Service Folder In the Garden, man exalts himself to be a god in place of God (Gen. 3:1–21). He succumbs to the temptation of the devil, and eating of the forbidden fruit, he receives death. But in the sin-cursed wilderness, God humbles Himself to become man in place of man (Mt. 4:1–11). He does not eat but fasts and bears the onslaughts…
Service Folder Our Lenten theme is “Eyes on Jesus.” “When people in the Passion narrative looked at Jesus, what did they see? Who misunderstood him? Who acknowledged him as the Son of God? This Lenten season we will “fix our eyes on … Jesus” [(Hebrews 12:2) what he has] done to save us from our sins by holy precious blood, innocent suffering…
Service Folder In His Baptism, Jesus Takes His Place with Sinners Our Lord Jesus is baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:13–17). He partakes of a baptism for sinners in order that He might be our substitute and bear the judgment we deserve. In the water, Jesus trades places with us. Our sin becomes His sin. His righteousness becomes our righteousness. Our…
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Service Folder The Sower sows the seed of His Word (Luke 8:4–15).But the planting of Christ is attacked by the devil, the world, and the flesh. Satan snatches the Word away from hard hearts. The riches and pleasures of this life choke off faith. Shallow and emotional belief withers in time of temptation and trouble. But see how Christ bears this attack…
Service Folder Theme: Grace Alone Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who goes out to hire laborers throughout the day. At the end of the day the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matt. 20:1–16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord…
Service Folder This Sunday we go with Peter, James and John up the mountain to Jesus’ transfiguration. At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with the One who is the Light of Light Himself (Matt. 17:1–9). Jesus’ glory as God shines with brilliant splendor in and through His human nature. By this epiphany, our Lord confirmed the prophetic word (2 Pet. 1:16–21),…