Good News Weekly Message

“It's going to get better.” That's easy to say when life is really bad. It's a bit tougher to say when life is really good. But because of Jesus, both are true. No matter how good (or bad) life gets, it’s always going to get better. This week we see how Jesus promises certainty to those waiting. Our world of instant gratification and high-speed everything doesn’t make it easy for us to wait for much of anything. With people of every age, we often wonder how long it will be until Jesus returns. Jesus responds to our impatience, not by telling us when the day of judgment will come, but by promising what will happen when it does. For all those who don’t simply wait but wait with faith in him, he will return with our reward in hand.

“It's going to get better.” That's easy to say when life is really bad. It's a bit tougher to say when life is really good. But because of Jesus, both are true. No matter how good (or bad) life gets, it’s always going to get better. This week we see how Jesus promises life to those dying. Because all we know is a world where everything and everyone is dying, it’s easy to project our experiences and assumptions from this world into the world to come. Jesus’ words, however, help us do just the opposite. The realities that will exist in the world to come can and should already shape our existence in our present world. The life secured for us by Jesus already breaks into and transforms an otherwise dying world.

“It's going to get better.” That's easy to say when life is really bad. It's a bit tougher to say when life is really good. But because of Jesus, both are true. No matter how good (or bad) life gets, it’s always going to get better. This week we see how our life with promise includes promised blessing for those cursed. Whether it’s the general curse of sin or the specific curses pronounced by those who oppose Christ and his Word, life with Christ often appears to be no better (or even worse) than life than life without Christ. One day, however, the promised blessing we hear our Savior proclaim to his people will become visible. In that day, our faith will turn to sight and the blessedness of belonging to Jesus will be visible to all.

At the heart of the entire Bible are a handful of life-saving truths to which God wants us to “hold on for dear life.” It is not the strength of our grip, however, that results in our rescue from sin and death. Rather, these are the truths by which God takes hold of us. This week we see how we are held onto by Scripture and let go from slavery. It’s common in our world to think of holding onto any form of objective, absolute truth as the opposite of freedom. In reality, however, holding onto the Scriptures is how we hold onto Christ. And only Christ is able to set us free from our slavery to sin and captivity to death. He takes hold of our hearts and rescues us from slavery through his Word.

At the heart of the entire Bible are a handful of life-saving truths to which God wants us to “hold on for dear life.” It is not the strength of our grip, however, that results in our rescue from sin and death. Rather, these are the truths by which God takes hold of us. This week we see how we are held onto by Christ and let go from fear. The evil of this world and the danger we encounter gives us every reason to be afraid. Christ answers this fear, however, with his certain and comforting promises. With each promise he makes, he keeps hold of us and gives us a way to keep hold of him. He may not always act in the way we expect him to or grant our every request. When we hold him to his promises, however, fear is replaced by confidence that he will deliver.

At the heart of the entire Bible are a handful of life-saving truths to which God wants us to “hold on for dear life.” It is not the strength of our grip, however, that results in our rescue from sin and death. Rather, these are the truths by which God takes hold of us. This week we see how we are held onto by faith and let go from pride. Human nature assumes that God’s laws are a means by which we can earn his favor and blessing. As a result, our obedience to those laws becomes the basis for our confidence before God and our pride before others. God teaches us, however, that his law serves to reveal our sin. It exposes our utter helplessness and need for rescue. God invites us to trust that he can do what is impossible for us. When we cling to him in faith we are set free from false and foolish pride.

At the heart of the entire Bible are a handful of life-saving truths to which God wants us to “hold on for dear life.” It is not the strength of our grip, however, that results in our rescue from sin and death. Rather, these are the truths by which God takes hold of us. This week we see how we are held onto by grace and let go from guilt. Guilt is an inescapable fact of life. No matter how much we might try to minimize, excuse, or explain our sin, feelings of guilt still weigh us down. God’s grace alone can alleviate this burden. His love is unconditional. He pardons every sin. When we are held onto by God’s grace, we are also let go from guilt.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus’ sharp words continue to expose the folly and the danger of serving money. Last week we heard how serving money leads to worry and trouble in this life. This week Jesus shows us how serving money leads to tragedy in the life to come. What can easily seem like it helps us most in this life will ultimately fail us in death. In contrast, what often seems like it does us no good in this life will be our only source of help in death.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. Out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. No matter how much we dedicate our lives in service to money, however, it will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When he is our master, money becomes a powerful tool we put to use in service to him.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus exposes the self-righteousness of our hearts, an attitude that causes us to be bitter and upset when those we judge unworthy are welcomed into Christ’s presence to be seated at his table. In response, Jesus shows us the joy that exists in heaven whenever one such sinner repents – and invites us to know and experience that joy with him.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus’ sharp words expose our desire to pursue comfort and avoid pain at all costs. Jesus tells us that all those who follow him ought to count the inevitable cost we will incur. When we do so, however, we will realize that whatever we might have to give up or put up with for Jesus will pale in comparison for what we gain through life with him.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus’ sharp words expose the pride and ambition of those who would seek to be responsible for their own exaltation. We all desire acclaim, recognition, and praise. Seeking it in futile and fleeting ways, however, will only result in us receiving the opposite. In contrast, Jesus promises that those who leave their exaltation to God will receive honor and glory far greater than any that can be awarded in this life.

