Sermons from Grace/Bethel

The world is filled with talkers. Many people claim to care about you. However, we know what many of those individuals do when it's time to turn their words into action. Jesus tells you in his Word that he cares for you dearly... that he would do anything for you... that he's leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust him? Simple. Jesus followed up his words with action. Jesus promised he would die to save you from your sin. He did. Scripture promised the Savior would rise from the dead, proving that payment for sins was complete. It happened. Jesus always follows through on what he says. Every promise he makes is fulfilled. Jesus once illustrated this point with a striking metaphor: that of the Good Shepherd. All shepherds use words, calling to the sheep in hopes they will follow. What sets the Good Shepherd apart is that his words are accompanied by action, including his willingness to lay down his life for his sheep. Because he lives, we know Jesus is trustworthy and true.

A recent survey asked Americans which five senses they would least like to lose. 77% chose sight. Navigating life blind poses many challenges that the sighted do not face. This is why Scripture often uses the concept of blindness as a metaphor for how hard it is to navigate life without a correct understanding of Christ. Spiritual blindness can take many different forms. In some cases, it is hostile opposition to the message of Jesus. In others, spiritual blindness might be demonstrated in confusion about Jesus' true identity. In others, spiritual blindness might be the inability to understand our spiritual condition. No matter the form spiritual blindness takes, Easter can replace it with sight. Easter allows us to see where we, as sinners, stand with a holy God. It enables us to see the path through life worth pursuing (as opposed to those that lead to a dead end). Spiritual sight allows us to see who holds our future in his hands and who is worth our eternal worship. Because he lives, we can see things clearly.

If Jesus had stayed dead, he would have been only a good example. His followers would simply share advice: “Love like Jesus did,” or “Think about money like Jesus,” or “Pray like Jesus prayed.” But because Jesus is alive, our mission is much greater. We don't just share teachings—we testify to the truth: Christ is risen! Jesus isn't just a model for living; he's our Savior and the way to eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in him. That's the good news we are called to share. The Sunday after Easter might feel like a letdown—fewer people in the pews, no choir, and the lilies are fading. It might seem like the celebration is over. But it's not—the real adventure is just beginning. Because Jesus lives, we have purpose. Because he lives, we are sent with a mission that matters. Let's not miss the moment. Let's open our eyes to the incredible privilege and opportunity we've been given. Christ is risen—and that changes everything.

Death can sting in many ways. It casts a shadow over every joyful moment, reminding us that nothing on earth lasts forever. It separates us from those we love—no more conversations, no more hugs. It can also stir fear about what comes next, a sense that judgment waits beyond the grave. But notice the word "can." For those who trust in the living Lord, death has lost its sting. Because Jesus lives, we know God accepted his sacrifice as full payment for our sins. There is no condemnation for those in Christ and no judgment to fear. Even more, Jesus' resurrection assures us that our Christian loved ones are not gone forever. We will see them again in the resurrection. Christ's victory over death means we, too, will rise to a life of unending joy. Death still brings sadness. But it no longer brings dread. Because Jesus lives, we can face death with peace. Death has been defeated. Its sting is gone.

As we begin Holy Week, we see Jesus bury humanity's endless attempts at seizing power. In our world, power dynamics are almost always in play. Those who don't have power want it, often more than anything else. Those who have power are willing to do anything to keep it. In contrast, Jesus, who possesses all power as the Son of God, willingly surrendered his power and placed himself in the hands of his enemies. Why? What he wanted more than anything else was not power, but you. So, Jesus begins this Holy Week riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing full well that he was riding to the cross. He would surrender himself to the punishment that our sins deserved, so that through Spirit-wrought faith we might seize the glory and heaven that only he deserves.

This week, we see how our Father makes the treasures of His house available to all. He places them in the last place we'd expect—the trash. In God's family, the things the world prizes and pursues are counted as worthless. Conversely, what the world rejects and discards is considered priceless and worth pursuing. The best example of this is Jesus Christ himself. The Father sent his greatest treasure—God the Son—to earth. And many considered Jesus to be a trash that needed to be taken out... a troublemaker that needed to be killed. In truth, Christ is the precious cornerstone that God used to build his house, the one with the open door.

