Podcast appearances and mentions of King Jesus

December 28, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 2:13-18Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 52:13-54:10; Matthew 2:13-23“Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted for they are no more.'” (Matthew 2:17-18)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Christmas is war. That may sound jarring in our ears, but we cannot forget that truth. Yes, the incarnation of our Lord has raised up the sons of Adam out of the sinful curse of thorns and thistles, dust and ashes. Yes, the birth of our Lord proclaims that we now live in Anno Domini (A.D.), salvation is ours, and eternal glory with God is ours by Christ as a free gift. But Rachel, who was buried in Bethlehem, becomes the embodiment of every Mother in Bethlehem whose son was murdered by Herod. And she weeps, mourns, and wails because Christmas is war, and war has spilled upon the innocent. The birth of the Savior is the first blow against the gates of Hell. It is terror unto demons and those who have allowed themselves to be twisted in wickedness, like King Herod. Herod understood that his wicked act was not merely of the earthly sort. He heard the Magi, he sought the scribes, he listened to the prophecy; Herod sought to fight against God. And this was a fight He'd never win. Today we remember these innocents, who died in the place of Christ, but we do not only remember in bitter tears, but with quiet hope because eventually Christ would die for them. We remember the promise that “precious/costly in the sight of the LORD, are the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15) What was lost and stolen from them has already been restored by His innocent death and glorious resurrection. And He will restore fully at His final Advent. And on that day, we will stand in the fullness of God's glory along with these blessed children, along with Rachel, and we will be comforted; our sorrow transformed by the radiant splendor of our God and King. Until then, Christmas remains a war, but a war that has been won by Christ. So do not grow weary; let the demons tremble, let the wicked repent and return to their gracious King Jesus, and let the redeemed stand tall in the splendor of the Gospel.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.All praise for infant martyrs, Whom Your mysterious love Called early from their warfare To share Your home above. O Rachel, cease your weeping; They rest from earthly cares! Lord, grant us crowns as brilliant And faith as sure as theirs. (LSB 517:9)Author: Rev. Matthew Synnott, associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

The return of Christ is imminent, and He is coming for a bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. To prepare for this day, the Body of Christ must move past cultural and racial divisions to become one unified body under the lordship of Jesus. In this teaching, Dr. Edith Davis reveals that the key to this unity is the total transformation of our thought lives. By examining the life of Jesus, we see a model of perfect mental and spiritual health that we are called to emulate. Dr. Davis discusses the "guardrails" of the Word of God and the importance of discerning the source of our thoughts. She provides practical insights on how to "jettison" negative thoughts and replace them with the Word, reminding us that we have the authority to command every thought to bow to King Jesus. Main Points of the Teaching: -- The Call to Unity: We are not a collection of segregated churches based on ethnicity; we are one body that must be unified through the renewing of the mind. -- The Strategy of the Enemy: Satan first attacks our sense of authority and our walk of love, using deception and offense to create fear. -- The Four Attributes of a Sound Mind: To walk in victory, we must cultivate a mind that is calm (cool and collected), balanced (focused on Jesus), disciplined (guided by the Word), and self-controlled (ruling over emotions). -- Words vs. Thoughts: A spoken word is more powerful than a silent thought. We can cancel out the enemy's suggestions by speaking the Word of God out loud, just as Jesus did in the wilderness. -- Fruit over Labels: True salvation is evidenced by the fruit we bear. Dr. Davis warns against "religious works" that lack a true heart connection with the Savior. -- The Priesthood of Christ: A look into the lineage of John the Baptist and how the Aaronic priesthood served to baptize Jesus into the Melchizedek priesthood. Scriptures for Further Study -- 2 Timothy 1:7 -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Proverbs 3:5-8 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- Matthew 8:23-27 -- John 15:1-8 This is episode 386. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html

Christmas marks the invasion of King Jesus into enemy territory on a rescue mission. He didn't come to offer advice or simply be kind—He came to give His life. Not just for us, but in our place. In this message, Lead Pastor Aaron Brockett unpacks the heart of the gospel: substitutionary atonement. Jesus absorbed what was meant for us, carrying the weight that should have crushed us, so we could receive what we never earned. Aaron Brockett CONNECT WITH US! Engage with this message: https://tpcc.org/messages Visit our website: https://tpcc.org We believe in the power of prayer: https://tpcc.org/prayer Instagram: https://instagram.com/traderspointcc/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/TradersPointCC/

Merry Christmas!In this heartfelt Christmas Eve service message, Pastor Karl explores the profound truth that Christmas is far more than a baby in a manger—it's the culmination of God's everlasting love story that began in the Garden of Eden.Drawing parallels between Eden and Bethlehem, Pastor Karl unpacks how God's love has always been revealed through three key ways: proximity (drawing near to walk with us), provision (supplying what we cannot provide for ourselves, including forgiveness and eternal life), and parameters (loving boundaries for our protection and flourishing).Yet humanity's response—from Adam and Eve to today—has often been to doubt God's goodness, reject His nearness, and step outside His guardrails. Even so, God's relentless love pursues us, covers our shame, and satisfies His justice through the promised Seed: Jesus Christ, whose virgin birth and sacrificial death crush the enemy's power.Pastor Karl challenges us: Many love the warm vibe of Christmas but avoid its weighty claims. True celebration means embracing God's love fully—belonging to His family, becoming like Christ, giving our lives in response, and going on mission to share His love.This message invites everyone to respond to God's pursuit, whether by placing faith in Jesus for the first time or recommitting to live in joyful obedience within His loving parameters.Join us as Pastor Karl and his son Caleb dive deeper into these truths in a special family message. Come experience the depth of God's love that didn't begin in Bethlehem—but was gloriously fulfilled there.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 8:00am 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

In celebration of our Lord and King Jesus' birthday, 5 members of our church spoke in front of the congregation to share their advent message on: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Merry Christmas to everyone listening and may the light and life of Jesus' first coming bless you this Holiday season.

In this sermon, we discuss the fact that all of us will appear before the bema, or judgement seat of King Jesus. For the Christian, the Judge also happens to be the Savior, so we can have confidence on that day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pdchurch.substack.com

We have looked at our need for a King, the promise of a King and the family of the King. In this message we look at the making of a King. King Jesus is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin. Only in Him can we be saved from our sins. Will you receive this King? This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on December 21, 2025.

This week, Pastor Tony shares how Christmas needs to be our continual worship and reverence of the new born King of Kings.