Not all wounds are bad. The precise incision of a skilled surgeon wounds the patient, but only in order to cure him or her. In the same way, we often say that words cut us to the heart. Sometimes, however, those words provide the healing wounds we need. This week, Jesus’ sharp words remind us that the door to heaven is narrow. It’s easy to develop a false sense of security about our standing before God based on some superficial, external familiarity we have with him. Jesus warns, however, that many who think they are on the path to heaven will end up shut out. We must make every effort to enter through the narrow door: faith in him.

We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being free from distraction. The reality, however, is that we need to be freed from distraction. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who was always focused on us. This week we hear Jesus focus our attention on what it will take for us to reach the finish line. Following Jesus does not create a smooth and easy path for us. In fact, both Jesus and his Word lead to division among people, even among people very close to one another. Thankfully, Jesus and his Word also unite us to a long list of runners who have finished the race and won the prize. We know where following Jesus leads,

We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being free from distraction. The reality, however, is that we need to be freed from distraction. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who was always focused on us. This week we hear Jesus focus our attention on the resources he places in our hands during our time on earth. He wants us to know what those resources are useful for – and what they are not useful for. They cannot give purpose or meaning to our lives on earth. They cannot give us security for life after this earth. Because Jesus provides those blessings, however, the resources he gives us are useful for bringing joy and satisfaction to our lives and enabling us to serve others.

We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being free from distraction. The reality, however, is that we need to be freed from distraction. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who was always focused on us. This week we hear Jesus focus our attention on service. It’s easy to think that the purpose of our lives as Christians is to serve God. In reality, what we need first and foremost is for him to serve us. Every time we gather around his Word, he welcomes us as our host. We sit at his feet to receive the gospel gifts he always brings with him. We arrive with hearts that are empty from the trials and temptations of life but leave having been filled with his forgiveness and love.

We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being free from distraction. The reality, however, is that we need to be freed from distraction. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who was always focused on us. This week we hear Jesus’ teach us about giving attention to a neighbor in need. In order for us to give any attention, much less our undivided attention, to our neighbor in need, we first must have our greatest need met. Our need to be justified is why Jesus, in mercy, gave his full attention to rescuing us. Having been freed from any need to justify ourselves, our attention is available for the needs of our neighbors around us.

We live in a world where a thousand things are competing for our attention. As a result, we often talk about the importance of being free from distraction. The reality, however, is that we need to be freed from distraction. A life focused on all the right things is only possible because of a Savior who was always focused on us. This week we hear Jesus’ call his followers to be focused on their destination. This world is not our permanent home. As a result, we let its comforts and concerns distract us only to our peril. Thankfully, we have a Savior who was always focused on his destination. His unwavering resolve means all who trust in him will follow where he has gone.

This past week we had the wonderful privilege of welcoming 110+ children from our congregation and community to our Good News Soccer Camp. It was an awesome week for learning about soccer, meeting new friends, having a lot of fun, and—most importantly—learning about our good and gracious God. This year’s camp theme was “Voices United: He Has Done Marvelous Things!” The theme comes from Psalm 98:1. In this psalm, all people and all creatures are invited to join with voices united in praising God for the marvelous things he has done.

Usually the more powerful something is, the harder it is to control. Not so with God. After Jesus returned to heaven, God unleashed his power in the world through his Holy Spirit. At the same time, he tied up that power to his Word so that we would always know where we can find it and how we can use it. This week we see how God causes his Word to spread from person to person and place to place. While the gospel has certainly spread when specific individuals have traveled to the far corners of the globe, it also spreads when God’s people stay put. God gives each of us a specific station in life, one in which we are surrounded by people, one in which we have opportunities to share the good news of what God has done for us.