We assume people get what they deserve. We assume that what goes around comes around. We assume God helps those who help themselves. Those assumptions are false. God does not operate on the principle of merit but of grace. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. God never turns it off. At the entrance of God's open door is not a Father looking to condemn us, but a Father who has eagerly longed for our return. When we do, he takes us in his loving arms and assures us we are still his child. When the weight of our sin makes us fearful of God's condemnation, he reveals his grace yet again.

The heavenly Father is always present in the lives of his children. He sees every sorrow we endure. He also sees every sin we commit, even if only in our thoughts. He is always present. Yet, he is also always patient. God does not snap at us the second we turn from him. He gives us time to see the error of our ways. He assures us that the door back to him remains always open. By giving us room to share our struggles and shortcomings, he works in us the very repentance he desires and saves us from the judgment that would otherwise be ours.

The door to God and the glory he has prepared for us stands wide open. However, he has mapped out a very specific pathway to that door. It is not an easy one. As it did with Jesus, this route takes us through opposition, suffering, and even death. While our human nature may cause us to want to detour around these things, Jesus' life shows us that no detour is allowed. His cross came before his crown. The same path lies ahead of us. However, at the end of it, through the open door, we are offered a reward far superior to anything the world can offer.

Normally, in a family, everyone must do their part. . . pitch in. . . pull their weight. In God's family, he assigns and accepts the work of one on behalf of all. In God's house, God's Son—our brother, Jesus— stands alone on the field of battle against our enemies in our place. He fights vicariously. He fights victoriously. This week, we see one man, Jesus Christ, stand against Satan. We simply sit and watch with eyes full of wonder and repentant faith. Because Christ fought that battle as one of us, he won that battle for all of us. The door to heaven stands wide open for those who believe in him.

Would you look directly at the sun? Only if you wanted to burn your retinas and have permanent blind spots. Would you like to look directly at God? It sounds wonderful in theory. Yet Scripture describes God's glory as being brighter than the sun. Moreover, one component of God's glory is his holiness. Being holy doesn't just mean God loves good; he also hates evil with burning intensity. And we sin every day. No wonder the Lord once told Moses, “No one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). Sinners would die of fear if they saw God in all his holy glory. So, how then can we possibly know God? How can we draw near to him without dying of terror? In our final epiphany moment of this season, God explains. God hides his glory to reveal himself. To carry out his good and glorious work of salvation, Jesus hid his glory and went to the cross. To allow sinners to stare at his glory without fear or harm, God hides it in the gospel. In the gospel, we see the glory of Christ's love, power, and salvation. The reality is that when God's glory is hidden, it is most on display.

Throughout this season of Epiphany, Jesus has described the governing principles of his kingdom as being completely opposite to the governing principles of the world. This week, Jesus asks us to befriend our enemies, love those who hate us, and repay evil with good. Worldly logic would say that is a recipe for being walked all over. Yet, haven't we seen this tactic work? When we were Christ's enemies, he loved us to the point of death. He repays our daily wrongs with the daily goodness of his mercy. In doing so, he won us for himself. Here is the epiphany we badly need to have. Following the strategy Jesus lays out—loving our enemies—is not a capitulation to evil. It is a means of conquering it.

Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus reminds His followers of their God-given identity and purpose as redeemed children of God. He calls them the "salt of the earth," preserving the truth of God's Word in a world prone to decay, and the "light of the world," reflecting the light of Christ through their lives. This light shines through faithful witness to the gospel and service to God and our neighbors. Jesus encourages believers to live out their faith boldly, trusting that the Holy Spirit works through them to bring others to glorify the Father in heaven.

Imagine needing heart bypass surgery. When meeting your surgeon, you ask, “How many of these have you done?” He smiles and says, “You're my very first patient!” Would you feel honored—or anxious? For important jobs, we know qualifications matter. And what job could be more important than sharing the good news of salvation? You might expect Jesus to entrust that task to the most qualified, like the angels. But instead, he sends the least qualified first. In love, Jesus doesn't leave us unprepared. He calls sinners into his presence, cleanses us, equips us, and sends us out. Once forgiven, we eagerly become the messengers through whom God works. This is your epiphany moment: You may feel unqualified to share the gospel, but Jesus calls and sends you—just as you are. The least qualified are the first sent.

