Good News Weekly Message

If the battle against evil in any way depended on us, we would be destined for defeat. That’s why the heart of the Christian message is not about empowerment or encouragement. It’s about substitution. In the battle against our greatest enemies, we are spectators rather than participants. This week we see Jesus go head to head with the devil Previously the devil had been undefeated against human beings, but in this head to head showdown, Jesus was victorious. Jesus’ victory over the devil was won by a human. As a result, it’s also for humans.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian’s 40-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the proclamation of Easter. The 40 days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of his ministry, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law, Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God. Ash Wednesday begins the Christian’s Lenten journey with a reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance (Genesis 18:27, Job 42:6, Jeremiah 6:26, Matthew 11:21). The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful gives Ash Wednesday its name. The church father Tertullian (c. A.D. 160-215) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ. The ashes remind us forcefully of our need for redeeming grace as they recall words from the rite for Christian burial “...earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust...,” words that will someday be spoken over us all. Traditio

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week, we see how Jesus, even though he possessed the full power and glory of God himself, hid that glory while on earth because of the mission for which we came. His departure back to glory included a trip to the cross. In the very same way, our ultimate destination is glory - but that glory remains hidden for now.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week, we see Jesus define the way he wants us to interact with others, especially those who would treat us poorly. Rather than repaying evil with evil, Jesus calls us to overcome evil with good. In so doing, we demonstrate that we are children of the Most High, that is, far from home.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week, we see Jesus define the principles on which his kingdom operates. Since his kingdom is other-worldly, we should rightly expect those principles to be very different from the ones on which this world operates. Jesus calls blessed what the world calls cursed; he calls cursed what the world calls blessed.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week, we see how God chooses odd candidates to be his ambassadors. He sends those whose lips are unclean and whose lives are marked by sin. However, this apparent liability is actually the one qualification needed. Those who have received God’s grace and forgiveness cannot help but speak about it.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week, we see how people can easily be drawn to Jesus, but not primarily for the reasons he came. During his time on earth, Jesus brought healing and deliverance from other earthly afflictions. In the same way, he still heals and delivers today. However our ultimate need is caused by sin and therefore Jesus’ ultimate mission was to save us from it. His gospel is what draws us to him.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week we see how the central message Jesus came to proclaim is one not welcome here on earth. Just as it was rejected in Jesus’ hometown, so also our human heart naturally resists the gospel. Thankfully, just as Jesus demonstrated his power over that opposition, so also the gospel has the power to overcome the opposition in our heart.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week we see how the joy and pleasure that God created us and intends for us to enjoy is not to be found here. It’s found in the eternal wedding banquet he is preparing for us. And yet, even now he intervenes with a foretaste of that joy, a preview and guarantee of what is to come.

We dedicate so much of our lives to fitting in and feeling like we belong. And yet, the more we realize the brokenness of our world and its inability to satisfy the longings of our heart, the more feeling out of place might actually be a good thing. Just as God's Son unsurprisingly seemed out of place when he came to this earth, it shouldn't surprise us when the same is true of those who follow him. This week we focus on the event that signals to one and all that someone doesn’t belong - baptism. Both at Jesus’ baptism and at ours, the Holy Spirit anoints and the father proclaims something very important: Don’t let appearances deceive you. This is my child!

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Today we see how the birth of Jesus illustrates true wisdom. Just as no one would have guessed that the Son of God and Savior of the world would have been born in such lowly circumstances, so also no one would have guessed that the experts and insiders of his day would be left out in the dark while strangers and foreigners from distant lands would be drawn to the light. God’s wisdom often looks like foolishness to us. Rather than trusting our wisdom for everything, true wisdom is found in the worship that results when we recognize God’s wisdom.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Today we see how Jesus began his work as our Savior. Normally a great deliverer expects service and obedience from those he comes to deliver. However, Jesus came to be tempted like and obedient for the very people he came to save. Through his submission to his Father’s perfect law, we are welcomed as brothers and sisters into God’s family.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Today we see where God invites us to find him and meet with him. People look for God in all kinds of places. More and more people look for the divine inside themselves. However, even though mankind has no right or business being in the presence of the holy God who created us, God himself took on our flesh and made himself one of us. In Jesus, the Word made flesh, mankind encounters and finds its God.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Tonight we see what God says about peace. Normally we expect peace and power to go together. The only guaranteed way to end fighting is for someone to put absolute fear in the heart of anyone who would oppose him. In contrast, God brings peace into the world in the complete absence of power. He sends a Savior who is born in a lowly place to a lowly family as a lowly child. However, because God brings peace without power, he also brings peace without fear. The peace God brings is for all. And so it’s for you.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. This week we see what God says about joy. It’s easy to equate joy with getting what you want and having everything go your way. But God points us to a joy that’s far different - and far better. Even when we don’t get what we want and everything seems to be working against us, that’s when we can know with certainty that God is at hand. Just as Jesus humbled himself for the joy of saving us, so also we can find joy in all circumstances.

Saints and Angel Hosts Rejoice is a children’s service that focuses on the songs of believers and angels as recorded in Luke’s gospel. These songs—which are still sung regularly by Christians around the world—speak of God’s promises made and fulfilled, and the joyful heart that responds to God’s faithfulness. The praise and proclamation of these early believers—prompted by the Holy Spirit—are ours as well, who by faith cling to and rejoice in the promises of God.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings “undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. This week we see what God says about readiness. Readiness is an allusive concept this time of year. It seems as though the more we do the less ready we feel. Thankfully God directs our attention somewhere other than more busyness. Rather than one more list of things to do, God sends his messengers to point us to the complete work of his Son. Through him - and apart from any effort of our own - we are always ready.

We’re right to expect big things out of Christmas. Unfortunately, we often look for those things in all the wrong places. Just like he did at the first Christmas, God often gives us these blessings "undercover.” He puts his best gifts in the last place we’d expect to find them - like in a manger. Today we will see how this is first of all true in the life of Jesus. Jesus came to be a king, to win a crown not only for himself but for us too. And yet, that crown was won on the last place you’d expect - the cross that he willingly went to as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. But because Jesus won that crown in the least expected of ways, no matter who we are or what we’ve done, we can join in claiming his victory as our own by saying, “Hosanna!” God save us!

The advice is often given to live each day as if it’s your last. But what if we looked at it from the opposite perspective and lived every day as if we’ll live forever? This week we’ll see how the certainty of Christ’s return leads to our constant watchfulness. Being alert and attentive for Christ’s return and for our eternity to begin isn’t easy. Taking our attention off of it is as easy and as natural as falling asleep at the end of a long day. However, Christ’s promises are like wake up bells that keep us watchful while we wait. He’s given us his word, not only that he’ll come back, but that he’ll bring our final salvation with him. It’s no wonder that the Savior who loves us so much urges us to keep watch!

The advice is often given to live each day as if it’s your last. But what if we looked at it from the opposite perspective and lived every day as if we’ll live forever? This week we’ll see how our eternity impacts our generosity. If this life is all there is, it’s only natural that we would grab onto as much wealth as possible and never let it go. “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” as the saying goes. But because we know that we will live forever, we are set free from slavery to our possessions. Instead, we can be generous people - using the wealth that God has given us to invest in the spread of the gospel and its eternal impact.