Comforted in Our Anointing (LD 12; Gal. 5:16-25)

Paul opens the chapter by reminding believers of their freedom in Christ: “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (v. 1). The gospel frees us from striving in the flesh that misses Christ, and the gospel as we conform in our power. It also shines a light so we see where we sinfully indulge selfishness and self-reliance to find joy on our terms. We must focus on Christ as we walk in His Spirit.

Paul contrasts two ways of living: life according to the flesh and life in the Spirit. The flesh, in Paul’s terms, is not just the body but our old, self-centered nature—our default way of living apart from God. It’s a life marked by striving, selfishness, and broken relationships. Paul lists the works of the flesh (v. 19-21), which include sins of self-gratification (like sexual immorality and drunkenness) and sins of self-righteousness (like envy, dissensions, and jealousy).

Living in the flesh is our attempt to build our identity apart from Christ’s power and Lordship. We can do this through moral performance or selfish indulgence. The flesh is fundamentally self-focused, driven by a desire to control our own lives and find meaning apart from the gospel and from submitting to Christ.

Life in the Spirit, by contrast, is marked by freedom, transformation, and love. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit (v. 22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we lose sight of the to do list and focus on living for Christ we produce fruit just as the fruit grows naturally when connected to the vine, so the Spirit produces Christlike character in us when we abide in Him (John 15:5).

Life in the flesh is about striving, either through self-indulgence or self-righteousness, but life in the Spirit is about surrender—trusting the Spirit to work in and through us. The Spirit doesn’t just give us new behaviors; He gives us a new heart.

Paul’s command to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16) is not about trying harder but about living in daily dependence on the Spirit. In the same way, life in the Spirit is about continually turning to God’s grace for every need, moment by moment.

The Spirit frees us from self-centeredness so that we can love sacrificially, reflecting the love we’ve received from Christ.

Galatians 5 teaches us that life in the Spirit is not about trying harder to be good but about being transformed by grace. The flesh leads to striving and self-destruction, but the Spirit leads to freedom, fruitfulness, and love. When we give up our control, submit to Christ, and walk in the Spirit we find the power to live out the Shalom, the peace, and the joy that God has created us to enjoy as we commune with him.

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.

Comforted in One True Savior (LD 11; 1 Cor. 1:10-17)

Paul addresses a fractured church, divided into factions based on allegiance to specific leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or even Christ in a tribalistic sense. These divisions reveal the human tendency to seek identity and superiority in secondary things, even in the church. Paul responds by re-centering their focus on Christ alone, emphasizing that their unity and salvation are rooted not in the messengers, but in the message of the cross.

Human hearts naturally turn good things, like church leaders or even the gospel, into ultimate things that ironically look away from Christ. We are those who create idols that divide rather than finding significance in Christ. But Paul dismantles these divisions by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel’s leveling power: none of them were baptized into Paul or Apollos—they were baptized into Christ. The cross is not just the means of salvation; it’s the ultimate unifier, declaring that all believers are equally in need of grace.

The key takeaway is that the gospel creates a new identity transcending tribalism. In Christ, there’s no room for boasting in human leaders or factions because everything we have is a gift. This passage challenges us to examine where we are tempted to find our worth outside of Jesus and invites us to center our hearts and community on the One who unites us all.

Comforted by Providence (LD 10; Acts 17:22-31)

In Acts 17:22–31, Paul addresses the philosophers in Athens, presenting the gospel, and calling them to see that they do not market god.  It is God who continues to uphold this creation whether we affirm it or not.

Paul begins by acknowledging the Athenians’ religiosity, even pointing to their altar “to an unknown god.” He uses their cultural and spiritual hunger as a starting point to reveal the true God — not a distant deity but the Creator who is near, sustaining all life.  Paul calls them to account for the fact that they do not discover and promote the gods but that there is one God who sustains all things.

Paul then calls them to repentance, announcing that this God has revealed himself in Christ. Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God will judge the world through him.

The resurrection isn’t just evidence of God’s power; it’s the assurance of his love and the hope of renewal for all creation.