In 2009, Facebook introduced the “like” button, and Twitter added the “retweet” feature. It is easy to think that the more people like us, the more successful our lives must be. Likewise, it is easy to believe the more people like a church, the more successful it is. But popularity does not equal success. While the gospel and its messengers may sometimes be popular, that is never the goal. A church that prioritizes self-improvement, healing, or social justice may attract a crowd but misses its true mission. Christ set the agenda for His Church: preaching and teaching the gospel of forgiveness. That remains our focus.

Sharing important information can feel discouraging when someone refuses to listen or rejects what you're saying—especially when it's the gospel. We share the good news because we want others to know Christ's love. When people show disinterest in God's Word, it can feel like failure. Here's this week's epiphany: rejection is not failure. Because the gospel is God's divine revelation, it's expected that many will reject it. God's Word often offends, like an unwelcome diagnosis from a doctor. When someone rejects it (including us), it's proof that God's Word powerfully confronts humanity's deepest problem—sin. The very words that cut also heal. Jesus' words may sting, but they bring the power to restore. That truth encourages us to receive God's Word with joy and proclaim it boldly to others.

When God says “no” to a request, it's easy to feel we're getting less than we wanted. However, we need to see the bigger picture: God always wants more for us than we want from Him. If He said “yes” to everything we ask, it might lead to less joy, fewer blessings, and a diminished life. God's “no” is not about withholding but about giving us something greater. He isn't just a “help desk” or a 911 dispatcher. His love for us is like a groom's deep, devoted love for his bride—far beyond our expectations or understanding. In that love, God always delivers more than we could imagine, never less.

“Who is Jesus?” Many people initially answered, “Mary and Joseph's son” or “a carpenter from Nazareth.” While true, these descriptions fall short. At Jesus' baptism, God the Father revealed his true identity: Jesus is the dearly loved Son of God, chosen to be the Savior of the world. Now consider the question, “Who are you?” You might respond with your name, where you're from, or your job. Sometimes, in moments of doubt, you might even think, “I'm no one.” But none of these truly define who you are. To understand your identity, look to your baptism. In baptism, God declares you his dearly loved child. Just as Jesus was anointed, so are you—empowered to live a life of selfless service. May this truth bring clarity and peace, just as it did for Jesus at the Jordan.

Waiting is always hard, especially when what you're waiting for is very important. Waiting an hour for your food at a restaurant isn't a big deal, but waiting a week for an electrician to restore your power is much harder. The more we need something, the harder it is to wait. After the fall into sin, God's people waited for the most important gift—a Savior. Centuries passed, and they wondered, “Where is he?” Unable to save themselves from sin, death, and hell, they could only wait. The first Christmas came at just the right time, and the Savior was born. The faithful rejoiced! This week, we are reminded that God always works on the perfect timetable. Those who wait for him are never disappointed, for God satisfies those who patiently trust in him.

The Son of God took on flesh for two reasons: to be our substitute and our sacrifice. You see, when God created mankind in his image, he desired that we live holy lives full of love for him and our fellow man. When mankind fell into sin, that became impossible. So, the heavenly Father sent Jesus. He is the only human being who can keep God's law perfectly. He did that as our substitute. Through faith, we claim his perfection as our own. But we needed another gift—one who could pay for the sin we had committed. And so, the Son of God became human for another reason—so that he might die as the sacrifice for our sins, removing that barrier between us and a holy God. Understanding that we needed both a substitute and a sacrifice helps us better understand Jesus's saving work. That work includes more than Jesus' death on the cross. Jesus' saving work began when he was born under the law and obeyed it. This week, we thank God that Jesus served us in these much-needed ways!

