Good News Weekly Message

We wish each other a merry Christmas, a joyful Christmas, a peaceful Christmas. But a disruptive Christmas? That might be the last thing we need this December. And yet, whenever God shows up in our world and in our lives, that’s exactly what it is: disruptive. His arrival upends everything. This week we see how God establishes an eternal kingdom that disrupts succession. Whether it’s the royal bloodlines of a monarchy or the election cycles of democracy, rulers are always replaced by other rulers. A given ruler might be great, but he may be replaced by one who is terrible. In Jesus, however, God has established an eternal kingdom. The child born to Mary rules that kingdom for the good of all.

We wish each other a merry Christmas, a joyful Christmas, a peaceful Christmas. But a disruptive Christmas? That might be the last thing we need this December. And yet, whenever God shows up in our world and in our lives, that’s exactly what it is: disruptive. His arrival upends everything. Tonight, we celebrate God’s arrival on earth as a baby. We might assume that a baby’s birth would not have the ability to disrupt anything. And yet, the humble nature of God’s arrival in the flesh disrupts every assumption and where and how God acts in our world. What now divides all of history into a “before” and “after happened not in a palace or a temple but in a lowly manger.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angel said to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy!” News of the Savior’s arrival forever changed the course of human history and is still a source of inexhaustible joy for us each Christmas. It’s no wonder that so many poets and composers have used their artistic talents to set this good news to song. Today’s service gives us an opportunity to hear again the Scripture that describes both God’s promises and their fulfillment in the sending of his Son. It also features selections from Christianity’s rich heritage of gospel-centered Christmas music. It is our great joy to proclaim the good news of Jesus in Scripture and song!

We wish each other a merry Christmas, a joyful Christmas, a peaceful Christmas. But a disruptive Christmas? That might be the last thing we need this December. And yet, whenever God shows up in our world and in our lives, that’s exactly what it is: disruptive. His arrival upends everything. This week we see how God’s voice disrupts silence. Because we have a God who shows up rather than remaining distant, our hearts need constant preparation. That preparation is what the Bible calls repentance. God does not leave us to do that important work alone, however. He patiently sends the sound of his voice into the world through his messengers. Through the proclamation of his law, he produces in our hearts sorrow over sin. Through the proclamation of his gospel, he gives us comfort through our Savior.

We wish each other a merry Christmas, a joyful Christmas, a peaceful Christmas. But a disruptive Christmas? That might be the last thing we need this December. And yet, whenever God shows up in our world and in our lives, that’s exactly what it is: disruptive. His arrival upends everything. This week we see how God’s arrival disrupts waiting. On the one hand, God’s people don’t need to get his attention. They don’t need to earn his activity. They can simply wait. But that waiting is never met with disappointment. God always acts at just the right time and in just the right way. He came in the flesh at Christmas. He comes to us today in his Word and sacraments. He will come to rescue all who eagerly await his return.

Normally we think of life’s crossroads as places we want to leave. But there are certain crossroads that are exactly where Jesus wants us to be. Life with him is lived at the intersection of all that is already ours but has not yet been fully delivered. This week we see that life with Jesus is lived at the intersection of judgment and pardon. During his time on earth, many reached a judgment about Jesus. They determined that he was a threat to their power and thus needed to be eliminated. Now, however, this same Jesus has been given all power to rule over all things and the authority to judge on the last day. As he was vindicated through his resurrection, so also at his return he will vindicate all those who live their lives as the sheep of his flock.

Normally we think of life’s crossroads as places we want to leave. But there are certain crossroads that are exactly where Jesus wants us to be. Life with him is lived at the intersection of all that is already ours but has not yet been fully delivered. This week we see that life with Jesus is lived at the intersection of falling asleep and remaining alert. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot anticipate or predict his return. In this sense, we will all be “asleep” when it happens – it will come as a surprise to as all. And yet, even as we continue to live our lives for as many days as God gives us, we remain alert at all times through the work of his Spirit in our hearts. By supplying our faith with the fuel it needs, we will be ready no matter when the last day comes.

Normally we think of life’s crossroads as places we want to leave. But there are certain crossroads that are exactly where Jesus wants us to be. Life with him is lived at the intersection of all that is already ours but has not yet been fully delivered. This week we see that life with Jesus is lived at the intersection of the past and the future. For as many days as God gives us, we can always look back at his blessings even while we look ahead to the work we joyfully carry out in his name and for his glory. That is true for us not only as individuals but also as a congregation. Whether we’re looking back or looking ahead, we see God’s goodness in all directions.

