I invite you to open your Bibles with me to Galatians, chapter 2, beginning in verse 15. Galatians 2, beginning in verse 15. Galatians is in the New Testament - Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians. Galatians 2:15-21. This summer, we have been journeying through Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, listen for what the Spirit... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Galatians 2:15-21
"We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." (Galatians 2:15-16a) A couple of months ago, Olga and I traded in my 2004 Volkswagon Jetta for a 2010 Honda Odyssey. It was a big move... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Holding Fast to the Gospel
Goede morgen en groetjes van onze familie van Nederland. Bedankt voor het vakantie Good morning and greetings from our family in the Netherlands. Thank you for the vacation. It is truly good to be among you again. You have been missed and prayed for. I’d like to invite you this morning to turn with me... Continue Reading →
Sermon: The Ships of Tarshish
In The Last Battle, the concluding book of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, heaven comes crashing into earth. Aslan, the Christ-figure, returns and the characters see him face-to-face, and those who respond with joy are invited into the wide open country of salvation. And what they discover is that this salvation land, this redemption country,... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Isaiah 60
“Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you in favor I will show you compassion.” (Isaiah 60:10) In Isaiah 60, the Lord shares a vision of the heavenly city with a people covered in darkness. Israel has suffered under oppression, been exiled, and forced to pay... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Work of Salvation
We have been exploring, in these last few weeks, the ways in which the Christian faith speaks into every square inch of our lives. In particular, we have been asking how God’s Word speaks to our lives at work. We saw in Genesis 1-3 that all of work is good, all of work is fallen,... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Foundations for Work
This is a community that values work - hard work. In our time here, I’ve seen some of the beauty of this, and some of its dangers. We know both the joy and peace of good work, a job well done, and we know the bondage that work can become. As we have watched you... Continue Reading →
First Glance:Genesis 1-3
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers, he will crush your head and you will strike his heel. (Genesis 3:15) We live in a time of enmity. In this first proclamation of the gospel in Genesis 3, this first promise that God would bring redemption through the... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Living After Easter
What do we do now? Many of us had to get up and get to work on Monday. Sunday was Easter. We heard the amazing true story that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, died and then rose again from the dead. He who had died was now alive again. The tomb is empty. Jesus... Continue Reading →
First Glance: John 21
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15) The story of Jesus' breakfast on the beach with the disciples is one of restoration. Peter, who... Continue Reading →
Etz Pri 