By this time of the holiday season, people are often weighted down. They feel guilty about presents that are not perfect, parties that did not go as planned, or year-end projects that did not get completed. To top it all off now is when it dawns on people how little attention they have given to the spiritual preparation Advent invites. If that is how we feel, perhaps the frenzy of December has done us a favor. We have been stretched to our limits. We have been made painfully aware of our shortcomings. We have been humbled. Perfect! Being aware of our weaknesses does not disqualify us from God's care. It does the opposite. It is what prepares us for the work he does best. He is a God who lifts up the lowly.

Multiple studies have proven that the holiday season exacerbates mental health issues. The pressure to have “a perfect Christmas” can be overwhelming for some. For others, their loneliness is amplified. Such people need a real Christmas, one that results in great joy. But joy is not the same thing as happiness. It is infinitely better. Happiness is an emotion. Joyfulness is a condition. Happiness comes from your circumstances. Joyfulness comes from Christ assuring you of his abiding love and your glorious future. Therefore, happiness—“holiday cheer”—is fleeting. Joyfulness is enduring. The historic Christian Church gave Latin titles to each Sunday. They titled the Third Sunday in Advent “Gaudete,” which means “Rejoice!” As we reach the midway point of Advent, we ask Christ to empower us to do just that.

The closer we get to Christmas, the greater the pressure. There is so much work to be done! We want our houses to look good for out-of-town guests. We want to impress people with the thoughtfulness of our gifts. What a welcome relief, therefore, to hear what is required to be ready for Christmas: only repentance. You see, repentance is the opposite of work. It is the candid and honest admission of our sin combined with the joyful trust that Christ has already done everything needed to bring us close to God. At this frenetic time of year, the call to repent is not another demand to do something more. It is a gracious invitation to set down our work to make way for Christ's work. Rooted in that repentant rest, we can fully enjoy a real Christmas.

It is easy to get so caught up in the imagery—a tiny newborn baby lying in the straw-filled manger under a star-filled sky—that we forget the why. Why did the Son of God come into our world and take on human flesh? So that he might die as the sacrifice for our sins. One Christmas carol puts it this way. “Neither crib nor cross refuses; all he suffers for your good to redeem you by his blood.” Advent marks the start of a new Church Year. We begin at the end, watching Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing full well that he would be killed before the end of the week. The events of Palm Sunday serve as a microcosm for all of Jesus' work, proving the Son of God was willing to humble himself and endure anything for our salvation. That is precisely why Christ came. And a real Christmas requires remembering why Christ came.

“Eyes on the prize.” That axiom stresses that when pursuing a good goal, focus is important. You don't want distractions or a lack of self-discipline to keep you from obtaining whatever that prize might be. “Eyes on the prize.” You summon the willpower to fixate on that good thing. You let nothing divert your attention from obtaining the prize. The prize that we want most is spending eternity with Jesus. As the Church Year ends, Jesus promises that he will come again “in clouds with great power and glory” to give us that prize. That prize will be so unbelievably good that it is worth fixating on. It merits our striving to set aside all that would distract us from Christ. Let us be ready. Let us keep watch. Let us live with our eyes on the skies.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) affects many millions of adults. It is more than shyness. SAD includes an acute fear of being judged. An individual with SAD struggles with everyday tasks like talking to people at work or school because he is terrified that he is constantly being evaluated. Even if you don't have that disorder, perhaps you have experienced that uncomfortable feeling that others are watching you, trying to find something to criticize. We don't want others to judge us. It is bad enough listening to the voice inside our head whispering that we aren't worthy. How do we overcome the fear of judgment? It begins by realizing that only one person's opinion ultimately matters—the Judge. Everyone is going to live forever in one of two very different places. Where you spend eternity depends on a judgment that Jesus will render. This week, we see why his judgment need not trigger any anxiety. Judgment day is something we can joyfully anticipate. We can live free from the fear of judgment.

Perhaps you have heard the axiom, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, while you still can, use what you have in order to enjoy life to the fullest. If this life is all there is, St. Paul agrees that would be a good philosophy. Paul wrote, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die'” (1 Corinthians 15:32). However, note the “if.” Paul was saying that the epicurean approach to life makes sense only if this life is all we have. But it isn't. Jesus will raise us from the dead and take us to live in his home, a place of perfect comfort and beauty. Knowing that, we are set free from the need to live a self-indulgent life now. Instead, we can be generous people, using the wealth that God has given us to serve both him and others. We can live a life of startling generosity.

