What is the “light” that Jesus brings to our world? Last week we kicked off our new Advent series called “Out of Darkness”. The purpose of this series is for us as a church to better understand how the birth of Christ (Christmas!) offers us genuine hope, faith, peace and joy in the midst of… Continue Reading
It’s always fascinating to drive around town in late November or early December and see who has already put up their Christmas lights and decorations, or to ask the prying question of co-workers and friends, “When will you put up your Christmas tree?” Many are poised to decorate and prepare for Christmas as soon as… Continue Reading
Jesus never leaves! This week we wrap up our study in the book of Hebrews. As we do, we are going to celebrate one of the most comforting and encouraging aspects of the gospel – Jesus doesn’t leave us to our own devices to figure life out! Often times we are tempted to believe the… Continue Reading
What does pursuing Jesus mean practically speaking? Last week in our study of the book of Hebrews we learned how God uses trials, temptations and tribulation to discipline us for our good. God’s discipline in our lives is never punitive but always redemptive. Therefore, the writer encourages us to keep our eyes firmly fixed on… Continue Reading
God’s Key to Spiritual Growth: Discipline! Do you long for more spiritual fruit in your life? Do you desire more peace, joy, goodness, self-control and holiness? Would you like to experience the reality of Christ more in your character, habits, attitudes? My hope is that you would all respond to these questions with a resounding… Continue Reading
Jesus is the reward for persevering in our faith! In our study of the book of Hebrews, I have argued that the central message the writer wants to convey to us is simply this: Jesus is worth it! In other words, having Jesus in our lives is worth every effort, sacrifice, struggle and hardship. Jesus… Continue Reading
Jesus is a better sacrifice! So far in our study of Hebrews we have seen how the writer continues to emphasize to his readers that Jesus not only fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system but that the sacrificial system itself was a shadow and copy of a greater salvation now revealed in Christ. Last week… Continue Reading
Jesus is where God and humanity meet in a single person! I know many Christians who, having determined to read their way through the entire bible, wind up quitting as soon as they hit the biblical “axis of confusion”: Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It seems that the most avid and determined readers of the bible… Continue Reading
Jesus is a Better Covenant! This week in our series in the letter of Hebrews we will continue looking at what it means to have Jesus as our High Priest – the true “Melchizedek” – who offers us a better covenant than what we had under the Old Testament law. While the book of Hebrews… Continue Reading
Who is Melchizedek & why does it matter? This week in our series in the letter of Hebrews we will explore the mysterious Old Testament figure named Melchizedek. Other than his encounter with Abraham in Gen. 14, Melchizedek does not appear again in any other narrative. However, in Psalm 110 God promises to His “anointed… Continue Reading