospel after we finish Hosea.

Jesus, the Christmas Confirmation (Luke 2:1-38)

Jesus lives up this his name. His name means Yahweh Saves. Jesus enters history to save his people from their sins. This is why Christ has to be born an infant in order to live a perfect life to be presented as the perfect sacrifice.

John’s Christmas Expectation (Luke 3:1-20)

John is the prophet who announces Christ's arrival. His privilege is that he sees the fulfillment of his word. He is a prophet of reformation to call Israel back to her king. John is frustrated because his mission does not bear the fruit that John hoped it would bear. John realizes that his prophecy is correct, but in order for Christ to bring glory he must first suffer. Christ's mission parameter in this age is Isaiah 61 rather than the full har maggeddon battle that John expected.

King Redeemer of the Kinsmen Redeemer (Matthew 1:18-2:12)

Joseph considers his legal recourse regarding his pregnant fiancé. He thinks that she loves another man because Joseph knows that she is not carrying his child, and so Joseph desires to quietly break off their relationship by appealing to Deuteronomy 24. An angel appears to him and reveals that Deuteronomy 24 is not going to be used, but rather Deuteronomy 25. Joseph will be the levirate redeemer establishing the legality of Christ's line. Why is it so important that Joseph takes Mary to be his wife?

A Tragedy or Triumph? (Luke 2:1-21)

When the Lord declares that he will be victorious over the serpent there is no doubt that the Lord will be victorious over the serpent. God does not overpromise what he is capable of accomplishing. Our expectation of this victory is that Christ is going to send an action hero, a special forces unit, or have a military strategy that would set this world on end. The Lord is going to conduct his battle according to our values rather than showing his strength through humility.

Luke tells us that the Lord does reveals some of the heavenly army, but the angels only sing praises regarding Christ. The Lord recruits the shepherds, but they lack integrity. They do not come to fight, but only bear witness to the angels in heaven praising God. This seems like a flop, but in reality this is exactly how God intends to manifest his victory. The Lord will be exalted through humiliation.

The Humble and Powerful Gospel (Acts 28:23-30)

Luke teaches that Christ is the messiah, he is the one to establish the promises of God, and ultimately to be the administrator of peace.  So we conclude our series by turning to the last chapter in Acts.  Paul is under house arrest because of the Gospel, rejected by the jews, and fails to convert the government leaders.  How can we be assured that Christ really is the messiah?  How can we say that Christ’s mission is truly a successful mission? 

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?

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?

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?

Children of Peace or Problems: The Shepherds (Luke 2:1-20)

Isaiah predicts and raises children that are not necessarily encouraging for Ahaz.  In fact, these children upset the status quo that Ahaz desires to maintain.  This is not just a problem for Ahaz, but we find that the same thing is happing under the watch of Caesar Augustus who is credited with establishing world peace.   Christ’s entrance into history that does not seem to be that well received.  Is this really the Emmanuel child?  Can the Lord really establish His kingdom through such humble beginnings? 

Children of Peace or Problems: Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

Isaiah has not been the most encouraging prophet for the Lord’s people.  He continues to talk about exile and a remnant.  One might wonder if there is any hope for the Lord’s messiah to arrive in history.  However, Isaiah gives us the assurance that there is a child who arrives in history and his name is wonderful counselor.  So, what is so significant about this child who enters history?

Children of Peace or Problems: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:1-10)

Isaiah is commanded to write Maher Shalal, Hash, Bas on the wall.  It is after he writes this on the wall he is to name his child this very name.  Not many Christians name their child Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz.  Is this because the length of the name, the meaning of the name or both?  Why is Isaiah commanded to name his child: Quick Spoil Swift Plunder?

Children of Peace or Problems: Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

Isaiah 7:14 promises a great child. It is the promise of a child whose name means, “God with us.” This is a wonderful promise. Immanuel means God walking in the midst of his people giving the assurance that no matter what his people face they will have assurance of the Lord’s protection. How can this promise be a threat? Why would Ahaz not be encouraged about this sign? How can the birth of this child encourage us?