The election is over, but I think I might need some therapy. Between the over-the-top rhetoric from both sides about America ending if their opponent won and the fear these statements generated in people I love, I’m glad it’s over. Unfortunately, now the sides are forming ranks as those in power seem determined to continue the fight. In my fifty-three years, I’ve not known it to be different. It’s at times like these that I’m thankful for Psalm 2. The Psalmist says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs…I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill…Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son…Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” 

As we begin our Christmas series, Experiencing the First Christmas, we’ll go a bit deeper into the story and examine the experiences of the participants in the first Christmas. This week, we’ll consider the politicians of the first Christmas: Caesar Augustus (Octavian), Quirinius (Governor of Syria), and Herod (King of the Jews). All their political power, plots, and maneuvering against the Lord and His Anointed, played right into God’s sovereign decrees. Join us as we worship the One who sits in the heavens and his Anointed Son.

In one of my favorite movies, What about Bob, the psychotic Bob, played by Billy Murray, is extoling the wisdom and skill of his psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss. In a classic line, Bob says, “We can't be expected to understand him. He is so far above us. We are like ropes on the Goodyear Blimp.”

Likewise, the Apostle Paul ends his teaching on justification by faith through grace with a stunning doxology! He erupts into praise, proclaiming the distance between God and mankind in wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways. God does not submit his plans to us for approval, nor has anyone given or done so much for Him that parity is established or a debt created. All things come from, pass through, and return to God! Truly God alone deserves our worship, service, and praise. Join us Sunday as we consider this doxology and declare His glory.

Mutual disdain springing from mutual self-righteous pride characterizes the conflict between Jew and Gentile believers in the Roman church. Seems like an episode of Dr. Phil where a couple of brothers are complaining about each other. One brother complains that his brother doesn’t value the family, isn’t following the rules, and yet still gets the parents’ favor. The other brother resents the accusations because he loves his parents, doesn’t care about the inheritance, and says his brother is just using his parents. Dr. Phil asks his infamous question, “How’s that working out for you?” 

What do these brothers need to hear? What will enable them to love each other and pursue family unity?  Join us Sunday as we answer these questions and worship our Savior!

Sunday, I framed our text in the story of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32. The younger son went away but came back and was welcomed by the father. The older brother was jealous that the wayward son was graciously welcomed back and responded to him with disdain. But now a temptation exists for the prodigal son: how will he respond to his older brother’s disdain? Join us Sunday as we consider the response of the graced!

Elon Musk is giving away one million dollars each day to swing state voters who sign a petition to support the First Amendment. Why haven’t you signed that petition? If you did, what would you think if you don’t win? Would you conclude that Elon wasn’t faithful to his promise? What if your sibling won and you didn’t? Is Elon fair?  

Sunday, Paul will address Israel’s rejection of God’s offer of grace. Was God faithful to his people? God has made the same offer to the nations. Is he fair? What teaching of the Scripture helps us answer these questions? Join us as we consider God’s sovereign grace and worship His Christ.

America runs on Dunkin! Have you seen that commercial? I’m not a big fan of Dunkin (at least that’s what I tell my doctor), but their point is that their coffee (and doughnuts) fuel America. What fuels the heart of God? Is it our obedience? Is it our service? Is it our success? Our performance? Our counter-cultural lifestyle? What if we have misunderstood God? What if we’ve recreated him after our own image? Join us Sunday as we consider that God runs on grace!

In Romans 10:14-17, the Apostle Paul summarizes the heart of the Great Commission, the call for the Church to spread the Gospel message to all the world. As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded that the Good News of Jesus Christ does not spread without us, His people, actively participating in proclaiming it. Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the logical necessity of Gospel ministry: How can people believe in Christ if they have never heard of Him? And how can they hear unless someone tells them?

Before he was Prime Minister, Winston Churchill was the Lord of the Admiralty. As World War I broke out, he was determined to take the Gallipoli Straits, a narrow path of water that was critical for the Allies to control. The goal was to weaken the Ottoman Empire and cause them to join the Allied forces against Germany. Churchill believed that he could take the Straits without the army, exclusively utilizing the Navy, so in 1914/15 he launched Britain’s attack. It was an abject failure; and since he initiated the attempt, he lost his leadership in the Admiralty and just about went into obscurity. His failure brought public scrutiny, and the newspapers excoriated him. He spent the next year serving as Lieutenant Colonel on the front in the war trying to reclaim his honor. While on the frontlines, he took notable risks to his own life, narrowly avoiding injury on multiple occasions. All this to remove the shame of his failed attack at Gallipoli.

Christian, hear God’s word: “For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame,’” Romans 10:11. Because you have been justified by faith, you will not be put to shame at the last judgment. This passage directly addresses the guilt, shame, and fear that so often weigh us down as children of God. Join us Sunday as we consider this text and worship our Redeemer.

Ryan Reynolds regularly promotes Mint Mobile on social media. For $15 a month, you can get a phone line. He says, “I never thought I would be doing my 100th Mint commercial. How are there people who haven’t signed up. Sorry, I shouldn’t be victim blaming…It’s here when you’re ready.” Our text says something similar. The offer of grace is here, available, and free. You don’t need to search for Christ; you don’t need to go on a mystical quest to find him or convince him to come with you. He’s near; He’s here! And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. With an offer so near and so generous, it’s amazing that more don’t accept it. Join us Sunday as we consider the grace of Jesus!

You won’t obey God’s law, until you understand that you don’t have to. Come Sunday! We’ll worship Jesus and consider God’s grace.