Good News Weekly Message

Have you ever wanted a do over? When we mess up, it’s natural to want another shot at getting it right. But Jesus came to do far more than give us a second chance. He came to be the perfect substitute for the whole human race and to win back for us even more than what we had lost. This week we see how God provides us with sight that is even greater than perfect, 20/20 vision. Since the fall into sin, the human race has been trapped in blindness. We cannot see the truth about ourselves, our God, or our world. But rather than simply restoring our vision, God sent us his Son. When we listen to his voice, we have something better than even the best human vision could provide. We have divine vision of who our God is and what he has done for us.

Have you ever wanted a do over? When we mess up, it’s natural to want another shot at getting it right. But Jesus came to do far more than give us a second chance. He came to be the perfect substitute for the whole human race and to win back for us even more than what we had lost. This week we see how God satisfies our thirsts – both physical and spiritual – in ways that exceed our expectation. Rather than being a “faucet” for our needs – someone we can activate on our own time and on our own terms, God’s constant presence in our life is like an ever-flowing spring of living water. He is with us at all times and provides for all our needs in the way he knows is best.

Have you ever wanted a do over? When we mess up, it’s natural to want another shot at getting it right. But Jesus came to do far more than give us a second chance. He came to be the perfect substitute for the whole human race and to win back for us even more than what we had lost. This week we see that God’s first word and his last word – his gracious promise to send Jesus as the world’s Savior – is never superseded by or set aside by his other word – his law. God’s law requires individual obedience, but the promise offers universal blessing. The law brings obligation, but the promise offers a free gift. The law can only result in condemnation, but the promise produces faith and is credited as righteousness.

Have you ever wanted a do over? When we mess up, it’s natural to want another shot at getting it right. But Jesus came to do far more than give us a second chance. He came to be the perfect substitute for the whole human race and to win back for us even more than what we had lost. Today we see Jesus go toe-to-toe with the very foe who defeated humanity in the first place. Just as Adam battled the devil in the comfort of a perfect garden where God had provided for his every need – and lost, so Christ battled the devil in the barrenness of the desert – but won. Christ fought the devil vicariously and victoriously. He defeated the devil as one of us and for all of us. Our second Adam means a second chance is no longer needed.

About a decade ago, someone had the idea – and others agreed with the idea – that the new church they were starting in Mt. Horeb would be called “Good News.” When Christians talk about the good news (or the gospel), they are most likely referring to what that news is. The “what” of the good news is that God loved a world of sinners so much that he sent Jesus to be our Savior. But how that good news is delivered is, itself, good news. God delivers his forgiveness and salvation in a way that allows sinners to draw near to him in faith rather than being driven from him in fear. That “how” of the good news is demonstrated vividly in some important events that happened at the biblical place for which our village is named: Mount Horeb. On Mt. Horeb, we see how God hides himself in order to reveal himself to his people. As we dedicate this building, that good news on Mt. Horeb is good news for Mt. Horeb.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we conclude the season of Epiphany by remembering Jesus’ transfiguration. On top of the mountain where Jesus was transfigured, his disciples saw clearly his identity as God’s Son. That glimpse of glory was important as Jesus began his descent to Jerusalem and the cross. As we begin the solemn season of Lent, we do so with one last lightbulb moment fresh in our minds.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we hear the next section of Jesus’ so-called “Sermon on the Mount.” In this section, Jesus gets specific about what it means for his followers to be “salt” and “light.” Far more than mere outward obedience, Jesus applies his law to the deepest thoughts of our minds and desires of our heart. He shows us how to live lives that please God and benefit our neighbor.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we hear the next section of Jesus’ so-called “Sermon on the Mount.” In this section, Jesus doesn’t help us see something about him as much as he helps us see something about ourselves. He calls his followers salt of the earth and light for the world. Both pictures highlight the blessing and value that Christians are in a world full of darkness. Salt and light is what Jesus declares that we are. Salt and light are what Jesus wants us to be.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we hear a section of Jesus’ so-called “Sermon on the Mount.” The section of this sermon known as the Beatitudes completely turns upside the values and priorities of this world. What the world sees as cursed, Jesus wants us to see as blessed. Not only do his words declare this complete reversal but his actions also demonstrate it to be true. Let our whole confidence be in him!

