Good News Weekly Message

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about what reactions we should have toward and expect from others. Our natural instinct is to think that evil needs to be repaid with evil and good with good. Jesus, however, teaches his followers to repay evil with good and not to expect for good to be repaid. Perhaps nothing is so out-of-place and seemingly upside down in our world than the behavior Jesus calls for. According to Jesus, that’s the point. In acting this way, we identify ourselves as children of our Father in heaven.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about what constitutes a blessed life. It’s easy to assume that we are blessed by God when things go well, when they turn out the way we’d like, and when our efforts are successful. Jesus, however, helps us see the blessings in what we would normally consider curses. When we fail, when we suffer, and when things don’t go our way, it forces us to put our trust in God and for our souls to be satisfied in him.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about the agenda God sets for Christ and his people. Though there will be times when Christ’s gospel is popular and well-received, that popularity in and of itself is not the goal. Nor does that popularity in and of itself define success. Instead, God’s agenda for Christ and his kingdom is simply to preach the gospel in every place throughout the world. When that agenda is carried out, Christ and his people have successfully carried out their work.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about the reception the gospel receives when it is heard by human ears. Normally when a message is rejected, it indicates some sort of failure. Because the gospel is divine revelation, however, it is guaranteed to offend us and often be rejected. This rejection, however, only demonstrates the divine nature of God’s revelation and prompts the gospel to be preached in other places and among other people.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about the way God handles our requests. It’s easy to limit our expectations of God and to assume that, if he ever says “no” to a request, we’re getting less than we wanted. In reality, God often wants more for us than we want from him. Saying “yes” to all of our requests would often result in us receiving far less; his “no” assures he wants to give us much more. Far more than existing as a “help desk” or a 911 dispatch, God’s love for us is like that of a groom for his bride. His love for us exceeds all expectation and understanding.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about the identity of the members of Christ’s kingdom. No matter the person and no matter their role in God’s saving work, outward appearances often hide underlying reality. This was true of Jesus and it his true of all who follow him. Thankfully, God attaches the reality he speaks into existence with visible evidence. He visibly anoints those he chooses to be his own. This was true of Jesus. It is true of all who follow him.

When someone has an epiphany, it's not that reality changed. The way they see that reality did. In the same way, having Jesus in our lives doesn't always mean our reality changes. It simply means we see that reality differently (and better). Today we get an “Epiphany Orientation” about the people Jesus brings into his kingdom and the lengths to which he is willing to go in order to do it. You don’t have to be an “insider” to get close to Jesus. In fact, very often those who seem to be insiders stay far away. In contrast, God moves heaven and earth to bring those who seem to be farthest from the Savior right to his side.

The smaller something is, the closer you have to get in order to see it. That’s why the best way to view the gifts God gives at Christmas is “up close and personal.” God acts in ways that seem small so we can get a good look at the big things he’s doing. Today we see how the arrival of the world’s Savior highlights the work required for our salvation. If that work entailed nothing more than a “to do” list (and a “to don’t” list), then a baby would have been the least qualified to do it. Jesus’ arrival as an infant and his existence at every stage of human development proves that our salvation is found in more than a series of tasks. It is found in a person who substitutes his entire life for ours.

The smaller something is, the closer you have to get in order to see it. That’s why the best way to view the gifts God gives at Christmas is “up close and personal.” God acts in ways that seem small so we can get a good look at the big things he’s doing. Today we see how the account of Jesus’ birth gives us certainty about the Christian faith. The events at the heart of Christianity—including Jesus’ birth—happened at real times and in real places. Because God’s salvation was carried out by a real person and for real people, the careful record of that history can fill us with certainty that God’s salvation is truly ours.

The smaller something is, the closer you have to get in order to see it. That’s why the best way to view the gifts God gives at Christmas is “up close and personal.” God acts in ways that seem small so we can get a good look at the big things he’s doing. Today we see how God reveals his glory to us by covering it up and making it seem small. No one can see God’s glory face to face and live. Had he not found a way to reveal himself to us, we couldn’t possibly know who he is or where he is. However, at Christmas, he revealed himself in Christ: the Word made flesh. Through his Word he still makes his dwelling among us and fills us with his grace and truth.

For the past few weeks, the focus of our worship has been “Christmas Up Close and Personal.” We’ve seen how God often acts in ways that seem small, forcing us to get close in order to see the big things he is doing. God’s habit of working in this way is epitomized at Christmas. On this night, God gave the gifts of unconditional love, unbreakable peace, untouchable hope, and unending joy – and all for the whole world. However, these enormous gifts were all wrapped up in a package so small. They came in the form of a tiny, helpless child. While that may mean God’s work on this night doesn’t seem all that impressive, it enables us (like the shepherds) to get a good, close look at this child – and all the priceless gifts God delivers in him.