“It will get better.” We say that to try to comfort someone having a bad day (or maybe a whole string of bad days). Perhaps tomorrow will be better. But perhaps it's worse. In this life, there are no guarantees that things will improve. That isn't the case with the life that is to come. That life isn't just going to be better. It will be perfect. Since the seventh century, Christians have marked a day to celebrate those who have died in faith and now realize the perfect joys of heaven. It is called “All Saints' Day.” We thank God for bringing our Christian loved ones out of the troubles and turmoil of this world and into eternal bliss and glory. And we ask God to preserve us in our faith so that we might one day join the saints in that place where life is far more than better.

Jesus repeatedly told his followers that living as his disciples would bring hardship. Living according to God's Law will make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. Sharing a message of mankind's sin and God's gracious salvation can cause offense. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier? Why not keep our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever. In gratitude for Christ saving us and giving us eternal life, we share the gospel with others, hoping they will believe and be saved too. Since we know we will live forever in the perfection of heaven, we don't worry if being a witness for Christ brings hardship or even death. Martin Luther wanted to reform the false teachings of the church. He stood firm in the truth of the gospel, knowing it might cost him his life. But Luther knew that, thanks to Christ, he would live forever. So will we. Therefore, like Luther, let us live a life of courageous witness.

“What's in it for me?” It's easy to look at life through the lens of that question to make decisions based on perceived personal benefit. Perhaps we look at Christianity through that lens at times, wondering what we will gain from following Christ. “What's in it for me?” Jesus first disciples asked that question. They hoped that following Christ would bring prestige and honor. They assumed following Christ would make life easier. But it doesn't work like that. Followers of Christ are called to sacrifice for the well-being of others. “What's in it for me?” Everything! Because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, followers of Christ have the peace of his forgiveness. Followers of Christ have the joy of meaningful purpose. Followers of Christ look forward to an eternity of glory in Christ's heavenly kingdom. In Spirit-wrought gratitude, followers of Christ make selfless sacrifices with joy.

People think that establishing priorities is about ranking things in order of importance. But it is more than that. We do not have unlimited time and energy. So, establishing priorities enables us to say “no” to things that might be good yet not truly important. Without proper priorities, one will inevitably pursue what is nice while downplaying what is needed. Throughout Scripture, believers are urged to prioritize. It is the heart of the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus calls for prioritization when he says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Good news: followers of Christ maintain proper priorities. Even better news: followers of Christ receive his forgiveness for all the times their priorities have been improper.

Love can cause harm. Consider the wife whose husband wants little to do with church. She loves him and does not want to upset him. So, when her husband wants her and the children to stay home Sunday morning, she complies without protest. That wife's love for her husband hurts him, her children, and herself. Or consider the father who loves his child so much that he gives the child everything the child asks for. That father's love is toxic. It shapes that child into a selfish, entitled adult. In our families, it is not enough that there is love. We need to love rightly in a way that leads to blessings for those we claim to love. This illustrates the need for followership. In Jesus, we see perfect, self-sacrificial love. Jesus loves us as we are. He also loved us too much to leave us as we are. So, in love, he gave his life up so that we might be holy and blameless. His love for us shapes the way we love our spouse, our children, our parents. Today, we see that followers of Christ know how to love their families.

Green Berets. Rangers. SEALs. Delta Force. These special forces groups are part of the United States military. They are elite: highly trained with unique skill sets. Many of their important missions are carried out in total secrecy. Two weeks ago, we acknowledged that we are in the middle of a massive spiritual war. Today, we thank God that we fight this war with the protection of special forces. Since the fifth century, Christians have observed the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. We commemorate that God has sent Michael, one of the great archangels described in Scripture, and countless of his fellow angels to protect and serve mankind. Let us rejoice that followers of Christ have powerful allies!