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of King Jesus and also next year's 250th birthday of the United States, political scientist Adam Carrington helps us look the powers of this world and how Christ does rule now and how He will complete His rule.  CBN Faithwire's Billy Hallowell talks about what happened at AMFEST, plus how miracles are happening today.   The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

A King is worthy of adoration, service, obedience, and worship. All Hail, King Jesus!   Key Phrase: “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:2

Have you ever faced a Christmas where you quietly thought, “Lord, I really need You to show up this year”?

The Birth & Crowning of King Jesus - Matt Freeman by Matt Freeman

Join Us for Worship: Sundays at 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM https://www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit The Good News Is Beautiful | Advent Sermon from Isaiah 52:7–10 Three days before Christmas Eve, this message reminds us that this is not a throwaway Sunday. It's an invitation to slow down, to pause, and to truly see why the good news of Jesus isn't just true—it's beautiful. Many of us have been taught to defend Christianity primarily on whether it's factually accurate. That matters deeply. But for many people, especially those who've been hurt by religion, the bigger question is this: Even if it's true… is it good? Is it compelling? Is it beautiful? In this Advent message, we return to Isaiah 52:7–10, a passage that declares how beautiful the good news is—the announcement that God reigns. Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah envisioned a herald running over the mountains announcing peace, salvation, and the reign of God. This is not sentimental religion. This is a proclamation that changes everything. In this sermon, we explore what the “gospel” really is—not a self-improvement plan, not a checklist, not a set of religious instructions—but an announcement: King Jesus reigns. We walk through three reasons why this good news is truly beautiful: Jesus conquers through surrender Unlike every other king in history, Jesus wins by losing. He conquers not by crushing His enemies, but by becoming the Lamb who was slain. Power made perfect in weakness. Sin and death are dethroned The gospel doesn't promise perfection in this life—but it does promise a new King. Even in the rubble, the waste places, and the broken parts of our stories, God brings life. You don't have to hide your struggles. You are no longer owned by sin or death. The King has rescued you The gospel is not a plan for you to execute—it's a rescue accomplished by God Himself. Salvation is not something you achieve; it's something you receive. God rolls up His sleeves and does for us what we could never do for ourselves. This message is especially for: – Those who are tired of striving – Those who feel burdened by religious performance – Those who have been hurt by Christianity but still wonder if Jesus might be different – Those longing for peace in the middle of anxiety, grief, addiction, or uncertainty Jesus' invitation is simple and radical: yield. Step off the throne of your life and trust the gentle, good King who surrendered Himself for you. As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded that when everything feels like it's falling apart, Jesus is still on His throne—and He is not distant, harsh, or indifferent. He is gentle and lowly in heart, and He offers rest for weary souls. If you're skeptical, searching, exhausted, or curious—this message is for you. Scripture: Isaiah 52:7–10 Series: Advent Theme: The Beauty of the Gospel If this message resonates with you, consider watching all the way through, sharing it with someone who needs hope this season, or joining us for Christmas Eve as we celebrate the coming of the King. The good news is beautiful. And King Jesus has come for you.

Matthew 2 shows us two kings, two kingdoms, and a choice we still face today. Where fear, power, and control collide with humility and trust, the question is simple: which king will you hope in?

What does real joy look like when life is difficult, faith is tested, and circumstances don't change? In this message, Pastor Tim Dunn continues the Behold the King series by exploring the biblical meaning of joy—not as fleeting happiness, but as a deep, resilient delight rooted in the presence of God. Drawing from Scripture across both the Old and New Testaments, this sermon shows how joy flows from abiding in Christ, trusting God through suffering, and living under the reign of King Jesus. From Mary's joy-filled obedience to the fruit of the Spirit, we're reminded that joy is not something we chase—it's something God produces in us as we delight in Him.