Enlightning Sign of Jonah (Luke 11:29-36)

The crowd is seeking signs, challenging their demand for proof, but Christ says they will receive the “sign of Jonah.” Jonah was the sign to Ninevah so Christ is the sign for the current generation.

Then Jesus shifts to a metaphor of light and vision. The problem isn’t the light (the gospel) but the eye (our spiritual perception). If our “eye” is healthy, we’ll see clearly and live in the light. If not, we’re plunged into darkness.

So, we are not to demand signs but to see the Gospel as the sufficient light pointing us to Christ. We are to have a singular focus on the kingdom. As we are focused on the Lord’s kingdom, his light will continue to conform. Ultimately, it is the call to give ourselves to the Spirit, the sole source of light and life.

The Suffering of a Godly Man (Job 3)

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.

In Job 3, we see Job’s raw and unfiltered anguish. After losing everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—he breaks his silence and curses the day of his birth.

This chapter shows us the depths of human suffering and the honesty of biblical faith. Job doesn’t sugarcoat his pain or pretend to be fine. Instead, he expresses the full weight of his despair, wishing he had never been born and lamenting the darkness that has engulfed his life.

God allows honest lament—Job’s words are deeply emotional and even shocking, yet God doesn’t rebuke him for pouring out his heart. This shows that God welcomes our questions and grief, even when they are raw and messy.

Despair arises when suffering feels meaningless—Job’s cry is rooted in the feeling that his life has lost all purpose. He doesn’t yet see the bigger picture, but his pain foreshadows the human cry for meaning in suffering, ultimately answered in Christ.

Job suffers, but he still prays—Though Job curses the day of his birth, he never curses God. His lament is directed to God, showing that even in his darkest hour, Job clings to the reality of God’s presence.

We are encouraged to be honest about our pain while trusting that God can handle our darkest cries—and that He works even through suffering to bring ultimate redemption.

The Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

This parable challenges our sense of fairness and exposes the radical nature of God’s grace. A vineyard owner hires workers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage. Those hired first grumble, feeling cheated, but the owner reminds them that he gave them exactly what he promised.

God’s grace is unearned and generous—It’s not based on merit or how long we’ve worked. Those who arrive late (like the thief on the cross) receive the same reward as lifelong believers because salvation is a gift, not a paycheck.

Our pride blinds us to grace—The first workers represent those who feel entitled to more because of their perceived efforts. Their complaint shows a heart that values comparison and fairness over gratitude.

Ultimately, this parable flips human values upside down. It invites us to rejoice in the generosity of God, rather than resent it, because none of us deserves his grace in the first place.

Confident in God’s Protection (LD 9; Psalm 55:22)

Psalm 55:22 is part of David's deeply personal and anguished prayer, where he laments betrayal and overwhelming sorrow. He describes the agony of war and ultimately being betrayed by a close friend. He wrestles with feelings of fear, anger, and despair. Yet, in verse 22, David pivots from venting his pain to expressing trust in God.

David acknowledges the crushing weight of life’s burdens—especially those caused by betrayal and injustice—but points to the radical hope in casting those burdens onto God. The psalm reveals that we don’t need to carry the weight of our pain or solve every problem ourselves. Instead, we’re invited to entrust our struggles to the One who is both infinitely powerful and intimately loving. God sustains us not by removing all hardships, but by giving us the strength to endure and the assurance that He will uphold the righteous in His unshakable faithfulness. Truly, he is our powerful father because he is creator and continually cares for this world and his people.

Fortified from Satan (Luke 11:14-28)

Jesus heals a man who was mute due to demonic possession, sparking amazement among the crowd. However, some accuse Him of using demonic power (Beelzebul) to cast out demons, while others demand a sign from heaven to prove His authority. Jesus responds with powerful logic, exposing the absurdity of their claim—why would Satan work against himself? Instead, Jesus declares that His work is evidence of God’s kingdom breaking in.

He warns that neutrality is not an option; those who are not with Him are against Him. He further cautions that simply ridding oneself of evil without filling the void with God leads to greater vulnerability. A clean but empty “house” is an open invitation for even worse spiritual oppression. Finally, when a woman in the crowd praises Jesus’ mother for giving Him birth, He redirects the focus, saying that true blessedness comes from hearing and obeying God’s Word.