Humility and pride are polar opposites. Pride exalts self at the expense of God and others. Humility exalts God and others at the expense of self. Pride is the essential vice, for it increases one's hunger for all other sins. Humility increases one's hunger for the forgiveness and healing found in Christ. The one who is proud demands to be served. The one who is humble is not content unless serving others. St. Augustine described it this way: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” As we see all Christ did to serve us, our hearts melt. Within us grows a Christ-like obsession to serve others without counting the cost, without any desire to be repaid. Those who are in positions of Christian leadership understand that their leadership can only be achieved through service. For followers of Christ are humble servants.

What is the worst war in human history? One might point to World War II, which had the highest death toll of at least 90 million people. Or consider the Three Kingdoms War, which not only resulted in over 40 million deaths but also lasted for most of the third century. There is no end to the sad list of nominations: the Thirty Years War, the Taiping Rebellion, the American Civil War, and World War I. None of those is the correct answer. The worst war in human history began when the first shot was fired in Eden. It has been raging since. It is a war against “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a war over land or resources. It is a war for souls. The reality is that there are demonic forces that want to do more than kill you; they want to claim you for all eternity. The good news is that Christ has already called you his own and equipped you for this war. Followers of Christ are armed for the battle.

Power is neither inherently good nor bad. Fire is powerful. The chef uses fire to create meals. But the arsonist uses fire to destroy homes. Nuclear fission is a powerful force. The engineer harnesses it, producing abundant electricity. The tyrant harnesses it, threatening others with nuclear weapons. What matters is the purpose of the one who has that power. Jesus has limitless power, as the numerous accounts of his miracles demonstrate. Those who witnessed those miracles understood that Jesus used his power for good. That doesn't mean they all understood Jesus' true purpose. Some thought Jesus' purpose was to make this temporal life better. And while Jesus did that at times, his ultimate purpose was to save us from sin and give us the gift of eternal life. Followers of Christ see the true purpose of his power.

A loving father gives his son and daughter a list of rules and regulations. Chores, curfews, civilities, dress code—the father makes his will clearly known. The son strives to follow the rules for two reasons. 1) He wants to get his allowance. 2) He is afraid that if he breaks the rules, his father will punish him. The daughter strives to follow the rules, also for two reasons. 1) She believes her father established those rules not to control her but for her safety and blessing. 2) She wants to demonstrate how much she loves and trusts her father. Those two children's actions might look almost identical. Their hearts are very different! Likewise, following Christ is not simply a matter of outward observance of laws. It is a matter of the heart. The Law was given so we could see God's heart and demonstrate how his heart has affected our own. The followership Christ seeks flows from hearts that have been radically transformed by God's law and gospel. Christ wants his followers to be less like the son described above and more like the daughter. This week, we see that followers of Christ obey his law from the heart.

As Jesus concluded his Bread of Life discourse, many said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” and walked away. Read carefully. They did not say the teaching was hard to understand. The meaning was clear enough. Jesus was teaching that the only chance to enjoy eternity in heaven is through a close connection to him. He is the only bread that gives eternal life. That isn't hard to understand, but it is hard to accept. Eating this bread means reordering our lives so that Jesus is by far our highest priority. It means loving the Blesser infinitely more than his earthly blessings. It means realizing that Jesus is the only thing we really need. If we had nothing but him, we would not lack anything that ultimately matters. Jesus watches the multitudes walking away from him. He turns to the Twelve—he turns to us this week—and he whispers, “You do not want to leave me too, do you?” May the Spirit give us the wisdom to answer, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”.

There are many different theories about the healthiest way to eat. There's the old food pyramid, built on a foundation of whole grains. There's the Mediterranean diet, the Atkins diet, the Paleo diet, and many others. We can debate which is best, but what is undebatable is that whatever your diet, you are going to die. Perhaps a vegetarian diet is indeed easier on your heart. Still, your heart is going to stop eventually. But in his Bead of Life discourse, Jesus offers food that enables us to live forever. There are foods you might never have tasted without someone working hard to convince you to try them. Likewise, this spiritual food that Jesus describes is something no one finds appealing at first but distasteful. And so today, Jesus explains that we need God to work within us so that we have the wisdom to see that this food gives life and the faith to find this bread most delicious.