Message by Pastor Jeff Schreve on Sunday, December 21, 2025

Jesus Redeems Pain Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-5 Episode Summary In part 3 of our Christmas 2025 series, Pastor Michael shares the story of young Matthias witnessing a birth in a stable and discovering how pain can bring life. Through Isaiah 53's prophecy about the suffering Messiah, we see that Jesus came not just to be born, but to endure three kinds of pain on our behalf: rejection, responsibility, and redemption. Christmas celebrates that God stepped into our suffering to transform it. Key Points - Jesus endured the pain of rejection - despised and actively unwanted by those He came to save - Jesus bore the pain of responsibility - carrying our grief, sorrow, and burdens that weren't His own - Jesus suffered the pain of redemption - wounded for our sins as our Substitute on the Cross - The Shockley family places a long iron spike on their tree first to remember why Jesus came Main Takeaway Jesus redeems pain. He doesn't minimize it or shame us for it. He steps into our suffering, takes what was meant for us, and transforms it into forgiveness, freedom, hope, and new life. Our pain is not the end and doesn't have to define us - it can lead us to Jesus. Memorable Quotes - "Jesus redeems pain." - "Isaiah 53 is no Hallmark card. It's a promise written in blood." - "People are willing to tolerate the 'nice teacher' version of Jesus, but they reject King Jesus." - "Jesus didn't suffer for His own sins - He didn't have any. He suffered for the very people who rejected Him, and for all of us." - "The deepest wounds don't need stitches - they need grace. The worst pain doesn't need more explanation - it needs redemption." - "Jesus Is God Who Became Man. He took on our wounds, our grief, and our guilt. And He didn't flinch." - "God refuses to waste suffering. The same God Who brought Resurrection out of the pain of The Cross can bring life out of what you're going through." Reflection Question What pain are you carrying that you need to give to Jesus, trusting Him to redeem it rather than trying to carry it alone? Tune in to hear the moving story of Matthias witnessing Jesus' birth from outside the stable, and discover the powerful Shockley family tradition of placing a nail on their Christmas tree first. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent Philippians 4:4-7 & St. John 1:19-28 by William Klock For the last few months I've been reading Tom Holland's book Dominion.  (That's Tom Holland the historian, not the actor.  Until recently I didn't even know there was an actor because, I guess, I'm a history nerd.)  Anyway, I've been reading a chapter here and a chapter there in between reading other more important things and it's been worthwhile.  Holland isn't a Christian, but this rather large book is nevertheless about the influence that the Gospel, the good news about Jesus, has had in shaping Western Civilisation.  One of the points he stresses is just how brutal and barbaric the ancient world was.  Greeks and Romans knew little of mercy and grace.  Theirs was a dog-eat-dog world.  It was cruel.  The weak were something to be exploited and if they couldn't be exploited, they were a liability and left to fend for themselves.  Nearly a third of the people of the Roman empire were slaves.  Infants were routinely left to die of exposure.  Sexual immorality was everywhere and was a central part of the worship of many gods.  Marital fidelity, especially amongst the wealthy and powerful was uncommon.  Think of the pagan gods of Greece and Rome we learned about in school: petty, capricious, fickle, unloyal, angry, and constantly fighting amongst themselves.  These were the gods the Greeks and the Romans created in their own image.  Whatever problems we see in our world—and it's getting worse the deeper we drift from the Gospel and return to paganism—but however bad you think our world is, theirs was worse.  Brother and Sisters, the gospel has had a profound impact on our world.  And even as gospel virtues go to seed in the secular world and we have distorted and perverted version of love and mercy and justice thrown at us, the very fact that anyone at all in our society cares about things like justice, is because of the powerful impact of the gospel. It's appropriate that Advent comes to us at the darkest time of the year, because it reminds us of the darkness of the world into which Jesus was born.  Surrounded by those pagans, Israel had the light of God's law, but even then, Israel lived in darkness.  They'd returned from their Babylonian exile five hundred years before, but the Lord had never returned to his temple.  The priests kept the lamp lit in the temple—the lamp symbolic of the Lord's presence with his people, but behind the great and heavy curtain, the holy of holies was empty.  And Israel was ruled by a series of pagan empires: the Persians, the Greeks, and then the Romans.  But Israel had her story.  They were the people whom the Lord had delivered from slavery in Egypt.  They knew his character and they knew his faithfulness.  And they knew his promises.  They had faith.  And so they lived in hope and expectant longing.  One day the words of Isaiah—the ones we read in our Old Testament lesson—“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.”  One day those words would be fulfilled.  And, most people were pretty sure, that day was coming soon.  That's the setting for today's Gospel, which begins at John 1:19. This is the testimony John [the Baptist] gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”  “What then?” they asked him, “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he replied.  “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”  “Well, then who are you?” they said.  “We've got to take an answer back to those who sent us.  Who do you claim to be?”  He said, “I am ‘a voice calling in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,' just as the prophet Isaiah said.”  (John 1:19-28) So the priests were the spiritual gatekeepers of Israel and when they heard of this prophet, John, preaching and baptising, they sent their people to ask him what he was about—to see if he was legit.  People were talking about John like he was the Messiah—as if he were the one come to fulfil the prophecies of deliverance and salvation.  Was John the one? So they ask, “Who are you?  Who do you claim to be? Elijah?”  Remember that the Prophet Elijah had never died; he was swept up into have by a fiery chariot.  And Malachi had prophesied that “before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” the Lord would send Elijah back.  Like King Arthur returning to Britain in its hour of greatest need. But John says, “No.  I'm not Elijah.”  He hadn't come to earth in a fiery chariot.  He was the son of Zechariah the priest and his wife, Elizabeth. “Are you the prophet?” they asked.  In Deuteronomy 18 the Lord had promised that he would one day raise up a prophet like Moses, who would declare his words.  Many people thought this prophet would be the Messiah.  But again John answers, “Nope, I'm not the prophet either.”  We get a sense of just how great the longing of these people was.  Like a kid getting up every morning of December and asking his parents if it's Christmas yet, the people of Israel longed for the Messiah to come and set the world to rights, to end the darkness, to once again fill the temple with the glory of the Lord. John was as eager as anyone, but he tells them “No, I'm not the Prophet.”  In fact, John was fulfilling those prophecies—Matthew and Mark tell us as much.   But I think John denied it because he knew people associated the prophecies of Elijah and the Prophet with the Messiah.  John knew he wasn't the Messiah; he was the Messiah's herald.  And so when the priests finally let him speak for himself, he quotes Isaiah 40:3, and says, “I am ‘a voice calling in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.'”  In other words, John was indeed fulfilling prophecy—not as the Messiah, but as the one sent to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah. And that surprised those priests.  People in the past had claimed to be the Messiah.  No one claimed to be his herald.  That was weird.  So they dig deeper.  Look at verses 25-27: They continued to question him, “So why are you baptising, if you aren't the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I'm baptising with water, but there is one standing among you whom you do not know—someone who is to come after me.  I'm not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” For the Jews, baptism was a symbol of cleansing and of ritual purity.  It was a ritual washing.  At this point the other gospel-writers are helpful as they expand on John's answer.  Mark tells us that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance—it was a preparatory act in light of the coming judgement the Messiah would bring.  And Matthew and Luke also report John going on about this one who will come, this one greater than him: “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16).  In other words, John is calling Israel to repentance in anticipation of the Messiah, who will fulfil the Lord's promises to set Israel to rights by filling his people with his own Spirit.  The law written on stone tablets would be inscribed on the hearts of God's people so that they could finally fulfil his law of love.  But the Messiah was also coming in judgement.  He would baptise the repentant with God's own Spirit, but he would baptise unrepentant Israel with fire. These are the two sides of the gospel coin.  You can't have one without the other.  Jesus' advent, on the one hand, brought mercy to the repentant, but on the other it also brought judgement on the unrepentant of Israel.  What's important for us here, Brothers and Sisters, is that this exchange between John and the priests reminds us of the Messiah's place in Israel's story and of the faithfulness of God to his promises.  It is this manifestation of the Lord's faithfulness (and of his goodness, mercy, grace, and wisdom) to Israel—something we see brought to its climax in the birth, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, that has drawn us—you and I—to the God of Israel and that, by faith, has incorporated us into the people of God.  Through our union with Jesus, through our incorporation into this people, through our being made adopted sons and daughters of Abraham, you and I have come to know God's mercy and the life of the Spirit, too.  Because of the faithfulness of God, revealed in Jesus and in the power of the gospel, the darkness that Israel knew; that deep, deep darkness full of false gods and wicked kings and evil principalities and powers has been driven away by the light.  The light has come into the darkness, his gospel has thrown those powers down and lit up the world.  And you and I have seen—we live in—the glory of that light.  