I will raise him up
This promise of resurrection is absolutely central to the Christian faith. In the Nicene Creed, we even say that “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” are something we “look for”. It is the end goal of our faith, the primary objective, the thing that we are always directed toward.
True bread
Our physical and spiritual bread are two entirely different things and they meet entirely different (though both critical) needs. When we have both of these kinds of bread, life can be sustained. Jesus tells us where we can find both.
Tough truths and people-pleasers
What can we possibly learn from such a damaged family, a terrible king, and how he corners himself into beheading one of the greatest prophets to have ever lived? Where is the good news in any of that?
Ministry done Jesus’ way
God has graciously given us the gift of faith so that we get to work. That work is to share the good news. Proclaim the gospel. Bring people to faith. We call usually call this work “ministry”.
Peace and quiet
When we face difficult challenges in life, sometimes the best thing is to stop speaking. May we quietly wait for the Lord’s salvation to come in our suffering and, finally, when Christ returns.
You can’t choose your family…
Before we call others crazy, Jesus calls us to take a look at ourselves first. He reminds us that Satan is powerful, but he has been defeated by an even stronger opponent who then freely and graciously invites us into His family.
Hope, inheritance, and power
I’m sure we can all agree that unity is a good thing to strive for in any context, but especially the church, but we’re historically terrible at maintaining it. It is faith in Christ that truly unites the church and gives us hope.
Risk and reward
Last week, we heard the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This week, we have the Parable of the Talents. We can take three main points from the parable today: the master trusts the servants; fear cripples while faith produces; faith involves risk.
Ready and waiting
Jesus tells a series of parables about what will happen on Judgment Day and how God will sort the righteous from the unrighteous. Like anything to do with the end times, the parable of the ten virgins (or ten bridesmaids) is both a warning and a promise.