Normally we think of life’s crossroads as places we want to leave. But there are certain crossroads that are exactly where Jesus wants us to be. Life with him is lived at the intersection of all that is already ours but has not yet been fully delivered. This week we see that life with Jesus is lived at the intersection of sight and reality. Although those who belong to Jesus often look no different from the rest of the people of the world – they still sin; they still suffer – God points us to the unseen reality that we are saints in his sight. Through the blood of Jesus all our sins have been washed clean. That same Jesus promises to shepherd us safely through life to the eternal pastures of heaven where suffering is no more.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. This week we how the two kingdoms in which Christians are citizens will often compete for our ultimate allegiance. While we give our honor and obedience to those who rule earthly kingdoms, we give our worship only to God. This pledge of allegiance may at times put us at odds with earthly authorities. When it does, however, Jesus will use our confession of faith under persecution to spread his gospel and bring even more into his kingdom of heaven.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. Join us as we see the radical and revolutionary way things work in the kingdom Jesus rules. This week we how Jesus is the king of both the kingdom of heaven and the kingdoms of this earth. Though he rules each kingdom in a different way and for a different purpose, he is Lord of all. In the same way, the Christian is a citizen in both kingdoms. As a result, our lives in both kingdoms can be lived in service to the Savior who rules them both.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. Join us as we see the radical and revolutionary way things work in the kingdom Jesus rules. This week we how Jesus’ kingdom practices discrimination in a way that is anti-discriminatory. On the one hand, Jesus is clear that only sinners will be welcome at his heavenly banquet. Those who find their righteousness in themselves will be shut out or thrown out. On the other hand, because sinners are the only type of people there are, the invitation to Jesus’ banquet goes out to all and the righteousness that makes us fit for his feast is available to all.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. Join us as we see the radical and revolutionary way things work in the kingdom Jesus rules. This week we see how in Jesus’ kingdom, we can already see the right side of history. In the kingdoms of this earth, we can only know which side of an issue is wise or just in hindsight. In Jesus, kingdom, however, we can already apply hindsight to our present and our future. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is clear proof that he is the king he claimed to be. All who build their lives on him will have a firm foundation. All who live as his enemies will stumble to their own destruction.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. Join us as we see the radical and revolutionary way things work in the kingdom Jesus rules. This week we see that Jesus’ kingdom disrupts our sense of law and order. In worldly kingdoms, outward compliance to the law is usually good enough. Jesus, however, isn’t interested in outward compliance. He wants more than lip service from his subjects. He wants true repentance in our inmost hearts. When he works that repentance in us, however, our disobedience to his commands is forgiven. No matter what sinful ways we have walked, those who turn to him will live.

Every administration makes rules and sets policies for how it wants things to run. But no matter who’s in office or which nation we’re talking about, no kingdom of earth runs like the kingdom of heaven. Join us as we see the radical and revolutionary way things work in the kingdom Jesus rules. This week we see that in Jesus’ kingdom justice isn’t served – at least not the kind of justice we’re used to. In the classroom, the workplace, and the arena, people are rewarded according to what they do. They get what they deserve. But king Jesus rewards people according to his own generosity rather than according to their performance. His kingdom runs on grace rather than on merit.

People who form a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. People looking for a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. But the only thing that matters is what Jesus says a church should be like. And thankfully, Jesus never shied away from describing and demonstrating the kind of church he wants. This week we see that the kind of church Jesus forgives freely. Forgiveness is central to Christ’s kingdom. It’s the currency with which it operates. And because it’s the currency God uses with us, it naturally must be the currency we use with others. Forgiveness flows freely from him to us so that it can flow freely from us to others.

People who form a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. People looking for a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. But the only thing that matters is what Jesus says a church should be like. And thankfully, Jesus never shied away from describing and demonstrating the kind of church he wants. This week we see that the kind of church Jesus wants warns its members who are getting trapped by sin. A church is like a group of siblings – brothers and sisters who are each other’s keepers. When we see one another falling into sin, we warn one another in love. We do this with the goal of leading our brother or sister to repentance and being able to point them to their forgiveness in Christ.

People who form a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. People looking for a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. But the only thing that matters is what Jesus says a church should be like. And thankfully, Jesus never shied away from describing and demonstrating the kind of church he wants. This week we see that the kind of church Jesus wants carries its cross. Just as Jesus’ path as our Savior necessarily included him dying on a cross, so also our path as his followers necessarily includes a cross. For us that cross is symbolic – it means a death to self and submission of our life to his. Though our figurative cross can be painful and seem repulsive, knowing how Jesus blesses us through it enables us to take it up with joy.

People who form a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. People looking for a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. But the only thing that matters is what Jesus says a church should be like. And thankfully, Jesus never shied away from describing and demonstrating the kind of church he wants. This week we see that the kind of church Jesus wants confesses Christ confidently. In his love for us, God has revealed the truth about himself and the truth about his Son. As a result, he wants us to confess that truth before others. As we do, we can be confident not only that our confession is accurate but that it is indestructible. All those who build their lives on the solid rock that is Christ stand on a firm foundation.

People who form a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. People looking for a church have all kinds of ideas about what it should be like. But the only thing that matters is what Jesus says a church should be like. And thankfully, Jesus never shied away from describing and demonstrating the kind of church he wants. This week we see that the kind of church Jesus wants is extending to all. Though the gospel of Jesus came first to the Jewish people, God’s intent all along was that it would extend from that one nation to all nations. Through the spread of that gospel, God has brought near those who once were far from him and has made them members of his family. In the same way, Jesus wants to use us to extend his grace to everyone.