And knowing that takes us from our Gospel passage today into our Epistle.  Paul writes those wonderful and challenging words in Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; I say again, rejoice. Paul spoke these words to a people surrounded by the dark.  “Rejoice in the Lord always!”  Because being surrounded by the dark, it's awfully easy to forget the light of the gospel.  Just before he wrote this, Paul exhorted two women in the Philippian church, Euodia and Syntyche, to “agree in the Lord”.  These two sisters in the Messiah, once close, once working together in gospel life had some kind of falling out.  We don't know the details, but it was something important enough to prompt Paul to address them publicly.  They'd let the darkness extinguish their light.  Instead of standing as a witness to the victory of Jesus over the principalities and powers of the present wicked age, the local church was letting those powers have their way in their midst.  Brothers and Sisters, don't let that happen.  Paul exhorts them (and us) instead: Let everyone know how gentle and gracious you are.  (Philippians 4:5a) Gentle and gracious.  Paul uses the same description in 2 Corinthians 10 to describe the meekness of Jesus as a model for Christians.  This is gospel light lived out.  What Paul's getting at is that Jesus is the King, but in him we see this amazing display of gracious gentleness.  This is the gentleness we see revealed as Jesus, the one to whom heaven and earth belong, humbled himself to be born one of us, to die on the cross, and to show mercy to his enemies.  And in that, Jesus defeated the powers that held the world in darkness and sin and now, we his people, are called to live that victory out amongst ourselves as witnesses to Jesus' victory and the inauguration of God's kingdom.  This is our Advent stewardship. So consider, Brothers and Sisters, when we demand our rights, when we grasp for power, when we nurse grudges, we undermine our gospel witness—we put on display the very darkness from which we've been delivered by the one who is light.  In contrast Paul calls us to rejoice in the Lord and to manifest Jesus-like gentleness in our relationships.  Jesus' gracious gentleness has forgiven and restored us and that same gracious gentleness ought to shine through us and through the life of the church.  Consider that every time we hold a grudge, allow a relationship to break down, or follow the world's advice to cut those problem or negative people out of our lives, we undermine the Church's witness to the world.  But that's not all. Paul goes on: The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything.  Rather in everything let your requests be made known to God, by prayer, supplication, and with thanksgiving.   There's our Advent theme again: Jesus has given us a job to do.  He's given us a gospel treasure to steward in his absence.  In the meantime, rather than being anxious—and anxiousness is so often the thing that evil uses to manipulate us—instead of being anxious we should take our needs to God.  Jesus made the same point in the Sermon on the Mount.  The pagans worry about what they'll eat, what they'll wear, and where they'll sleep.  God's people should know better than to worry unduly about these things.  The God who fed Israel with manna in the wilderness will provide.  He is faithful to his promises.  The story of his dealings with Israel is the proof and even more so, so is his gift of Jesus, who died and rose again to set us free from sin and death.  So go to the Lord with your needs and ask.  And while you're at it, give thanks, because you know his faithfulness and his love. This is part of the witness of the people of God—it's how we are light in the darkness—and it ties back into rejoicing.  When Paul talks about rejoicing, at least part of what he's got in mind is a public display or a public witness.  The pagan Greeks in Philippi regularly held public celebrations to honour their gods.  And yet the pagans, as Jesus said, were always anxious.  Because their gods never delivered.  Pagan religion was a non-stop game of trial and error, trying to guess what the gods wanted, trying to guess what you may have done wrong to offend them, and then guessing at what you might offer to appease their anger or to ingratiate them to you in order to get what you needed or wanted.  The pagan gods were silent and they were notoriously capricious and unreliable.  And in this context Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians: Rejoice yourselves.  Let the pagans see you celebrating the fact that the Creator of the universe has, through Jesus, made you his own and lives in your midst by his own Holy Spirit.  Let the pagans, who know only mean and capricious gods and who live in a dog-eat-dog world, let them see the gracious gentleness of God in you.  Live in such a way that they see in you the God who humbles himself to die for the sake of his enemies.  And let the pagans see you living in faith, praying in confident thankfulness to the God whose story reveals an unfailing pattern of promise and fulfilment.  Shine the light of Jesus into the darkness of the world.  And if you'll do that, he says in verse 7: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in King Jesus.   I think we tend to look at Paul's exhortation here as something we should do in order to experience the peace of God ourselves, but given the context in Philippians, I think Paul's point is actually more about our witness.  If we truly live as stewards of the good news about Jesus, if we truly live as people who know the faithfulness of God revealed in Jesus and particularly in his death and resurrection, if we truly know the life of the Spirit, the peace of God—instead of the strife and anxiety of the world—will guard our hearts and minds in a way that will astound the unbelievers around us. I like to say that Jesus calls us—his church—to be a pocket of new creation in the middle of the old—to be heaven-on-earth people, living Gods' future in the hic et nunc, in the here and now.  Brothers and Sisters, this is how we do that.  And this makes us the John the Baptists of our own place and age as we proclaim the good news about Jesus—how we proclaim and show the world that Jesus has triumphed over the principalities and powers just as he has over sin and death.  And as the world took notice of those tiny and seemingly insignificant Christian communities popping up around the Roman empire, so it will take not of us.  And some will give glory to God as they see his faithfulness, they will come in faith to Jesus and his cross.  But it will also threaten those who are invested in the present age, its pagan gods and sinful systems.  And they will fight back. So we need to ask: Does the world see our joy?  Are we the voice crying in the wilderness?  Are we the royal heralds the Lord has called us to be, summoning the word to let go of its false gods and to come to the Lord Jesus, calling the world away from sin and self and to come to the cross?  And we need to ask how the world is responding to us.  If we're faithfully proclaiming the good news about Jesus, if we're faithfully calling people to repent and to believe, if we're faithfully proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and that his kingdom has come—well—people will respond in one of two ways.  Either they'll believe or they'll get angry—as Herod got angry with John.  There's some of both out there in the world, but overwhelmingly, when I look at how people respond to or think of the church these days in our part of the world, it's often just indifference.  Why? Because we have not been the witnesses God calls us to be.  We are afraid to confront the world with the good news about Jesus and we are half-hearted in our allegiance to his kingdom.  Like old Israel, we pray to God, but we've failed to tear down the old altars to Baal and Asherah—or money, sex, and power.  We name Jesus, but we deal dishonestly in business, we sell our souls to the commercialism that surrounds us, we look to politics or to science as our saviours, and we dabble in the sexual immorality of the age.  We've failed to proclaim the gospel and we justify it, saying that we'll preach it with our lives.  But if we stop to ask what the world sees in our lives, is it really very different?  Does the world see us rejoicing in the Lord?  Does the world see us manifesting the gracious gentleness of Jesus?  Does the world see us living in faithful prayer and trusting in God, or does it see people just as anxious as everyone else?  Does it see enmity and strife and broken relationships or does it see a gospel people living out the healing and reconciling love of Jesus in loving unity?  Does the world see the peace of God ruling our hearts and minds?  Does the world see us, holding high the gospel, as a challenge to its gods and its kings and its sins?  It should.  But sadly, I think that for the Western Church at large, the answer is often “no”. And, all too often, when we do proclaim the gospel, we do so without power or authority.  Think of John boldly declaring the coming judgement and calling Israel to repentance.  It was urgent and powerful.  In contrast we tend to hold the gospel out as good advice, rather than as the good news that it is.  Friends, the gospel is the royal summons to come in faith to Jesus, the world's true Lord—the Lord who has come with mercy so that the repentant will escape when he comes one day in judgement.  This was the power behind John the Baptist' preaching.  But all too often we present the gospel as just another option on the religious smorgasbord—something you might want to try. See if you like it.  See if it works for you.  If not…oh well.  Brothers and Sisters, that's not the gospel.  The gospel is life! The gospel is good news to the people living in the midst of darkness and death: the king who will set the world to rights has come.  And that means the gospel, when preached as it should be, will challenge and upset the Herods and Caesars of our age and all those invested in the false gods of the world. The Advent message is to be prepared.  Jesus has given us a gospel mission to take the good news of his death, his resurrection, and his lordship into the world.  Brothers and Sisters, pray that we will be faithful to our mission—faithful enough to provoke opposition, because that's the kind of faithfulness that also reaps a harvest for the kingdom.  Pray for the holy boldness of John the Baptist and the gracious gentleness of Jesus.  Pray that we will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Pray that the joy of the Lord will overcome us.  Brothers and Sisters, Rejoice!  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say rejoice. Let's pray: O Lord, come among us, we pray, with your power and strengthen us with your great might; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.