The smaller something is, the closer you have to get in order to see it. That’s why the best way to view the gifts God gives at Christmas is “up close and personal.” God acts in ways that seem small so we can get a good look at the big things he’s doing. Today we see how Jesus prepares us for his second coming by sending messengers to prepare the way for him. Those messengers may not always look that impressive. Sometimes, like John the Baptist, they may even look odd or unusual. But the words Jesus puts in their mouth draw us away from our busy, hectic lives and call us to turn our hearts toward Jesus. The call to repentance comes through a person and comes to each of us personally.

The smaller something is, the closer you have to get in order to see it. That’s why the best way to view the gifts God gives at Christmas is “up close and personal.” God acts in ways that seem small so we can get a good look at the big things he’s doing. Today we see how God’s presence among his people seems small and insignificant. Just as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a humble beast of burden, so also water and word, bread and wine now carry Christ and his gifts into our midst every time we gather together. As we begin another Church Year, we are reminded that God is present among us, up close and personal, through the gospel.

It’s been said that the sun is always shining; it’s just that sometimes clouds keep us from seeing it. In the same way, there are splendid realities that God describes in his Word that are often clouded by the current conditions of life in this world. As we near the end of the church year, God gives us a “peek behind the curtain” to see the reality that is already ours in Christ—a reality we one day will be able to see with our own eyes. Today the nearness of Christ’s return is hidden by the appearance that life will go on forever. Our eyes tell us that this life is all there is. Everything in this life, however, passes away. Christ’s promise to return is the only thing that lasts. Therefore, we listen to his call to watch and be ready.

It’s been said that the sun is always shining; it’s just that sometimes clouds keep us from seeing it. In the same way, there are splendid realities that God describes in his Word that are often clouded by the current conditions of life in this world. As we near the end of the church year, God gives us a “peek behind the curtain” to see the reality that is already ours in Christ—a reality we one day will be able to see with our own eyes. Today the reality of our righteous status before God is hidden behind the veil of our sin. Sin separates us from a holy God. Thankfully, Jesus offered a perfect once-for-all sacrifice to be able to enter God’s presence where he constantly pleads our case. When he returns, we can be confident it will not be with condemnation in hand. Rather it will be to deliver our salvation.

It’s been said that the sun is always shining; it’s just that sometimes clouds keep us from seeing it. In the same way, there are splendid realities that God describes in his Word that are often clouded by the current conditions of life in this world. As we near the end of the church year, God gives us a “peek behind the curtain” to see the reality that is already ours in Christ—a reality we one day will be able to see with our own eyes. Today the reality of eternal life is hidden by the shroud of death. Death seems like a universal and invincible tyrant in our world. It eventually comes for all. And yet, behind this curtain stands one who has already defeated death. Because Christ lives, so do all those who die in him.

Taking a stand often leaves you feeling alone. It doesn’t always win you friends and might even make some enemies. But if an idea is both true and profoundly important, those who take a stand for it have a bond that nothing can break. This week, we commemorate the Lutheran Reformation by remembering that every stand we take is designed to give “Glory to God alone.” Every false teaching that has ever arisen robs God of the glory due him in one way or another. As we wait for Christ to return, the opposition we sometimes face gives us opportunity to the confess to the truth. As we confess that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and base all that we believe on Scripture alone, we give glory to God alone in the process.

Taking a stand often leaves you feeling alone. It doesn’t always win you friends and might even make some enemies. But if an idea is both true and profoundly important, those who take a stand for it have a bond that nothing can break. This week, we spend some time reviewing why we do what we do when we gather each week to worship. From start to finish, our time-tested patterns of worship place the gospel on center stage. The gospel or good news is more than just information we need to know and believe. Through the gospel, Jesus himself is present among us to comfort and encourage, to renew and transform us each day. When we gather around the gospel, we gather to receive the gifts that Christ alone can give.

Taking a stand often leaves you feeling alone. It doesn’t always win you friends and might even make some enemies. But if an idea is both true and profoundly important, those who take a stand for it have a bond that nothing can break. This week, we turn our attention to the stand Lutherans take on “Grace alone.” In most areas of life, people are treated according to what they deserve—whether good or bad. Grace, however, is God’s undeserved love. Because Jesus’ willingly endured suffering, condemnation, and death that he didn’t deserve, God can offer us as free gifts forgiveness, life, and salvation that we don’t deserve.