This passage reveals the radical claim of Jesus’ authority and the decisive nature of following Him. It warns against the dangers of superficial spiritual change—reformation without the Lord’s transformation. Jesus doesn’t just aim to remove evil; He wants to renovate and regenerate with the presence and power of God.

Comforted by Abba (LD 8; Galatians 4:1-7)

In Galatians 4:1-7, Paul explains that believers in Christ are no longer like slaves with no real exercise of the inheritance.  It is in Christ that we are children of God through faith. We are no longer under the tutor who would teach us to be adults and function at some point as an adult.

With Christ’s coming, however, believers are redeemed from this bondage. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are not only set free as adults walking in the Spirit but also adopted into God’s family. This adoption allows them to call God “Abba, Father,” a deeply personal and intimate term that conveys closeness.  God is not a Roman Father who is harsh and unpredictable.  Rather, he is a Father who shepherds his children desiring to see them grow in him.

The use of “Abba, Father” reflects a significant shift from a relationship based on law and obligation to one based on grace and family.  It changes our motivation: we obey not out of fear but love and gratitude. With the Spirit within us, we can confidently approach God, not to earn favor but because we are already fully embraced as His children. This adoption and inheritance change everything, grounding our identity and security in God’s love rather than our performance.

Our Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)

Jesus’s disciples want to learn how to pray from their teacher. Jesus teaches them to pray to the father who places our absolute reliance on our heavenly father as citizens of his kingdom.

Jesus then shares a parable about a persistent friend. In this story, a man goes to a friend at midnight to ask for bread. At first, the friend is reluctant, but because of the man’s persistence, he eventually gives him what he needs. This parable illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer.

Jesus further encourages His disciples to “ask, seek, and knock,” promising that those who do so will receive answers. He emphasizes God’s desire to give good gifts. If fallen fathers know what is good for their children how much more our creator and redeemer? Ultimately, the greatest gift is the new birth, the entrance into the new family, and calling upon our heavenly father as Abba.

Comforting Assurance (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Ephesians 2:1-10 highlights the transformative power of God’s grace in the lives of believers. Historically because of Adam we are dead, living in sin and separated from God (verses 1-3). However, in verses 4-5, God takes the iniative by his mercy and love making us alive together with Christ.  His resurrection is not just overcoming our physical death, but moves us from children of wrath to children of God.

In verse 8-10, Paul makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned by works. He states that we are saved through faith, and even faith itself is a gift from God. This means no one can boast about their salvation, because it is solely by God’s grace, not by human effort.  We only live out the gospel by the Lord’s power.

Boldly Approaching Heaven's Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Hebrews 10:19-25 emphasizes the boldness and confidence believers have in approaching God, based on the sacrifice of Jesus. In verses 19-22, the writer encourages Christians to draw near to God with sincerity and full assurance, holding fast to the hope of salvation, because we have a final priest who has cleansed and opened the heavenly sanctuary. It is our priest who represents us in heaven, he stands over his church, but guarantees that we can draw near to God.

Verse 22 is the first of three exhortations that we draw near to God.  We are not distant from God even while we are on this earth.

Verse 23 urges believers to hold tightly to their confession of faith without wavering, we are exhorted to stand firm in the hope that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Verses 24-25 call the community to encourage one another toward love and good deeds, especially as the Day of Christ’s return draws near. The passage underscores that our confession of faith—declaring and affirming our hope in Christ—should be lived out through mutual support and active participation in the life of the church as a people joined to the one priestly redeemer.

What Sort of Redeemer? (Genesis 3; LD 6)

Genesis 3 records the fall into sin. This is a tragic day when Satan enters the garden, challenging the Lord’s word. Eve is tempted, and Adam fails to defend the Garden Sanctuary. They eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil only to discover that death is separation from their communion and fellowship with God. Adam and Eve realize their nakedness, and they are ashamed, contrasted to the Lord’s creation when they were naked and unashamed. Now, they do not want to be vulnerable before the living God. Their fellowship is instantly broken. This act of disobedience brings sin and death into the world, altering humanity’s relationship with God.