Physical food is a blessing from God, without which we would literally wither away and die. That is why Jesus lovingly and miraculously fed thousands of followers with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Yet, while physical food is a good thing, it is far from the greatest thing God provides us. The greatest blessing God provides is spiritual food. The best thing God gives us is his Son, the bread of life. Without that spiritual food, we wither and die in a much worse way. This week we see the multitudes coming to Jesus looking for two things: ever more temporal blessings— full bellies, healthy bodies—and an explanation of how to gain them. Jesus explains the greater need for spiritual food. He assures us that there is nothing we do to earn it. Our Father urges us to come to him for our daily bread, asking him to provide for our temporal needs. But may we hunger most for our greatest need: spiritual food that Christ freely gives.

Shortly before he ascended, Jesus told his followers they were to engage in meaningful ministry—to work their way through the world, sharing the good news of salvation. Our loving Lord knew that was a big and often intimidating task. So, his next words were a promise. “Surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). God's people still need to hear that promise. For several weeks, we have been discussing the reality that the Lord of the Church has called all believers to meaningful ministry. Ministry will come with challenges. It can cause fears to arise: the fear of rejection, the fear of inadequacy, the fear of persecution. So, listen again to your Savior. “I am with you always.” We conclude our series on meaningful ministry empowered by that gracious promise.

King David explains, “The earth is the LORD's and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). That word “everything” doesn't leave any wiggle room, does it? That word “everything” means that your home and all its furnishings, your vehicle and all that's in the trunk, your bank account, the twenty-eight dollars in your wallet, the wallet itself, and the pocket in which you carry your wallet all belong to God. Everything you have was given to you by your good and gracious Father. We need to understand that. But it is just as important that we understand why God provides for our physical needs. As we have seen throughout this worship series, God has called us to ministry. He asks us to reflect his love in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of others. Believers want to serve others in those ways. By providing for us, God meets our need to meet others' needs. This week, Jesus promises that he will provide the resources necessary to conduct meaningful ministry.

In the ancient Middle East, a shepherd needed certain skills to do his job well: knowledge of edible grasses, ability to trim hooves, capacity to fend off predators, and competency to birth lambs. However, the greatest qualification of a shepherd is much simpler. A good shepherd needed to care for his sheep. Without that, none of those other skills would be fully utilized. In Scripture, meaningful ministry is often pictured as a compassionate shepherd caring for his sheep: Jesus' care for us; a spiritual leader's care for his “flock.” Certainly, gospel ministry requires specific skills: the ability to actively listen to people, the aptitude for applying the gospel to someone's situation, etc. Ultimately, meaningful ministry requires a compassionate heart and profound care for others. An individual might know God's Word backwards and forwards. But if they lack compassion, they will not fully perform meaningful ministry. Today, we ask the Spirit to see how Jesus models a compassionate shepherd's heart so we might be filled with that same compassion.

When a child asks a sibling to do something, there isn't much certainty as to the results. The sibling might simply ignore the request. However, if that same child goes to a brother or sister with “Dad said so,” it's a very different story! Now, the father's authority is behind the child's request. As believers carry out gospel ministry, encouraging others to turn to Christ in repentance, people might push back. “What gives you the right?” Maybe we ask that question ourselves. “I'm far from perfect. So, what gives me the right to talk about things like sin?” This week, we are given the answer to that question. “Dad said so.” When our God calls us to do ministry, he also gives us authority. In calling us to ministry, God isn't asking us to share our advice or our opinion or even our values. We are sharing God's own authoritative Word. Gospel ministry is conducted by believers but with God's own authority behind the effort.

If ministry involves serving others with love and compassion, you would think that people would respond only with glee and gratitude for the help they received. Sometimes, but not always. If you offer to help a family member who is having trouble paying his bills, he might be offended, wondering if you are implying that he is not a good provider. Likewise, if you try and share the gospel with someone, he might resent the message that he is a sinner in need of salvation. You are trying to minister to this man's greatest need. Your intentions are loving. Yet he responds with rejection and resentment. When our ministry efforts are met not with glee and gratitude but rejection and resentment, we are in good company. The prophets, apostles, and even Jesus himself all had those who responded negatively to their ministries. When that happens to us, it doesn't mean our ministry is no longer meaningful. For if others do not appreciate our efforts to serve them, God still appreciates our efforts to serve him.

