New Beginnings Lutheran Church

A woman lavishes an expensive gift on Jesus. She creates quite a stir. Jesus puts it all in perspective, though not all might agree with Him. After all, the same issues continue to create squabbles today.

We are in the middle of a seven day journey over six weeks. One might say what got Jesus killed was what He said. If only Jesus had known the maxim not to talk about politics or religion.

We are in week two of the seven days of Holy Week. Jesus Christ suffered for us; His passion also involved His zeal to provide reconciliation for God’s people. Therefore, Jesus clears the way for all people to stand before God.

We will spend the 40+ days of Lent focused on one week: the week of Christ’s passion. Palm Sunday will begin five weeks early, therefore, as we join the throng heralding Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem riding upon a donkey.

During our day, we get to hear and see many amazing sights. But, we often wonder if this is real or fake. It may be too good to be true. Sometimes, we also think this way about the truth of God’s Word. Is Jesus really God? Did He live and die as the Bible says? Even the disciples had doubts, but in a powerful moment on the mountain, Jesus reveals His divinity. Join us this Sunday as we explore the wonder and awe of His divine revelation.

Jesus’ cry is said to have been so loud that it silenced heaven. It is an expression of abandonment, pain, suffering, and anguish. Some say that Jesus's cry was an invitation for people to bring their own questions to God.

There’s always gotta be one. And this series would be remiss not to include doubting Thomas’ encounter with the resurrected Jesus. We may learn it is safe to be honest, even if we are in a different place than the rest of the group.

Where is God? Even Isaiah the prophet exclaimed God hides Himself. The feeling of God’s absence is especially sharp during hardships in life. And when you feel uncertain, you stand in the place of faith… and doubt.

The opposite of faith is not doubt. Doubts are “the ants in the pants of faith.” In fact, God uses unanswered questions, not unquestioned answers, to lead us to places of faith. Put on your singlet.

There is nothing like a shared goal to form a connection between two people. And differences of opinion about how to achieve that goal can break the best of friends. Paul and Barnabas knew this, but that’s not the end of the story.

We were made to see and know other people. This requires “attention over efficiency.” The faithful relationship between Ruth and Naomi shows how relationships ripple outward, shaping families and communities.

We were made for friendship. If you want a friend, be a friend because to have a friend you need to be a friend. The famous bond between David and Jonathon demonstrates how a friend can stick closer than a brother.

We spent weeks before Christmas waiting and learning the lessons of expectation. Some wait for the unexpected. Would we miss God if He showed up in ways contrary to our expectations? Or might we learn to see God in the places that we’ve been conditioned not to look?

Advent season teaches us how to look forward to the future by being joyfully and fully present now. Again, waiting is active. Waiting for the future involves transforming the present. In fact, waiting for Christmas is life transforming so that this time of year is more than a season, but a way of being. Mary, the mother of Jesus, portrays a lifetime of waiting.

Advent is a time we learn (or relearn) how to wait and discover (or rediscover) the art of savoring the future. No expecting parents want to rush their baby’s arrival, but want their child to arrive in the fullness of time. Likewise we practice expectancy without seeking to rush the process. John the Baptist embodies how we wait between two times.

Advent involves four weeks dedicated to waiting. Waiting is not about doing nothing, but can be immensely active. Even though some stores stock Christmas decorations beside Halloween candies in September, we practice anticipation in Advent. Isaiah and the prophets exemplify how we wait for the day of the Lord.

Waiting is a counter cultural pursuit today. We live in a culture of immediacy. Advent is a season in church time—appreciated only by those in the church. We get to wait for something that has already happened… and will happen again. Abraham and Sarah show us what it means when God calls us to wait.

“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” These words, inked by an apostle, were not intended to be screened onto a powerlifter’s muscle-shirt. This Word is about facing bull-and-bear markets in confidence with Christ.

Concern over the economy, inflation, and whether or not we’ll outlive our money let alone have too much week left at the end of our paycheck has become the American curse. Are we really as insecure as we have come to believe?

The American Dream has become a story about economic opportunity, freedom and independence, personal fulfillment and happiness. As we spend our lives attempting to fulfill this narrative, when does “contentment” arrive?