Luke 2:1-20

God's faithfulness at the first Advent assures us that He will keep His promise again—Jesus will return to renew creation, wipe away every tear, and dwell with His people forever. Revelation 21 anchors our hope in the already/not yet, reminding us that God's plan has always been to bring us back home, not by escape, but by making everything new through the return of King Jesus in glory. This promised future is meant to shape how we live now, calling us to place our allegiance and hope in Christ alone as we wait with faith, resilience, and confident expectation.

Text: Matthew 1:1-17

Sunday Morning Worship at Grace Free Lutheran Church - Maple Grove, MN

As we conclude our Advent series we see that there are many lights that lead us, but if the true Light isn't King Jesus, we are being led astray.

In this Advent episode of The Perspectivalist, Uri Brito is joined by Canadian pastors Dave Forsythe and Matt Hallick to discuss the growing threat to religious liberty in Canada, focusing on the proposed Bill C-9, known as the Combating Hate Speech Act. While presented as a measure to protect vulnerable groups, the bill increasingly places historic Christian teaching—and even specific biblical texts—under suspicion by the state.

In part two, we are continuing our focus on the person of Jesus, His roles, His love and His action. Jesus is the King of all Kings, and the one with all authority in heaven and earth, who came as King and redeemer of our lives. He has redeemed us and purchased us from slavery out of love for us, so that we would welcome Him as King of our hearts and lives. GIVE HERE - https://awake.church/give

With the stump-and-shoot ornament, Tory and TJ explore Isaiah's prophecy: a shoot would grow from the stump of Jesse. Though David's royal line looked cut off, God promised a new King—Jesus—who would bring life from what seemed dead. The Jesse Tree points us to this hope: Jesus brings new life, even in the most unexpected places.Follow Us:Instagram | Website | Newsletter Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes when you're studying the Bible you can get so deep into study that you miss the forest for the trees. Such is often the case with the book of Revelation, as we try to peer deeply into symbolism and the order of events to decipher what the end of days will look like. One big takeaway that we ought not miss is this: Jesus is absolutely glorious and eternally victorious. Take notice of the sheer amount of text used to describe the glory that John sees and the ways that those in heaven acknowledge King Jesus. Be encouraged by this simple, yet profound truth: Christ reigns with authority and power over the heavens and over all creation.Revelation 1 – 1:10 . Revelation 2 – 5:38 . Revelation 3 – 13:10 . Revelation 4 – 18:16 . Revelation 5 – 20:59 . Isaiah 63 – 24:38 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

What if the sound you're waiting for isn't louder effort—but quieter trust?In this week's message from Oakridge Adventist Church, we continue our December teaching series Tales of the Trees by stepping into an unexpected Christmas text: 2 Samuel 5. Through the story of David, the Philistines, and the mysterious sound of marching in the treetops, we're invited to reconsider how God leads, how breakthroughs happen, and whose battles we are actually meant to fight.This message explores powerful parallels between King David and King Jesus—one who rose from shepherd to king, and the other who laid aside kingship to become our Shepherd. We reflect on waiting instead of rushing, listening instead of striving, and trusting God's timing over our instincts.If you're facing uncertainty, conflict, or a season of waiting, this message invites you to pause beneath the trees, lift your eyes, and listen closely—because God may already be moving ahead of you.

Weekly Messages from Courageous Church in Salt Lake City, Utah

Big Idea: God completely cleanses and restores his sin-stained children. I. God cleanses a filthy man of his sin.Zechariah 3:1-5Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn't this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed with filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him in garments while the angel of the Lord was standing nearby.II. God restores an untrustworthy man to his service.Zechariah 3:6-7Then the angel of the Lord charged Joshua, “This is what the Lord of Armies says: If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and take care of my courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here.III. God promises a broken world his salvation.Zechariah 3:8-10“Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your colleagues sitting before you; indeed, these men are a sign that I am about to bring my servant, the Branch. Notice the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave an inscription on it”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—“and I will take away the iniquity of this land in a single day. On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.Next Steps: Believe: Today, I surrender my soul to King Jesus.Become: I will stop listening to the accuser and start listening to the Father this week. Be Sent: I will share how Jesus forgave me with someone this week. Discussion Questions: What challenges have you faced in this broken world this year?How do you react when someone points out your faults?Do you consider your sin less filthy than someone else's?Will God trust great responsibilities to someone who isn't faithful to keep his Word? Explain your answer.Do you hold on to guilt or shame even after God has forgiven you?Give the first name of someone who needs to experience Jesus's forgiveness this week.Thank God for his gift of forgiveness today. 

