Jesus prayed for us, that we might be one — unified in the same way that God the Father and God the Son are unified. That’s a tall order! For that humanly-impossible calling, God provides the power of the gospel through the Holy Spirit, to help us bear witness to the world through our unity and love.

The glory of God is most prominently on display at the cross of Jesus. God’s character — abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, full of grace and truth — are demonstrated most prominently when Jesus died for the sins of undeserving us.

Jesus comforted his disciples by telling them that through their greatest sorrow (his death) will come their greatest joy (his resurrection, and all its implications). If God can produce great joy through great sorrow, then we can trust him with all of our sorrows and pain. He promises that he will work all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

While Jesus was on earth, he convicted the world of sin, righteous, and judgment — not to condemn them, but so that he might save them.

Now that Jesus has returned to his place by the Father’s side in heaven, he has sent his Holy Spirit to continue that same ministry. Convincing the unbelieving world of sin, so that they might seek its cure in Christ; of righteousness, that they might see that their best deeds are insufficient; and of judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged and defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the vinedresser, and we are the branches. Our Lord uses this illustration to teach us the importance of abiding in his love, so that God may be most glorified through our lives, and that our joy might be full!

While coming with a caution to those who do not remain connected to the Vine, it is a passage full of gospel-comfort. Jesus is teaching us to draw on him and his inexhaustible resources for all our needs, instead of relying on our own resources, or on the world’s techniques.

Jesus is not physically present on earth at this time, but he is really, truly with us by his Holy Spirit, who he sent to dwell in all who love and trust him. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives is our sweetest comfort on this side of the resurrection. He gives us love, produces obedience, he advocates for us, and declares to us the peace that Jesus has with the Father. Praise God for his gift of the Holy Spirit!

The search for meaning and purpose in life is universal, and we can think of it as a search for “Home.” We were designed and created to be at home with God, and we’ll be restless until we rest in him.

In John 14, Jesus comforts his troubled disciples with the truth that he is preparing the way for them to come home, and for home to come to them. Today, we can take comfort in that same reality — that God makes his home with us as we believe in Jesus and are filled with his Spirit. And one day, that home will be fully realized and manifested when Jesus comes again. For that comfort to take hold of our hearts, we must understand that Jesus has flung wide open the door — and that he is the only way.

The treasure of Christ is the only treasure that grows and sweetens as we share it. When we tell people the good news of Jesus, we’re enriched, not diminished!

But evangelism can be daunting. It is my prayer that from Matthew 13 and 2 Corinthians 4 the Lord will grant us all courage to joyfully share Christ with those in our lives, so that we might see many neighbors adopted into the family of God!

When a new treasure takes hold of our hearts, new habits must be formed. As Christians, we ought to be forming and feeding healthy habits that actively love and treasure Christ. Regularly gathering together and regularly eating together are two of those Christ-treasuring habits. I pray this message helps us take the next step in both of those areas!

When a new treasure takes hold of our hearts, new habits must be formed. As Christians, we ought to be forming and feeding healthy habits that actively love and treasure Christ. In Acts 2 the curtain is pulled back on how the early church strove with their will to actively treasure Christ. May the Lord give us courage, strength, and determination to do the same, for the glory of Jesus and for our joy!

The Bible says that Christ Jesus is the greatest treasure imaginable. Knowing him and being found in him far surpasses the greatest treasures and pleasures of this world. Philippians 3:8–11 is our invitation to consider: is Christ our greatest treasure?

The Bible says that Christ Jesus is the greatest treasure imaginable. Knowing him and being found in him far surpasses the greatest treasures and pleasures of this world. Philippians 3:8–11 is our invitation to consider: is Christ our greatest treasure?

We live in a strange time, that some call the “already-not-yet.” Jesus has saved us from our sins, but we still struggle with sin — because Jesus hasn’t come back yet to renew all things and perfect his creation.

This season of waiting for Jesus to return can be bleak at times. We will suffer, we will sin, and we will even feel lonely and distant from God at times. But 1 Corinthians 1:9 reminds us that no matter what our circumstances or feelings, God is faithful!

Christmas is the celebration of a new King being born into this world. Is it news, or good news? That depends on what kind of King he will be.

Every other thing or person that demands our allegiance in this life will, in the end, offer us only exhaustion, heavy burdens, and pain. But King Jesus, gentle and lowly, offers us rest for our souls. That truly is good news.

We all follow a “king” in our lives. Something will hold authority over us and will dictate how we live. If that King is Jesus, then we will begin to learn true wisdom for skillful living, and he will be faithful to us and lead us into a glorious eternity. If our king is anything less than Jesus, then we will learn false and worldly wisdom — and we will share its fate.

Chances are, there was a time when you were an outsider to the gospel. And Jesus, seeing you, his heart full of compassion and love, welcomed you. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.”

We take our passports of repentance and look up to see Jesus stamping it, welcoming us through the custom doors of His empty tomb to the country of His resurrection life.

May we all reflect on Jesus’s humble spirit as He approached Jerusalem and praise the Lord throughout our week.

When we feel the depth of our emotions, good, hard, and everything in between, we just might experience this season in a whole new way. 

The ministry of Jesus was not confined to the walls of temples but extended to the dusty roads where the burdened sought refuge from their pain.