Posts from 2017

Joyful, reverent, and fervent praise springs from knowing God in His power. The denial of the doctrine of creation directly undermines the worship of God, as does the denial of His sovereign control over all things, including the hearts of men. Our God reigns over the whole world and no one can…

Someone has said that Jesus Christ came from the bosom of the Father to the bosom of a woman. He put on humanity that we might put on divinity. He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God. He was born contrary to the laws of nature, lived in poverty, was reared in obscurity, and only once crossed-the boundary of the land in which He was born—and that in His…

“My soul magnifies the Lord…” What is your favorite Christmas carol? Christmas carols are songs about Jesus’ birth. Mary’s song was the first Christmas carol. She sang about how big and great God is. Have you ever looked through a magnifying glass? Have you seen how things can look very big through that magnifying glass? Mary wanted her life to magnify God. She wanted…

Who is Jesus? Read John 1 1-5 again and this time read “Jesus” instead of “the Word.” Jesus is with God and, at the same time: Jesus is God. There is God the Father: and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is One God who is three Persons. Jesus is not only a man: He is God. In God’s power: Jesus created the earth and everything that…

You can be sure because Christmas has always come at the same time for many years. But even before the first Christmas, people were sure that Christmas was coming. How did they know about God’s promise to send Jesus? God spoke through people called prophets to tell about His plan long before it…

Why do we celebrate Christmas? Christmas is fun. Opening gifts is fun. Visiting family and friends is fun. Eating cookies and candy is fun. Is this why we celebrate Christmas? On the first Christmas, the shepherds did not have gifts, friends, and candy. They were tired and hungry from working hard all day. At night there was more work to do. They took turns staying awake…

“… how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11) If we follow the pattern of Scripture, we will pray for God’s material provision and for his spiritual gifts, with an emphasis on the latter. It is tempting for pastors to pray about buildings and budgets, but it would be better for us to pray for the…

Act 1: God’s Plan for All People Creation: The God of All of Life Fall: Rejecting God’s Vision for Life Flood: God Judges and Makes a Covenant to Preserve Life Act 2: God’s Covenant People The People: God Calls a Covenant People Deliverance: God Rescues His People Covenant and Law: God Embraces and Instructs His People The Land: God’s Place for His People…

A. That I am not my own, 1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, 2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, 4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil. 5 He also preserves me in such a way 6 that without the…

On October 5, 1544, Martin Luther preached the dedication of the Castle Church at Torgau, Germany. This church lays claim to being the first Protestant church to be built, as all the other church buildings were converted Roman Catholic sanctuaries. Lucas Cranach, Luther’s painter and engraver, designed the interior of this church, including the pulpit. It is a rectangular…