There is a time and place where Jesus calls for an unequivocal surrender, are you willing to say "Yes, Lord Yes" to King Jesus today??

We begin the Advent season with discovering the kind of King, King Jesus is. 

In the midst of all the chaos, King Jesus comes to provide a peace that goes beyond human understanding to guard our hearts. Will you make room for peace? Where there is a temptation to store vengeance, conflict, and offense, choose to allow the Lord to fill your heart with peace and allow it to determine every thought, word, and deed.

A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent Isaiah 35:1-10, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, St. Matthew 11:2-10 by William Klock Many years ago, as we were driving home from church on a Sunday morning, a very young Alexandra asked, “Dad, can Episcopalians cry?”  I thought, “What?  Of course we can. What makes you ask that?”  And she said something to the effect of, “The song said the Baptists cried”  “Ah!  ‘On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry…' and I found myself trying to figure out how to explain plurals and possessives and punctuation to a pre-schooler who couldn't read yet, and in the end I said something like—“No, the song is about John the Baptist, not Baptists, and he wasn't crying because he was sad, he was crying—like yelling out—to the crowds about how, in Jesus, God had come to save his people like he'd promised, so they'd better get ready by getting rid of their sins.” That hymn was written by Charles Coffin in 1736 for the Paris Breviary and was a hymn to be sung at Lauds—more or less what we call Morning Prayer—during Advent.  And it wonderfully blends the account of John the Baptist that we have in the Gospels with Isaiah's prophecies of the coming Messiah, his call to make straight the way of the Lord, and his promises of forgiveness and reconciliation, of healing and new creation.  Maybe it's because we reference the hymn by its first line, but somehow that first line—little Alexandra wasn't the only one—lots of people hear that first line and imagine poor John sobbing on the banks of the Jordan river, when what we're singing about is John, proclaiming with an urgent joy the coming of the Messiah and the fulfilment of Israel's hopes and longings. For thou art our salvation Lord, Our refuge and our great reward: Without thy grace we waste away Like flowers that wither and decay.   To heal the sick stretch out thine hand, And bid the fallen sinner stand; Shine forth, and let thy light restore Earth's own true loveliness once more.   It's certainly an appropriate image for this season of Advent as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus and are reminded about the vocation he's given us to prepare ourselves and his creation for the day when he returns.  But I still wrestle with this passage and with today's Epistle from 1 Corinthians 11, every time the Third Sunday in Advent rolls around.  Last week's lessons are some of my favourites.  They remind us how important it is that we know and root ourselves in the story of God and his people.  But I always find today's lessons hard.  First we hear Paul rebuking the Corinthian Christians.  They'd rejected his authority and he writes them to say, “Hey, that's not the way I should be treated.  You need to regard me a servant of the Messiah and steward of God's mysteries.  Who are you to judge me?”  If we didn't know better we might think Paul's head was a little swollen.  And then in the Gospel we've got Jesus defending John the Baptist and his calling and ministry. And I know that the reason these lessons were appointed for the Third Sunday in Advent is because this is an ember week, one of those weeks that most people have forgotten about, that come around four times a year—the times when ordinations traditionally took place.  And so the lessons were chosen to remind us of the importance of those who serve as ministers in the church.  We prayed in the Collect, “Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight.”  That's a good thing to pray.  I hope that you pray for me and that you pray for our bishops and for those who lead and teach in our church—and all the churches.  But I get kind of uncomfortable standing at the pulpit and suggesting that I—or any other clergyman, by he a presbyter or a bishop—can talk that way about my ministry the way Paul could speak about his apostolic ministry and authority.  That was a unique authority given to Paul and the other apostles and to no one since.  Our duty—both mine and yours—is simply to faithfully proclaim the faith given to us by those uniquely authoritative apostles.  Ditto for Jesus' defense of John the Baptist.  I hope with all my heart that if a crowd of people were doubting my faithfulness, that Jesus was come to my defense.  But I can't presume to talk as if Jesus' words in today's Gospel mean that you all should see and respect me as a modern-day John the Baptist.  Every year when this set of lessons comes around, I can' help but think of the words of our Declaration of Principles, where it says that “this church condemns and rejects the following erroneous and strange doctrines as contrary to God's word...” And the second of those erroneous and strange doctrines is “That Christian ministers are ‘priests' in another sense than that in which all believers are a ‘royal priesthood'.” Brother and Sisters, together we are the body of Jesus the Messiah.  Some of us are ears or eyes, some hands or feet, some hearts or brains.  I may have pastoral training and authority granted by the church to teach and to administer the sacraments, but that doesn't make me more important.  The church, to be the church, needs all of us.  And the really important thing that we really need—all of us—to do is not to treat our pastors or our bishops as if they carry Paul's apostolic authority.  What we need to do is to see ourselves—all of us—in the same place as the Corinthians and submit ourselves to that apostolic teaching handed down by Paul and Peter and John and the rest of the apostles. Because our witness depends on it.  God's kingdom depends on it.  We are the stewards of the good news and we're stewards of God's Spirit.  We are the stewards of his kingdom and his new creation.  And as Paul writes, “it's required of stewards that they be found trustworthy”.  When Paul writes “steward” he's describing the manager of a household or an estate.  Think of Joseph, Potiphar's steward, put in charge of everything he owned, responsible for how it was all managed, responsible for the profits and losses, responsible for making sure all of Potiphar's assets were put to good and efficient use and not wasted, squandered, or damaged.  That's what Paul saw himself as when it came to the mysteries of God.  And not some highfalutin executive, but as a humble slave, graciously chosen by God to steward the gospel. And because you and I have been entrusted with that same gospel—handed down by Paul and Peter and John and the other apostles—we've become stewards too.  Not with the apostolic authority that Paul had and the ability to announce “Thus saith the Lord.”  But still a people called to work in the Lord's household or in his vineyard, entrusted with his mysteries—with the gospel, with his grace, with his Spirit—and called, each of us in our own way, to steward the Lord's good things faithfully. When we look at First and Second Corinthians, the folks in that church weren't doing a very good job.  Picture them.  A small church—probably a few dozen people at most.  Most of the people in it were converts from paganism.  They used to worship false gods who represented things like sex, knowledge, money, war, power, government.  The Corinthians all had their favourite sins: lying, cheating, anger, pornography, drunkenness, drugs, adultery.  You name it, they'd done it—often as part of their worship.  But then this funny Jewish man showed up preaching a bizarre message about the God of Israel and his son, the Messiah—the anointed king—who had been crucified and then raised from death.  And this man, Paul, he'd been abused, beaten, stoned, left for dead so many times for the sake of this message, this “good news” he was so earnest about.  He was a little frightening to look at, because he literally bore the marks of this gospel, the marks of Jesus on his own body.  But this good news was unlike any news they'd ever heard before.  This God, this Jesus, was unlike any god they'd ever worshiped.  He brought love, mercy, grace, and hope into a world of darkness, greed, selfishness, and brutality.  In Paul they saw and in hearing the good news he announced, they met God's new world and they were won over.  They were baptised into this God who is Father, Son, and Spirit and the new creation begun by Jesus was born in them.  Paul stayed and he taught them and they grew in Jesus and the Spirit.  And they lived as a little pocket of God's new age right there in the midst of brutal, wicked, dark, pagan Corinth.  And then Paul moved on.  And they started to struggle.  