The story of Jesus’ coming is full of curious surprises. Nothing is routine in this story! With every turn comes another twist, a reinforcement that this is no ordinary child. And the events we’re about to examine today are no exception. Every first-century Jewish couple, upon having a child, were to go to the … [Read More…] Great Light
In the first-century Greco-Roman world of the New Testament was a highly stratified and class conscious one. At the top was Caesar and the political ruling class, followed by landed estate owners and decorated military leaders. Roman citizens outclassed non-Romans, and on and on down the ladder. Then, of course, on the lowest rung were … [Read More…] Great Joy
When things get personal, everything changes. It’s one thing to see someone on a screen. It’s quite another to encounter them in real life when things become personal, tangible, and real. That’s what’s happened with Mary. All those years reading her Bible, and now it was happening to her! God chose her to bear … [Read More…] Great Things
Every year, Christmas tends to rush us by. With all the shopping and events and family commitments and the long lists of to-do list, the frantic pace often leaves us barely catching our breath. That’s why Advent is so good for our hearts. If you didn’t grow up celebrating Advent, it’s a time for … [Read More…] Great Expectations
In many ways, the Book of Philippians is kind of a thank you note from the Apostle Paul. Because of Paul’s financial hardships under house arrest in Rome, the Philippian believers pooled their resources and sent him a gift to sustain him. Epaphroditus was their courier entrusted with the gift. Now Epaphroditus is headed back … [Read More…] The Basics of Giving
In the fourth and final chapter of Philippians, we come to several well-known, popular “coffee cup” verses. The problem with “coffee cup” verses is that they are divorced from their context and setting. And this is often a recipe for misapplication. These verses from Philippians 4:1-9 might at first glance appear disconnected and disjointed, … [Read More…] The Basics of Peace
Who do you want to be when you grow up? It’s not just a question for children, it’s a question for all of us. Because, if God has given us new birth by grace through faith in Jesus’ life substituted for ours on the cross, and if God has then filled us with his Holy … [Read More…] The Basics of Maturity
On reformation Sunday, Pastor Lutzer returns to the pulpit for a special message from Romans 3. How can we be right with God? Our corruption before God is seen by what we seek (v. 11), what we say (v.13), where we go (v.15), and what we see (v.18). Only God can solve our dilemma: … [Read More…] God, the Cross, and You
One of the most important questions of life is: Who am I? We all wonder who we are at the core of our being. So much hinges on how we answer this questions: our sense of self, our identity, our being, all inform how we behave, which in turns forms who we are becoming. … [Read More…] The Basics of Identity
In this sermon we come to one of those sections of the Bible that we might be tempted to skip over. At the end of Chapter 2 in Philippians, Paul takes 12 verses to describe his travel plans along with the travel itineraries of two other individuals: Timothy and Epaphroditus. Why should we care? By … [Read More…] The Basics of Community