God pronounces consequences on the serpent, the woman, and the man. Speaking to the serpent, God says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will crush his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Humanity will be divided into two lines. There is the seed of the woman represented by the Messiah. Adam defected to the Satanic army. The Lord will rise and triumph over the Satanic Army as some of the human race will be the Lord’s seed, and some will be left on their course as Satan’s seed.

The Lord sets up a guarding angel with a flaming sword that administers eternal death. Anyone who gains access to the tree will be cut off. The Lord provides cover for Adam and Eve, symbolizing the first sacrifice. The Lord will pass through the sword as the God/Man. He will take the eternal punishment that man cannot endure. The first gospel is proclaimed in paradise as Adam and Eve are pushed out of the garden sanctuary. Jesus Christ will enter history, live a perfect life to consecrate his people, endure eternal punishment, and rise in victory to live in the heavenly temple as our eternal priest.

Applying Active Listening with Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus enters a village, and Martha invites Jesus into her home. She is going to host Jesus with her sister, Mary. Martha is busy preparing and serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. Frustrated, Martha tells Jesus to make Mary help her. However, Jesus gently tells Martha that while she is worried about many things, “only one thing is necessary.” He explains that Mary has chosen the “better part” by focusing on his teaching, something that won’t be taken from her.

Jesus clarifies that service in our strength is not service to God. One has to start in the renewing work of the Spirit, doing these works in the power of faith. Martha is simply doing and not hearing.

Are All Saved in Christ? (Romans 5:12-21; LD 4)

In Romans 5:12-21, Paul explains how sin entered the world through our representative Adam, leading to death for all humanity. He contrasts Adam’s disobedience with Christ’s obedience. While sin and death spread through one man’s failure, God’s grace and the gift of righteousness come through Jesus.

Paul emphasizes that just as death reigned through Adam, grace reigns through Christ, offering eternal life to those who believe. Paul points out that all in Christ are saved, and all in Adam are condemned. This is not a universal salvation but a consolation that Christ’s work overcomes Adam’s fall for all who are in Christ Jesus.

How To Be Saved? (Luke 10:21-37)

Jesus rejoices in the revelation of truth to the humble and contrasts it with the wise. By God's grace, anyone is considered among the humble.

Christ then engages with a lawyer who asks, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The man summarizes God’s law. The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks, “Who is my neighbor?”

In response, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story, a man is attacked and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan considered an outsider, stops to aid the man, showing compassion. Jesus concludes by asking which of the three acted as a neighbor, teaching that the kingdom boundaries are beyond Israel and transcend social boundaries. We are not to ask who is my neighbor, but to ask, “How can I be a better neighbor?”

The One Who Delivers us from Death (Hebrews 2:14-18)

We welcome Mr. Mackenzie Boudreaux to our pulpit. He exhorts us from Hebrews 2:14-18.

Christ Helps Those Who Cannot Help Themselves (Mark 7:24-37)

We welcome Mackenzie Boudreaux to our pulpit. He exhorts us from Mark 7:24-37.

God’s Temporary Truce (Genesis 8:20-9:17; LD 3)

Genesis 8:20–9:17 Noah the soother gives off a soothing aroma after the ark rests (noahs) on the top of Mount Ararat. builds an altar and offers sacrifices, which pleases God. God delivers Noah, and his family, through the flood onto a new creation. It is the precedent and picture of God shepherding his church from this world to the glorified creation.

God blesses Noah and his sons, commanding them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. He allows them to eat animals but forbids blood, symbolizing life. God also declares that human life is sacred, stating that anyone who sheds human blood will be held accountable. God will restrain sin so the gospel can go forth.

The sign of the rainbow is a reminder that the Lord has put down his war bow. He will preserve this creation through seedtime and harvest and the various seasons. However, he will pick up that war bow on the final Har Maggeden (mountain of judgment) day and put down the rebellion. This narrative teaches that one wants to be part of the ark community. One wants to be part of the community that has moved through death and now possesses everlasting life in Christ Jesus. Yes, man has a season to continue to rebel, but man’s rebellion will not spiral out of control. However, the Lord will squash man's rebellion once and for all. The Lord is teaching that he will shepherd his people into the new heavens and earth.