Good News Weekly Message

During Lent God calls us to give up our sin. His pointed attacks against the sins that beset his people help us put off the attitudes and actions of our sinful nature. His perfect righteousness as our substitute assures us that we are right with God and empowers us in godly living. Today Jesus attacks what is perhaps the most common form of idolatry: materialism. Love of money and possessions tempt us to replace God as the most important thing in our life. Thankfully we have a Savior who was tempted as we are but was without sin.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, Jesus gives us one more glimpse of his glory prior to the solemn and somber days of Lent. Just as he prepared his disciples for his journey to the cross, the glory he revealed at his transfiguration prepares us to watch him suffer and die and gives us the confidence that Lent always leads to Easter.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, we see Jesus' somewhat surprising plan to entrust his church with the spread of his gospel. We might be surprised that he doesn't simply do the work himself. However, since his power and promise go with us, we can be confident that the truth about him will spread as he sees fit.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, we see the impact that truth has on even the most zealous of opponents. Paul was passionately opposed to the Christian movement. But by God's grace he was called to faith and to be a missionary. The example of Paul proves the incredible spreading power of the Epiphany truth about Jesus.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, we see that Jesus always exceeds expectations. We might imagine the best and greatest things God could do for us. Sometimes it seems like he lets us down. In reality, because of his infinite love for us, what he does for us is always better than we could ask or even imagine.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, we hear from "the experts," from those whose opinions matter most. At his baptism both the sound of God the Father and the sight of God the Spirit made the same thing clear: Jesus is God's Son, the Christ. Thankfully, those same expert opinions give powerful testimony about us at our baptism: we, too are his children.

By its very nature, an epidemic is something you can't stop. You either quarantine yourself from it or inevitably catch it. The same is true of the child born at Christmas. The truth about his identity is undeniable and its effect on human lives is unstoppable. This week, we see where the epidemic started. By bringing the wise men from the east to visit the newborn King, God was sending an important message. Jesus was not the Savior of just one nation or race. He is the Savior of all people. No one is excluded from God's gracious plan of salvation.

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time. And it usually is. But we dare not let the joy and merriment of the season cause us to forget the reason our Savior came. For centuries, the church has taken a moment just three days after Christmas to remember those who first died for the newborn Jesus' sake: the baby boys of Bethlehem. Their death is an important reminder of what happens when light shines in a dark world. Darkness tries to expel it. Thankfully, the story of the holy innocents is also a reminder that the darkness never overcomes the light.

Christmas is a day to celebrate the fact that what once was hidden is now revealed. That isn't the case just because presents that once were wrapped now have been opened. It's because the baby born in Bethlehem is the Word made flesh. God's Son reveals for all to see what our God is like. Today we celebrate his love and his salvation, both of which are clearly seen in the Christ child.

"Peace" is often used to describe the feeling we get as we sit around the fire with friends, family, and lots of great food. The peace of Christmas is sometimes equated only with the comfort of the season or with family members setting aside differences. In reality, the peace of Christmas is so much more. The peace announced by the angels on the night of Jesus' birth signaled the end of hostility and strife between God and mankind. Because of the Christ child, the war with God has ended. Peace is ours!