Entries by Kristin

Many Distractions…One Necessity

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We have before us today the two sisters Mary and Martha. It is interesting that we have come to refer to them this way, “Mary and Martha.” That is not how they are typically mentioned in the Bible. In the Bible, their names are usually flip-flopped. Martha is mentioned first, then Mary. Except one time. This suggests Martha may have been the older sister. Martha also seems to have had the more outgoing personality. Of the several times the sisters appear in the Gospels, we hear Martha speak many times. But we have recorded in the Bible only one thing Mary said. You will notice, she says nothing in our text today.

The Chief Shepherd’s Instructions to a Shepherd for Shepherds

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In the final verse of our text today, Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd (v. 4). He is the main Shepherd, the head Shepherd, the primary Shepherd. And of course, he is. He is the Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. He is the Shepherd who makes us lie down by quiet waters, who leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, who is with us and takes away our fears when we go through the valley of the shadow of death. He is the one who gives us life, life to the full. (John 10) In every way he is the preeminent Protector and Provider. He is in every way the Good and the Chief Shepherd.

He Burned the Plow

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There are certain things in life you cannot do “half way.” For example, you cannot jump off of a diving board “half way.” You cannot go skydiving “half way.” You cannot ride a roller coaster “half way.” And you cannot be “half way” pregnant. There are certain things where you are “all in.” The Bible really knows nothing of a “half way” devotion to Christ.

Go Home! Go Tell!

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      In January of 1987, the New York Giants won Super Bowl XXI.  Their quarterback, Phil Simms was named the game’s MVP.  In the moments after the game, Phil Simms was asked, “You just won the Super Bowl.  What are you going to do now?”  And Phil Simms said, “I’m going to DisneyWorld!”  Now, that was not all as spontaneous and organic as it seemed.  Simms later said he was paid $50,000 to say that.  But thus began one of the most famous lines in the history of advertising: “I’m going to DisneyWorld!”

Since We Have Been Justified

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Paul is going to build a magnificent tower this morning. Its lofty heights will touch heaven! To build this grand tower, Paul will start with a rock-solid foundation. The foundation upon which Paul will build this tower is the teaching, the doctrine, of “justification.”

Confused and Scattered

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When God created the first two human beings, he did something remarkable with them. He talked with them. This presupposes there was a common language spoken by God and Adam and Eve. Both God and Adam and Eve knew the same vocabulary and the same grammar rules. What language did they speak in the Garden of Eden? No idea. Fast forward to today. Linguists tell us there are now over 7000 languages on the earth! Now, certain languages are similar and certain commonalities can be found. For example, Spanish, French, and Italian are all from the same “language family.” They are the “Romance languages,” descended from Latin. Some estimate that there are over 400 of these “language families.”

The Waiting Bride Says, “Come!”

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On Thursday of this week, we commemorated Jesus’ ascension into heaven. We stood there in spirit with his first disciples and watched him go up into the sky until a cloud came and him from our sight. And with that event, we became the waiting bride. We say that because the Bible itself uses that language to speak about the Church’s relationship with Jesus. He is called our heavenly Bridegroom. We are called his blood-bought bride. The time when we will be together finally with Jesus is called the “wedding feast of the Lamb.” Our Groom has told us, I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3)

The Ascended Jesus Rides and Reigns!

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A couple of weeks ago we had a pastors’ circuit meeting. I was up to lead the brothers in what is called a “text study.” That is a study of one of the upcoming texts for worship. I had chosen this text. As I began my presentation, one of the brothers remarked that this is the text where we see “scary Jesus.” He wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. But he was commenting on the appearance of Jesus in this text. Did you listen carefully to the description of your Savior? He is described as having eyes like blazing flames. His robe is bloody. He has a huge, double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Seems kind of scary!

The Lamb is the Light of the City of God

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It was just the usual trip to the grocery store. The kids were buckled in their seats in the back of the minivan. Mom would occasionally glance at their little faces in the rearview mirror. All of a sudden her little four-year-old broke the silence. “Mommy, what is heaven like?” One of the most profound theological questions ever! From the mouth of a four-year-old! On the way to the grocery store!

You Give Yourself Away

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Today is a big day for two of our youths at Lord of Love. It is their Confirmation Day. They will stand in white robes before the Lord’s altar and they will confess and promise. They will confess faith in the Triune God. They will confess, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.” They will promise to be faithful to this God, even pledging to die a martyr’s death rather than deny this confession. It will be obvious to everyone in attendance that these two young adults are Christians!