Most people fear death to some degree. Some fear death because they assume it is the end. Others fear death because they assume it isn't the end at all but that there is some sort of reckoning after death, which might not go well for them. And have you seen what happens to a dead body? It is far from pretty. So, it is understandable that most people would fear death. Not so for those to whom God has given a top-down faith. Christianity teaches that for God's children, death is not discipline but deliverance. The living Lord gives Christians such a radically different view of death that they can have the confidence to face death in their effort to give Christ glory. They understand that death does not cut us down but only raises us up. Finally, the Christian has been given the top-down faith that believes Jesus can wake us from death as easily as we can wake a sleeping child from his nap.

A powerful tornado rolls through your neighborhood. A massive hurricane heads straight for your city. A bolt of lightning sends 300 million volts to earth. The raw power and unpredictability of storms can inspire both awe and terror. We cannot stop storms from coming. We can only hope to survive them. However, we know the Almighty God can stop storms. He can calm literal storms. He could remove metaphorical storms and other types of troubles and trials. So, if he can, why doesn't he? Well, would you rather have a God who was distant from you but removed all the storms of life? Or would you rather have a God who allowed some storms to come but promised to be right there by your side within them, holding you close? May God give us the top-down faith that sees that the latter is by far the better option. God promises to be with us through all the storms of life. Sometimes, he removes them. But when he doesn't, it's only because he has plans to use even storms for our eternal good.

Usually, a kingdom advances and is secured through things like military might, political force, or worldly wealth. It can be tempting to believe the same holds true in the kingdom of God. Perhaps we think churches would flourish if we had the right rulers passing and enforcing the right laws. Or we believe that for a church to do good, it requires a robust budget. Political force. Worldly wealth. This way of thinking is breathtakingly wrong. We need God to give us the top-down faith that grasps the fact that the kingdom of God advances in imperceptible ways. Through something that seems insignificant to most—the gospel—the King of kings establishes his reign in human hearts. Even Jesus taught that the gospel seems unimpressive, for he often compared the gospel to a tiny seed. Yet within a seed is hidden life. As the seed of the gospel is planted, the largest of all kingdoms grows.

Look at our lives—the problems, the pains—and it's easy to conclude that we are losing. Look at the world—the brokenness, the bedlam—and it's easy to believe that the devil is winning. It all can lead us to despair. Yet this turmoil is exactly what God said would happen in the Garden. There, God declared that until the end of time, enmity would prevail between the devil and mankind. But God promised more than that. He promised that from humanity would rise one who would completely defeat the devil. We need a top-down faith to understand that things are not what they seem. Yes, the devil and his allies are constantly doing their worst. Their work always brings pain. Yet, ultimately, Jesus always wins. And his victory is our victory. Jesus' victory is so complete that even when Satan continues to cause chaos, Christ uses it to reveal his glory and grace to those gifted with top-down faith.

After a long day of work, you have earned the right to sit in your favorite chair, put your feet up, and watch your favorite program. After a hard week on the job, you have earned the opportunity to relax a bit that weekend. After doing your job well for many months, you have earned those two weeks of vacation at the beach. This is how everyone thinks: rest is something you earn through hard work. We even teach that to our kids: no gaming until homework is done, no playing with friends until chores are complete. Since the concept of rest being earned is deeply engrained in us, properly understanding spiritual rest requires a top-down faith. God needs to send us the Spirit so that we can grasp this truth. True spiritual rest cannot be earned. In fact, the harder you try, the more restless and the less peaceful you become. Spiritual rest is a gift that God gives. The rest we need most—from guilt, from worry, from shame, from hopelessness—is graciously given to us by the Lord of the Sabbath.

Christianity, at its heart, is all about relationships. It's about our relationships with God and with one another. And it's about how, even though we have broken these relationships with our sins, God has fixed them by sending his Son Jesus into the world to accomplish the work of our salvation by his death on the cross.