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we stop and look around from the pew. The pew is where we sit when we gather with our fellow Christians around the gospel. That gospel was a light that shined in the darkness when Jesus walked the earth. That gospel is still a light when it is in our mouths and ears today. We don’t have to stumble in the darkness looking for glimpses of light. The gospel shines brightly and dispels our gloom.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is “put our heads down” and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we stop and look around at the crossroads, that is, those moments in life where we need to know why we follow Jesus. Whether a person is considering following Jesus for the first time or considering whether to continue to follow him, we need to know what we are looking at when we look at Jesus. Thankfully, both his forerunner and the Scriptures are clear: He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

There are times in life when it feels as though all we can do is "put our heads down" and move forward. It is important, however, that we occasionally stop and look around in order to regain a wider perspective. As we do, Jesus makes sure we're standing in the right spots in order to see life the way he wants us to see it. This week we stop and look around at the river, that is, at the place of Jesus’ baptism. This important first act of Jesus’ public ministry identified him as the Messiah and equipped him for his mission. At his baptism, God the Father anointed Jesus with his Spirit. In our baptisms he does the same. Because Jesus joined himself to us in his baptism, we are joined to him in ours.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether are home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. He is always with us so that we never have to be without him. This week we remember a very early but important act in the life of Jesus. On his eighth day, he was circumcised as the law required. By submitting himself to God’s law, he already began his work as our Savior, and by shedding his blood he foreshadowed the payment he would make on the cross for our sins. At just eight days old, he proved himself worthy of the name he was given: Jesus, which means, “The Lord saves.”

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether you’ll be home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. One of the names the Bible uses to refer to Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” In Jesus, God is always with us so that we never have to be without him. On Christmas Day, we focus our attention on the mystery and the miracle of the incarnation. The child whose birth we celebrate is God in the flesh. Because he is, he also reveals our God to us. No longer does mankind learn about God in bits and pieces. Instead, Jesus is the full and final revelation of God. In him we see the glory of God – he is full of grace and truth.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether you’ll be home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. One of the names the Bible uses to refer to Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” In Jesus, God is always with us so that we never have to be without him. On Christmas Eve, we celebrate Immanuel’s arrival. Any child’s birth is worth celebrating, but the details of Jesus’ arrival are especially important for us. The announcement of his arrival and the signs that accompanied it marked the lowliness and humility that would characterize his life from the cradle to the cross. As a result, while all those who commanded the world’s attention and admiration took no notice, the lowly and the forgotten received front row access to the newborn king. And as a result, there is room at the manger for us as well.

For the past few weeks, the theme for our worship has been “Home for More Than Christmas.” One of the names the Bible uses to refer to Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” In Jesus, God offers us a better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than just one day. In Jesus, God is always with us so that we never have to be without him. This name, Immanuel, is highlighted in the account of Jesus’ birth recorded in Matthew’s gospel. Tonight, we celebrate the birth of Christ in Scripture and in song by hearing three sections of Matthew’s gospel. Each section conveys that Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of all God had promised. Each section conveys that in Jesus – Immanuel – our fears are turned to joy.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether you’ll be home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. During the weeks leading up to Christmas we’ve been focusing on Jesus’ name, “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” In Jesus, God is with us so that we never have to be without him. Today’s children’s Christmas service focuses on the various signs God gave his Old Testament people – and us – that clearly point Jesus’ identity as Immanuel. Through these signs we can be completely confident of that Jesus is God’s Son and the Savior of us all.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether you’ll be home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. He is always with us so that we never have to be without him. This week we hear how Jesus administers God’s justice. While the world obsesses over whether or not, visible and outward acts of good are rewarded and evil are punished, Jesus’ justice goes much deeper. He sees into our very hearts and knows our every sin. As a result, we can only come to him in humble repentance, pleading for his mercy. Thankfully, we find the mercy we need in the same Savior who judges us. He faced the axe of God’s judgment in our place. As a result, we find peace and rest in him.

Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. Whether you’ll be home this Christmas or not, God offers us an even better definition of “home,” and he offers it to us for more than one day. He is always with us so that we never have to be without him. This week we see that, in Jesus, God is present among his people. His presence is no longer tied to one specific building or place. His presence is no longer in the form of visible flesh and blood as when he walked the earth. And yet, we can still be confident that he is always near. When we gather around his Word, he is with us to bless us with light for our path and peace in life’s trials. As we start a new Church Year today, we already know the most important thing about the year ahead: Whatever may happen, it will happen with him.