Things are not always what they seem: Christ’s death on the Cross
In the crucifixion of Christ, we have a King on a cross by his enemies in order that he brings us into His Kingdom, changing us from enemies of God to friends of God, holy, pure, and faultless. We need to hear that and to proclaim it.
Life gets busy and we forget what our real task is: Paul’s message to the Thessalonians and us
Life gets busy and we lose perspective. Our real task is to be the church in this time and this place, according to Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians and to us: 1) pray, 2) witness the Good News of Jesus that we have found to those around us, 3) be involved in some form of Christian service.
As Christians in the face of tragedy we are helpless, but not without hope
Job: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, …” As Christians we know Christ as Redeemer, but what are we doing with this knowledge? Like Job we need to tell others of the hope available in Christ.
What does it mean to be great in the Kingdom of God? Step out with God!
What makes a great church? Reach out to those around us that are alone and desperate to find what we have found in Jesus. We may not have all the answers, but we do have some of the cure. We rely on the gifts and graces of Christ available to us through the Spirit.
How faithful are we with our blessings? How do we respond?
Lesson from Amos: We are not to let our pride keep us from ministry to those around us.
Good News for God’s people: Be comforted, judgement is coming!
Like Paul, believers in Jesus receive mercy that the grace of our Lord overflows with the faith and love that are in Jesus Christ.
Changing our priorities: Christ being first empowers us–it fixes what was amiss
St Augustine gave us this recitation to calm our stress: “O Lord Jesus, I praise you this day. I give myself to you this day. I ask you to guide me this day.”