The temptations of their old pagan ways came back—as so often happens.  The new life of Jesus and the Spirit—so thrilling at first—became hum-drum and they started seeking after new experiences and new excitements.  That resulted in factions in the church: this group became a fan of that preacher and that group became fans of this preacher.  In the name of Christian liberty they became tolerant of sin—even some that were unspeakable to the pagans.  And that led to further divisions.  They began to use the gifts the Spirit had given them, not to build up the church, but to build up themselves.  Their worship became chaotic and dishonouring to God.  And when Paul heard what was happening and wrote to them.  Think of Advent.  He wrote to them: “Hey, you're living like you're still part of the old evil age, subject to the old false gods and the principalities and powers that Jesus defeated at the cross.  You're supposed to be living as heralds of God's new creation!  You're supposed to be a church full of John the Baptists, crying out, announcing that the Lord is night!”  And they wrote back a nasty letter telling him they were done with him—they didn't want to hear his “correction” anymore.  They had grown beyond his teaching and they were doing well on their own, thank you very much! And I think we tend to read about the Corinthians think, “Wow, what horrible Christians!”  And yet, I don't know that the modern church is all that different.  It's full of quarrelling and divisions.  We're jealous of other pastor's or other church's successes.  We use the gifts God has given to benefit ourselves rather than the body.  We lack holiness.  We're worldly.  We lie, we cheat, we steal, and we exploit in our business.  Our families are often a mess.  Unrepentant divorce is rampant.  Sexual immorality, pornography, drugs and drunkenness, abortion are nearly as prevalent in the church as they are in the world.  Bishops and presbyters abuse and lie and plagiarise and get drunk and engage in sexual immorality.  We say we've given our allegiance to Jesus, but we sell ourselves out to the materialistic and consumeristic and individualistic and political spirits of the age.  We take our cues from advertising and become dissatisfied with what God has given us and where he's placed us.  We take our cues from politicians instead of the Bible.  We see evil in the world, we see injustice in the world and instead of speaking out or doing something about it, we look the other way and refuse to act. Our worship is too often chaotic and man-centred rather than God- and gospel-centred.  We preach self-help instead of sin and grace, the cross and new creation.  Brothers and Sisters, the church is supposed to be the advance guard of God's new creation.  It's supposed to be his temple, the place where God and man, where heaven and earth meet.  We've been entrusted with the mysteries of God.  But we're too much like the old creation.  Our allegiance is half-hearted.  We are unfaithful stewards, squandering the gifts of God.  The principalities and powers of the old age often rule and govern the church more than Jesus and the Spirit do.  I don't think it's any wonder that—to use the analogy of John's vision in Revelation—I don't think it's any great wonder that Jesus seems to be taking away our lampstand here in the post-Christian West. And I know there's little if anything you and I can do about the church on a large scale, but we've been entrusted with our little corner of the church and we can do something about that.  Advent reminds us that as Israel was to listen to men like John the Baptist and prepare for Jesus first coming, the church now needs to listen to the scriptures—to the prophets and apostles—and prepare for Jesus' return.  As Paul warned the Corinthians that they needed to heed his apostolic authority, he might as well be warning us, too.  Hear the apostles and hear the prophets—and don't just hear; do.  Hear the words of Isaiah we read today: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.  The glory of the Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” Maybe that doesn't mean much to us today, but for people who lived in the desert, those were words of hope.  New creation was coming.  God has promised to come and set the world to rights.  To bring his people back to the garden to live in his presence.  And so Isaiah tells them, “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save you.” Don't be discouraged.  Don't lose hope.  Don't forget his promises.  Don't forget to whom you belong.  Don't give up on your holy vocation.  Don't forget that you are stewards of the good things of God for the sake of the world.  What he has promised he will do.  He will not let you thirst in the desert forever.  “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.  For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.  And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it.  It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.  No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.  And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” John the Baptist saw that in Jesus God was beginning to fulfil this promise.  In fact, what John saw in Jesus—preaching good news, healing the sick, casting out demons—looked so much like the fulfilment of God's promises made through Isaiah and the other prophets, that he had confidence to announce to Israel that the kingdom was at hand. It gave him the confidence to preach, not just the joyful part of Isaiah's message, but to also declare the part about God's judgement coming and to call the people to repentance in preparation.  He was confident enough that he even called out King Herod's personal sins.  And that landed him in Herod's dungeon.  But when Jesus didn't break him out, he started to wonder.  I don't know that he really doubted the message, but it seems like he began to wonder and so he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one or should we look for someone else?”  And Jesus reminded them of all the Messiah things he'd been doing.  The blind received their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, even the dead are raised, and the poor are hearing good news for the first time.  And in case the crowds were doubting, Jesus reminded them of the absolute certainty John had shown.  “What did you go out to the wilderness to see?” he asked them.  Not a reed flapping in the wind.  Not some fop dressed in fine clothes.  You can find that in Herod's palace.  No, you went out to see a prophet—to see a man who knows God's faithfulness and wasn't afraid to proclaim both the joy of salvation and the sternness of judgement.  You went out because he was calling you to repentance in preparation for God's coming.  Yes, you went out to hear the one of whom it was written: “Behold, I send my messenger…who will prepare the way before you.”  In other words, Jeus says to them, “You saw what God is doing through me and so you went out to meet John, to listen to his message, to be baptised in the Jordan, because you knew that you need to be prepared for God's coming. And, Brothers and Sisters, we need to hear the same thing.  We've seen the goodness of God, we've seen his faithfulness in Jesus.  We've know the joy of being forgiven our sins and restored to fellowship with God.  We've received his Spirit and have known the beginning of new creation.  We've experienced the fellowship of this redeemed community.  We should be as certain as John was that in Jesus God's salvation has come, that in Jesus new creation has begun.  And we should be as certain as John was of the need to make straight the way of the Lord, to shout to the world with joy and also with earnestness: Repent, because the kingdom of God is here.  But I think we've lost that—or at least a good bit of it.  The joy has faded and we've become complacent. And so Advent is a call to remember the faithfulness of God that we have known, to remember the joy and love and hope we once knew, and to renew our allegiance to King Jesus and to his kingdom…and then to repent in dust and ashes for our sins and failures and betrayals and to commit ourselves as the church, as his temple to truly be the place where heaven and earth meet, the place that confronts the kingdoms of men with the kingdom of God, that confronts the principalities and powers with the victory of the cross, to be the people who know the redemption of sins and who go out into the world to make straight the way of the Lord.  Brothers and Sisters, let Advent remind you of the joy of your salvation; let Advent remind you of the kingdom vocation you've been given; let Advent be a time recommitment as you lay aside everything else and once again give your full attention and your full allegiance and your full self to the coming King. Let's pray: O Lord Jesus, Messiah, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that we being faithful ministers and stewards of your mysteries, might so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Matthew 19:1-19

We ask for God's kingdom to come among us. Where you find the kingdom, there you find the King (Jesus). Where you find the King (Jesus), there you find the kingdom. We ask that He would give us His Holy Spirit to believe His Word. An earthly kingdom is found by the work of its people and by force. God's kingdom is found by the work of God in Christ and by His grace. His kingdom is seen now by the Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. We anticipate beholding the kingdom that is yet to come, that we may keep our focus on what truly matters in this life! Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot, ND, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the 2nd Petition of the Lord's Prayer. To learn more about St. Paul's in Minot, visit anchoredminot.com. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org. 

The creator of the heavens and the earth is also the savior of the world. Jesus, the highest name of all, means Salvation. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Light of the world and He is Resurrection and Life. He is above all and through Him all things are held together. The greatest mystery of all is that we can be united with Him - living in union with the Lord of all.

In a world of sin, suffering, and disaster, how can we know that God loves us? We must look at the One promised to rescue us. In this message from Isaiah 9, Pastor Lutzer considers three credentials of the promised King: His origin, name, and responsibility. King Jesus not only came once but He's coming again. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

In a world of sin, suffering, and disaster, how can we know that God loves us? We must look at the One promised to rescue us. In this message from Isaiah 9, Pastor Lutzer considers three credentials of the promised King: His origin, name, and responsibility. King Jesus not only came once but He's coming again. This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://rtwoffer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.  Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.  Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.    SUPPORT:  Tax Deductible Support: https://www.moodymedia.org/donate/  Become an Endurance Partner: https://endurancepartners.org/    SUBSCRIBE:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoodyChurchMedia  Weekly Digest: https://www.moodymedia.org/newsletters/subscription/

In this episode, Keith welcomes Angel Ellis, a landscaper and small-business owner who transformed his life from hardship and incarceration into purpose, stability, and entrepreneurship. Angel shares his emotional turning point, how he rebuilt his identity, restored family relationships, and found the clarity to build a thriving landscaping company from scratch. The conversation explores practical business lessons—starting a service-based company legally, using local resources, transitioning from a job to full-time business ownership, staying aligned in marriage, and keeping priorities straight at home. Angel emphasizes discipline, personal responsibility, momentum, and the power of faith when overcoming fear, roadblocks, and uncertainty. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs in landscaping, home services, or blue-collar trades who want motivation, resilience, business clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.   "Now we only work Monday through Thursday by choice to have the weekends, more time for the wifey for life, have more time for ministry, serve King Jesus, and it's just awesome." – Angel Ellis   Topics Covered: How Angel rebuilt his life and launched a landscaping business from scratch   Practical steps to legally start and structure a lawn-care or home-service company   Transitioning from a day job into full-time landscaping with momentum and confidence   Work–life balance in the lawn-care industry, prioritizing marriage, home, and well-being   Scaling a small landscaping or service business with integrity, discipline, and consistency   How mindset, resilience, and community support drive long-term growth in lawn care and entrepreneurship   Key Takeaways Business Starts With Simple Action: Don't overcomplicate the launch of a landscaping or home-service company. You don't need a perfect plan to begin — just the willingness to ask questions, call the city or county, follow the legal basics, and put boots on the ground. Momentum doesn't come from theory, it comes from motion. The moment you commit and start saying yes to real work, the business begins to open up faster than you imagined. Don't Stay Half In and Half Out: Holding onto a job while trying to grow a lawn-care business can keep you stuck at half speed. Once Angel finally released the safety net and went all-in on his company, the work surged and his confidence skyrocketed. Entrepreneurship rewards commitment — when you're no longer split between a paycheck and a purpose, you create the urgency, energy, and freedom that full-time ownership requires. Private Peace Fuels Public Growth: A thriving landscaping business isn't just built in the field — it's built at home. Alignment in marriage, healthy prioritization, and peace inside the household create sharper decision-making, clearer leadership, and the emotional bandwidth needed to grow. You never want public success and private collapse. A stable home is the competitive advantage most entrepreneurs overlook.   Connect with Angel Ellis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prokutzlawncareandlandscaping/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProKutzLawnCare Website: prokutz-lawncare.com Connect with Keith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas   Resources and Websites:  Start Getting Leads Now https://www.footbridgemedia.com/keith Resources You Need To Build A Successful Business https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources

December 7, 2025Oftentimes, the word peace is associated with war or conflict, and rightfully so. We often don't think of ourselves or others as being at war with God or with one another, yet for the person who is not in Christ, they are indeed at war against God and others. But Christ, such a beautiful conjunction, has come and fought the war for us, and in his victory, he births in us his peace. Peace first with God and with those who are found in Christ. Our response, both individually and as the whole body of Christ, is to cherish Christ's peace so that we may glorify God and not ourselves. Born in us is a peace that isn't temporary for just the Christmas season, but one that brings deep and eternal satisfaction in Christ. It is a peace that tears down the walls of hostility between people from every tribe and tongue and builds a kingdom full of people who have one means of being at peace with one another, King Jesus. Ephesians 2:11-22